Open AccessBiotic and abiotic correlates of small mammal community structure in the Groendal Wilderness Area, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Author(s) -
L.M. Els,
G.I.H. Kerley
Publication year - 1996
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.v39i2.299
Subject(s) - abiotic component , ecology , community structure , geography , wilderness , vegetation (pathology) , shrub , habitat , plant community , canopy , biotic component , biology , species richness , pathology , medicine
We investigated the relations between environmental features (biotic and abiotic) and small mammal communities in the Groendal Wilderness Area, South Africa. Habitat architecture (expressed as both horizontal and vertical foliage density) and total plant canopy cover (especially shrub canopy cover) are the most important correlates of small mammal community structure at this site. The mechanisms for these relationships are complex, probably involving physiological, social and anti-predator effects as well as reflecting nutritional resources. Furthermore, man and fire influence small mammal community structure. These effects are as a result of altered plant community composition and structure by plantation and pasture establishment and burning. In order to maintain a diversity of small mammal communities, management should ensure a mosaic of diverse vegetation communities