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.