26th International Congress for Conservation Biology

Theme: “Connecting Systems, Disciplines, and Stakeholders”

Baltimore, Maryland, USA • July 21-25, 2013
www.conbio.org/2013

Effects of Habitat and Buffer Zones on Small Mammal Diversity and Abundance in
Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda

Methode Majyambere, National University of Rwanda; Katherine McFadden, Clemson

University (*Presenter)

In Rwanda, buffer zones of plantation-style cultivation are commonly found adjacent to

protected area (PA) forests. These areas are partially restricted but may give added protection to
PAs while providing benefits to neighboring communities. Understanding the response of
species in buffer zones is essential to design effective conservation programs for PAs. This study
explores the role buffer and edge habitat play in maintaining species diversity and abundance of
small mammal species in high altitude rainforest of Nyungwe National Park. We live trapped at
three sites within the park and compared small mammal species diversity and abundance in tea
and pine plantation buffer habitat adjacent to the park, forest edge, and forest interior habitat for
a total of 6936 trap nights in 2011-2012.

Only 11 of 29 total small mammal species captured in the study sites were able to use the
plantation buffer habitat and 22 species were found to be intermediate in habitats, being able to
use forest edges. We found 20 species occurring in the interior of the forest, at least 100 m from
the edge. The greatest relative abundance of small mammal individuals occurred in interior
habitat, followed by edge. Overall, buffer habitat supported more generalist species. Pine buffer
habitat supported significantly higher species diversity than tea plantation. Results indicate that
the type of buffer habitat may be important in maintaining species diversity within and
surrounding protected areas.