Community Ecology, Abundance and Pest Implications of Small Mammals in and Around Yegof Mountain Priority forest Area, South Wollo, Ethiopia
| dc.contributor.advisor | Bekele Afework (Professor) | |
| dc.contributor.author | Getachew Gezahegn | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2020-11-26T13:14:10Z | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2023-11-09T04:21:15Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2020-11-26T13:14:10Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2023-11-09T04:21:15Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2019-12-12 | |
| dc.description.abstract | An investigation on species composition, abundance, habitat association and humansmall mammal conflict in and around Yegof Mountain Forest, South Wollo, Ethiopia was carried out from 2016−2019. The study area was classified into six habitats and three altitudinal zones. Both Sherman and snap traps were used to collect small mammals. Thirteen (13) species of small mammals were recorded. Out of these, ten species were trapped and three species were observed. The trapped species were Mastomys natalensis (24.81%), Stenocephalemys albipes (19.53%), Stenocephalemys griseicauda (13.21%), Arvicanthis abyssinicus (11.98%), Lophuromys flavopunctatus (11.79%), Otomys typus (7.36%), Rattus rattus (5.28%), Myomyscus brockmani (5.19%), SpA (0.66 %) and Crocidura flavescens (0.19%) by using both traps. The highest number of species and abundance were recorded in a bushland habitat and in the altitudinal range between 2201−2600 m asl. There was statistically significant variation in the abundance of small mammals between habitats and altitudinal ranges (p<0.05). Species diversity was highest in the bushland habitat (H'=1.75) and lowest in the wooded grassland habitat (H'= 0.37). Highest species diversity was recorded in the altitudinal range between 2201-2600 m asl (H'= 1.79) and the lowest between 2601-2927 m asl (H'=0.39). Abundance of small mammals was higher during the wet season (54.64%) than the dry season (45.36%). The age structure of small mammals showed statistically significant variation (p <0.05). M. natalensis, S. griseicauda, L. flavopunctatus, A. abyssinicus, O. typus, R. rattus, T. splendens and H. cristata were categorized as the main pest rodent species. The majority of the respondents of the study area had negative attitude towards rodents and their conservation status. To reduce the damage caused by pest rodents, farmers use various techniques. Vegetation diversity, cover, rainfall, altitudinal zonations and human interference were the major factors affecting the abundance, distribution and diversity in the study area. Although, the study area is home for different species of small mammals including the endemic mammals of Ethiopia but it is highly disturbed by human encroachment and domestic animal activities through grazing and browsing. Hence, there is a need for urgent conservation measures to save the species. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/23635 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.publisher | Addis Ababa University | en_US |
| dc.subject | Pest Rodent | en_US |
| dc.subject | Small Mammals | en_US |
| dc.subject | Species Diversity | en_US |
| dc.subject | Yegof Mountain Forest | en_US |
| dc.title | Community Ecology, Abundance and Pest Implications of Small Mammals in and Around Yegof Mountain Priority forest Area, South Wollo, Ethiopia | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |