African Journal of Ecology最新文献

{"title":"Microcosms and Mesocosms: Small-Scale Experiments, Big Impacts for Tropical Ecology","authors":"Luca Luiselli,&nbsp;Nic Pacini","doi":"10.1111/aje.70076","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70076","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Microcosms and mesocosms—controlled experimental ecosystems—have revolutionised ecological research by providing a bridge between theoretical models and real-world complexity. These systems allow researchers to isolate and manipulate environmental variables, enhancing our understanding of ecological processes such as nutrient cycling, species interactions, and climate change effects. In Africa, where biodiversity is rich but ecological data are often limited, microcosm and mesocosm studies present a powerful yet underutilised tool. They offer cost-effective solutions for assessing ecosystem resilience, testing conservation strategies, predicting responses to direct anthropogenic pressures and to climate change, revealing the competitive advantage of invasive taxa. This review explores the theoretical foundations and practical applications of microcosms and mesocosms in experimental ecology, emphasising their potential for African ecosystems and providing numerous example case studies including suggestions for mesocosm design. We discuss their role in aquatic and terrestrial studies, challenges in their implementation, and how they can be adapted to local contexts; finally, we provide suggestions for further studies. Given Africa's diverse landscapes—from savannahs to rainforests and wetlands—these experimental systems hold promise for addressing pressing environmental challenges. By integrating microcosm and mesocosm research with field studies, African ecologists can generate robust, scalable insights that inform policy and conservation efforts across the continent.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70076","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144589665","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":"Identifying the Substrate and Vegetation Characteristics Driving Population Densities in the Buckspoor Spider, Seothyra schreineri","authors":"Charles R. Haddad,&nbsp;Daryl Codron,&nbsp;Ruan Booysen","doi":"10.1111/aje.70074","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70074","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Buckspoor spiders (Araneae: Eresidae: <i>Seothyra</i> Purcell) are a distinct lineage of burrow-inhabiting web-building spiders endemic to the arid and semi-arid parts of southern Africa. We investigated the role of substrate and vegetation characteristics on site selection in <i>Seothyra schreineri</i> Purcell in the xeric Nama Karoo of the western Free State Province, South Africa. We studied web densities in two 0.5 ha plots in an open habitat grazed by sheep and found declining web densities with increasing distance from the border fence. Web densities in the 1 m² plots were negatively correlated with increasing grass density, positively correlated with increasing percentage fine gravel, whereas shrub cover, litter, hard soil and stones had a very weak effect. Our results indicate that the spatial distribution of fine gravel in Nama Karoo landscapes is a key factor determining the occurrence of <i>S. schreineri</i>, a finding that can guide future sampling efforts, leading to a more complete prediction of the species' distribution and, ultimately, its overall conservation status.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70074","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144537174","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":"Stakeholder Perspectives on the Current Decision-Making Process of Invasive Alien Plant Management","authors":"Current Masunungure,&nbsp;Agripa Ngorima,&nbsp;Amanda Manyani,&nbsp;Mwazvita T. B. Dalu,&nbsp;Tatenda Dalu","doi":"10.1111/aje.70075","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70075","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Effective management responses to different risks posed by invasive alien plants (IAP) rely on the ability to assess the appropriateness of the decision-making process involved. IAP management is highly dynamic and complex, involving diverse stakeholders and it remains unclear whether the current decision-making processes are appropriate for managing IAP. However, there have been some notable successes both locally and elsewhere in the world. Here, 30 key informant interviews were conducted with private landowners (<i>n</i> = 7), natural resource managers from government parastatals (<i>n</i> = 7), private sector (<i>n</i> = 5), non-governmental organisations (NGO) practitioners (<i>n</i> = 6) and researchers (<i>n</i> = 5) involved in IAP management, to better understand the perspectives on the current decision-making process. In addition, the compliance of the current IAP decision-making process to the principles of robust decision-making was assessed. The availability of a plethora of management plans, science-based decisions, the creation of jobs, flexible process and coordination were frequently identified strengths. Furthermore, the results showed no significant differences among stakeholder groups in how the respondents characterise their current IAP decision-making process, with infrequent mention of the principles of robust decision-making. The findings demonstrate how infrequently the principles of robust decision-making are incorporated into the current IAP decision-making process. Incorporating the principles of robust decision-making offers an avenue for improving the decision-making process for invasive alien plant management.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70075","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144537175","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":"Behavioural Trade-Offs in Impala: The Influence of Predators and Social Structure on Foraging and Vigilance","authors":"Ellie N. Freidly,&nbsp;Matthew A. Wuensch,&nbsp;Taylor C. Michael,&nbsp;David Ward","doi":"10.1111/aje.70070","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70070","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Group-dwelling mammalian herbivores (e.g., impala) often have to balance between the amount of time spent foraging and being vigilant. Vigilance behaviour (scanning for predators) helps reduce predation risk while prey are vulnerable during foraging events. Impalas typically occur in either territorial herds containing dominant males, females and juveniles, or bachelor herds that contain only subordinate males. To assess how factors such as sex, social structure and the presence or absence of predators may affect impala behaviour, we examined the vigilance and foraging behaviour of impalas, both inside a game reserve with limited large predators as well as in the Kruger National Park, in eastern South Africa, with many predators present. In the low-predator environment, dominant males in territorial herds spent more time vigilant than females and juveniles, and males in territorial herds spent more time vigilant than males in bachelor herds. When comparing vigilance behaviour in areas with and without predators, females and bachelor males exhibited no difference in their behaviour between locations. Surprisingly, dominant males in territorial herds were more vigilant in low-predator environments than in high-predator environments (Kruger), which may suggest that vigilance by dominant males is directed towards competitor males rather than predators.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144537173","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":"Presence of Servals (Leptailurus serval) in a Mature, Closed-Canopy Tropical Moist Montane Rainforest Ecosystem Challenges Conventional Range Maps","authors":"Emma E. M. Evers,&nbsp;Philbert Ndahayo,&nbsp;Felix Mulindahabi,&nbsp;Jean Pierre Ntibabarira,&nbsp;Drew A. Bantlin","doi":"10.1111/aje.70072","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70072","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Despite its widespread occurrence across Sub-Saharan Africa, the serval (<i>Leptailurus serval</i>) remains largely understudied, especially within Central and Western Africa. Historically regarded as a savanna specialist, servals are thought to be absent from dense, rainforest habitat (IUCN habitat class 1.9). Here, we present evidence of servals occupying tropical moist montane forest across several years, in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda. We highlight the potential knowledge gap in the currently-accepted IUCN serval range map and the importance of increasing research efforts in understudied areas across Central and Western Africa to improve understanding of species' presence and ecology in these systems.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144537143","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":"Elephant Fences Result in Limited Impacts on Movement of Non-Target Species","authors":"Timo Jäger,&nbsp;Trevor McIntyre,&nbsp;Jesse M. Kalwij","doi":"10.1111/aje.70071","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70071","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Mega-herbivore or elephant fences aim to prevent target animals (here: African savanna elephant <i>Loxodonta africana</i>, giraffe <i>Giraffa giraffa</i>) from crossing while allowing others, often with the intention to protect an area against elephants—for conservation, economic or research purposes. However, little is known about mega-herbivore fence effectiveness and impact on non-target species, for example impact on meso-herbivore movement, or fence avoidance. We hypothesised that mega-herbivore fences are effective in excluding mega-herbivores, whereas other species remain unaffected. We tested this hypothesis by comparing mammalian species abundance in (i) full exclosures, (ii) mega-herbivore exclosures and (iii) open plots. These plots were part of the Lapalala Elephant Landscape Experiment (LELE) project in Lapalala Wilderness, South Africa. Systematic dung pile recording and animal track counts—supported with video footage from camera traps—were used to quantify species-specific animal abundance using generalised linear mixed-effect models. The dung piles showed no difference in the abundance of non-target species between mega-herbivore exclosures and open plots, while target species were successfully excluded. Interestingly, we found fewer tracks of large non-target herbivores, such as plains zebra (<i>Equus quagga</i>) and greater kudu (<i>Tragelaphus strepsiceros</i>) crossing mega-herbivore fences compared to open plots, indicating that some individuals avoided crossing the mega-herbivore fence lines. We suggest that this avoidance is due to a combination of species-specific vigilance and deterrence of large specimens. Further research is needed to determine whether this avoidance persists over time, and if the absence of large non-target animals affects ecosystem functioning. Mega-herbivore fences are an effective means to prevent the movement of target species. However, some individuals of non-target species also avoid crossing these fences, likely large animals due to the minimum height of the fence. We recommend monitoring the movement of species once elephant fences are erected, and to increase minimum fence height if non-target species are affected.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70071","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144524667","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":"Uncovering Cryptic Diversity: Camera Trap Insights Into the Effects of Seasonality and Anthropogenic Presence in a Mosaic Savannah Ecosystem","authors":"Nadia Mirghani,&nbsp;Manuel Llana,&nbsp;Amanda Barciela,&nbsp;Laia Dotras,&nbsp;R. Adriana Hernandez-Aguilar,&nbsp;Jordi Galbany,&nbsp;Luis M. Carrascal","doi":"10.1111/aje.70069","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70069","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Developing comprehensive mammal inventories in protected areas with human presence is essential for effective biodiversity conservation yet remains challenging, particularly for elusive species. Camera trapping has emerged as a valuable tool for documenting mammal diversity, complementary to or as an alternative to traditional direct observation methods. We studied the Dindefelo Community Nature Reserve (Senegal), encompassing a mosaic of vegetation types with a climate characterised by marked seasonality. The local human population depends on its natural resources for subsistence, and livestock roam freely throughout the reserve. Using camera traps, we conducted a 2-year monitoring program across 29 sampling locations, accumulating 3072 trapping days (approximately 60,000 h of observation). We evaluated how vegetation types, seasonality and anthropogenic factors influenced mammal species richness and vegetation type use. We confirmed the presence of 28 medium- and large-sized mammal species. Mammal species richness varied subtly with vegetation types and seasons but no pronounced differences emerged. Human presence within the reserve had limited negative impacts on mammal species richness. Interestingly, livestock presence, exhibited a positive association with wild mammal diversity, suggesting shared resource use or similar environmental preferences. These results highlight complex interactions between wildlife and human activities. They also emphasise the importance of ongoing monitoring to detect additional rare or elusive species, improving conservation strategies in protected savannahs of western Africa where wildlife and human communities coexist.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70069","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144482110","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":"Recovery of Miombo Woodland in Abandoned Lands Post-Agriculture, Charcoal Production and Logging in Central Mozambique","authors":"Sá Nogueira Lisboa,&nbsp;Frédérique Montfort,&nbsp;Clovis Grinand,&nbsp;Julie Betbeder,&nbsp;Almeida Alberto Sitoe,&nbsp;Jean-Baptiste Roelens,&nbsp;Lilian Blanc","doi":"10.1111/aje.70066","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70066","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Agricultural activities, charcoal production and commercial logging are the primary drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in Miombo woodlands (MWs), yet the abandonment of these activities can allow for ecological recovery. While previous research has largely focused on MWs recovery following agricultural disturbances, the regrowth pathways and ecological impacts of charcoal production and logging remain poorly understood. This study fills that gap by analysing vegetation recovery within a common framework across smallholder agriculture, charcoal production and commercial logging in central Mozambique, and examining the environmental and socio-economic factors that influence recovery across these disturbance types. Using remote sensing data, we identified three sites for each disturbance type and conducted forest inventories in abandoned lands on trees with diameter greater than 5 cm, applying a chronosequence approach, along with undisturbed MWs. We assessed vegetation structure parameters, species diversity metrics and conducted plot pairwise similarity comparisons for each disturbance type. A generalised additive model was used to evaluate the effects of abandonment age and external factors on vegetation structure, species diversity and composition. Our findings show that MWs recover more quickly in vegetation structure (in 30 years) than in species diversity and composition. Species composition trajectories differed among disturbance types, with Sørensen dissimilarity showing significant temporal change only in charcoal stands; although species turnover and nestedness remained largely stable over time, turnover contributed more to overall compositional dissimilarity than nestedness, suggesting that shifts were more associated with species replacement than richness differences. Species richness and the effective number of species showed no significant change with abandonment age across any disturbance type. Charcoal and logging stands displayed greater species diversity convergence compared to agricultural stands. External factors, such as proximity to temporary rivers, villages and secondary roads, as well as fire frequency, influenced recovery, with impacts varying based on disturbance type. Our findings emphasise the complexity of Miombo woodland recovery and highlight the need for long-term monitoring and management to support the resilience of these ecosystems in the face of ongoing disturbances. Future research should focus on longer timeframes, larger sample sizes, and include the natural regeneration to better understand the mechanisms behind vegetation recovery in disturbed MWs.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144332022","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":"Effects of Organic Soil, Pit Sand and River Sand on Pupation, Survival and Emergence of Gonimbrasia belina","authors":"Fortunes Felix Matutu,&nbsp;Donald Mlambo,&nbsp;Angella Chichinye","doi":"10.1111/aje.70068","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70068","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The mopane worm, <i>Gonimbrasia belina</i>, is a vital edible insect in southern Africa, with its pupal life stage being critically dependent on soil substrate properties. This study evaluated the effects of organic soil (OS), pit sand (PS) and sandy soil (SS) on pupation success, survival and moth emergence of <i>G. belina</i> in southern Zimbabwe across natural habitats and controlled greenhouse environments. Field results showed that OS supported the highest densities of live and dead diapausing pupae, especially in pure mopane woodlands, reflecting the importance of organic matter for moisture retention. PS consistently outperformed SS, suggesting substrate texture influences pupal survival more than regional climatic variation. In greenhouse trials, PS substrates yielded the highest moth emergence rates, while mulch additions paradoxically increased live pupae but reduced emergence success. Mortality rates did not significantly differ among substrates, indicating external factors may drive pupal mortality in the wild. Seasonal and microhabitat conditions also influenced emergence, with wet seasons favouring moth eclosion. These findings highlight the trade-offs between pupation success and emergence, informing sustainable rearing practices and conservation strategies. Protecting organic-rich soils in mopane woodlands and prioritising PS substrates in captive breeding can enhance mopane worm production, which is crucial for food security and rural livelihoods under changing environmental conditions.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144308855","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":"Frequent Prescribed Burning Contributes to the Sequestration of Soil Carbon in South African Mesic Rangeland Systems","authors":"Robyn Nicolay,&nbsp;Michelle Tedder,&nbsp;Ntuthuko Mkhize,&nbsp;Kevin Kirkman","doi":"10.1111/aje.70063","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70063","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Historically, subsistence pastoralists and ranchers have used fire as a management tool in grassy rangelands for millennia. The capacity of these ecosystems to function as carbon sinks depends heavily on management interventions. Understanding optimal fire return intervals is essential for determining how prescribed burning influences long-term carbon and nitrogen cycling. This study builds on previous research at the Ukulinga Grassland Fire Experiment (UGFE), extending beyond surface soils to assess whether fire-induced changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TotN) persist at greater depths and over multi-decadal timescales. Using data from 20 years prior as a baseline, and with grazing excluded, we examine SOC and TotN responses directly attributable to fire as a defoliant. Here we assessed the effect of frequency and seasonal timing of prescribed fires on SOC, TotN and carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratios in a South African mesic grassy rangeland system. Our findings suggest that early season, frequent prescribed burns result in greater SOC concentrations and enhanced sequestration rates compared to longer burn intervals. Over the 20-year monitoring period, frequently burnt plots showed continued carbon accumulation, while longer return intervals were associated with reduced subsoil carbon sequestration below 5 cm. These results demonstrate the resilience of mesic grasslands to frequent prescribed fire as a disturbance and highlight fire as a key abiotic driver of SOC accumulation and nutrient cycling. Our findings align with local studies in temperate South African grasslands and savannas and support the potential of frequent prescribed burning as a strategy for enhancing SOC in fire-dependent grassy ecosystems. However, these carbon benefits must be weighed against potential trade-offs, particularly with grazing productivity and plant diversity, which require further consideration in the context of sustainable land management and carbon credit schemes.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70063","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144273053","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}