Diversity And Relative Abundance Of Medium And 11large Mammals In Birbir Protected Forest, Western Ethiopia
Indiris Abdu
Zoological Science, Mekdela Amba University, Tulawlia, P.O. Box 32, Ethiopia
Gutema Jira
Zoological Science, Wollega University, Nekemte, P.O. Box 395, Ethiopia
Gatriay Tut
Zoological Science, Mekdela Amba University, Tulawlia, P.O. Box 32, Ethiopia
Keywords: Phrases, Birbir, Diversity, Habitat association, Mammals, Relative Abundance
Abstract
Investigation of diversity and relative abundance of medium to large-sized mammals was conducted in Birbir Protected Forest, western Ethiopia; between Augusts 2017 and February 2018. Three habitat types: Grassland, Woodland and Riverine forest were identified and sampled. Line transect method was implemented to record mammalian diversity. 30 lines transect, varying from 1.5 to 3km in length were spaced systematically throughout the forest. Among these, 14 transects: 6 from Grassland and 4 from each of woodland and riverine forest were randomly selected and permanently surveyed. For mammal survey, indirect methods such as faeces, hair, quill, sound and burrow were used in addition to direct observation. A total of 14 medium and large-sized mammal species were identified and recorded. Grassland supports highest species diversity both during wet (H’ = 1.804) and dry (H’ = 2.113) seasons. The least species diversity (H’ = 0.663) during both wet and (H’ =0.578) dry season was recorded from Riverine forest. Woodland possessed the highest species evenness (J = 0.815) during wet season, followed by Grassland (J = 0.783), but during dry season, highest evenness (J = 0.917) was obtained from Grassland, followed by Woodland (J = 0.663). The least species evenness (J = 0.417) was recorded from Riverine forest during dry season. The highest mammalian species similarity was recorded between Grassland and Woodland during both seasons. The least species similarity was between Woodland and Riverine forest during wet season. Among species of mammals recorded, H. amphibius, 23.98% and P. anubis, 21.25% were relatively most abundant species, while M. capensis and C.mitis were represented with a few individuals. Habitat association of mammals revealed that most primate preferred woodland while, artiodactyls preferred Grassland. The lower mammalian diversity might be attributing to intense anthropogenic activities such as agricultural expansion, settlement, hunting and overgrazing