Mammalian Community Structure Varies With Distance Between Protected Areas in the Omo Valley, Southwest Ethiopia

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Rapid human population growth in Ethiopia has resulted the degradation of vast areas wildlife habitats due to agricultural expansion, infrastructure development, and urbanization. The Omo Valley southwestern part been particularly affected by land use changes, but despite its ecological importance, few relevant studies have conducted there last two decades. Our aim is provide updated scientifically verifiable information for medium large terrestrial mammal species richness community structure four Protected Areas Valley. We used bycatch camera trap data from a carnivore survey nonparametric incidence‐based estimators analysis. A total 52 mammals nine orders eighteen families were recorded, which approximately 29.4% are listed as globally threatened one an endemic subspecies. present current lists compare them with historical records observed highest number National Park, even though no longer recorded there. applied Morisita‐Horn similarity index reveal high degree overlap mammalian among adjacent Areas, less between far each other, indicating distance decay similarity. distribution feeding guilds was significantly different across detection frequency relatively low Tama Community Conservation Area compared our other study sites. This confirmed conservation importance area terms diversity, albeit levels, especially carnivores, underscoring promoting landscape connectivity maintain viability From experience, proved be effective surveying large‐ medium‐sized species, so capturing rarer area.

Language: Английский

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Refining Camera Trap Surveys for Mammal Detection and Diversity Assessment in the Baviaanskloof Catchment, South Africa

Wild, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 2(2), P. 15 - 15

Published: April 29, 2025

Conserving biodiversity in mixed-land-use areas is essential, as nearly 80% of South Africa’s wild species exist outside protected areas. This study investigated mammalian diversity within the Baviaanskloof catchment, a mixed-use landscape Eastern Cape, Africa. It also evaluated how camera setup parameters impact detectability. Using 131 traps over four survey sessions from January 2020 to April 2022, 34 were recorded 21,020 trap days. Biodiversity indices revealed high with substantial variability across locations. Species discovery reached an asymptote at approximately 153 sampling days, though extended monitoring detected rarer species. Cameras positioned heights 40–70 cm improved detection rates, while above 100 reduced captures. However, elevation effects varied species, highlighting need for species-specific optimization. Optimal angles ranged 50 90°, extreme decreasing capture frequency. North- and south-facing cameras yielded better west-facing orientations introduced glare visibility. These findings underscore significance emphasize optimize configurations enhance wildlife conservation strategies complex, landscapes.

Language: Английский

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Habitat structure and the presence of large carnivores shape the site use of an understudied small carnivore: caracal ecology in a miombo woodland

Mammal Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 68(1), P. 113 - 120

Published: Oct. 18, 2022

Abstract Basic ecological knowledge on African small carnivores and how they interact with the wider carnivore guild are lacking for many species. The caracal ( Caracal ) has a widespread distribution across Africa, yet there is paucity of information this species outside savannah agricultural landscapes. Using camera trap data from Kasungu National Park, Malawi, we provide novel habitat use in miombo woodland compare spatiotemporal dynamics between members large (leopard, Panthera pardus spotted hyaena, Crocuta crocuta ). We found that were more likely to sites higher grass cover further away permanent water sources. site increased areas lower hyaena abundance exhibited different temporal activity patterns hyaena. In contrast, did not exhibit spatial or avoidance leopard at scale investigated here. However, probability detecting was significantly lower, suggesting possible behavioural mechanisms avoid interaction. Our study provides an insight into ecology improves our understanding community lesser-studied guild.

Language: Английский

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Patterns and predictors of ungulate space use across an isolated Miombo woodland reserve

Journal of Zoology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 320(2), P. 143 - 159

Published: March 14, 2023

Abstract Understanding ecological‐ and management‐related predictors of mammal space use within protected areas is critical for management planning. This particularly true in small, fenced isolated reserves where we hypothesised that activities will influence large herbivore more than ecological characteristics. We used camera trap data to assess the patterns 18 ungulate species small Majete Wildlife Reserve (Majete) understudied Miombo woodland ecoregion southern Malawi. In 2018 dry season, 691 km 2 reserve was systematically surveyed presence at 140 locations. Over a period 5456 days, survey yielded 11 078 independent detections three predators. Using single‐species occupancy modelling framework, probability ungulates assessed relation five (fire exposure, fire frequency, water availability, distance from fence road) (visibility, grass biomass, vegetation type, terrain ruggedness predator abundance) covariates, while accounting imperfect detection. Top‐ranked models contained multiple covariates 15 16 modelled, with only nyala's ( Tragelaphus angasii ) best predicted by type only. Distance water, visibility frequency were having strong influences on six or each. More reflected top models, but had meaningful effect sizes making us reject hypothesis. Importantly though, roads also identified as prominent predictors. Notably, black rhinoceros' Diceros bicornis increased boundary. Beyond informing habitat Majete, these results can form basis understanding species‐specific other similar characteristics threats.

Language: Английский

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Present distribution of common hippopotamus populations in southern Africa, and the need for a centralised database

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 301, P. 110878 - 110878

Published: Nov. 26, 2024

Language: Английский

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Evaluating patterns and drivers of mammal space use and richness in the Angolan savannah woodlands of the Kavango‐Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area

African Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 62(1)

Published: Oct. 25, 2023

Abstract Large transboundary protected areas such as the Kavango‐Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA‐TFCA), improve mammal conservation by addressing biodiversity threats on regional and international levels, but an adequate understanding of space use richness within is critical for effective management planning. This information has however been missing from Angolan component KAZA‐TFCA, Luengue‐Luiana National Park (LLNP), especially compared with neighbouring countries. We used camera trap data 2021 to 2023 investigate species medium‐ large‐sized mammals in two hotspot LLNP, well assess patterns 9 carnivore 16 herbivore species. A total 48 were recorded over 10,781 trapping nights, African elephant ( Loxodonta africana ) small antelope (e.g. common duiker Sylvicapra grimmia steenbok Raphicerus campestris being most common. Species composition differed significantly between sites, 21 more relatively abundant at Ndunjuru, including cheetah Acinonyx jubatus wild dog Lycaon pictus ), eight Bico, lion Panthera leo hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius ). The detection probability 22 affected one or ecological proximity rivers) anthropogenic human settlement) covariate. These results are intended act a baseline monitor effort aid habitat similar KAZA‐TFCA elsewhere.

Language: Английский

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Establishing a baseline of mammal diversity in Kali Tiger Reserve, India through camera trapping

Biologia, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 79(6), P. 1797 - 1807

Published: March 21, 2024

Language: Английский

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Establishing a Baseline of Mammal Diversity in Kali Tiger Reserve, India through Camera Trapping

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Aug. 28, 2023

Abstract The conservation of endangered and rare mammal populations requires accurate inventorying. Traditional live-trapping methods can be labor-intensive, time-consuming prone to errors. Camera trapping (CT) offer an effective alternative. sampling period was from March May 2021, divided into three phases, each lasting 25 days covering a different region. Rarefaction technique confirmed that 364 camera stations out 462 (9,100 effort) sufficient capture 22 species, which includes eight herbivores, two omnivores, six carnivores. eastern region had higher concentration species with the highest captures occurring at elevation ranging 400 800 m. study also highlighted potential impacts hunting poaching activities on wild animal communities within reserve. findings serve as baseline for future assessments management interventions. CT practical method inventorying populations, enabling efforts focus most in need.

Language: Английский

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