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We compared the effectiveness of various methods for surveying medium and large wild mammals in southern Oman. Working with volunteers recruited by Biosphere Expeditions, wildlife professionals and local rangers, we used direct observation, camera traps, sign surveys (tracks and/or dung) and molecular scatology to study 66 sampling units of 2 × 2 k...
Citations
... These ATP6 primers also did not amplify any prey DNA that could have been present in the faecal sample (Chaves et al. 2012). The amplification success of these ATP6 primers ranges from 21.2% (Mesa-Cruz et al. 2016) to 100% (Alberts et al. 2017) and has been demonstrated in carnivores from different habitats, including tropical rainforest (Alberts et al. 2017;Chaves et al. 2012;Gonçalves et al. 2022;Haag et al. 2009;Michalski et al. 2011;Souza et al. 2017;Srbek-Araujo et al. 2018) and mountainous regions (Mazzolli et al. 2017). ...
Carnivores play a vital role in ecosystem health and are thus an important focus for conservation management. Non‐invasive methods have gained traction for carnivore monitoring as carnivores are often elusive and wide‐ranging, making visual counts particularly difficult. Faecal mini‐barcoding combines field collection of scats with genetic analysis for species identification. Here, we assessed the applicability of a mini‐barcode based on the mitochondrial ATP6 gene in southern Africa. We predicted amplification success based on in silico evaluation of reference sequences from 34 of the 42 terrestrial carnivore species existing in southern Africa, including the Congo clawless otter (Aonyx congicus) for which we contributed a mitochondrial assembly. We further tested amplification success on available reference samples of 23 species. We expanded the existing ATP6 mini‐barcode reference database by contributing additional sequences for 22 species, including the Cape genet (Genetta tigrina) and the side‐striped jackal (Lupulella adusta) for which no complete mini‐barcode sequences were available on GenBank, and compiled a representative reference dataset of 61 unique sequences as a tool for species identification. As a proof of principle, we applied the ATP6 mini‐barcode to a small scat‐based carnivore survey conducted in Namibia 13 years prior, which showed a 95% identification success and detected six species among 157 samples collected. With southern Africa's mammalian carnivores facing escalating threats, this robust mini‐barcode offers a vital tool for accurate species identification from non‐invasive samples, enabling crucial monitoring and conservation efforts.
... Wolves appear to be common in remote and protected areas of Yemen (Khorozyan et al., 2014). In Oman, wolves have been recorded throughout the country, but again seem to be confined to remote and protected areas (Mazzolli et al., 2017;Spalton, 2002a). Records are common throughout Saudi Arabia; however, most of these records derive from killed individuals (Aloufi and Amr, 2018;Zafar-ul Islam et al., 2019). ...
Grey wolf (Canis lupus) populations are beginning to increase globally after centuries of decline. While protective legislations and policy implementations have been driving this increase, evidence suggests that these work because of a general rise in public acceptance of wolves. As people have become more knowledgeable of the important ecological roles played by wolves, protection has gained increasing community support, with human-wolf coexistence now being achieved in some areas. However, this is not universal, and some subspecies remain endangered. This is the case for the little-known Arabian wolf (Canis lupus arabs), which inhabits arid regions of the southern Levant and Arabian Peninsula: a geopolitically diverse region crossing multiple jurisdictions with disparate cultures, legislations, and attitudes towards wildlife and conservation. Here we review global efforts within the wolf conservation sphere to explore potential opportunities and challenges in the Middle East, acknowledging and accounting for the unique geopolitical complexity of this region. We bring together what is known about this wolf's taxonomic status, distribution, ecology, and conservation across eleven countries in which it resides, collating decades of legislation, governmental, and non-governmental conservation efforts, and summarising literature pertinent to the Arabian wolf. Cross-border collaborations remain challenging in the Middle East, but we identify practical and culturally-based solutions that may improve coexistence and conservation goals, building upon areas where coexistence already occurs. We write this review in the hope that it will highlight the synergies, opportunities, and obstacles that require more serious deliberation and collaboration to conserve one of the region's remaining apex predators.
... We used a mixed-methods sampling approach to estimate occurrence points for Persian leopards, caracals and wild goats. Mixed methods reduce the risk of sampling error (Mazzolli et al. 2017). Between 2019 and 2020, a systematic survey for Persian leopards, caracals and wild goats was developed by creating a 1 km × 1 km grid in ArcMap 10.5 over the study area. ...
Context
Habitat loss and fragmentation are major threats to global biodiversity, especially for wide-ranging apex carnivores. The Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) is an endangered species. Although populations of Persian leopards are declining, the species remains widely distributed across large areas of Iran.
Aims
This study aimed to determine habitat suitability for Persian leopards in the Khaeiz and Sorkh protected area of south-western Iran and to identify the most significant factors influencing their habitat use/selection and spatial distribution.
Methods
We performed species distribution modelling in two stages: First, we ran the model with three abiotic predictors: slope; aspect; and distance from water resources. In the second stage, modelling was conducted using three ecological predictors: caracal distribution; wild goat distribution; and livestock distribution. Ensemble modelling was applied based on five replicates of eight SDMs (species distribution models; GLM, CTA, FDA, GBM, ANN, MARS, RF and MaxEnt).
Key results
We observed only minor differences in habitat suitability between the abiotic and ecological models. Habitat suitability for Persian leopards was higher in steeper areas, close to water resources and near the distribution of caracals, livestock and wild goats. The ecological model predicted 2.03% (329 ha) more suitable habitat than the abiotic model did.
Conclusions
Most habitat suitability models focus on abiotic variables, but we found that ecological variables offer similar predictive power for determining the habitat suitability of Persian leopards.
Implications
Habitat suitability models for Persian leopards can be used to guide conservation and management decisions. They are also useful indicating where conflicts between predators and humans may occur.
... This results in sometimes complex and misleading models, which in turn leads to limited use of modelling in conservation planning (Jiménez-Valverde 2012). A combined approach using the most appropriate and widely used tools is recommended as one of the best ways to address weaknesses inherent not only in individual tools but also in the wider category of spatial modelling and statistical systems, to provide acceptable results at various stages of analysis and modelling (Aguilar et al. 2015;Mazzolli et al. 2016). We used a combination of spatial analytical tools available in the ArcMap v10.5 GIS software, SDM using the Maxent algorithm and occupancy modelling, for characterising fantail distribution on an island sanctuary. ...
The Aotearoa / New Zealand fantail / pīwakawaka (Rhipidura fuliginosa Sparrman, 1787, Rhipiduridae) is an iconic species and conspicuous in a range of habitats. However, island populations of the species are said to fluctuate dramatically. This project set out to investigate the population dynamics of the Te ika a Maui / North Island subspecies Rhipidura fuliginosa placabilis Bangs, 1921) on Tiritiri Matangi Island using a volunteer-based monitoring scheme. To achieve this goal we developed a pilot sampling grid and determined spatial distribution characteristics using several approaches including geostatistical tools in ArcMap, species distribution modelling and occupancy modelling. Fantail presence data was recorded twice a year by volunteers assigned to specific grids at different seasons for two years on Tiritiri Matangi Island. Recorded count data show distinctive differences between the sampling periods and different areas of the island. Significant hotspots as well as clustering of abundance show different patterns with significantly higher abundance and widespread distribution during May compared to November. Spatial analysis identified vegetation, particularly replanted areas, as influencing the fantail counts. Results of species distribution modelling showed areas of the island suitable for the species and occupancy models further described the seasonal spatial characteristics of fantail. The effort also highlights the importance of volunteers in providing bird count data to generate the knowledge base required for the management of an island sanctuary.
... We used direct sighting methods, indirect evidence, and interviews to collect the data. A combination of methods in a single study produces information at a faster rate and results in a more complete mammal survey than any single method [25]. Te medium-and large-sized mammal species were surveyed using a diurnal line transect by walking at a constant speed following the work of Benchimol [8]. ...
Mammal species provide vital environmental and economic functions although they globally face numerous threats. Knowledge of the composition and diversity of mammal species provide information for appropriate management interventions. We conducted this study from July 2019 to February 2020 to assess the species composition, diversity, and conservation of medium- and large-sized mammals in the Asimba Forest Priority Area, northern Ethiopia. Data were collected through direct and indirect evidence from three habitat types, namely, natural forest, bushland, and plantation forest. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and the Species Diversity Index. We also used χ2 to compare differences in the number of observations and species richness of the mammal species in different habitats between the dry and wet seasons. A total of 263 observations were compiled, and 15 medium- and large-sized mammalian species were recorded in the Asimba Forest Priority Area. The Species Diversity Index and Evenness of the area were H′ = 2.436 and J = 0.899, respectively. Hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas) was the most commonly observed species, with 20.7 and 19.2 relative frequencies in the dry and wet seasons, respectively, whereas striped polecat (Ictonyx striatus) was the rarest species, with 3.0 and 0.0 relative frequencies during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. The number of observations (χ2 = 2.298, df = 2, and p = 0.316 ) and species richness (χ2 = 0.115, df = 2, and p = 0.943 ) did not differ significantly in the three habitats. Anthropogenic factors, mainly habitat destruction and overgrazing, were widely observed in the Asimba forest as conservation threats to the mammal species. The current study helps to increase knowledge about the mammal species of the area and is essential for their future conservation strategies.
... Hence, the protocol gathers only basic information needed to identify species occurrence and to understand human-wildlife interactions so as to inform management in large areas. For a more in depth and complete ecological survey of mammal species in a region, the use of additional multiple surveying methods is recommended, as suggested by Mazzolli et al. (2017), such as camera-traps and line-transect surveys. For a more detailed social study on the perception and attitudes of rural people towards mammal species or on wildlife management, other more time-consuming research techniques and protocols (e.g. ...
Context
Scarcity of standardised data is one of the main obstacles in understanding the responses of wildlife to anthropogenic pressures. By assessing local people’s knowledge, it is possible to generate valuable social-ecological data to fill this gap cost-effectively.
Aims
We present the Wildlife–Human Survey (WHS), a protocol for rapidly assessing information on medium and large-sized mammals, rural people, and the latter’s interactions with these species. In a pilot study, we investigate the effectiveness of our tool to generate valuable information for wildlife research and management.
Methods
The survey consists of a structured interview protocol that can be used as a tool to generate information on (i) the occurrence and assemblage composition of medium and large mammalian species, (ii) the socioeconomic profile of rural populations and farming activities in the area, and (iii) people’s perception of human–wildlife interactions (e.g. benefits, economic losses). To test the effectiveness of our tool, we conducted a total of 300 face-to-face interviews using this protocol in 30 rural landscapes (1250 ha each) in the Paraiba Valley region, São Paulo State, Brazil. We analysed the resulting data using descriptive statistics, random curves of species accumulation and maps of species distribution and richness.
Key results
We generated data on the occurrence and distribution of 32 species of medium and large mammals and on socioeconomic profile of the 300 surveyed households. We found that 95% of the species could be determined to occur in the region, with an effort ranging from 66 to 266 h; up to 611 h were necessary to find evidence of all species.
Conclusions
Our protocol can be an effective, fast and low-cost tool for appraising the occurrence of medium and large-sized mammals, the socioeconomic profile of people sharing rural landscapes with them and their interactions.
Implications
The WHS can generate information for mammal management by highlighting hotspot areas of human–wildlife interactions. This protocol can be especially useful when and where other methods are inadequate/unviable, and create the opportunity for rural people to contribute to wildlife management by allowing them to share their knowledge and concerns about their interactions with the local fauna.
... The performance of each survey method uses to be taxon-specific, some methods detecting particular species better than others. In multi-species or assemblage-level surveys, this problem is tackled by using several methods whose combination is deemed suited for the whole set of species present (Mazzolli et al. 2017). Finding a single effective method for all target species would be highly convenient because the simultaneous deployment of several detection methods is expensive and time-consuming. ...
Monitoring local occupancy and the regional distribution of wild mammals
is essential to guide species management and set conservation priorities.
However, variables such as weather, substrate hardness, or habitat
characteristics may indirectly affect the performance of the methods
employed for monitoring mammal occurrence. Little information exists
about the influence of spatio-temporal factors on the performance of
survey methods and its implications for mammal monitoring. Using data
from a heterogeneous region in the Guadiamar River basin, SW Spain,
which encompass forest, agricultural and mosaic landscapes, we (1)
explore whether four widely used detection methods, namely camera
traps, scent stations, track surveys, and scat surveys, differ in efficiency;
(2) test the hypothesis that spatio-temporal factors do not affect method
efficiency; and (3) examine the effect of landscape on the replication
effort needed to detect target species. After controlling for variation in
mammal occurrence across space and over time, the interaction between
spatio-temporal factors and detection methods was not significant.
Likewise, we found a negligible influence of landscape type on the
replication effort needed to detect species actually present. When
compared to camera traps, scent stations, and scat surveys, track
surveys were the most efficient and fastest methodology for surveying
mammals in our study landscapes. Monitoring programs of mammal
occurrence are often applied to broad and heterogeneous regions and/or
during extended periods. Therefore, survey methods should describe not
only spatio-temporal variation in mammal abundance or activity but also
maintain high detection efficiency in a variety of environmental
conditions. The detection efficiency of each survey method changed little
regardless of considerable environmental variation, making more reliable
the marked differences between methods in their ability to detect target
species. We recommend accounting for the effect of spatio-temporal
factors as potential sources of variation in order to test whether our
results can be generalized and to increase the quality of large-scale
monitoring of mammal occurrences.
The Critically Endangered Arabian leopard Panthera pardus nimr was believed to be absent from the Nejd region in Dhofar Governorate, Oman. However, a scat confirmed by DNA analysis in 2011 and camera-trap images from 2014 confirmed the presence of the leopard in this region. During 2014–2021, our camera traps documented at least eight individual leopards, demonstrating the species is resident and breeding in the region. This finding extends the Arabian leopard's known range in Oman by c. 40 km northwards. To improve detection probability, we recommend that camera-trap surveys for the leopard in the Arabian Peninsula are of at least 18 weeks duration. We advocate the designation of central and western areas of the Nejd as a National Nature Reserve, to protect critical habitat for the Arabian leopard and for other species in this region.
