Diversity, distribution and relative abundance of medium and large sized mammalsintwoselectedforestsofDarimudistrict,Illuababorzone,Oromiaregionalstate , south western of Ethiopia

Abstract

The present study was carried out to determine diversity, distribution and relative abundances of medium and large sized mammals from September 2017 to October, 2018,in twoselected forests of Darimu district, Iluababorzone, Oromiaregion, south western Ethiopia. The Three fragmentedforests in the study area were homogenous in vegetation type, disturbance levelandtopography, but different in area (hectare).Sombo forest was different from the rest, onvegetation type, disturbance level and in topography. Line transect method was employed for all the two forest types and species identification were made along each transect. In addition to direct observation, indirect method such as fecal dropping, footprint, scent marks, spine and sound were also used for identification of mammals. A total of 25 species of medium and large sized mammals grouped in 7 orders and 14 families were recorded from the study area during both dry and wet seasons. Among these mammals, only three species were medium sized, whereas the remaining 22species were large sized mammals.Sombo forest had the highest mammalian diversity during both dry and wet seasons with the diversity index (H’) 2.36. Therelative abundant mammalian species in the study areawere grivet monkeys (28.3%), Colobus monkey (22.5%), Olivebaboon (6.34%).Whereas;Hippopotamus (0.5%) was the least abundant, followed by Lion and African buffalo (0.73%) of the total observation. The three fragmented forests (Furdo, Golol and Gololyabalo) were disturbed forests by residents for different purposes like agricultural expansion,logging for building material,cattle grazing, charcoal production and coffee cultivation, WhereasSombo forest were relatively undisturbed.