Performance of individual species as indicators for large mammal species richness in Northern Tanzania

摘要: Abstract In order to prioritize areas for biodiversity conservation, conservation practitioners frequently employ a single species whose distribution is statistically related overall richness. However, the performance of mammal in terms (1) their strength, (2) spatial and (3) temporal variability predicting large richness has rarely been assessed. Drawing upon data from multiple vehicle-based surveys four study sites with varying management approaches Tarangire–Manyara ecosystem, we assessed thirteen candidate indicator species. Overall, found that association strength between varied considerably across units within same seasons years. contrast carried out central Tanzania, elephants performed poorly as an Applying our findings planning, suggest information on zebra wildebeest should be used delineating corridors mammals protected this ecosystem. The these two had high correlation richness, correlations were relatively constant throughout time space. More generally, suggests because snapshot may provide biased estimates performance, (2), cannot necessarily extrapolated other ecosystems supplemented by ecological or functional considerations.