African Journal of Ecology最新文献

{"title":"How African Ungulates Respond to Tourist Vehicles in Kruger National Park","authors":"Andrea Romero,&nbsp;Brian J. O'Neill,&nbsp;Kristen Rauch,&nbsp;Ashley Roscoe","doi":"10.1111/aje.13335","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13335","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Managers of protected areas need to balance how they use or preserve their resources, especially regarding ‘road ecology’. This study focuses on Kruger National Park's (KNP) common ungulates’ response to tourist vehicles. We answered the following questions for impala, zebra, giraffe, blue wildebeest, greater kudu and steenbok: What mediates animal flight and flight distance from a vehicle? How much of KNP is affected by roads? Are ungulates using or avoiding roads? We sampled 55.9% of KNP's tourist roads, where we approached animals and determined whether and how far they fled. We georeferenced sightings and estimated the amount of land area along KNP's tourist roads where animals would be expected to flee from vehicles. Of 517 animal sightings, Impala were sighted most (263) and steenbok least (32). Impala had the highest flight propensity (42.6%) and wildebeest lowest (13%). Steenbok were found closest to the road (22.13 m) and wildebeest furthest (77.6 m). Impala had the closest tolerance distance (16.63 m), with zebra furthest (44.74 m). Impala fled the least distance (9.93 m) and zebra fled furthest (24.52 m). Binary logistic regressions (BLRs) showed that all species fled more consistently when closer to the road. The amount of KNP affected by animal flight based on BLRs was largest for zebra (2.32% of the park) and smallest for kudu (0.84%). Impala used the first 10 m of the roadside more than expected and 10–20 m from the road less. KNP's ungulates are habituated to vehicles since flight propensity was low, distribution analysis showed no-road avoidance, flight distance was short, and animals &gt; 50 m from the road generally do not flee. Given the amount of KNP that is already affected by vehicle traffic, as tourism increases, the land solely devoted to wildlife will necessarily decrease. This study aims to provide information for the best management of roads and traffic in KNP.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.13335","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142451287","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":"Modelling Tree Allometries to Understand the Impact of African Savannah Elephant Herbivory Dynamics on the Vegetation Structure and Tree Cover Change in a Protected Area","authors":"Nobert Tafadzwa Mukomberanwa,&nbsp;Phillip Taru,&nbsp;Beaven Utete,&nbsp;Patmore Ngorima","doi":"10.1111/aje.13336","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13336","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In landscapes with high elephant density, trees often exhibit more open canopies with fewer branches and foliage due to browsing pressure. This can result in altered tree morphology, with trees exhibiting stunted growth, multiple stems or unusual branching patterns in response to repeated damage from browsing. The objectives of this research were to (i) model the vegetation structure allometries, (ii) assess the impact of African savannah elephant (<i>Loxodonta africana</i>) herbivory on the vegetation structure and (iii) assess tree cover change and vegetation performance over time in Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. We established 26 plots of 30 × 30 m size. Selection of sampling plots was done following several steps. First, a fish net grid with 30 × 30 m polygons was created and projected on the polygon of Mana Pools National Park. The polygons for exclusion zones were then clipped from the fish net grid using the clip tool in ArcGIS Pro 3.0. Then, selection of sampling plots was done initially by stratified random sampling using the Sampling Design Tool add in for ArcGIS Pro 3.0. Landsat images for the years 2003, 2013 and 2023 were used to assess land use land cover (LULC) time series and to calculate Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) for the period. A generalised linear model (GLM) was used to analyse tree allometries. Further statistical investigations were performed using Bayesian piecewise regression (BPR) and Bayesian regression modelling (BRM). Basal area, number of stems, height, long canopy, diameter and basal circumference were all significantly different (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) across all sampled plots. The change in growing conditions occurring as a tree grows beyond the reach of the African savannah elephant browsing indicates a natural system breakpoint. The best-fitting models were a simple linear model and a two breakpoint model for the plant population exposed to elephant herbivory. LULC, NDVI and SAVI confirm evidence of high tree regeneration over 2 decades. Understanding the dynamics in vegetation and LULC changes is critical for effective conservation and management of the habitats for African savannah elephants, as well as for maintaining the health and resilience of forest ecosystems.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142449064","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 Devils in the Details—but So Are the Angels: Linear Density Estimates of Harpagophytum zeyheri (Devil's Claw) From the Zambezi Region, Namibia","authors":"Peter Low Cunningham Sr,&nbsp;Peter Low Cunningham Jr,&nbsp;Dagmar Honsbein","doi":"10.1111/aje.13337","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13337","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p><i>Harpagophytum zeyheri</i> (devil's claw) tubers are manually harvested for its pharmaceutical properties (anti-inflammatory) in the sandier regions, especially the communal areas in north-eastern Namibia, with various authors having questioned the sustainability and viability of current harvesting practices. Although regulation in the form of a quota system is implemented, this is not based on scientifically established density estimates or sustainable harvesting quotas. There is a dearth of published data regarding density estimates for <i>H. zeyheri</i> from Namibia. The average linear density from the Zambezi Region (all areas; this study) is 22.4 plants/km while other estimates from Namibia for <i>H. procumbens</i> vary between &lt; 1 and 2000 plants/ha. The aim of this study was to contribute to the poorly known distribution and density of <i>H. zeyheri</i> from the Zambezi Region where most of Namibia's resource for the export market originates from and to highlight the potential threat of not conducting scientifically based preharvest counts on sustainability of this valuable resource.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142435257","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":"How to Make Your African Ecology Paper Stand Out to a Global Audience","authors":"Luca Luiselli","doi":"10.1111/aje.13338","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13338","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The discovery of the South East Africa Montane Archipelago has unveiled a biologically significant ecoregion with a high level of endemism, showcasing at least 127 endemic plants and 45 endemic vertebrates, including unique genera of both plants and reptiles. This remarkable find highlights Africa's ongoing contributions to global ecological knowledge, despite often being underrepresented in the international research sphere due to biases and marginalisation. To address these issues and enhance the visibility and impact of African ecological research, this Editorial outlines several key strategies. First, it emphasises the importance of making hypothesis-driven research in ecological studies, following Popper's philosophy of science. Second, it advocates for generalising research findings to broader contexts rather than focusing narrowly on local specifics. Additionally, it underscores the need use clear, generalised terminology and producing detailed, context-rich maps, so that the authors can enhance the comprehensibility and appeal of their research. Finally, the Editorial highlights the growing influence of African ecology, as evidenced by that the difference in impact factor between AJE and major international general ecology journals has decreased greatly. The Editorial also suggests that by adopting the strategies highlighted herein, African ecologists can further elevate their global presence and contribute more substantially to the field.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.13338","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142435252","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":"Range Extension and Behavioural Observations of the Flat-Headed Cusimanse (Crossarchus platycephalus) in Gabon","authors":"Johanna McQuade,&nbsp;Fred Loïque Midonga Nguelet,&nbsp;Mangama Koumba Lilian Brice,&nbsp;Katharine A. Abernethy,&nbsp;Jeremy J. Cusack,&nbsp;Emmanuel Do Linh San,&nbsp;David Lehmann,&nbsp;Donald Midoko Iponga,&nbsp;Charles Trouvé,&nbsp;Robin C. Whytock,&nbsp;Etienne-Francois Akomo-Okoue","doi":"10.1111/aje.13332","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13332","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The present work reports on new records of the flat-headed or Cameroon cusimanse (<i>Crossarchus platycephalus</i>) obtained from camera trap surveys carried out between 2021 and 2023 in central and northwestern Gabon. These records—in the form of high-definition videos—extend the southern limit of the species' known range by 172 km, as well as provide additional evidence of group living and co-occurrence with the blue duiker (<i>Philantomba monticola</i>) and moustached guenon (<i>Cercopithecus cephus</i>). These findings suggest that <i>C. platycephalus</i> may be more widespread than previously thought in Gabon, and that a review of existing camera trap datasets could help determine its precise distribution and habitat requirements.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142429511","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":"Community Structure and Species Diversity of Birds in Heterogenous Habitats of an East African Growing Agricultural Corridor","authors":"Paulo J. Lyimo,&nbsp;David J. Kavana,&nbsp;Deo D. Shirima,&nbsp;Adili Bugingo,&nbsp;Simon Chidodo,&nbsp;George B. Bulenga,&nbsp;Nyemo Chilagane,&nbsp;Japhet J. Kashaigili,&nbsp;Pantaleo K. Munishi","doi":"10.1111/aje.13333","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13333","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Species conservation mainly depends on the conservation of their habitats where an understanding of the role that habitats have in supporting species diversity and richness is important. This study aimed to determine how heterogeneous habitats in growing agriculture corridors support the biodiversity of birds in terms of their diversity and abundance. We assessed the diversity, richness and abundance of bird species in six different habitats: miombo woodland, montane forests, lowland forests, agro-ecosystems, wetland and riverine in Tanzania's growing agriculture corridor. We assumed that heterogeneous habitats significantly influence species abundance, richness and diversity. We recorded 299 bird species which were categorised into 10 trophic guilds. Among the guilds, invertebrate-eating (52%) was the species-rich guild and nectarivore (1%), herbivore aquatic (0.67%), herbivore terrestrial (0.67%) and scavenger (0.34%) were the least guilds in terms of species richness, abundance and diversity. The six habitats differed in terms of bird species richness, abundance and diversity; miombo woodlands had the highest levels of diversity. There was an even distribution of birds, despite the fact that wetlands and agro-ecosystems had few species reported there. A number of endangered bird species were recorded in habitats with minimum disturbance. These species include <i>Gyps africanus</i> (CR), <i>Ardeola idea</i>, <i>Polemaetus bellicosus</i> and <i>Terathopius ecaudatus</i> (EN). In order to implement effective conservation measures for corridors and heterogeneous habitats, we advocate proper land use, conservation-friendly agriculture and the implementation of conservation connectivity on small and large scales.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142429091","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":"Utilisation of Anthropogenic Landscapes by Bird Communities in West African Drylands","authors":"Aisha Sani Magaji,&nbsp;Safianu Rabiu","doi":"10.1111/aje.13330","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13330","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The increasing demand for food and settlement in response to human population explosion is an issue of major concern recently. Conservation planning for biodiversity in anthropogenic landscapes is crucial given the dramatic changes within landscapes with human population growth; and understanding how avian species utilise such landscapes is especially important. This study investigated the impacts of vegetation structure and human activities on avian diversity; it also explored the stability of bird communities in northern Nigeria. We collected bird count, vegetation and anthropogenic data from four study sites over a period of 1 year. A total of 168 species were recorded. Vegetation variables were significant predictors of species abundance and richness, while human activities exerted little effect on them. Community stability varied considerably among the study sites, and a positive covariance and asynchronous relationship were observed among species. Since the drylands of northern Nigeria provide a refuge for many bird species, the protection and monitoring of this landscape are critical in order to cope with the management needs of avian communities.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142429041","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":"Trophic Structure and Dietary Overlap in the Sympatric Skinks Trachylepis punctatissima and Trachylepis varia From Central South Africa","authors":"Neil Heideman,&nbsp;Michael Bates,&nbsp;Zhongning Zhao","doi":"10.1111/aje.13331","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13331","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Diet diversity and overlap was investigated in the sympatric skinks <i>Trachylepis punctatissima</i> and <i>Trachylepis varia</i> from central South Africa using stomach and intestinal contents of museum specimens. Simpson's Index and the Shannon–Wiener Index were used to determine their food niche breadths and Pianka's Index to determine the extent to which they shared the food resource. Food items were identified from head capsules, mouthparts and appendages to order level. The two species contained similar prey types with <i>T. varia</i> having the wider niche breadth. Females also had wider niche breadths than males and isopterans were present in significantly higher quantities than the rest of the food items in both species. Larvae were found in both, but arachnids only in <i>T. varia</i>. Trophic niche overlap between the two was fairly high (Pianka's Index, 0.6915) and therefore did not support the hypothesis that similar species sharing a food resource should have well differentiated diets to reduce competition. This finding however requires further verification as the two species may consume different species of the corresponding orders identified. Intraspecifically trophic niche overlap between the sexes was low (<i>T. punctatissima</i>, 0.3889; <i>T. varia</i>, 0.4633) suggesting strong competition for the food resource. Notably lower niche breadth in males compared to females may be due to morphological and behavioural differences and should be further investigated.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.13331","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142429042","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":"Modelled Vegetation Structure and Abundance Confirms African Savannah Elephant-Induced Damage Across Space in a Dry Protected Area With Diverse Vegetation","authors":"Nobert Tafadzwa Mukomberanwa,&nbsp;Phillip Taru,&nbsp;Beaven Utete,&nbsp;Patmore Ngorima","doi":"10.1111/aje.13322","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13322","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The African savannah elephant (<i>Loxodonta africana</i>) is an ecosystem engineer essential in determining the structure and vegetation abundance in mesic dry protected areas such as the Mana Pools National Park (MNP) in Zimbabwe. Understanding the interactions between elephants and vegetation structure is essential for effective conservation and management of savannah ecosystems. Conservation efforts often aim to balance elephant populations with the carrying capacity of their habitats to ensure the sustainability of both flora and fauna within protected areas. Therefore understanding how African savannah elephants influence vegetation structure, abundance and damage is critical for adaptive ecosystem management and wildlife conservation in mesic savannah ecosystems. This study assessed: (i) vegetation structure, (ii) abundance and (iii) evidence of elephant-induced vegetation damage near a distance gradient to water points in MNP. A generalised linear model (GLM) was used to investigate the relationship between vegetation aspects that is structure, abundance and evidence of damage with distance from water sources. In the mesic protected MNP where African savannah elephants predominate, the modelled vegetation shape, abundance and damage exhibit spatial differences on a distant gradient towards water sources (χ², <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). There is need for implementation of comparably, less costly, homogenous conservation measures for African savannah elephants across the artificial water pans in the MNP.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142360039","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":"Vachellia xanthophloea, a New Native–Alien Tree Species Along the Orange River in Southern Namibia","authors":"Peter Low Cunningham Sr,&nbsp;Peter Low Cunningham Jr","doi":"10.1111/aje.13327","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13327","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p><i>Vachellia xanthophloea</i> is often observed as a garden ornamental tree in gardens in towns and lodges throughout Namibia. Escapee plants were observed along the Orange River between Komsberg and Sendelingsdrift in southern Namibia and have insidiously invaded the riparian habitat without notice. It is viewed as a native–alien population and may detrimentally affect the local riparian ecology, therefore recommended that eradication be implemented immediately.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142360044","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}