The impact of Eucalyptus plantations on herpetofaunal diversity, Maputo National Park, Mozambique

ABSTRACT

Exotic afforestation has proven detrimental to biodiversity in general, however only a few studies documenting the impact of timber plantations on herpetofaunal diversity have been published within a southern African context. To determine if variations in herpetofaunal species assemblages could be detected between derelict Eucalyptus plantations, cleared plantation woodlots, and untransformed sand thicket vegetation, a pitfall and funnel trap survey was conducted in coastal southern Mozambique. Herpetofaunal species richness for derelict Eucalyptus plantations was 13 ± 2.24 species, untransformed sand thicket vegetation 17 ± 2.34 species and cleared plantation woodlots 18 ± 3.14 species. Both Shannon-Weaver and Simpson Diversity Indices estimated the highest herpetofaunal species diversity in untransformed sand thicket vegetation and the lowest diversity in derelict Eucalyptus plantations. The herpetofaunal species assemblages of derelict Eucalyptus plantations and natural sand thicket vegetation were least similar (0.507 ± 0.041), while cleared plantation woodlots and derelict Eucalyptus plantations were most similar (0.753 ± 0.032) in terms of herpetofaunal community composition. In contrast to our expectations, significantly higher capture rates were reported for a fossorial anuran in derelict Eucalyptus plantations compared to both cleared plantation woodlots and untransformed sand thicket vegetation, which requires further investigation and discussion. As with most other studies investigating the effects of exotic timber plantations on biodiversity, our results indicate that the detectable herpetofaunal diversity decreased in Eucalyptus plantations when compared to natural or cleared plantation woodlots. Subsequently it would seem as though the active clearing of dilapidated timber plantations as part of rehabilitation efforts may positively affect herpetofaunal diversity.

KEYWORDS:

• Breviceps mossambicus
• Exotic timber afforestation
• Futi Corridor
• Maputo Special Reserve
• Mozambique Coastal Plain
• Pitfall and funnel trap arrays

Acknowledgements

This study was conducted under permit from the Administração Nacional das Áreas de Conservação (ANAC) number 03/2018. Maputo National Park ANAC management provided accommodation and supported the project. Catherine Hanekom facilitated introductions to MNP management. Roann Hills is thanked for assisting with field work. The authors would also like to thank Robert (Scotty) Kyle and Bryan Maritz for commenting on the initial draft and the referees for reviewing the submitted manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).