How to Make Your African Ecology Paper Stand Out to a Global Audience DOI
Luca Luiselli

African Journal of Ecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 62(4)

Опубликована: Окт. 13, 2024

ABSTRACT The discovery of the South East Africa Montane Archipelago has unveiled a biologically significant ecoregion with high level endemism, showcasing at least 127 endemic plants and 45 vertebrates, including unique genera both reptiles. This remarkable find highlights Africa's ongoing contributions to global ecological knowledge, despite often being underrepresented in international research sphere due biases marginalisation. To address these issues enhance visibility impact African research, this Editorial outlines several key strategies. First, it emphasises importance making hypothesis‐driven studies, following Popper's philosophy science. Second, advocates for generalising findings broader contexts rather than focusing narrowly on local specifics. Additionally, underscores need use clear, generalised terminology producing detailed, context‐rich maps, so that authors can comprehensibility appeal their research. Finally, growing influence ecology, as evidenced by difference factor between AJE major general ecology journals decreased greatly. also suggests adopting strategies highlighted herein, ecologists further elevate presence contribute more substantially field.

Язык: Английский

Camera Trapping to Assess Diversity, Habitat Use and Activity Patterns of Mammals in a Tropical Hotspot Area DOI
Ernest D. B. Fotsing,

Meigang M. F. Kamkeng,

Masateru Senge

и другие.

African Journal of Ecology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 63(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Tropical forest mammal communities, especially those in ecological transition zones, are under constant threat from human activities, but most cases there is a lack of knowledge about their status, and baseline information on diversity lacking many parts the world. The Mpem Djim National Park central Cameroon degraded savannah mosaic known to host several globally threatened species. As little ecology species there, we undertook rapid assessment using line transects, opportunistic surveys (recce), camera trapping September 2021 December 2021. Our aim was collect diversity, population relative abundance, activity patterns potential threats inform conservation priorities for park managers. After 1700 days, obtained 915 events (mean per location = 29.5). richness 32 large, medium‐sized small mammals. monitored belonged 18 families 10 orders. family Antilopinae highest abundance index (RAI, 26.24) frequency (RF, 0.49), members this were active (6392 individuals). Blue Duiker ( Philantomba monticola , Thunberg, 1789) had 16.47) 0.31). No significant difference found between RAI, RF, number habitat classes. Human tracks snares abundant recorded (ER, 0.42 0.22 signs km). alpha suggests high within community with an almost even distribution no dominance one over another. We estimated lower very low probability recording new taxa Q 0.99). results also suggest spatio‐temporal niche partitioning overlap some duikers, coefficient Cephalophus callipygus Peters, 1876, dorsalis Grey, 1846 (Δ 0.81) Genetta maculata 930 vs. servalina Pucheran, 1855 0.82). observations provide long‐term monitoring terrestrial vertebrates MDNP.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

2
National parks in Cameroon and the in-situ conservation of threatened flora and fauna species: governance and policy paradigms DOI Creative Commons
Nyong Princely Awazi

Deleted Journal, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 2(1)

Опубликована: Фев. 20, 2025

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

1
Preliminary Evidence of Great Apes' Occurrence in Peri‐Urban and Highly Degraded Forest Reserves in Cameroon DOI Creative Commons
Jean Christian Mey Boudoug,

Stephane Dewang Dyio,

Cédric N. S. Fotie

и другие.

African Journal of Ecology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 63(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 18, 2025

ABSTRACT This study investigates the presence of great apes in degraded forests Cameroon. Using camera traps, it reveals occurrence chimpanzees and gorillas forest remnants within highly landscape formed by Mbalmayo Zamakoe Forest Reserves. Results support persistence adaptation both species forest/non‐forest mosaics emphasise need to conserve biodiversity beyond traditional protected areas. Further research is required characterise conservation status area, their use this fragmented landscape, relationship with neighbouring human communities.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0
A Multi‐Species Occupancy Modelling Approach to Access the Impacts of Ecological Covariates on Terrestrial Vertebrates in a Tropical Hotspot in Central, Cameroon DOI
Ernest D. B. Fotsing,

Meigang M. F. Kamkeng

African Journal of Ecology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 63(3)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Mammalian communities living in tropical forests, particularly those ecological transition zones, are under constant threat from human activities. In many regions, baseline data on mammal richness, occupancy, detection probability and the environmental factors that influence these metrics lacking. As a key metric for guiding conservation decisions, species richness can be underestimated due to varying probabilities, leading being overlooked. Advances technology methodology have revolutionised wildlife monitoring, fostering increase of multi‐species occupancy models (MSOMs) efficient studies community, shifting focus single entire communities. MSOMs, hierarchical share information across via random effects, address imperfect provide accurate unbiased estimates. To fill this gap, we used cameras trap Mpem Djim National Park, Central Cameroun. We generalised linear model selection approach evaluate affecting events. Similarly, MSOMs within Bayesian framework our initial estimate at each camera location understand covariates 19 vertebrates recorded area inform management decisions species. From 915 independent photographic events obtained over 1700 days capture, study results highlight importance habitat, distance river, normalised difference vegetation index topographic position (TPI) explaining patterns found forest (GLM: B 0.31, IRR 1.36, CI 0.14–0.48, p < 0.001), NDVI 0.21–0.41, 0.001) TPI 0.17, 1.19, 0.08–0.26, were positively associated with events, whereas river −0,19, 0.83, 0.0.27 (−0.11), was negatively However, mean community 0.33 ± 0.10 [2.5%–97.5% CI: 0.54], while 0.07 0.02 [2.5%–95% 0.04, 0.12], indicating that, average, approximately 33% sites likely occupied by interest, 7% sites. After accounting detection, maximum estimated 0.88 (2.5%–97.5% 0.71–0.98) 0.22 0.2 0.18–0.27) Philantomba monticola , respectively. Globally, responses close zero relatively weak, probably mixed level. Despite their weak effect, road ( β: −1.53 1.97 −1.72–5.62]) −0.09 −0.50–0.38]) had negative significant effect occupancy. there level Cephalophus nigrifrons example, exhibiting strong response NDVI. This contributes ecology Cameroon supports need future multi‐season surveys temporal area.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0
Beyond Description: Unlocking the Predictive Potential of African Ecology DOI
Luca Luiselli, Nic Pacini

African Journal of Ecology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 63(3)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Ecology's strength lies in its ability to explain and predict interactions between organisms their environment. However, African ecological research has historically been dominated by descriptive studies, focusing on biodiversity patterns, species distributions, behavioural observations or monitoring of large mammal populations (especially East savannahs). This pattern also traditionally characterised the studies community ecology. While valuable, these often fall short providing predictive insights essential for addressing pressing challenges such as climate change, ecosystem resilience. We advocate a paradigm shift ecology—moving beyond description hypothesis‐driven, research. Community ecology Africa can transcend documentation uncover mechanisms underlying processes integrating methodologies null models, Monte Carlo simulations modelling based upon data mining techniques. Predictive interactions, assembly functions have potential enhance both theoretical applied science, ensuring global relevance. Curriculum reforms statistics methodological training academic institutions will be crucial fostering this transformation. As Journal Ecology seeks champion transition, we urge researchers embrace frameworks that not only document but provide actionable into dynamics. could achieved re‐analysing long‐term sets published several less‐distributed journals, other languages than English. is critical positioning at forefront international discourse, driving impactful conservation management strategies.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

0
How to Make Your African Ecology Paper Stand Out to a Global Audience DOI
Luca Luiselli

African Journal of Ecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 62(4)

Опубликована: Окт. 13, 2024

ABSTRACT The discovery of the South East Africa Montane Archipelago has unveiled a biologically significant ecoregion with high level endemism, showcasing at least 127 endemic plants and 45 vertebrates, including unique genera both reptiles. This remarkable find highlights Africa's ongoing contributions to global ecological knowledge, despite often being underrepresented in international research sphere due biases marginalisation. To address these issues enhance visibility impact African research, this Editorial outlines several key strategies. First, it emphasises importance making hypothesis‐driven studies, following Popper's philosophy science. Second, advocates for generalising findings broader contexts rather than focusing narrowly on local specifics. Additionally, underscores need use clear, generalised terminology producing detailed, context‐rich maps, so that authors can comprehensibility appeal their research. Finally, growing influence ecology, as evidenced by difference factor between AJE major general ecology journals decreased greatly. also suggests adopting strategies highlighted herein, ecologists further elevate presence contribute more substantially field.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

2