African Journal of Ecology最新文献

{"title":"Environmental and Anthropogenic Drivers of Giraffe Occurrence and Relative Abundance in a Mixed-Use Savannah","authors":"Nicole Egna,&nbsp;Shifra Z. Goldenberg,&nbsp;Jared Stabach,&nbsp;Mathias W. Tobler,&nbsp;Symon Masiaine,&nbsp;Jenna Stacy-Dawes","doi":"10.1111/aje.70171","DOIUrl":"10.1111/aje.70171","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study examines how reticulated giraffe (<i>Giraffa reticulata</i>) respond to the combined effects of climate variability and human land use in a fragmented savannah system. The research was conducted in Loisaba Conservancy, Kenya, a multi-use rangeland where wildlife coexists with pastoral livestock under increasingly variable climatic conditions. Using 6 years of camera-trap data (2016–2021), we assessed how environmental factors, human activity and vegetation dynamics influence giraffe occurrence, relative abundance and short-term space use. Giraffe presence and relative abundance were modelled using generalised linear mixed models that incorporated habitat features, livestock activity, seasonal and annual variation and satellite-derived vegetation indices. Giraffe occurrence was most strongly associated with escarpment habitats and with areas of high livestock activity, indicating substantial spatial overlap between giraffe and pastoral land use. However, relative abundance was shaped by a combination of livestock presence, distance from the conservancy boundary, slope, and proximity to water and showed strong interannual fluctuations. Contrary to expectations, short-term vegetation greenness, measured using MODIS NDVI, did not predict giraffe occurrence or relative abundance. Instead, giraffe photo rates declined when vegetation deviated from its typical annual peak, whether due to drought or unusually wet conditions. This suggests that giraffes are more sensitive to climatic extremes than to short-term changes in forage availability. Analysis of activity patterns and site recolonisation revealed fine-scale temporal avoidance of livestock. Although giraffe and livestock were active at similar times of day, giraffe were far less likely to return to a camera-trap site within 12 h after livestock had been present. This indicates that giraffe and livestock coexist spatially but partition their use of space over time. Overall, this study shows that giraffe space use in human-dominated savannahs is driven more by habitat structure and interannual climate variability than by immediate vegetation conditions. The results emphasise the importance of structurally complex interior habitats and climate-buffered refuges for conserving reticulated giraffe in a mixed-use landscape.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70171","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147683636","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":"Dormitory Trees Preference and Distribution of the Tree Hyrax (Dendrohyrax interfluvialis) in a West African Forest","authors":"Serges B. Gandaho,&nbsp;Stanislas Mahussi Gandaho,&nbsp;Galvius Degbelo,&nbsp;Venceslas Taïwo,&nbsp;Barthélémy Kassa,&nbsp;Chabi A. M. S. Djagoun","doi":"10.1111/aje.70166","DOIUrl":"10.1111/aje.70166","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Tropical forests across West Africa are experiencing increasing pressures from habitat loss and fragmentation, threatening the persistence of many endemic species. The Lama Classified Forest, a remnant of semi-deciduous dense forest within the Dahomey Gap, represents one of the last refuges of the Benin tree hyrax (<i>Dendrohyrax interfluvialis</i>). To improve understanding of its ecology, a field survey was conducted between July and September 2022 along five sampling transects to document roosting preferences and assess spatial distribution patterns. A total of 311 trees were surveyed through combined daytime and nocturnal observations, with most belonging to <i>Dialium guineense</i> (50%) and <i>Diospyros mespiliformis</i> (33%). Logistic regression model revealed that tree crown diameter and cavity height were significant factors influencing positively dormitory selection. Relative encounter rates were highest in the forest core (2.62 contacts/km), with an aggregated spatial distribution across the core area. Vocal activity showed a bimodal pattern, with peaks around 22:00 and 06:00, consisting of a repertoire of calls with social and territorial functions. These findings emphasize the need to conserve large <i>D. guineense</i> and <i>D. mespiliformis</i> trees, safeguard key habitats with stable canopy and connected tree crowns and minimize anthropogenic disturbance to ensure the long-term persistence of this vulnerable species. Future work should prioritise year-round monitoring and more detailed population assessments to inform and strengthen ongoing conservation strategies.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147683284","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":"Population Status and Habitat Suitability of the Endangered Zanzibar Reed Frog, Hyperolius puncticulatus, in Masingini Forest Reserve, Zanzibar","authors":"Sarafina N. Masanja,&nbsp;Beevans B. Biseko,&nbsp;Deo D. Shirima","doi":"10.1111/aje.70169","DOIUrl":"10.1111/aje.70169","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Visual encounter surveys along 1 km transects with systematic 50 × 50 m plots, supplemented by pitfall traps with 100 m drift fences, were conducted targeting the endangered Zanzibar reed frog (<i>Hyperolius puncticulatus</i>), an amphibian endemic to Unguja Island, Zanzibar. Only one adult individual was found, indicating a critically small population and urgent conservation needs, as this species lacks sufficient ecological data to guide protection efforts. The species was found in a moist forest-edge microhabitat characterized by dense leaf litter, fallen branches, and proximity to breeding pools. Water quality at all four sampled breeding sites was pristine, with low nutrient levels and slight alkalinity, conditions highly supportive for amphibian reproduction. Habitat suitability modelling using a Random Forest classifier (AUC = 0.94) predicted that 63.3% (≈358 ha) of the reserve is highly suitable, primarily in central and southwestern areas with north and east facing slopes and high topographic wetness. These findings highlight the need for strict habitat protection, boundary enforcement, targeted restoration, and long-term population monitoring to prevent local extinction of this threatened amphibian.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147682929","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":"Indicator Copepod Species and Their Distribution Along Algerian Coast During Spring 2019 (HYDROBIOS Cruise, 1° W–7° E, SW Mediterranean Sea)","authors":"Samira Benslimane,&nbsp;Aziz Hafferssas,&nbsp;Zakia Mokrane,&nbsp;Aldjia Kherchouche-Ait Ouadour,&nbsp;Samir Bachouche","doi":"10.1111/aje.70164","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70164","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study provides a comprehensive inventory of pelagic copepod biodiversity and an up-to-date census of indicator species in relation to environmental variability along the Algerian coast (1°57′ W and 7°14′ E), based on the ‘HYDROBIOS’ Oceanographic survey conducted in April 2019. In total, 88 copepod taxa are identified along the Algerian coastal regions. Biodiversity is highest in the central region (71 species), followed by the eastern (68 species) and the western regions (62 species). Qualitative patterns revealed distinct biogeographical assemblages with varying species composition and geographical distribution. Total copepod abundance (less than 350 ind·m⁻³) shows no significant longitudinal variability. Epipelagic species accounted for more than 40%. Some species such as <i>N. minor</i>, <i>C. typicus</i>, <i>T. stylifera</i>, <i>P. attenuatus</i>, <i>E. elongatus elongatus</i>, <i>C. helgolandicus</i>, <i>C. arcuicornis arcuicornis</i>, <i>C. furcatus</i> and <i>A. limbatus</i> contributed more than 65% of the total abundance. Omnivorous species dominated and filter feeders constituted an abundant component. Atlantic origin species are identified (<i>C. pavo</i>, <i>C. chierchiae</i>, <i>C. violaceus</i>, <i>M. clausi</i>, <i>M. tenuicornis</i>, <i>P. abdominalis abdominalis</i>, <i>P. xiphias</i>, <i>R. nasutus</i>, <i>S. crassus</i> and <i>T. longicornis</i>). Their specific richness is relatively similar among regions and their abundances increased from the western region toward the Centre and then decreased toward the eastern region. Their numerical levels significantly contribute to total abundance. IndVal index revealed 17 significant indicator species along the 3 geographic ecosystems.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147715245","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":"Ecoclimatic Risk Assessment of False Codling Moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta) Using the CLIMEX Modelling Approach","authors":"Owusu Fordjour Aidoo,&nbsp;Fernanda de Aguiar Coelho,&nbsp;Philipe G. C. Souza,&nbsp;Adriene Caldeira Batista,&nbsp;Vanessa Gonçalves do Nascimento,&nbsp;Shadrack Kwaku Debrah,&nbsp;George Correa Amaro,&nbsp;Mavis Agyeiwaa Acheampong,&nbsp;Fred Kormla Ablormeti,&nbsp;Frederick Leo Sossah,&nbsp;Ricardo Siqueira da Silva","doi":"10.1111/aje.70163","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70163","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The false codling moth (<i>Thaumatotibia leucotreta</i> [Meyrick]) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is native to sub-Saharan Africa. The moth has emerged as a global pest causing significant crop losses and trade disruptions. Future environmental changes may alter its distribution and intensify associated impacts. In this study, we used the CLIMEX software to assess the potential global distribution of <i>T. leucotreta</i> under current and projected mid-century (2060s). We considered representative concentration pathway (RCP) 8.5 and three general circulation models (ACCESS 1.0, CNRM-CM5, and GFDL-ESM2M) for the predictions. Our results indicate that tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Central and South America, South and Southeast Asia, and Northern Australia show moderate (0 &lt; EI &lt; 30) to high (EI ≥ 30) habitat suitability. Temperate regions, including the Mediterranean basin, southern Europe, and parts of North America, exhibited moderate to high climatic suitability, whereas arid and high-latitude regions showed little to no suitability (EI = 0). Future projections indicate a poleward and regional expansion of suitability, particularly into Europe, East Asia, and North America. These findings provide a scientific basis for strengthening quarantine regulations, surveillance networks, and targeted management strategies against this invasive pest.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147614985","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":"The Role of Microbial and Macroinvertebrate Communities on Early Leaf Decomposition Rates of the African Cycad","authors":"Tebatso M. Ledwaba,&nbsp;Terence N. Suinyuy,&nbsp;Tatenda Dalu","doi":"10.1111/aje.70165","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70165","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The slow decomposition of cycad leaf litter plays a unique role in carbon and nutrient cycling. This study explored early-stage effects of micro, meso- and macroinvertebrate activity on decomposition rates of <i>Encephalartos natalensis</i> and <i>Encephalartos villosus</i>, with <i>Sclerocarya birrea</i> as a control. The litterbag technique was employed, where coarse (5 mm mesh size) bags that allowed for macroinvertebrate and microbial decomposition, and fine (0.025 mm mesh size) bags that only permitted microbial decomposition were used. To assess above- and belowground influences, litterbags were placed on the soil surface or buried under-ground. A two-way analysis of variance was performed to evaluate differences in decomposition rates among leaf species and placement conditions. Significant differences in decomposition rates were observed for leaf type. <i>S. birrea</i> decomposed significantly faster when compared to <i>E. natalensis</i> and <i>E. villosus</i>, regardless of macroinvertebrate exclusion. Leaf litter exposed to microbial, meso- and macroinvertebrate activity decomposed faster than litter exposed solely to microbial activity among all leaf species. Meso- and macroinvertebrates were found to enhance decomposition with microbial activity driving the early-stage decomposition rate, though future research in the cycad species' natural habitats is recommended to explore environmental and seasonal effects.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147566912","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":"Influence of Elephants on the Survivorship of, and Damage to, Baobabs in the Semi-Arid Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe","authors":"T. G. O'Connor,&nbsp;O. L. Kupika,&nbsp;D. H. M. Cumming,&nbsp;J. Shimbani,&nbsp;C. M. Payne","doi":"10.1111/aje.70161","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70161","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Baobabs are of conservation concern in protected areas in southern Africa because rates of elephant-induced mortality, coupled with severe drought periods, may threaten to lead to local extirpation. Alternatively, baobabs may persist because of spatial refuges provided by distance from permanent water or rugged topography. Long-term trends in damage and mortality of baobabs were assessed for Gonarezhou National Park (GNP), Zimbabwe, based on park reports and resampling of old (11–53 years) data sets. Elephant-induced death of baobabs has been recorded since the 1960s during periods of severe drought, initially when elephant densities were not high. Since 1992, elephant density has increased from ~1 to &gt; 2 elephants km⁻² and in the same period baobab mortality has escalated. Annual mortality rates ranged from 3.8% on riverine flats to 0.2% in hills away from permanent water, but mortality was lower on rocky areas next to a river than on adjacent flat alluvial soils. Baobab trees appear not to be threatened with extirpation in GNP because hills presently offer a refuge, whereas riverine baobabs are unlikely to persist without protection. Future security of the baobab population depends on regeneration, which remains an almost unknown facet of this species population ecology.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70161","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147564905","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":"Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Limiting Agricultural Encroachment and Conserving Herbivores in West-Central African Savannahs","authors":"François Mialhe,&nbsp;Anthony Piron,&nbsp;Alexia Le Floch,&nbsp;Sigrid Griffon,&nbsp;Paul Scholte,&nbsp;Roger Pradel,&nbsp;Stephane Ondo Ze,&nbsp;Chloé Guerbois,&nbsp;Olivier Pays,&nbsp;Jon Marco Church,&nbsp;Hervé Fritz,&nbsp;Pierre-Cyril Renaud","doi":"10.1111/aje.70162","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70162","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study examines the long-term effectiveness of protected areas (PAs) in the savannahs of West and Central Africa in resisting agricultural encroachment and conserving large herbivore populations. Using Landsat imagery (1973–2018) and wildlife census data, we evaluated land-use and land-cover change within ten core PAs and their surrounding 60-km buffer zones, focusing on four focal species: african buffalo, roan antelope, hartebeest and savannah elephant. Results show that core PAs largely retained their natural vegetation, while surrounding landscapes experienced significant agricultural expansion—particularly in unprotected buffer zones. National parks, especially those embedded within connected networks such as the W–Arly–Pendjari complex, demonstrated stronger resistance to land conversion and higher herbivore biomass. However, wildlife population trends did not consistently align with landscape integrity, indicating that factors such as PA size, governance and ecological connectivity critically shape conservation outcomes. We identify three typologies of PAs—underperforming large reserves, integrated transboundary networks and small but well-managed sites—each requiring distinct strategic approaches. These findings underscore the need for outcome-focused conservation strategies that go beyond legal designation to address spatial planning, connectivity and local management capacity.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147564753","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":"Small Mammal Communities Reveal Increasing Species Loss Along a Disturbance Gradient in South-Eastern Liberia","authors":"Robi Watkinson,&nbsp;Ben Orban,&nbsp;Phoebe Mottram,&nbsp;Melissa Petford,&nbsp;Ryan van Huyssteen,&nbsp;Jerome Gaugris","doi":"10.1111/aje.70159","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70159","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study presents new baseline data on the small mammal assemblage of the Dugbe region of south-eastern Liberia. Sherman live-traps and pitfall traps were deployed to investigate patterns of species richness across major habitat types, and to assess the influence of a gradient of anthropogenic disturbance on beta (<i>β</i>) diversity turnover and nestedness. We show that while <i>β</i>-turnover accounts for greater total <i>β</i>-diversity, <i>β</i>-nestedness increased with disturbance. These findings highlight the value of understudied small mammal communities as biological metrics of environmental change, which may merit their broader inclusion into landscape scale conservation planning in the region.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147563935","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":"Changes in Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections in the Mountain Bongo Following Reintroduction to Kenya","authors":"Edward M. King'ori,&nbsp;Olgabeth N. Gitau,&nbsp;Patrick I. Chiyo","doi":"10.1111/aje.70160","DOIUrl":"10.1111/aje.70160","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study assessed gastrointestinal parasites in critically endangered mountain bongos (<i>Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci</i>) before and three months after their reintroduction to Kenya from the United States. High <i>Eimeria</i> spp. prevalence was detected on arrival (86.67%) and post-release (75%). After three months, local helminths such as Strongyle and <i>Moniezia</i> spp. rapidly colonised. The median eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) for <i>Eimeria</i> spp. rose from 50 before release to 225 three months post-release, though sample sizes limited reliable statistical analysis. These results emphasise risks of reintroducing captive-bred ungulates and the need for baseline parasitological monitoring during wildlife translocations.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147569008","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}