Abstract
The study was carried out to assess the population size and distribution of diurnal large wild mammals in the southern Great Rift Valley, Ethiopia. The study area was stratified into four habitat types: riverine forest, ground-water forest, grassland, and bushland. Samples of animals were surveyed through the transect method. The total number of individuals belonging to the 15 species observed was 1681 and 1245 during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. Burchell's zebra (Equus burchellii), Anubis baboon (Papio anubis), Vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), and Grant's gazelle (Nanger granti) were the most abundant species, while Abyssinian hare (Lepus habessinicus) and Bush duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) were the least abundant species. The highest number of species has been supported by the bushland habitat, followed by open grassland, riverine forest, and ground-water forest in both seasons. Despite the park being home to various types of mammalian species, there is a need for conservation actions by the park management and other concerned bodies for the survival of those species in the area.
Highlights
Diurnal large mammals have a special role in maintaining important ecological functions of terrestrial ecosystems and are good indicators of habitat value since they contribute to the conservation efforts of other species [1, 2]
Methods. e study area was stratified into four main study units or “census zones” based on the main vegetation types, and data were collected from these census zones, such as riverine forest (30.1 km2), ground-water forest (37.4 km2), grassland (270 km2), and bushland (80.87 km2) census zones through line-transect survey following the work of Sutherland [10]
The bushland habitat supported the highest number of mammalian species followed by open grassland, riverine forest, and groundwater forest in both wet and dry seasons
Summary
Diurnal large mammals have a special role in maintaining important ecological functions of terrestrial ecosystems and are good indicators of habitat value since they contribute to the conservation efforts of other species [1, 2]. Even though high mammalian species diversity is present in Ethiopia, its mammalian species have declined in recent years, and there is little information about the mammalian resources [7]. Nech Sar National Park is one of the protected areas in southern Ethiopia which is thought to be home to a variety of wildlife including large mammals [8]. Erefore, the present study aimed to assess the population size and distribution of diurnal large wild mammals along systematically laid transects in the study area. Is study will contribute to the filling of some information gaps and provide current information on the large mammals for the strong management actions in the national park area Erefore, the present study aimed to assess the population size and distribution of diurnal large wild mammals along systematically laid transects in the study area. is study will contribute to the filling of some information gaps and provide current information on the large mammals for the strong management actions in the national park area
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