Diversity And Habitat Preference Of Mammals In Fragmented Semi-Natural Forest Around Jimma Institute Of Technology Campus, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Knowledge of the faunal diversity, abundance and distribution of mammals are basics for the status determination and proposing appropriate conservation measures. This study was aimed to determine diversity, habitat preference and relative abundances of mammals in the semi-natural forest of JIT campus. The study was carried out from December 2018 to August, 2019. The area lacks any scientific documentation regarding its faunal diversity and relative abundance. The stated area was classified into three habitat types (farmland, wetland and forest area). To identify the species diversity and abundance of small mammals, both local and Sherman live traps were used to capture the animals. To generate data for medium and large mammals, a line transect survey method was implemented for all the three habitat types. Data for nocturnal mammals obtained from sensor cameras. A total of 19 species of mammals grouped into six orders and 12 families were recorded from the area. Among the identified mammals, four were small mammals and the rest 15 were from the medium and large mammal category. The highest species diversity of small mammals was recorded in forest habitat during dry season (H’ = 1.4), while no species of small mammals were sampled from wetland during the wet season (H’ = 0). Mus musculus was the most abundant specie (43.13%) recorded from all habitats during both seasons, while H. gambianus was the rarest species (13%). Regarding medium and large sized mammals, the highest diversity was recorded in the forest area during the wet season (H’ = 2.52) whereas the least diversity was sampled from the wetland (H’ = 1.4) during the same season. Chlorocebus aethiopis was the most abundant mammal (26.21%) in each habitat, whereas Canis aures was the least abundant species (1.4%). Variation in diversity and abundance of mammals is depends on the tolerance capacity of the animals to survive in highly human disturbed areas, and availability of different types of foods and plant species in the area. The availability of food, water and shelter is in turn depends on seasonal variations. Despite the study area provided habitats for various species of mammals, the high level of human disturbance putting extreme negative effects on the faunal composition of the area. Hence, there is a need for urgent conservation measures to save the biodiversity of the area.