https://hdl.handle.net/13049/7 2026-04-29T03:32:02Z 2026-04-29T03:32:02Z Neo-Mahupeleng, Gosiame Fynn, Richard Motsholapheko, Moseki Ronald Makondo, Matshelo Nkile, Kaelo Dipheko, Reneilwe Kerley, Graham I.H. https://hdl.handle.net/13049/805 2026-03-17T08:50:06Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Long-term temporal patterns of human-carnivore conflict in the Chobe Enclave, northern Botswana Neo-Mahupeleng, Gosiame; Fynn, Richard; Motsholapheko, Moseki Ronald; Makondo, Matshelo; Nkile, Kaelo; Dipheko, Reneilwe; Kerley, Graham I.H. In some areas, human and carnivore livelihoods overlap causing human-carnivore conflict (HCC), hence there is a need for carnivore conservation efforts. The decline of most large carnivore populations are linked to HCC, primarily due to the killing of carnivores by farmers to protect their livestock, which has consequences for socio-ecological system’s integrity and resilience. To secure conservation of large carnivores, HCC must be effectively mitigated based on empirical understanding. However, in developing countries such as Botswana, HCC management is most often based on lessons learnt elsewhere. The aim of this study was to identify the most important problem carnivores, analyse temporal patterns and evaluate possible environmental correlates of HCC in the Chobe Enclave based on long-term data collected by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. The proximity of human settlements and protected conservation areas that contain a high diversity of wildlife makes HCC inevitable in the Chobe Enclave. The most important problem carnivores, in diminishing order, were lion, leopard and spotted hyaena, collectively contributing 97.96% of the recorded 1 175 incidents. Other problem carnivores include wild dog, cheetah and jackals. The diversifying livestock base (e.g. emerging piggery and growing small stock) in the Chobe Enclave will likely expand HCC. Total HCC incidents and lion incidents demonstrated significant seasonality and increase over the 22 years. Leopard and spotted hyaena incidents depicted no seasonal difference but significant annual decline. None of the modelled possible correlates significantly explained patterns of HCC. Results of this study also corroborated the need for site specific understanding of HCC for its effective mitigation.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Abdeta, Ayana Angassa Sianga, Keoikantse Mabula, Summer Mojeremane, Witness https://hdl.handle.net/13049/797 2026-03-17T08:49:30Z 2025-12-25T00:00:00Z

Woody Plant Encroachment as a Process of Landscape Change in Arid Rangelands: Effective Control Methods and Enhancing Herbaceous Species Richness: A Review Abdeta, Ayana Angassa; Sianga, Keoikantse; Mabula, Summer; Mojeremane, Witness This chapter addresses the process of bush encroachment and control measures for suppressing invasive woody plants to improve range productivity. Bush encroachment is a shift in the ecology of rangeland toward bushland with a decline in grass productivity. Bush encroachment modifies the ecological balance of the rangeland plant community causing a loss of biodiversity. Bush encroachment has been a global concern for several decades. Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, reduced fire intensity, and seasonal changes are major drivers. Bush encroachment is a major threat to the world’s arid and semiarid rangelands, driving land degradation, economic losses, and food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa. Conventional explanations for the cause of bush encroachment include changes in fire regimes, increased livestock grazing pressure, and climate variability. Generally, previous studies have shown that global rangelands have been increasingly affected by the proliferation of bush encroachment during the past five to six decades. Bush encroachment includes the invasion of indigenous woody plants and/or introduced alien invasive plants into arid and semiarid rangelands. Such ecosystem alteration considerably affects landscape structure, biodiversity, and the value of ecosystem services delivered from rangelands. Hence, control measures are critical management issues for sustainability and conservation of biodiversity.

2025-12-25T00:00:00Z Tilahun, Minyahel Angassa, Ayana Bora, Zinabu Mengistu, Shimelis Wu, Jianshuang https://hdl.handle.net/13049/782 2026-03-17T08:51:53Z 2025-01-10T00:00:00Z

Phenotypic plasticity and genetic variation of Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. across diverse rangelands in northeastern Ethiopia Tilahun, Minyahel; Angassa, Ayana; Bora, Zinabu; Mengistu, Shimelis; Wu, Jianshuang Introduction: Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. substantially threatens dry rangelands due to its invasive attributes, exacerbated by climate change, land-use practices, and anthropogenic activities. Despite the urgent need to understand its ecological impacts, comprehensive studies examining the relationship between its functional traits and reproductive fitness across diverse habitats and land-use scenarios are lacking. This study investigated the functional traits and fitness of Prosopis juliflora in the Afar region of Ethiopia, focusing on three land-use types: dry-season grazing lands, wet-season grazing lands, and wildlife reserves. Methods: Plant samples were collected from 192 plots to assess their adaptive potential and genetic variation, alongside relevant physiographic and climatic data. This approach aims to elucidate the contributions of these factors to the observed variation and plasticity of Prosopis juliflora across three rangeland types differing in land use intensity. Generalized linear mixed models and co-occurrence networks were employed to analyze the complex interaction. Results: Our findings revealed significant variation in fruiting onset and duration, with wet-season grazing lands demonstrating a shorter duration compared to dry-season grazing lands and wildlife reserves. Genetic variation was significant for total seed mass and number, indicating robust adaptability. The relative growth rate was higher in wildlife reserves compared to dry-season grazing lands, highlighting adaptive advantages in nutrient-rich environments. Additionally, climatic and physiographic analysis identified soil type as a critical factor influencing trait performance. Conclusions: This study underscores the urgent need for targeted management strategies to mitigate the ecological impacts of Prosopis juliflora, emphasizing the critical role of soil nutrients in reproductive fitness. Our findings offer valuable insights into the dynamics of invasive species in dry ecosystems and inform conservation efforts. The article was published under Gold Open Access licensing.

2025-01-10T00:00:00Z Sianga, Keoikantse Makhabu, Shimane. W. Muposhi, Victor. K. Setlalekgomo, Mpho Selebatso, Tebogo Matsika, Albertinah Selala, Kelebogile Barungwi, Amo. O. Molojwane, Emang Legwatagwata, Boipuso Losologolo, Maitumelo Dingake, Oreemetse https://hdl.handle.net/13049/779 2026-03-17T08:52:30Z 2024-12-01T00:00:00Z

Patterns of spatial dynamics and distribution of african elephants (Loxodonta africana) in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana. Sianga, Keoikantse; Makhabu, Shimane. W.; Muposhi, Victor. K.; Setlalekgomo, Mpho; Selebatso, Tebogo; Matsika, Albertinah; Selala, Kelebogile; Barungwi, Amo. O.; Molojwane, Emang; Legwatagwata, Boipuso; Losologolo, Maitumelo; Dingake, Oreemetse The African elephant (Loxodonta africana), once thought to be absent from the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa, has recently reestablished or expanded its range into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), Botswana, with documented occurrences over the past decade. This study explores the temporal and spatial dynamics of elephants in and around the CKGR, focusing on their largely understudied movement patterns. Movement and home range data was obtained from two adult female and eight adult male elephants using GPS/UHF collars. The analysis revealed distinct seasonal ranging behaviours. Collared females migrated between CKGR and the Okavango Delta periphery, while collared male showed both migratory and sedentary patterns around artificial water points and Gope mine in CKGR. Some collared male elephants migrated to the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) during the wet season, returning to the CKGR in the dry season. This pattern confirms established migration routes and the emergence of pseudo-resident male elephants within CKGR. These findings highlight the importance of management strategies that integrate water distribution, elephant movement, and human-elephant conflicts. Ensuring ecological connectivity beyond the KAZA region is vital for the long-term survival of elephants and other key species Published under CC BY 4.0 license

2024-12-01T00:00:00Z