Open AccessNotes on the occurrence of rodents in South African National Parks
Author(s) -
Guido de Graaff
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
koedoe
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.419
H-Index - 29
eISSN - 2071-0771
pISSN - 0075-6458
DOI - 10.4102/koedoe.v17i1.908
Subject(s) - national park , geography , ecology , environmental protection , biology , archaeology
The object of a national park is mentioned and it is emphasized that considerable ecological data are available for the larger mammals. The important role that smaller mammals (especially rodents) play in such areas is of importance for conservation and management policies. The physical features of existing national parks are tabulated, followed by a resume of genera and species which occur. Of the 35 genera and 63 species occurring in South Africa and South West Africa, some 17 genera (48,5 per cent) and 24 species (38,0 per cent) do not occur in any national park. A brief outline is given of technical
data which have to be amassed in order to assess the importance of rodents in ecosystems of national parks.