Yearly variations in spatial distribution of large mammals in a protected savannah ecosystem in West Africa

IF 2.6 3区 环境科学与生态学 Q2 ECOLOGY
Emmanuel M. Hema , Yaya Ouattara , Urbain Belemsobgo , Ismael M. Tou , Youssouf Sanou , Mamadou Karama , Giovanni Amori , Julia E. Fa , Luca Luiselli
{"title":"Yearly variations in spatial distribution of large mammals in a protected savannah ecosystem in West Africa","authors":"Emmanuel M. Hema ,&nbsp;Yaya Ouattara ,&nbsp;Urbain Belemsobgo ,&nbsp;Ismael M. Tou ,&nbsp;Youssouf Sanou ,&nbsp;Mamadou Karama ,&nbsp;Giovanni Amori ,&nbsp;Julia E. Fa ,&nbsp;Luca Luiselli","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2025.105336","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tropical savannah ecosystems exhibit high biodiversity, encompassing a range of megafauna, including elephants, lions, ungulates, birds, and insects. While substantial research has been conducted on the ecological dynamics of eastern and southern African savannahs, West African savannahs, particularly within the semi-arid Sudanian and Sahelian biomes, remain understudied. This study assesses the spatial distribution and habitat utilization of 15 large mammal species (mostly ungulates but also three primates and the elephant <em>Loxodonta africana</em>) in Comoé-Léraba National Park, southwestern Burkina Faso, over the period 2010–2018. Data collection employed line transect surveys to estimate ungulate populations, while the Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) method quantified interannual variations in species occupancy. General Linear Models (GLM) assessed the effects of time and species identity on minimum occupied area. Results indicated no significant temporal variation in species distribution; however, species-specific effects suggested differential habitat preferences. Despite overall spatial stability, variations in poaching indices may have influenced localized species persistence. The reappearance of <em>Loxodonta africana</em> in 2018 underscores the necessity of protecting water-associated habitats and maintaining ecological connectivity. Findings emphasise the need for targeted conservation strategies to sustain biodiversity and mitigate anthropogenic pressures in West African savannahs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 105336"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Arid Environments","FirstCategoryId":"93","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140196325000205","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"ECOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0

Abstract

Tropical savannah ecosystems exhibit high biodiversity, encompassing a range of megafauna, including elephants, lions, ungulates, birds, and insects. While substantial research has been conducted on the ecological dynamics of eastern and southern African savannahs, West African savannahs, particularly within the semi-arid Sudanian and Sahelian biomes, remain understudied. This study assesses the spatial distribution and habitat utilization of 15 large mammal species (mostly ungulates but also three primates and the elephant Loxodonta africana) in Comoé-Léraba National Park, southwestern Burkina Faso, over the period 2010–2018. Data collection employed line transect surveys to estimate ungulate populations, while the Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) method quantified interannual variations in species occupancy. General Linear Models (GLM) assessed the effects of time and species identity on minimum occupied area. Results indicated no significant temporal variation in species distribution; however, species-specific effects suggested differential habitat preferences. Despite overall spatial stability, variations in poaching indices may have influenced localized species persistence. The reappearance of Loxodonta africana in 2018 underscores the necessity of protecting water-associated habitats and maintaining ecological connectivity. Findings emphasise the need for targeted conservation strategies to sustain biodiversity and mitigate anthropogenic pressures in West African savannahs.

Abstract Image

求助全文
约1分钟内获得全文 求助全文
来源期刊
Journal of Arid Environments
Journal of Arid Environments 环境科学-环境科学
CiteScore
5.70
自引率
3.70%
发文量
144
审稿时长
55 days
期刊介绍: The Journal of Arid Environments is an international journal publishing original scientific and technical research articles on physical, biological and cultural aspects of arid, semi-arid, and desert environments. As a forum of multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary dialogue it addresses research on all aspects of arid environments and their past, present and future use.
×
引用
GB/T 7714-2015
复制
MLA
复制
APA
复制
导出至
BibTeX EndNote RefMan NoteFirst NoteExpress
×
提示
您的信息不完整,为了账户安全,请先补充。
现在去补充
×
提示
您因"违规操作"
具体请查看互助需知
我知道了
×
提示
确定
请完成安全验证×
copy
已复制链接
快去分享给好友吧!
我知道了
右上角分享
点击右上角分享
0
联系我们:info@booksci.cn Book学术提供免费学术资源搜索服务,方便国内外学者检索中英文文献。致力于提供最便捷和优质的服务体验。 Copyright © 2023 布克学术 All rights reserved.
京ICP备2023020795号-1
ghs 京公网安备 11010802042870号
Book学术文献互助
Book学术文献互助群
群 号:481959085
Book学术官方微信