The Diversity, Abundance AND Habitat Association OF Diurnal Medium AND Large SIZED Mammals IN Gaysay, Bale Mountain National Park, Oromia National Regional STATE, Southeast Ethiopia Area

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the diversity, abundance and habitat association of medium and large sized mammals in Gaysay, Bale Mountain National Park from February, 2015 to August, 2015. Three habitat types; grassland, woodland and Erica forest were covered in the study. Inventory of the medium and large size mammalian species was made from representative transects randomly selected from each habitat. Indirect evidences including foot print, pug mark, burrows, quills and calls were also used to record the presence or absence of mammals. A total of 12 species of medium and large sized mammals belonging to four mammalian orders (Lagomorpha, Primate, Artiodactla and Carnivora) were recorded. Grassland had the highest diversity index (H‟=1.333) during wet season. The most diversified habitat during dry season was woodland with (H‟=1.504) while the least diversity was recorded in Erica forest in both dry (H‟=0961) and wet (H‟=0.827) seasons. Most common medium and large sized mammals in the study area were warthog ( Phacochoerus africanus), olive baboon (Papia Anubis), menelik‟s bushbuck (Traglaphus scriptus) and grey duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia). In terms of abundance, Mountain nyala (Traglaphus buxtoni)( 30.2%) and warthog ( Phacochoerus africanus) (24.6) were the most abundant while the least abundant medium and large mammal species recorded from the study area were Klipspringer ( Oreotagus oreotagus )(0.1%) and Spotted hyena (Corcuta corcuta)(0.1%). Among the three habitat types, the highest species similarity was obtained between the Woodland and Erica forest ( SI=0.800) and the least species similarity was obtained between Grassland and Erica forest (SI=0.461) during wet season. The similarity of mammalian species between grassland and woodland was highest during dry season (SI=0.750). Mammals of the study area were classified in to common (41.67% ), uncommon (41.67% % ) and rare (16.66%) based on how often they were sighted.