African Journal of Ecology最新文献

{"title":"Seasonal Pattern of Springbok Fence Related Mortalities in Southern Namibia","authors":"Peter Low Cunningham","doi":"10.1111/aje.70114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70114","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Analysing a decade of records on fence-related springbok mortalities at an 8000 ha farm with 36 km of internal (height: 1 m) and 48 km of boundary fences (height: 1.4 m) resulted in an average mortality occurrence of 0.25 and 0.61 mortalities/km (over the 10 years period) for boundary (1.4 m) and internal (1 m) fences, respectively. Male mortalities occur mainly during summer (hot/wet season) with equal numbers killed in internal and boundary fences, while female mortalities are mainly associated with winter (cold/dry season) and internal fences. Mitigations to minimise mortalities include varying the width of the upper fence strands and leaving camp gates open when livestock are not present to facilitate the movement of springbok.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145317644","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Meliponophagy: New Records Involving Native and Exotic Jumping Spiders (Araneae, Salticidae) Preying Upon Stingless Bees (Apidae, Meliponini) in the Afrotropical Realm","authors":"Aina N. Razakamiaramanana,&nbsp;Oumayma Ihsane,&nbsp;Madeleine Héger,&nbsp;Marcelin Aganze Mweze,&nbsp;Rebecca H. N. Karanja,&nbsp;Josoa R. Randriamalala,&nbsp;Olivia L. Rakotondrasoa,&nbsp;Anthony Russell-Smith,&nbsp;Kiatoko Nkoba,&nbsp;Natapot Warrit,&nbsp;Nicolas J. Vereecken","doi":"10.1111/aje.70110","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70110","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Stingless bees (Apidae, tribe Meliponini) play a crucial role as pollinators in tropical ecosystems, including across the Afrotropical realm. However, the ecology of these bees, particularly the predation pressure they face from various natural enemies, remains underexplored. Here, we document opportunistic predation events of <i>Hypotrigona</i> and <i>Liotrigona</i> species by both native (<i>Menemerus bivittatus</i>) and exotic (<i>Plexippus petersi</i>) jumping spiders (Salticidae). Across Guinea, Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar, jumping spiders were observed ambushing foragers at nest entrances and successfully capturing prey, with repeated instances recorded over multiple days. This phenomenon, which we term <i>meliponophagy</i>, has received very little attention to date and our observations provide the first evidence of jumping spiders preying upon <i>Liotrigona</i> species in the Afrotropical realm, adding new records to the limited literature on these rarely documented but ecologically relevant interactions.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145316987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phenological Trends of Palearctic Passerine Bird Species Wintering in The Gambia and Nigeria","authors":"Joy Akpanta Ishong,&nbsp;Christine Howard,&nbsp;Clive R. Barlow,&nbsp;Stephen G. Willis","doi":"10.1111/aje.70108","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70108","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The timing of avian migration for Palearctic passerine birds across the Western Africa region remains relatively unexplored. This study investigates the changing wintering phenology of nine Afro-Palearctic migratory species in relation to their time spent in Western Africa. We examined the annual first arrival and last departure dates for these nine migratory species within their non-breeding ranges using two datasets: The Gambia (1964–2021) and Nigeria (1974–2021). We employed phylogenetic linear mixed models to explore trends in pre-breeding (European spring) departure, post-breeding (European autumn) arrival, and duration of stay on the non-breeding grounds. Our results show that pre-breeding timing is advancing for migrant birds departing from The Gambia compared to those from Nigeria. Migrant species in The Gambia are departing earlier than their counterparts in Nigeria. This finding suggests that population in The Gambia may be responding to different environmental cues than those in Nigeria. The duration of stay was longer for species wintering in Nigeria than for birds in the Gambia. This difference could be driven by local environmental factors but might equally be driven by changes in another period and area during the migratory year. Post-breeding arrival for populations in both The Gambia and Nigeria were similar, commencing in late August. This suggests that post-breeding migration patterns may be affected by similar factors en route to African wintering areas. We discussed the phenological differences in pre-breeding departure and duration of stay of bird populations using the two counteries. These differences highlight the complexity of migratory timing and suggest how local environmental conditions might shape migratory behaviour. Our findings suggest that phenological changes in migratory species can vary significantly across the West African wintering grounds, reflecting the spatio-temporal phenological shifts observed on their breeding grounds.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145316890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unravelling the Influence of Coastal Pollution on Sea Turtle Habitat Use in Delta State, Nigeria","authors":"Francis Ofurum Arimoro,&nbsp;Edike Adewumi Kaine,&nbsp;Robert Bemigho Ikomi,&nbsp;Kate Isioma Iloba,&nbsp;Augustine Ovie Edegbene","doi":"10.1111/aje.70109","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70109","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Sea turtle populations around the world are seriously threatened by coastal pollution, which jeopardises their survival, habitats and health. This study examines the impact of coastal pollution on sea turtle habitat use in Delta State, Nigeria, a region characterised by intense oil and gas operations. During an intensive study spanning for 21 months between November 2019 and August 2021 along the river mouths of the Benin, Escravos and Forcados estuaries, three sea turtle species were recorded: <i>Dermochelys coriacea</i>, <i>Chelonia mydas</i> and <i>Lepidochelys olivacea</i>, with <i>L. olivacea</i> being the most preponderant, accounting for 59.5% of the total sightings. Other important findings include poor health conditions and uneven species diversity. Others include alarming trends in the erosion of the coastline (approximately 462 m between 2006 and 2021), which threatens the long-term survival of these iconic species. To assess the vulnerability of sea turtle habitats to pollution, we employed a Habitat Sensitivity Index (HSI). Our results show that sea turtle habitats in the study area are highly sensitive to pollution, with HSI scores ranging between 0.6 and 0.9. The main parameters influencing habitat sensitivity were identified as total hydrocarbon, dissolved oxygen and conductivity. Our research provides important highlights on how sea turtle distribution patterns relate to coastal pollution, emphasising the critical need for conservation and management measures to save these vulnerable creatures. The study's findings have significant ramifications for stakeholders, conservationists and legislators working to save the area's sea turtle populations.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145224159","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatial and Seasonal Patterns of African Savannah Elephant (Loxodonta africana) Habitat Use in an East African Multiuse Landscape","authors":"Muteti Zacharia Mutinda,&nbsp;Lydia Natalie Tiller,&nbsp;George Gatere Ndiritu,&nbsp;Lucy King,&nbsp;Duncan Kimuyu","doi":"10.1111/aje.70105","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70105","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Understanding the spatial and seasonal distribution of African savannah elephants (<i>Loxodonta africana</i>) is critical for conservation and human–elephant conflict (HEC) mitigation in multiuse landscapes. This study assessed African savannah elephant habitat use around Lake Jipe in southern Kenya, across protected and unprotected areas. Using dung density as an index of African savannah elephant presence, systematic quadrant surveys were conducted in three habitat zones during both wet and dry seasons. Environmental variables, including vegetation structure and forage quality, were also evaluated to explore ecological drivers of distribution. Dung densities were consistently higher in protected areas, suggesting a preference for secure habitats. Fewer dung piles were recorded in the dry season than in the wet season, indicating possible seasonal dispersal. African savannah elephant presence declined with increasing distance from the lake, suggesting a strong attraction to lake-associated habitats. Vegetation structure differed across zones; protected areas supported higher grass cover, while unprotected areas showed greater woody species diversity, likely reflecting varied land use. However, no distinct ecological separation was found between zones, indicating localised or anthropogenic factors may influence habitat use. These findings highlight the ecological importance of both land types and suggest that effective management may benefit from spatially adaptive, seasonally informed strategies.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145172038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Estimating the Taxonomic Richness and Functional Structure of Ant Communities in Olive Groves of Kabylia, Algeria","authors":"Lidya Hamecha,&nbsp;Ghania Barech,&nbsp;Djamila Ali Ahmed,&nbsp;Mourad Khaldi,&nbsp;Enrico Schifani,&nbsp;Rumsais Blatrix,&nbsp;Henri Cagniant","doi":"10.1111/aje.70106","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70106","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Ants are indicators of habitat disturbance and key providers of ecological services and disservices to agricultural activities. We assessed species richness and functional structure of ant communities in olive groves of the Kabylia region, in northern Algeria. We compared three sampling methods (pitfall traps, hand capture, and bait traps) in four orchards with different elevations. We identified 53 ant species belonging to 17 genera and four subfamilies: Dorylinae, Dolichoderinae, Formicinae, and Myrmicinae. Species richness varied among orchards from 24 to 30, with species accumulation curves suggesting satisfactory coverage at all sites. Hand capture had the highest success per effort, while baits performed the worst. Overall, Kabylia's olive groves were richer in species than many Mediterranean agricultural and even some natural habitats documented in the literature, revealing relatively high ant diversity. Ants were classified into eight functional groups, with an overall composition comparable to similar studies conducted in southern Europe. Hot Climate Specialists, Generalised Myrmicinae, and Opportunists dominated, highlighting the role of thermal stress on the functional composition of the ant communities in the study sites. Many detected species may contribute to key ecological services, including soil enrichment and biological control of weeds and insects.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145172039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Understanding Biodiversity in Togo: Unravelling Species Richness and Distribution Patterns in Tropical Ecosystems","authors":"Demirel Maza-esso Bawa,&nbsp;Bilouktime Badjaré,&nbsp;Fousséni Foléga,&nbsp;Liu Weiguo,&nbsp;Jasmina Šinžar-Sekulić,&nbsp;Wala Kperkouma,&nbsp;Batawila Komlan","doi":"10.1111/aje.70107","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70107","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study investigates the latitudinal patterns of species richness in tropical forests of Togo, focusing on the roles of species abundance distribution (SAD), total abundance (N) and spatial aggregation (AGG). By analysing biodiversity metrics along a latitudinal gradient, we aim to elucidate the key factors influencing species diversity in this region. Our findings reveal distinct differences between tree and herbaceous species, with tree species exhibiting a positive correlation between richness and total abundance, while herbaceous species show a negative relationship, indicating higher sensitivity to sampling effort. The study highlights the importance of SAD and AGG in shaping biodiversity patterns, with tree species benefiting from a more balanced abundance distribution compared to herbaceous species. Additionally, the research underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity dynamics, considering both ecological and anthropogenic influences. Despite limitations related to geographical scope and sampling methodologies, this study contributes valuable insights into the mechanisms driving biodiversity in tropical ecosystems. The results have significant implications for conservation strategies, emphasising the necessity of preserving diverse habitats to maintain ecological balance and resilience in the face of climate change and human impacts.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145110725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Willingness to Pay for Forest Restoration in Togo: Comparison of Estimates From Choice Experiment, Contingent Valuation and Travel Cost Methods","authors":"Kpanoga Kolombia,&nbsp;Koffi Yovo","doi":"10.1111/aje.70102","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70102","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Many regions of the world aim to increase their forest cover to sequester carbon, improve biodiversity, reduce soil erosion, or provide more recreational opportunities. To achieve this, several forest restoration programs have been implemented in developing countries. This study examines the willingness to pay (WTP) of Togolese citizens for the afforestation program in Togo, using the choice experiment (CE) method, the contingent valuation (CV) method, and the travel cost (TC) method. The WTP obtained with the TC method is higher than that with the stated preference methods (CE and CV) ($180.77 for TC vs. $2.95 for CE and $58.76 for CV). Additionally, respondents expressed positive WTP for attributes such as carbon sequestration, erosion reduction, biodiversity improvement and the organisation that manages forest policies. Our results contribute to the literature comparing these methods, and our study is the first conducted in Togo to use all three methods in an environmental context.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70102","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145101493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of the False Umbrella Thorn (Vachellia reficiens) on Native Tree Species Composition and Diversity in East African Rangelands","authors":"Michael S. Mosha,&nbsp;Vedasto G. Ndibalema,&nbsp;Geofrey E. Soka","doi":"10.1111/aje.70104","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70104","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Invasive species are known to disrupt native biodiversity, altering plant community composition and ecosystem dynamics. This study examined the influence of <i>Vachellia reficiens</i>, an invasive species, on native plant communities in the Maasai rangelands of Tanzania. Ecological data were collected from 40 paired plots (20 invaded and 20 non-invaded) randomly placed across the landscape, with each plot measuring 50 × 50 m and separated by 50 m to control for environmental conditions. In each plot, all vascular tree species were identified and tree stem counts recorded, with elevation included as an environmental parameter. Species composition and diversity were compared between invaded and non-invaded plots using Shannon-Weiner and Simpson diversity indices. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and Bray–Curtis dissimilarity revealed significant differences in species composition between invaded and non-invaded plots (ANOSIM, <i>R</i> = 0.239, <i>p</i> = 0.001). Indicator species analysis identified several native species, such as <i>V. tortilis</i> (<i>p</i> = 0.001), <i>C. Africana</i> (<i>p</i> = 0.002), <i>V. mellifera</i> (<i>p</i> = 0.004) and <i>S. persica</i> (<i>p</i> = 0.007), as significantly associated with non-invaded plots, indicating their vulnerability to invasion. Diversity indices, species richness (<i>p</i> = 0.011), Shannon-Weiner (<i>p</i> = 0.010) and Simpson (<i>p</i> = 0.015) were significantly lower in invaded areas, suggesting reduced diversity. Although elevation had a lesser influence, it slightly improved model fit. The results suggest that <i>V. reficiens</i> reduces spatial heterogeneity; hence, it homogenises plant communities and lowers native species diversity. Management efforts should prioritise controlling the spread of <i>V. reficiens</i> to protect the biodiversity and ecological health of the rangelands.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145101543","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Economic Growth, Governance and Endangered Species Conservation in Africa","authors":"Didier Tatoutchoup,&nbsp;Imbe Ayman Louguet","doi":"10.1111/aje.70103","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70103","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study examines how macroeconomic and governance factors affect wildlife conservation in Africa, focusing on three flagship species: the okapi (DRC), African elephant (Kenya) and mountain gorilla (Rwanda). Using reconstructed population data and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), we identify critical thresholds for successful conservation. Results show a U-shaped relationship between GDP per capita and animal populations, with biodiversity recovery only occurring above a specific income threshold. Governance quality exhibits a similar pattern, requiring a minimum level of institutional quality to benefit forest cover and wildlife. Unemployment has substantial negative effects, reducing animal populations both directly (through poaching and mining) and indirectly (via habitat loss). The findings highlight that conservation success depends not only on ecological measures but also on inclusive economic growth, job creation and institutional reform.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70103","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145101078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}