Composition, Relative Abundance, and Diversity of Medium and Large Mammals in Tirba Lake Awi Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Understanding the diversity, abundance, and habitat preferences of the fauna is essential for determining the status and suggesting effective conservation actions. A study was conducted in Tirba Lake Awi zone, Ethiopia, to evaluate the wealth, diversity, and composition of the medium and large mammal communities. It is also important to consider how these parameters differ from one habitat type to another and from one season to another. Researchers collected data using a transect method. As a result of the study, 330 individuals and 11 different species of mammals were identified across four orders and six families. The result shows that globally threatened species like the Leopard (Panthera pardus) were included. In terms of seasonal variation in wild mammal abundance, the difference was statistically significant (P $$\le$$ 0.001). A total of 330 ± 26.2 wild mammals were recorded, of which 180 ± 11 (55%) were observed during the wet season and 150 ± 6.5 (45%) during the dry season. Olive Baboons (Papio Anubis) accounted for 30.61% of the 11 mammalian species with 101 individuals, followed by Vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) with 16.67% and 55 individuals, respectively. Mammalian populations were statistically significant among habitat types, with the highest similarity index (SI = 0.8) observed between open forests and shrubland, followed by shrubland adjacent to Cliff sites (SI = 0.7). The shrubland habitat type (Hʹ = 1) supports the greatest diversity of mammalian species, followed by the open forest habitat type (Hʹ = 0.8). In terms of diversity among habitat types, dense forests had the lowest Hʹ value (0.5). Based on the species similarity index, open forest and shrubland shared the most similarity of mammalian species (Sl = 0.8), while shrubland and cliff sites hosted the least similar species (SI = 0.7). To conclude, our findings contribute significantly to the conservation of Ethiopia's mammal populations. As a result of our findings, managers of the area will be able to make effective conservation decisions, and researchers wishing to conduct related studies will be able to use the findings as a baseline for their research. Studies in the study area have revealed that anthropogenic factors interact with the mammals in the area, putting them at risk. It is imperative that these animals are protected through an urgent conservation program.