The effect of land-use on small mammal diversity inside and outside the Great Fish River Nature Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Lagesse, Juliette V.; Thondhlana, Gladman

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2016.03.006

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Due to its consistent and powerful influence on rodent fine-scale perceptions of fear, shrub cover is likely to have a strong influence on the species and communities that rely on it for safety. In turn, the greatly reduced perceived risk of predation in and around shrubs might provide a mechanistic explanation for the patterns of reduced rodent diversity seen in open savannas 36,80,81 . Species’ perceptions of fear can have a strong influence on their reproductive fitness, foraging, movements, and physiology 69,82–84 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shrub cover homogenizes small mammals’ activity and perceived predation risk

Loggins

Shrader

Monadjem

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

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Altered disturbance regimes, increasing atmospheric CO2, and other processes have increased woody cover and homogenized vegetation in savannas across the planet. African savannas with extensive versus minimal woody cover often have vastly different animal communities. However, we lack a clear mechanistic understanding of why animal communities are changing with vegetation structure. Our goal for this study was to understand how vegetation structure in an African savanna shaped the perceived predation risk of small mammals, hence affecting their activity. Using a reciprocal measure of standard giving-up-densities, amount of food eaten, we found sharp declines in rodents’ perceived predation risk and increased rodent activity underneath shrub cover. This response was consistent across species; however, species showed subtle differences in their responses to grassy vegetation. Our findings suggest that areas of minimal or extensive shrub cover (shrub encroachment) may be homogenizing rodents’ perceptions of predation risk and thus shaping their use of space.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shrub cover homogenizes small mammals’ activity and perceived predation risk

Loggins

Shrader

Monadjem

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

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“…Further, trees in the same neighbourhood can promote connectivity between homestead gardens—an important environmental condition for wildlife and successful dispersal (Goddard, Dougill, & Benton, ). Trees also support other life forms such as small mammals and birds through the provision of habitat niches, shade, food and protection from predators (Lagesse & Thondhlana, ; Tews et al, ). However, homestead tree planting can lead to the spread of invasive plant species, which may result in negative impacts on the environment and human well‐being (Shackleton & Shackleton, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Homestead tree holdings: Composition, uses and challenges in Checheche Growth Point, South East Lowveld, Zimbabwe

Thondhlana

Ruwanza

2019

Afr J Ecol

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Understanding homestead tree holdings is important for developing local conservation and livelihood strategies. However, relative to urban homesteads, tree holdings in rural African homesteads remain little studied, especially in semi-arid settings. Using ecological and household surveys, this paper examines homestead tree composition, uses and challenges in Checheche, Zimbabwe. In total, 1,594 trees were encountered across 147 homesteads. Nearly, all homesteads (99%) had trees, and most of them were primarily planted for fruits and shade. Fuelwood, traditional medicines, windbreak and homestead decoration were considered as secondary benefits. Overall, tree density was approximately 112 trees/ha, with an average of 11 ± 7.1 trees per homestead. Homestead tree holdings were explained by age and gender of respondent, homestead ownership and importance attached to and knowledge of trees.Challenges to tree planting mentioned include termites, diseases, livestock damage, high temperatures, water shortages and poor quality soils. Overall, this study shows that homestead tree planting is widespread in semi-arid rural settings but constraints to tree planting ought to be addressed to optimise the benefits from trees. Further research is needed to fully understand the socioecological context that explains tree survival, as a basis for developing interventions for enabling homestead tree planting. RésuméComprendre les exploitations de la propriété d'arbres est important pour développer des stratégies locales de conservation et de subsistance. Cependant, par rapport aux propriétés urbaines, les exploitations d'arbres dans les fermes rurales africaines restent peu étudiées, en particulier dans les milieux semi-arides. À l'aide d'enquêtes écologiques et des ménages, cet article examine la composition, les utilisations et les défis d'arbres de la ferme à Checheche, au Zimbabwe. Au total, 1,594 arbres ont été observés sur 147 fermes. Presque toutes les fermes (99%) avaient des arbres et la plupart d'entre eux étaient principalement plantés pour les fruits et l'ombre. Le bois de chauffage, les médecines traditionnelles, les brise-vent et les décorations de ferme étaient considérés comme des avantages secondaires. Dans l'ensemble, la densité des arbres était d'environ 112 arbres ha−1, avec une moyenne de 11 ± 7.1 arbres par propriété. Les exploitations de la propriété d'arbres ont été expliquées par l'âge et le sexe de la personne interrogée, la propriété des fermes et l'importance attachée aux arbres et la connaissance des arbres. Les défis à la plantation d'arbres mentionnés | 261 THONDHLANA AND RUWANZA

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“…The trapping effort of the study was calculated by multiplying the number of traps used by the total number of trapping sessions (Vieira et al, 2014). This was used to calculate the trapping success of the study period (the total number of animals caught divided by the trapping effort) as per previous studies (Lagesse & Thondhlana, 2016;Vieira et al, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Species richness, Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index, Simpson's Index of Diversity and species evenness were calculated for each location. Species richness was defined as the total number of species caught in each location (Lagesse & Thondhlana, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effects of a zoo environment on free‐living, native small mammal species

2021

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One of the main threats to native species conservation is urbanisation. It is causing changes to natural habitats and species composition. Urban green spaces have shown to have conservation value for native species by providing safe spaces in urban areas. They typically contain a variety of habitats and plant species which is correlated with greater abundance and diversity of small mammal species. Zoos are a vital resource for animal conservation and, in some instances, could be considered as an urban green space for native species conservation. Their unique environment provides free-living, native species an abundance of resources including food and shelter. This project involved the live trapping of free-living small mammal species (<40 g) between enclosures in Dudley Zoological Gardens to study the effects of the zoo environment. There were no significant differences found between the total number of captures and trap proximity to enclosures. There was a significant difference in total captures found between different enclosure trapping areas. Generalized linear mixed models were fitted to the data and there were significant relationships between abundance and both habitat type and enclosure species.Habitats associated with semi-natural woodland had the greatest diversity and total captures of small mammals. Total captures were lower in trapping areas that were associated with predatory species. Similar to research on green spaces, habitat was an important factor determining abundance, but predator enclosures were a factor unique to zoos. This study illustrates the potential of zoos as an urban green space and for the study of small mammals.

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The effect of land-use on small mammal diversity inside and outside the Great Fish River Nature Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Cited by 12 publications

References 39 publications

Shrub cover homogenizes small mammals’ activity and perceived predation risk

Shrub cover homogenizes small mammals’ activity and perceived predation risk

Homestead tree holdings: Composition, uses and challenges in Checheche Growth Point, South East Lowveld, Zimbabwe

The effects of a zoo environment on free‐living, native small mammal species

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