Modelling and predicting mammalian wildlife abundance and distribution in semi-arid Gonarezhou National Park, south eastern Zimbabwe

Talent Murwendo,Mhosisi Masocha,Amon Murwira

doi:10.1108/efcc-05-2020-0016

Talent Murwendo, Mhosisi Masocha + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1108/efcc-05-2020-0016

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Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to model and predict mammalian herbivore species abundance in Gonarezhou National Park (GNP), south eastern Zimbabwe. The study also aims to determine and evaluate the distribution-abundance patterns in GNP. Design/methodology/approach Using aerial survey data from 1980 to 2016, the authors use the rank-abundance model to determine the abundance of mammalian herbivores in GNP. Regression analysis is used to show the mammalian herbivore species distribution-abundance relationship. Findings The findings point to a high species richness and evenness in the study area with common species (15%), intermediate (30%) and rare (60%). There is a positive significant relationship (p = 0.00, R2 = 0.9642) between abundance and distribution with common species occupying wider spaces and rare species occupying narrow spaces. Research limitations/implications Aerial surveys in GNP are not continuous and are biased towards elephants. The inclusion of other mammalian herbivore species including domestic animals in subsequent surveys made the aerial reports useful. Originality/value Studies in GNP have tended to concentrate on the population of mammalian herbivores and this marks a shift in emphasis in such studies. The monitoring of mammalian species improves the conservation and management of GNP. Apart from making planning and policy decisions from an informed point of view small animals also need attention as they are numerically few than the large threatened mammals.

Highlights

Wild animals, mammalian herbivore species are important for ecosystem health and status (Khaemba, 2000; Villarreal et al, 2013)
We model and predict mammalian herbivore species to determine their relative abundance and distribution in semi-arid savanna Gonarezhou National Park (GNP), an important vehicle for economic development in south eastern Zimbabwe
The spatial distribution of mammalian herbivore species indicates the total number of species, the percentage of species and species richness in GNP in each stratum (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Mammalian herbivore species are important for ecosystem health and status (Khaemba, 2000; Villarreal et al, 2013). Some keystone mammalian herbivore species regulate the growth of vegetation, soil structure and water availability (Verberk, 2011) Due to their co-occurrence, interaction and competition they affect vegetation distribution, phenology and morphology (Taylor et al, 2018; Pettorelli et al, 2009). Large common mammalian herbivore species have an influence on small rare mammals as they compete for resources and sometimes with detrimental negative effects when small mammals are exposed to predators (Taylor et al, 2018). The identification of abundant common species and rare more often, smaller and few species will, in turn, determine species richness and evenness of an ecosystem (Verberk, 2011; Gandiwa et al, 2013; Winterbach et al, 2015)

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