4 | DISCUSSION
During the present preliminary survey of medium and large‐sized mammals
from Amoro forest, a total of 12 species were identified using direct
and indirect evidences. Similarly, Legese et al . (2019) recorded
12 mammal species in Wabe forest fragments, Gurage zone, Ethiopia within
a similar survey period. Atnafu and Yihune (2018) also noted similar
results from communal forest of northern Ethiopia. In contrast, research
carried out inTululujia Wildlife Reserve, Southwestern Ethiopia showed a
total of 19 mammalian species (Belete and Melese, 2016). Alveset
al . (2014) also recorded 18 medium and large‐sized mammals in a
fragment of Cerrado in the TriânguloMineiro region, southeastern Brazil.
Limited survey period, size of the study areas, and changes of habitats
by various anthropogenic pressures (Legese et al., 2019),
variation in sample sites, sampling effort spent, season considered, and
variation in vegetation physiognomy (Qufa and Bekele, 2019), size of the
area, habitat fragmentation and destruction (Cardilloet al .,
2005; Link et al ., 2010)have a significant effect on species
presence, abundance and distribution. In Amoro forest this might be due
to, a limited survey period, an agricultural land expansion, illegal
logging for fuel wood, grazingby livestock, illegal hunting and clearing
forest and its small size of the study area. Moreover, Qufa and Bekele
(2019) explained that, due to the presence of top predators, Lebu
Natural Protected Forest accommodates the less number of mammals. Top
predators are available in the current study area too. Olive baboons
have killed along the journey when it migrates to the near forest,
FelatiteSelasa Protected forest, during shortage of food in the area.
Like most mammalian studies, Alveset al . (2014); Carvalhoet
al . (2014);Gonfaet al . (2015);Belete and Melese, (2016);Geleta
and Bekele (2016); Atnafu and Yihune (2018) and Qufa and Bekele (2019),
the current studyshowed inclination of mammals to favor one habitat over
the other resulting the availability and quality of resources. In the
current study, scrublands have high species diversity of medium and
large sized mammals. This result fits with the outcomes of
Legeseet al . (2019). Nevertheless, most studies showed that high
species diversity of mammals recorded either in woodlands and/or forest
habitats (Boboet al ., 2014; Belete and Melese, 2016;Geleta
andBekele, 2016; Qufa and Bekele, 2019; Tilahun and Merewa, 2020). This
might be due to the existence of higher disturbance rate in the forest
habitat of Amoro forest than scrub lands. Most mammal specieswere
recorded by direct observations. Legese et al . (2019) reported as
mammals can be easy exposure due to the openness of the habitat might
resulted from habitat loss and fragmentation. The same is true for the
current study.
The most frequently sighted species were Guereza, Vervet monkey and
Olive baboon in descending order. Several studies have reported,
primates are the most abundance order in different study sites (e.g.
Geleta andBekele, 2016; Atnafu and Yihune, 2018; Legese et al ,
2019). Bobo et al . (2014) clarified that, primates’high
reproductive successes; diversified foraging behavior and their more
adaptive nature to different habitats and human disturbances is a reason
beyond their abundance in different areas.
The distribution and abundance of the order Hyracoidea were ranked next
to primates. This finding contrasts with the finding of Geleta
andBekele, (2016), and Qufa and Bekele, (2019). This might be due to the
difference in the habitat characteristics of the study areas. In the
current study area,have different degraded land with caves which is
suitable habitat for Ethiopian rock hyrax(Table 2).The distribution and
abundance of order Carnivorewere minimal in the study area. This might
be, in fact their nocturnal and cryptic behavior and the respondents
informed, as there is illegal hunting due to the presence of high
depredations of livestock’s by carnivores (especially, Leopard and Bat
eared-fox) in and around the study area.Due to human interferences of
the area and their nocturnal and cryptic behavior their presence could
not be easily documented (Gonfaet al ., 2015). Tilahun and
Merewa(2020) also reported as Felisserval was observed at low density at
Geremba Mountain Fragment. The distribution and abundance of order
Atriodictayla was a least in Amoro forest. A single species, Common
duiker, was represented in this order. This might be due to in the
presence of excess numbers of top predators, the number and presence of
herbivores in the area will decrease. In addition to this, the
respondents decided as common duiker hunted for meat and it is a common
crop raider next to Olive baboon and Vervet monkey. Due to this conflict
their number became decreasing from time to time. Land degradation and
different anthropogenicactivities such as, agricultural land expansion,
timber production, illegal logging for fuel wood and grazingby livestock
were the major identified threats of mammals in the study area.Besides,
small respondent claimed that as there is a human wildlife conflict
especially, with primates and carnivores. Poaching, agricultural
encroachments especially by investor, deforestation, illegal settlement
and human wildlife conflict are the main threats of mammals (Tilahun and
Merewa, 2016).Likewise, Legese et al.(2019) reported, extensive habitat
fragmentation, deforestation, expansion of roads and human settlements
and infrastructure developments like roads are the chief pressures in
Wabe forest fragments.Moreover, other researchers are reported similar
trend (e.g. Geleta and Bekele, 2016; Qufa and Bekele, 2019; Worku and
Girma. 2020) in different study area.