Medium and large mammal site use and environmental correlates in riparian habitats of the Western Cape

Abstract

Riparian zones are vital for biodiversity and ecosystem health. This study investigated the site use and detection of riparian mammals at two sites in the Breede–Gouritz Water Management Area using camera traps. Multispecies occupancy models were used to evaluate how variation in habitat characteristics such as vegetation and water quality influenced species site use across two sites and seasons. Site use responses varied across species, sites and seasons: both vegetation structure and water-quality covariates were consistently associated with higher site use of species in summer, while in winter the association was weaker. Water quality covariates overall showed more variable, often weaker effects across both seasons. The findings suggest that riparian mammals are possibly more strongly influenced by vegetation structure than by water quality at both study areas. Future research should focus on additional drivers of site use, such as prey availability and diet composition, especially for semi-aquatic species such as African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) and water mongoose (Atilax paludinosis)