@phdthesis{Diangha2015, author = {Diangha, Mercy Nambu}, title = {The effects of habitat heterogeneity and human influences on the diversity, abundance, and distribution of large mammals: the case of Deng Deng National Park, Cameroon}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus4-35710}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Large mammals constitute an integral part of biological resources, and hence fundamental elements in many ecosystems. In view of the roles played by habitats and humans in structuring large mammal populations, research was conducted in the Deng Deng National Park, with the aim to identify and characterize the spatial and temporal patterns of habitats, determine the relationship between habitat heterogeneity and mammal abundance and also to investigate the types and extent of human pressure on various large mammal species in the park. Distance sampling technique and kilometric index analyses approaches were applied to determine species presence, frequency and abundance, with dung, nests, and tracks used as proxy for species presence. Using a spatio-temporal analysis approach in Geographic Information System, species distribution was analyzed. Small and medium sized duikers, red river hog and gorilla were most frequently encountered. Important is the record of elephant for the first time in the park, emphasizing the importance of the park for large mammal conservation. Diverse land cover types that constitute habitats for flora and fauna were distinguished and characterized as dense forest, mature secondary forest, young secondary forest, tree and grassland savanna, settlement and degraded areas, and water bodies. Area, mean patch size, shape, density and richness metrics of these land cover types varied, emphasizing the heterogeneity of the park landscape. No significant differences (0.2 ≤ p ≥ 0.8) were observed in species abundance due to diverse habitat characteristics in the park. Species exhibited generalist habits with preference mostly for the dense and mature secondary forest habitat types. Temporal pattern over a 23 years' time lag projected a 6.19 \% increase in dense forest cover, suggesting future shelter opportunities for large mammals in the park. The park is experiencing threats that are changing the physical environment in simple and reversible manner but also threats that have changed the parks environment in permanent ways; all from impacts of adjacent human settlements and development activities. Generally, species abundance was significantly high (p = 0.03) in habitats where threats encounter rates were low, and low in habitats affected by high human activity; a clear indication that these activities have eventually created depressing effects on the habitats of large mammal species in the park. Actions aimed to limit human activities around the park, and aiming to sustain the large mammals and their habitats, especially within the hotspots identified in this study, are therefore proposed to ensure a more sustainable future for large mammals in the Deng Deng National Park.}, subject = {Large mammal; Habitat heterogeneity; Human influence; Deng Deng National Park; Cameroon; Habitatheterogenit{\"a}t; Menschlicher Einfluss; Kamerun; Große S{\"a}ugetiere; Kamerun; Nationalpark; S{\"a}ugetiere; Habitat; Heterogenit{\"a}t; Anthropogener Einfluss}, language = {en} }