Diversity, Abundance and Habitat Association of Medium and Large Sized Mammals in Debre-Libanos Monastery Forest, Central Part of Ethiopia

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-3133407/v1

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Diversity, Abundance and Habitat Association of Medium and Large Sized Mammals in Debre-Libanos Monastery Forest, Central Part of Ethiopia

https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3133407/v1

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The study aimed to assess diversity, abundance and habitat association of medium and large sized mammals in Debre-libanos Monastery Forest. Stratified random sampling design was applied to stratify the study area in to four (Natural Forest, Plantation, Cliff/Rocky and Settlement) strata based on vegetation and habitat type. Both direct and indirect observation techniques were used along the transect line to identify mammal species. A total of 11 medium and large sized mammal species belong to 6 orders and 8 families were identified during the study period. Order carnivore was dominant followed by primate, which accounted for 36.4% and 27.3%, respectively. The highest diversity (H' = 1.44) of medium and large sized mammals was observed in the natural forest during the dry season and lowest diversity (H' = 0.77) of mammals recorded in the settlement habitat during the dry season. High species similarity observed between natural forest and plantation (SI=0.89) whereas low similarity observed between cliff/rocky and settlement (SI=0.20). Debrelibanos Monastery Forest has a great role for conservation of forest and biodiversity. In addition, the area has different landscapes, plant species, rivers and chins of mountains; those attract tourism activities. If the tourism development increase at the area, the income of regional and national government will increase. Therefore, the monastery needs attention by regional and national government to save mammals and the monasteries, especially for the protection of an endemic species of Gelada baboon. In other way there was a conflict between local communities and abbey administrators with in grazing livestock’s, so, clear demarcation will require to resolve this problem and further monitoring of the mammals and exploring further possibilities of rehabilitation of its habitat should be of conservation priority.

species diversity

mammals

species richness

habitat preferences

species similarity

Mammals are an unanticipated group, showing an amazing diversity of species, forms, ecologies, and behaviors [1]. As of their diversity in size and morphological, physiological, and behavioral adaptation, mammals can successfully colonize diverse habitat types [2]. Mammals are the most diverse and successful group of animals having approximately 6,476 wild extant species on the globe [3]. About 320 species of mammals exist in Ethiopia of which 55 are endemic [4].

Ethiopia is among the African countries known for high mammal species diversity and endemism [5, 6]. Ethiopia currently possess more than 311 species belongs to 144 genera, 43 families and 14 orders; among them 55 mammalian species (17.7%) are endemic to Ethiopia [7, 4]. Of the list of 55 endemic mammalian species, 36 rodents, 10 shrews, 3 bats, 2 primates, 2 artiodactyls, 1 carnivore and 1 hare [4]. Lavrenchenko and Afework [4] indicates only two primate species are endemic to Ethiopia (The Bale (Chlorocebus djamdjamensis) and Gelada monkey (Theropithecus gelada). However, the Boutourlini’s blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis boutourlinii), colobus monkey (Colobus guereza guereza and C. g. gallarum) are also primate subspecies unique to the country [8]. The highest mammalian diversity is due to its wide ranges of elevation and wider variations of topography [9], terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems [10, 11]. Topography and climate condition are the most significant predictors of mammalian species diversity [12].

Studies of mammals are necessary because they are key elements to the ecosystem, as they play an important role in forest maintenance and regeneration, as well as providing ecological services that are essential for the environment in structuring the biological communities [13]. Mammals act as an umbrella species of terrestrial ecosystems because of their large area home range requirements and contribute to the conservation of other species [14]. They also provide important human benefits such as food sources and raw materials for production of basic human needs; regulate plant diversity, structure, and potential pest species through herbivory; plant dispersion through seeds consumption; and predators control other animal populations through predation [15].

Study indicated that more than 60% of the mammal species in Ethiopia are the medium and large sized [16]. The size of large mammal’s weight measured more than 7kg and medium sized mammals measured weight between 2 and 7kg [17].

Yet, most of the studies are conducted in protected areas. As a result, leading to underestimated faunal records of the country. Also, records and conservation status are still poorly known outside these areas [7]. Therefore, conducting researches outside protected area is crucial for the conservation of mammals and this is important to propose appropriate conservation measures [18].

Oromia Regional State holds immense biodiversity resources and endemicity [19]. From North to South, East to West, Oromia is rich in endemic animal and plant species [19]. Debre-libanos Monastry Forest is found in the Oromia Regional State for biodiversity conservation [20]. However, beyond the observation records no attempt were made to assess the diversity, abundance and habitat association of mammals and also there is no handy checklist of species for these mammal groups. Therefore, this study was aimed to document the large and medium sized mammals diversity of the area as a baseline information for better conservation and management.

Description of the Study Area

This study was carried out at Debre-libanos Monastery Forest at north Shewa, central Ethiopia. The Monastry is found at 104 km far to the North of Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. It is located between 09⁰43' 30''N latitude and 38⁰51'0"E longitude in the Oromia regional state, Ethiopia (Fig. 1). It has an altitudinal range from 2400 m − 2560 m.a.s.l [21, 22].

The vegetation of the area has a dry Afromontane 70-woody plant species belonging to 60 genera and 43 families [23]. A dominant family is Fabaceae which comprised about 4 genera (7.41%) and 5 species (8.77%) followed by Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae, Loganiaceae and Verbenaceae (21.04% of the total species recorded), Myrsinaceae, Apocynaceae, Myrtaceae, Oleaceae, Cupressaceae, and Solanaceae also had two species each (21.06%) [22, 23]. The diversity of woody plant species in the area has a great role for the diversity of mammals as different species restricted in some areas i.e. cliff, farmlands, forests and open grassland. This is directly associated with the habitat preferences of different species of mammals.

Material used

During field survey field binoculars; Geospatial Positioning System (GPS72hz), sound recorder, Sony digital camera 20x and mammal field guide book were used [24]. Each equipment has its own purpose. Binocular used to determine the clear vision of mammals at a distance; GPS used for determine the position of sampling area, length of transect and area demarcation; Guidebook for identification of on species to the other; Sound recorder helps to record calls and sounds of mammals, to analyze effectively; and Sony camera used to take a photo of mammals.

Sampling design and Data collection

Reconnaissance survey was carried out in December, 2019 before data collection to gather basic information about the study site such as, accessibility, climate, vegetation cover, topography, infrastructure, fauna, distribution of mammals and to beginning sampling plans. Depending on preliminary assessment, stratified random sampling technique was used. The area was stratified in to four habitat types, such as Natural Forest, Plantation, Settlement and Cliff/Rocky areas. Natural forest: is a forest which has reproduced naturally, consisting of naturally immigrant or indigenous tree species and strains. Plantation area: includes the area where human planted tree found i.e. Eucalyptus plant species in the monastery area. Settlement: it is the place where peoples live. Cliff is an area of rock, which has a general angle defined by vertical or nearly vertical, and the process of weathering and erosion, with the effect of gravity, forms it. The actual study was carried out from January, 2020 to October, 2020 by considering both the wet and the dry seasons. The wet season data covers from June to September and the dry season from January to May to check variations on diversity and abundance between seasons [25].

On the stratified habitats, 19 transect lines were established (Natural Forest = 4, Plantation = 8, Settlement = 5 and at the lower and upper edge of the Cliff = 2) depending of the proportion of area coverage. The place of each transect was marked by global positioning system (GPS). The length of transects ranged from 0.5 to 1 km depending on the landscape of the habitat means that in the cliffy habitat the length of vary according to the comfortability of designing the transect. The distance between each transect was 200 m to avoid double counting [26]. Teams were engaged at the same time to count the mammals along the established transect.

Both direct and indirect data collection techniques were employed along the established transects to count Medium and large sized mammalian species in Debre Libanos Monastery. They were recorded along the transect line through direct observation with naked eyes and Binoculars. The surveys were conducted on foot along the established transect lines by observing left and right sides of the transect lines and looking above to the tree canopy of the trees along the transect line and on the cliff, in both wet and dry seasons. Each transect was visited two times per week to count mammals. The observation taken eight months in both wet and dry seasons, four months (June, July, August and September) considered as wet season and four months (January, February, March and April) considered as dry seasons. Observable morphological characters of body size, coloration, proportion and structure of various organs such as tails, ears, faces, horns and signs were used for identification of medium and large sized mammals [24]. The observer was walking quietly and gently along each transects against the direction of the wind to minimize disturbances of mammals. Counts of mammalian species were done twice a day in all sampled habitat of the survey zones along the established transect lines early in the morning during 6:00 to10:00 AM and late in the afternoon from 3:00 to 6:00 PM when most diurnal medium and large mammals are more active [27].

Elusive and Nocturnal medium and large sized mammal species was identified using indirect evidences such as tracks, dens, droppings, hair and other signs by walking on foot along transect lines looking and searching mammals carefully.

The identified mammals were categorized as common (fairly well distributed and sighted and/ or evidence recorded every season of the study), uncommon (fairly well distributed and sighted and/or evidence recorded once a week), occasional (restricted distribution and sighted and/ or evidence recorded infrequently), and rare (very few evidences recorded and/or single recorded during the whole survey periods) [28].

Data Analysis

The data were analyzed by using SPSS version 26.0 software. Diversity and Abundance of mammalian species were analyzed by using Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index which provides an account for both abundance and evenness [29].

Shannon Diversity index (H') =∑ (pilnpi) Where; H' = the Shannon-Wiener Index of Diversity

Pi = the proportion of the species relative to the total number of species ln = Indicates natural logarithm.

Species evenness was analyzed by Shannon equitability index (E) = H^'_/H_max Where: H'max = ln(S) = natural logarithm of the total number of species (S) in each habitat [30]. E values ranges from 0 to 1, in which 1 indicates complete evenness. Chi-square (χ2) was used to compare differences in abundance of mammal species between habitats and the overall significant difference in abundance of large and medium-sized mammal species in the study area. Sørensen similarity index (S) used to measure species similarity of different habitat types. It is equal to 1 in case of complete species similarity between four habitats and 0 if species of two habitat types are dissimilar [31].

$$\text{S}\text{ø}\text{r}\text{e}\text{n}\text{s}\text{e}\text{n} \text{s}\text{i}\text{m}\text{i}\text{l}\text{a}\text{r}\text{i}\text{t}\text{y} \text{i}\text{n}\text{d}\text{e}\text{x} \left(\text{S}\right)=\frac{2c}{A+B+C+D}$$

Where is the number of mammalian species common in all four habitats, A the number of mammalian species observed in site A, B number of mammalian species observed in site B, C number of mammalian species observed in site C and D number of mammalian species observed in site D [31].

$$\text{R}\text{e}\text{l}\text{a}\text{t}\text{i}\text{v}\text{e} \text{a}\text{b}\text{u}\text{n}\text{d}\text{a}\text{n}\text{c}\text{e}=\frac{n}{N}*100$$

Where n is the total number of individuals of one species and N is the total number of individuals of all species.

Species Composition

During this study, 2751 individuals (Table 1) of 11 medium and large sized mammal species belongs to 6 orders and 8 families were observed (Table 2). Of these, about 54.5% species were large sized mammals while the remaining 46% species were medium sized mammals.

Table 1

Number of each mammalian species recorded and their relative abundance in Debre-libanos Monastery
Species	Habitat						Relative Abundance (%)
Species	Cliff/Rocky		Natural forest	Plantation	Settlement	Total	Relative Abundance (%)
Abyssinian hare	-		8	-	-	8	0.29
Common Jackal	2		10	1	-	13	0.47
Common mongoose	6		-	-	-	6	0.22
Gelada baboon	568		540	294	-	1402	50.96
Honey badger	-		14	2	11	27	0.98
Klipspringer	6		-	-	-	6	0.22
Olive baboon	83		366	162	-	611	22.21
Porcupine	-		13	10	19	42	1.53
Rock hyrax	86		54	27	-	167	6.07
Spotted hyena		33	39	12	-	84	3.05
Vervet monkey	69		147	101	68	385	14.00
Total	853		1191	609	98	2751	100.00

Table 2

Medium and Large sized Mammal species Identified during wet and dry seasons in Debre-libanos Monastery
Order	family	Common name	Scientific name	Id Evidence
Artiodactyla	Bovidae	Klipspringer	Oreotragus oreotragus	Visual
Carnovora	Herpestidae	Common mongoose	Heoaale parvula	Visual
	Hyaenidae	Spotted hyena	Crocuta crocuta	Foot print
	Mammalia	Common jackal	Canis aureus	Visual
	Mustelidae	Honey badger	Mellivora	Visual
Hyracoidea	Procaviidae	Rock hyrax	Procavia capensis	Visual
Lagomorpha	leporidae	Abyssinian hare	Lepus habessinicus	Visual
Primates	Cercopithecidae	Gelada baboon	Theropithecus gelada	Visual
		Vervet monkey	Chlorocebus pygerythrus	Visual
		Olive baboon	Papio anubis	Visual
Rodentia	Hystricidae	Porcupine	Hystrix cristata	Spine

In addition, from the identified families order carnivore (36.4%) and primate (27.3) were dominated in the area over the study period (Fig. 2; Table 2). The other 9.09% of each order Artiodactyla, Hyracoidea, Lagomorpha and Rodentia were recorded consecutively (Table 3). The highest species of mammal were recorded in family Cercopithecidae. From the identified mammal’s species, Gelada baboon (Theropithecus gelada) is the only endemic species found in the area.

Species Diversity

The highest diversity (H' = 1.44) of medium and large sized mammals were observed in the natural forest during the dry season, followed by plantation habitat (H' =1.34) in wet season. Whereas the lowest diversity (H' = 0.77) of medium and large sized mammals were recorded in the settlement habitat during the dry season (Table 3). The highest and the lowest evenness (E) were registered in the settlement (0.8) and in Cliff/Rocky (0.58), respectively.

Table 3

Medium and Large sized Mammal species abundance, diversity and evenness during the wet and dry season in Debre-libanos Monastery
Habitat	Season	No. species	No. individuals	D	H'	H/Hmax(E)
Cliff/Rocky	Wet	6	431	0.54	1.14	0.64
	Dry	7	416	0.50	1.04	0.58
Natural forest	Wet	8	465	0.67	1.33	0.64
	Dry	9	732	0.69	1.44	0.63
Settlement	Wet	3	37	0.51	0.88	0.80
	Dry	3	61	0.44	0.77	0.70
Plantation	Wet	6	244	0.68	1.34	0.74
	Dry	8	365	0.64	1.29	0.62

The highest numbers (9 species) of medium and large sized mammals were observed in the natural forest habitat and the lowest number (3 species) of mammas recorded in settlement habitat in the dry season. Also, the high number of individuals recorded in the Natural forest and the lowest number was at settlement habitat (Fig. 3). The abundance of medium and large sized mammal species were statistically significant difference between observed and expected counts of each species in the four habitat types (χ2 = 40.3, df = 10, p < 0.05).

Relative Abundance

Among the 11 identified medium and large sized mammal species, Gelada baboon (Theropithecus gelada) was the most dominant species of mammal in the study area which accounts (50.96%) of individuals (Fig. 4). The second most abundant mammal species was Olive baboon (Papio Anubis) which comprised 22.21% of individuals and the least abundant mammal species was Common mongoose (Heoaale parvula) (0.22%). According to the relative abundance, Gelada baboon was (abundant), Olive baboon and Vervet monekey were (common), Spoted hayna and Rock hyrax were (frequent), Porcupine, Klipspringer, Honey badger, Common mongoose, Common Jackal and Abyssinian hare were (uncommon) species.

Similarity Index

Between the four habitat types, more similarity of medium and large sized mammal species was recorded between natural forest and plantation (SI = 0.89) followed by between plantation and cliff/rocky (SI = 0.80), but the least similarity index was observed between cliff/rocky and settlement which comprise (SI = 0.20) shown in (Table 4).

Table 4

Sorensen similarity index (S) of medium and large sized mammalian species between different habitats in Debre-libanos Monastery during the wet the wet and dry seasons
Habitat Type	Common Species	Similarity Index (SI)
NF with PL	8	0.89
NF with CR	6	0.7
NF with ST	3	0.46
PL with CR	6	0.8
PL with ST	3	0.55
CR with ST	1	0.2
Where: NF = Natural forest;PL = Plantation;CR = Cliff/Rocky;ST = Settlement

Our finding suggested that the diversity of medium and large sized mammal was low compared to other studies. A total of 11 medium and large sized mammals were recorded at Debre-libanos monastery forest. Similarly, Getachew and Mesele [26] identified 12 species of medium and large sized mammal at Mengaza communal forest, East Gojam. Legese et al. [32] also recorded 12 species of mammals in Wabe forest fragments, Gurage Zone, Ethiopia. In contrast, Eshetu et al. [33] recorded 20 species of large mammals in Gonde Telehimanote and Arsema monasteries in North Gonder, Ethiopia. Similarly, Meseret and Solomon [34] identified higher mammal species, which account 23 medium and large sized mammals. Habitat disturbance, human wildlife conflict, low level of attitude of local communities towards mammal and protection might contribute to the differences in the mammal species diversity and composition among the different sites.

Theropithecus gelada and Papio Anubis were the most abundant mammal species in the study area. Similarly, Berhanu and Serekebirhan [35] reported that the abundance of primate was higher than the other mammals identified in Faragosa Communal Forest, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. In addition to this, Geleta and Bekele [36] suggested that primates had higher relative abundance than other mammals in different parts of Ethiopia. It might be primates widely distributed in different habitat types in Africa [37] and their distribution are influenced by the wealth, accessibility, and allocation of resources like sleeping cliffs/trees, provisions, and water [38]. However, the relative abundance of carnivores was low in Debre libanos monastery forest. This result is in agreement with Berhanu and Serekebirhan [35] study the abundance of carnivores was minimal. It might be their nocturnal behavior, associated with a minimal number of herbivores; they are solitary and crepuscular so their presence could not be easily recognized. Therefore, assessments need to be done in the night and contemporary data collection method should be used for instance, camera trapping is a best suit for such species.

In the present study, medium and large sized mammals showed difference in individual abundance between wet and dry seasons, but there was no variation in species composition in both seasons. High number of individual numbers of mammals recorded during in the dry season (1574) compared to the wet season (1177). In line to this work, Getachew and Mesele [26] in Mengaza communal forest, East Gojjam, Ethiopia, reported that the number of medium and large mammalian species was recorded during the dry season. Moreover, Diriba et al. [39] also reported that 1,214 (47%) of medium and large sized mammals were observed in wet season and 1,359 (53%) medium and large sized mammals were observed during the dry season. This seasonal abundance variation contradicts the more predictable trend of higher abundance during the wet season, resource availability following the rainfall is expected be higher. The possible reason for this higher number of individuals found during the dry season could be attributed to two main factors: seasonal variations in the level of human disturbances and in complication of vegetation density and structure [39].

In this study, medium and large sized mammal’s show variation in diversity between in the four habitat types. Higher diversity of mammalian species was observed in the natural forest habitats during both wet and dry seasons and followed by plantation in wet season. This is probably due to the presence of high vegetation diversity, fruit availability, cover of vegetation, tree canopy and branches for movement and resting. Similarly, Getachew and Mesele [26] in Mengaza communal forest, East Gojjam, Ethiopia, found that the high diversity of mammalian species observed in the natural forest in both wet and dry seasons. In other study, Meseret and Solomon [34] in Borena-Sayint National Park, South Wollo, Ethiopia, reported as the diversity and distribution of medium and large-sized mammal associated with where all its life necessities are fulfilled. In line to this finding, Dawud and Solomon [40] suggested mammalian species diversity is often high in areas where there were sufficient food resources and volume of habitat and available water sources. Low species composition and diversity of medium and large-sized mammals were observed in settlement habitat type. This might be high interference of human, disturbance, less fruit availability, low vegetation cover and anthropogenic activities. In contrary, Legese et al. [32] less diversity of mammalian species recorded in plantation habitat type probably related to the presence of more anthropogenic impact and plantation forest mostly contained homogenous plant species.

In the present study, high similarity of medium and large sized mammal species was recorded between natural forest and plantation. It might be good protection of both habitats and share similar vegetation types. Similarly, Rabira et al. [41] reported that mammals share different habitats that has similar vegetation type.

The study identified and documented medium and large mammal species and give base line information about the presence of mammals in Debre-libanose Monastery. This study documented 11 mammalian species belong to 6 orders and 8 families were observed in this study period, among them Gelada baboon is endemic mammal in Ethiopia. Carnivore and primate were the dominate order in the study area. Family Cercopithecidae contain highest number of mammalian species. The association of mammals vary in different habitats of the study area. Vervet monkey associated with all the habitat types and Gelada baboon associated in natural forest, cliff/rocky and plantation habitats in other way Klipspringer only found in cliff/rocky habitat type. Season affect the diversity and abundance of mammal in different habitats of study area. In wet and dry seasons, the diversity and abundance of mammals varied in four habitat types. Natural forest was the highest diversity of mammal and Settlement was least diversity of mammalian species. Natural forest and plantation had high similarity than other habitat types. Debrelibanos Monastery Forest has a great role for conservation of forest and biodiversity. In addition, the area has different landscapes, plant species, rivers and chins of mountains; those attract tourism activities. If the tourism development increase at the area, the income of regional and national government will increase. Therefore, the monastery needs attention by regional and national government to save mammals and the monasteries, especially for the protection of an endemic species of Gelada baboon. In other way there was a conflict between local communities and abbey administrators with in grazing livestock’s, so, clear demarcation will require to resolve this problem.

Acknowledgements

The authors desires thank deeply local communities near and inside to Debre-libanos Monastry for supporting me with sharing information and encouragement and motivation that helped us to

Successfully complete our research project work. Last, but not least, we thank our mammals. They were very passive, which permissible us to more closely observe during the field work.

Authors’ contributions

Tamenut Desalegn designed the research, collected data, organized the data on the computer, did the analysis, interpretation, and identification, and wrote the draft manuscript. Belayneh Abebe did the analysis, interpretation, proposed the research conception, read the draft, reviewed, edited, supervised, and validated the final manuscript. The author(s) read and approved the final manuscript. Degu Abate formal analysis (lead), review & editing (equal) and validated the final manuscript.

Funding

The authors cover all expenses during investigates this research. This research did not receive any specific funding.

Availability of data and materials

The data generated and analyzed during the current study are included in the body of this paper and the data used for this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This study was conducted following the declaration of Wolkite Wolkite University, which guides researchers to protect research subjects. The study was approved by the Institutional Research Review Board of Wolkite University. The consent to participate does not apply to this research.

Consent for publication

This manuscript doesn’t contain any person’s data, and further consent for publication isn’t required.

Competing of interest

All authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

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Diversity, Abundance and Habitat Association of Medium and Large Sized Mammals in Debre-Libanos Monastery Forest, Central Part of Ethiopia

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Abstract

Figures

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Description of the Study Area

Material used

Sampling design and Data collection

Data Analysis

Results

Species Composition

Species Diversity

Relative Abundance

Similarity Index

Discussion

Conclusion

Declarations

References

Additional Declarations

Supplementary Files

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