African Journal of Ecology最新文献

{"title":"A Multi-Species Occupancy Modelling Approach to Access the Impacts of Ecological Covariates on Terrestrial Vertebrates in a Tropical Hotspot in Central, Cameroon","authors":"Ernest D. B. Fotsing, Meigang M. F. Kamkeng","doi":"10.1111/aje.70048","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70048","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Mammalian communities living in tropical forests, particularly those in ecological transition zones, are under constant threat from human activities. In many regions, baseline data on mammal richness, occupancy, detection probability and the environmental factors that influence these metrics are lacking. As a key metric for guiding conservation decisions, species richness can be underestimated due to varying detection probabilities, leading to species being overlooked. Advances in technology and methodology have revolutionised wildlife monitoring, fostering the increase of multi-species occupancy models (MSOMs) for efficient studies of community, shifting focus from single species to entire communities. MSOMs, hierarchical models that share information across species via random effects, address imperfect detection to provide accurate and unbiased species richness estimates. To fill this information gap, we used cameras trap data from Mpem and Djim National Park, Central Cameroun. We used generalised linear models and a model selection approach to evaluate factors affecting species detection events. Similarly, we used MSOMs within a Bayesian hierarchical framework to evaluate our initial species richness estimate at each camera trap location and to understand the influence of environmental covariates on the occupancy and detection probability of 19 vertebrates recorded in the area to inform management decisions for these species. From 915 independent photographic events obtained over 1700 days of capture, the study results highlight the importance of habitat, distance to river, normalised difference vegetation index and topographic position index (TPI) in explaining patterns of detection events. We found that forest (GLM: <i>B</i> 0.31, IRR 1.36, CI 0.14–0.48, <i>p</i> < 0.001), NDVI (GLM: <i>B</i> 0.31, IRR 1.36, CI 0.21–0.41, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and TPI (GLM: <i>B</i> 0.17, IRR 1.19, CI 0.08–0.26, <i>p</i> < 0.001) were positively associated with species detection events, whereas distance to river (GLM: <i>B</i> −0,19, IRR 0.83, CI 0.0.27 to (−0.11), <i>p</i> < 0.001) was negatively associated with species detection events. However, the mean probability of community occupancy was 0.33 ± 0.10 [2.5%–97.5% CI: 0.17, 0.54], while the mean probability of community detection was 0.07 ± 0.02 [2.5%–95% CI: 0.04, 0.12], indicating that, on average, approximately 33% of the sites are likely to be occupied by the community of interest, with a 7% probability of detection at occupied sites. After accounting for imperfect detection, the maximum occupancy and detection probability estimated from the MSOMs were 0.88 ± 0.07 (2.5%–97.5% CI: 0.71–0.98) and 0.22 ± 0.2 (2.5%–97.5% CI: 0.18–0.27) for <i>Philantomba monticola</i>, respectively. Globally, the community responses were close to zero and relatively weak, probably due to mixed responses at the species level. Despite their weak effect, distance to road (<i>β:</i> −1.53 ","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143865682","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":"What Do Male Elephants Eat When Females Are Not Around?","authors":"Geke E. Woudstra,&nbsp;Kate E. Evans,&nbsp;Stein R. Moe","doi":"10.1111/aje.70050","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70050","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Sexual variation in elephant feeding niche has been attributed to body size differences, primarily studied in areas with spatial overlap between females and males. We studied African savannah elephant (<i>Loxodonta africana</i>) foraging strategies in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana, a population almost entirely composed of male elephants. In this context, we explored the influences of age and physical condition on the foraging strategy of males. We recorded feeding data by direct observation of different age classes and physical conditions. Younger males (10–20 years) exhibited more selective feeding behaviour (i.e., selected smaller branches, browsed for shorter periods and consumed fewer mouthfuls per feeding bout) than older males. Elephants with good physical condition exhibited a more selective feeding approach than elephants with poor physical condition. Age and physical condition did not affect the height at which they were feeding or the height of plants they were feeding on. The younger males (10–20 and 21–25 years) focused on feeding areas with their preferred species, while the oldest males selected areas that offered a high density of edible species. All-male elephant populations provide clearer insights into how males primarily adapt their individual foraging strategies to their size and physical condition.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143865684","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":"Climate-Smart Agriculture and Human–Elephant Conflict in Southern Kenya: Intercropping With Use of a Metal Strip Deterrent Fence","authors":"Matthew J. Bowers,&nbsp;Sophia C. Corde,&nbsp;Lynn Von Hagen,&nbsp;Simon Kasaine,&nbsp;Bernard Amakobe,&nbsp;Mwangi Githiru,&nbsp;Geoffrey M. Wambugu,&nbsp;Urbanus N. Mutwiwa,&nbsp;Bruce A. Schulte","doi":"10.1111/aje.70051","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70051","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Elephant deterrent fences have become a popular strategy to mitigate human-elephant conflict in agricultural areas. It is unknown whether the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices like intercropping could influence elephant behaviour and therefore the effectiveness of these fences. In this study in southern Kenya, the success of the Kasaine metal strip fence was compared between intercropped and monocropped fields. Results support previous research, as the Kasaine fence remained effective, suggesting the adoption of intercropping is unlikely to drastically change elephant crop foraging behaviour.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143865683","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 the (Elephant) Cow Ate the Cabbage’: Cussonia spicata in the Presence of Elephants in the Subtropical Thicket Biome, South Africa","authors":"Chanté van der Merwe,&nbsp;Ashley-Kate Davidson,&nbsp;Dan Parker,&nbsp;Nokubonga Mgqatsa","doi":"10.1111/aje.70047","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70047","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Using transect surveys, we examined the effects of African savannah elephant (<i>Loxodonta africana</i>) herbivory on cabbage trees (<i>Cussonia spicata</i>) within South Africa's Subtropical Thicket Biome over 15 years (2008–2023). There was an 80% reduction in tree density, from 14.3 to 1.4 trees per 0.1 km², and a significant decrease in average height. Notably, as cabbage tree numbers declined, elephant browsing intensity also decreased. Trees in steeper areas survived better, suggesting these act as natural refuges. Our findings highlight the critical need for targeted conservation strategies and long-term ecosystem monitoring to preserve these keystone species in enclosed reserves.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143840760","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":"High-Resolution GPS Tracking Data Reveal Inter-Individual and Seasonal Variations in Habitat Selection Strategies by the Critically Endangered African White-Backed Vulture Gyps africanus in the Hwange Ecosystem of Zimbabwe","authors":"Mark Zvidzai,&nbsp;Mhosisi Masocha,&nbsp;Peter Mundy,&nbsp;Fadzai M. Zengeya,&nbsp;Henry Ndaimani,&nbsp;Amon Murwira","doi":"10.1111/aje.70044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70044","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Effective conservation of critically endangered species should be guided by empirical evidence on how they interact with the environment at multiple scales. Yet, such information is lacking for many endangered species such as African White-backed Vultures (AWbV) <i>Gyps africanus</i>. Habitat selection modelling is a promising tool for inferring habitat selection strategies by species to guide conservation planning. This study investigated how habitat selection patterns for AWbV differ in respect of intrinsic individual traits and seasonality. To achieve this goal, six AWbV were captured and attached with solar-powered Global Positioning Systems (GPS) tracking devices. GPS data were then integrated with biologically relevant environmental predictors. Two modelling frameworks, namely binary logistic regression and Ecological Niche Factor Analysis, were fitted to develop habitat selection models at three scales based on pooled, individual and seasonal data. Results indicate that the six AWbV reflect specialist tendencies, with a narrow ecological niche. Further, results reveal a significant positive relationship between predicted presence of the six AWbV and the human footprint index while a consistent negative relationship with mammalian density index was also uncovered. Complex but significant relationships were also uncovered between AWbV and other variables such as the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index, mean daily temperature and thermal uplift. Results from the study suggest that AWbV response strategies to environmental heterogeneity are individual and season-specific. This therefore calls for researchers to disaggregate movement ecology data to multiple scales as this may improve the utility of habitat selection modelling to inform biodiversity conservation planning.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143831358","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":"Bacterial Communities in the East African Coastal Waters of the Indian Ocean","authors":"Ola A. Olapade","doi":"10.1111/aje.70046","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70046","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Presently, very sparse information exists about the occurrences and diversity of microbes in the western Indian Ocean (WIO) relative to other areas of the ocean. In this study, high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and metagenomic approaches were utilised to examine microbial assemblages in Kenya and Tanzania. Results from 24 locations showed that <i>Proteobacterial</i> members made up the majority of the bacterial assemblages. Other dominant phyla were <i>Bacteroidetes</i> (9%–10%), <i>Firmicutes</i> (1.4%–8%), <i>Actinobacteria</i> (4%–6%) and <i>Acidobacter</i> (3.4%–3.6%). Combinations of diversity (alpha and beta) as well as Pearson correlation analyses showed that assemblages in Kenya clustered together and differed from those in Tanzania because of covariation with various environmental factors, such as temperature and salinity.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70046","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143831359","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":"Scaling the Slopes: A Biodiversity Assessment of the Communities of Epigeous Insects Across Mont Nimba's Altitudinal Gradient in Western Côte d'Ivoire","authors":"Sié Dah,&nbsp;Mamadou Koné,&nbsp;Kanvaly Dosso,&nbsp;Seydou D. Soro,&nbsp;Seydou Tiho,&nbsp;Souleymane Konaté","doi":"10.1111/aje.70042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70042","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study was initiated to investigate the abundance and taxonomic diversity of entomofauna at three levels: 400–500, 800–900 and 1400–1500 m above sea level along the altitudinal gradient of Mount Nimba. The insect inventories were carried out using pitfall traps and coloured traps along an altitudinal gradient in the main vegetation facies. As a result, a total of 2828 individuals were found, which were distributed in eight orders and 86 families. Coleoptera was the most abundant group with 30 families, followed by Diptera (23 families) and Hymenoptera (18 families). The secondary forest (between 400 and 500 m) appears to be the most populated and richest habitat, with 980 insects collected from 53 families. Conversely, the grassy savannah at high altitude meadows (Richard Molard site located between 1400 and 1500 m) is the least populated (39 insects collected) and the least rich (12 families). This pioneering study in the Mont Nimba Integral Nature Reserve provided a general overview of the Reserve's epigeic entomofauna.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143809433","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 Modelling of the Temporal Patterns and Intensity of Wire Snare Poaching and Predicting Land Cover Change Dynamics in a Semi-Arid Protected Area","authors":"Nobert Tafadzwa Mukomberanwa,&nbsp;Patmore Ngorima,&nbsp;Thomas Musora","doi":"10.1111/aje.70040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70040","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The spatial and temporal dynamics of poaching, along with continuous land cover alterations like deforestation and agricultural expansion, hinder efficient wildlife management. Changes in land cover could either generate new poaching opportunities or impede access to previously exploited areas. With the doubling of Africa's human population, protein resources will be strained, boosting the purchase and harvest of bushmeat for sustenance and income. In regions where meat poaching transpires, wire snaring is a prevalent technique due to its affordability, efficacy, and ease of acquisition, installation, and concealment. Due to their non-selective nature, snares can inflict severe by-catch mortality on a range of species. Yet, the necessity of projecting future values of a time series traverses across a range of fields. Powerful methods have been developed to capture these components by defining and estimating statistical models. Policymakers must plan several months or years ahead, since drawing up policies and actual policy implementation may take several months or years. The aims of this study were to (i) estimate the spatiotemporal patterns and intensity of wire snare poaching and (ii) predict future land cover dynamics using land change models and assess how these changes may influence poaching risk in the coming years. The Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) was utilised for time series analysis and forecasting. Kernel density estimator (KDE) was used to smooth point data (in this case the locations of wire snares) to create a continuous surface that shows areas of high and low density. The analysis of land use and land cover takes into account the utilisation of Landsat satellite image products. Satellite images for the years 2020, 2022, and 2024 were utilised as inputs for forecasting future land cover scenarios using cellular automata artificial neural network (CA-ANN). The results from the ARIMA show an increase in the wire snares which would enhance the possibility for human–wildlife conflicts by the year 2028. Kernel density estimators pinpoint regions where wire snares are most concentrated; conservation teams can focus their patrols, thus helping to conserve species more efficiently. CA-ANN reveals marginal changes in land use and land cover which might enhance the likelihood for human–wildlife conflicts. Time series forecasting helps estimate when and where poaching activity is likely to spike. By identifying monthly trends, conservation teams can take preventative efforts rather than reacting after poaching has occurred.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143801432","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":"Giant Gardeners of the Forest: How African Forest Elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) Shape Mammal Biodiversity in the Republic of Congo","authors":"Laura Versavaud,&nbsp;Nina Giotto,&nbsp;Paul Aczel,&nbsp;Gabriel Michelin,&nbsp;Jean-François Gerard","doi":"10.1111/aje.70043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70043","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The African forest elephant (<i>Loxodonta cyclotis</i>), a critically endangered species, is a megaherbivore that browses and transforms large quantities and varieties of vegetation during its foraging activities and movements. However, the cascading effects of this ‘ecosystem engineer’ on animal biodiversity are poorly known. In this study, based on data from 38 camera traps placed in a lowland forest in the National Park of Conkouati-Douli, Republic of Congo, we examined the effects of the forest elephant and ecological variables like flooding time on local biodiversity in mammal species. Camera traps recorded 31 terrestrial mammalian species and our results show that mammal biodiversity was maximum for intermediate levels of frequentation by forest elephants. The occurrence frequency of various mammal species also reached its highest value under similar conditions. Possible explanations for this phenomenon are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70043","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143801522","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":"Spatial Ecology and Home Range Drivers of the Weyns's Duiker (Cephalophus weynsi) in Rainforest Habitat","authors":"Daov Naom Beguide Bobo,&nbsp;Mattia Bessone,&nbsp;Roland Cleva,&nbsp;Barbara Fruth","doi":"10.1111/aje.70041","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70041","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In Central Africa's tropical forests, duikers (<i>Cephalophus</i> spp.) are essential seed dispersers and prey for apex predators and humans. However, little is known about their spatial ecology, with no studies available for medium-sized species south of the Congo River. Here, we study forest duiker spatial use in the buffer zone of Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo. We assess capture success of (1) collective day capture with nets and (2) collective night capture with head-torches and use GPS/VHF collars to investigate species-specific home-range (a) size, (b) use and (c) overlap. Across 7 months, 47 capture attempts allowed collaring 13 Weyns's (<i>C. weynsi</i>), two bay (<i>C. dorsalis</i>), and one black-fronted (<i>C. nigrifrons</i>) duiker, with similar success between techniques. Weyns's duikers mean home range size was 29.38 ha, with stable core areas and dynamic boundaries. While one breeding pair showed 72.80% overlap and a mean interindividual distance of 288 m, overlap in non-breeding pairs ranged between 4.5% and 52.2%, with an average interindividual distance of 533 m. Our assessment of the spatial use of Weyns's duikers suggests that anthropogenic disturbances might affect spatial behaviour and reproductive success. Further research on the spatial ecology of forest ungulates is key to improving conservation strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70041","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143778228","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}