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| Ramesh, T.; Downs, C.T. | |
| Impact of land use on occupancy and abundance of terrestrial mammals in the Drakensberg Midlands, South Africa | |
| 2015 Journal for Nature Conservation (23): 9-18 | |
Better management and knowledge regarding the effect of land use intensification on mammal abundance and occupancy is crucial for species conservation. This is particularly true in dynamic forest-farmland mosaics subjected to rapid human-induced habitat alterations for agricultural practices. We conducted camera-trap surveys at 44 locations across farmland use gradients between October 2012 and January 2013. We estimated occupancy and relative abundance of 10 terrestrial mammals in response to farmland use in the Drakensberg Midlands, South Africa. Occupancy modelling revealed the importance of available forest and wetland to several mammals. Occupancy estimates for _Leptailurus serval_ were lower in cropland than for _Herpestes ichneumon_, _Atilax paludinosus_ and _Potamochoerus larvatus_. Occupancy of _Leptailurus serval_ and _Redunca rundinu_ increased with relative human abundance while the relationship was inverse for _Hystrix cristata_ and _Potamochoerus larvatus_. Livestock-related activity influenced occupancy of _Potamochoerus larvatus_ positively and _Hystrix cristata_ negatively. Pesticide usage had a negative impact on detection of several mammals, and occupancy of _Atilax paludinosus_. Commercial plantation influenced occupancy of _Tragelaphus scriptus_ and _Potamochoerus larvatus_ positively. Plantation supported the abundance of five species positively. Wetland influenced relative abundance of _Leptailurus serval_ positively. Pesticide use significantly decreased relative abundance of _Leptailurus serval_ and _Atilax paludinosus_. Livestock and human relative abundance were positively associated with relative abundance of _Leptailurus serval_ and _Canis mesomelas_ and negatively for other species. Our models proved the sensitivity of some mammals towards the natural habitat loss due to agricultural practices while others appeared to be tolerant to such human-modified habitats. We suggest feasible management implications for conserving diverse mammalian assemblages in farmland mosaics. |
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