Distribution and Structure of Mammal Communities within Unclassified Forest Areas in the Province of Tshopo (DR Congo)

André B Malekani; Roger A Angoyo; Bienvenu N Ndjoku; Moise A Bipoo; Franck M Masudi; Guy T Gembu; Jean-Claude I Mukinzi; Casimir M Nebesse

André B Malekani
Roger A Angoyo
Bienvenu N Ndjoku
Moise A Bipoo
Franck M Masudi
Guy T Gembu
Jean-Claude I Mukinzi
Casimir M Nebesse

Keywords: Spatial structure, unclassified forests, mammals, specialist species

Abstract

The study on the distribution and structure of mammal communities within unclassified forest areas in the province of Tshopo (DR Congo) focuses on how medium to large sized mammal communities are organized. We seek to understand how wildlife is distributed in these areas, which are not officially protected and are subject to various human pressures. We have implemented an inventory protocol based on a reconnaissance method. To ensure the reliability of our data, the sampling effort was validated by calculating the completeness of the inventories, demonstrating capture rates of over 90% at all three sites, which guarantees the scientific representativeness of the data collected.

The structure of communities was analyzed using multivariate methods, including nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) to compare similarity between sites, and the calculation of specialization residuals helped identify the ecological preferences of each species. The spatial architecture of mammalian biodiversity reveals a biological organization of striking regularity. Ten species form the common base, representing 43% of the overall assemblage. The three sites share a core of generalist species and a major ecological gradient, with each site presenting signature and specialist species. Beta diversity ensures regional gamma richness, and species dominance differs according to local ecological constraints.

In conclusion, this study shows that despite the proximity of National Road No. 4, these forest areas still harbor structured and diverse animal communities. This highlights how crucial these areas, although unclassified, are for the preservation of biodiversity in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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