Diversity, relative abundance and distribution of medium and large-sized mammals in Mago National Park, southern Ethiopia
Most medium- and large-sized mammals have declined in Ethiopia, even within protected areas. However, there is still a lack of information to determine their status. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the diversity, relative abundance, and distribution of medium- and largesized mam...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolaita Sodo Univeristy
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Science and Inclusive Development |
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| Online Access: | https://jsid.edu.et/index.php/jsid/article/view/416 |
| _version_ | 1797689931744673792 |
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| author | Eden Tsegaye Girma Mengesha |
| author_facet | Eden Tsegaye Girma Mengesha |
| author_sort | Eden Tsegaye |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Most medium- and large-sized mammals have declined in Ethiopia, even within protected areas. However, there is still a lack of information to determine their status. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the diversity, relative abundance, and distribution of medium- and largesized mammals in Mago National Park, Southern Ethiopia. A stratified systematic sampling design was used to establish line transects along the three main habitat types, namely: Woodland, Acacia savanna, and Riverine forest. A total of 45 line transects were established throughout the whole habitat, with transect lengths varying from 1.5 to 5 km, depending on the size and topography of the habitat. The data were analysed via EstimateS (EstimateS v. 9.1) and species diversity indexes in R version 3.6.2. Twenty-eight medium- and large-sized mammalian species, including six globally threatened species:the endangered Loxodanta african and Lycaon pictus, and the vulnerable Panthera pardus, Acinonyx jubatus, Nanger soemmerringii, and Panthera leo, were recorded in the area, belonging to eight families and five orders. During both the dry and wet seasons, the highest species diversity (H' = 2.81 and H' = 2.96), respectively, was recorded in Woodland habitat, whereas species diversity was the lowest ( H' = 2.5 and H'= 2.67), respectively, in Riverine forest. In terms of abundance, Tragelaphus imberbis (1773 ± 86, 12%) was the most abundant species, while Vulpes chama was the least abundant species (104 ± 13), representing only less than 1% of the total population. Therefore, Mago National Park harbours a high species diversity of medium- and largesized mammals and could provide baseline information for the responsible bodies of the Park and for researchers who wish to conduct related ecological studies in the area. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T01:53:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7bb1372056194f4ca830d07338033550 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2708-3756 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T01:53:21Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | Wolaita Sodo Univeristy |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Science and Inclusive Development |
| spelling | doaj.art-7bb1372056194f4ca830d073380335502023-09-08T08:04:26ZengWolaita Sodo UniveristyJournal of Science and Inclusive Development2708-37562023-07-01689010.20372/jsid/2023-215416Diversity, relative abundance and distribution of medium and large-sized mammals in Mago National Park, southern EthiopiaEden Tsegaye0Girma Mengesha1College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mekelle UniversityWondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Hawassa UniversityMost medium- and large-sized mammals have declined in Ethiopia, even within protected areas. However, there is still a lack of information to determine their status. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the diversity, relative abundance, and distribution of medium- and largesized mammals in Mago National Park, Southern Ethiopia. A stratified systematic sampling design was used to establish line transects along the three main habitat types, namely: Woodland, Acacia savanna, and Riverine forest. A total of 45 line transects were established throughout the whole habitat, with transect lengths varying from 1.5 to 5 km, depending on the size and topography of the habitat. The data were analysed via EstimateS (EstimateS v. 9.1) and species diversity indexes in R version 3.6.2. Twenty-eight medium- and large-sized mammalian species, including six globally threatened species:the endangered Loxodanta african and Lycaon pictus, and the vulnerable Panthera pardus, Acinonyx jubatus, Nanger soemmerringii, and Panthera leo, were recorded in the area, belonging to eight families and five orders. During both the dry and wet seasons, the highest species diversity (H' = 2.81 and H' = 2.96), respectively, was recorded in Woodland habitat, whereas species diversity was the lowest ( H' = 2.5 and H'= 2.67), respectively, in Riverine forest. In terms of abundance, Tragelaphus imberbis (1773 ± 86, 12%) was the most abundant species, while Vulpes chama was the least abundant species (104 ± 13), representing only less than 1% of the total population. Therefore, Mago National Park harbours a high species diversity of medium- and largesized mammals and could provide baseline information for the responsible bodies of the Park and for researchers who wish to conduct related ecological studies in the area.https://jsid.edu.et/index.php/jsid/article/view/416diversity indices, species richness, seasonal variation, transect lines |
| spellingShingle | Eden Tsegaye Girma Mengesha Diversity, relative abundance and distribution of medium and large-sized mammals in Mago National Park, southern Ethiopia Journal of Science and Inclusive Development diversity indices, species richness, seasonal variation, transect lines |
| title | Diversity, relative abundance and distribution of medium and large-sized mammals in Mago National Park, southern Ethiopia |
| title_full | Diversity, relative abundance and distribution of medium and large-sized mammals in Mago National Park, southern Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Diversity, relative abundance and distribution of medium and large-sized mammals in Mago National Park, southern Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diversity, relative abundance and distribution of medium and large-sized mammals in Mago National Park, southern Ethiopia |
| title_short | Diversity, relative abundance and distribution of medium and large-sized mammals in Mago National Park, southern Ethiopia |
| title_sort | diversity relative abundance and distribution of medium and large sized mammals in mago national park southern ethiopia |
| topic | diversity indices, species richness, seasonal variation, transect lines |
| url | https://jsid.edu.et/index.php/jsid/article/view/416 |
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