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Kurth, P. (2018): <b>M.Sc.Thesis- Distribution patterns and the impact of the Giant Mole Rat (Tachyoryctes macrocephalus)on vegetation composition and plant biomass at the Sanetti Plateau in the Bale Mountains in S-E ET</b> Philipps Universit&auml;t Marburg, <i>master thesis</i>

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Title: M.Sc.Thesis- Distribution patterns and the impact of the Giant Mole Rat (Tachyoryctes macrocephalus)on vegetation composition and plant biomass at the Sanetti Plateau in the Bale Mountains in S-E ET
FOR816dw ID: 77
Publication Date: 2018-12-20
License and Usage Rights: Philipp Kurth
Resource Owner(s):
Individual: Philipp Kurth
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Abstract:
Aim: One objective was to quantify the impact of the Giant Mole Rat (Tachyoryctes macrocephalus) on vegetation communities<br/> and their composition. A second objective was to assess plant biomass (plant volume) via photography at the Sanetti Plateau.<br/> Third objective was to assess spatial distribution of the Giant Mole Rat across the Bale Mountains. In order to do that a predictive<br/> model has been applied.<br/> Location: Bale Mountains in south-eastern Ethiopia.<br/> Taxon: Tachyoryctes macrocephalus (Spalacideae). The species is related to other rats in eastern Africa and endemic to the Bale<br/> Mountains.<br/> Methods: The vegetation was sampled using a paired plot design along a transect from the southern to the northern rim of Sanetti<br/> Plateau and at sites where Giant Mole Rats were most abundant. Therefore, a total of 94 plots were established, 47 on Giant<br/> Mole Rat mounds and 47 in the zonal vegetation as control plots. Species identification and vegetation cover was investigated<br/> and photographs taken for further analysis of plant biomass. GPS data of around 1200 Giant Mole Rat mounds were recorded<br/> in order to upscale points on a larger area and detect the distribution of the Giant Mole Rat across the Bale Mountains. For that<br/> purpose Sentinel-2 satellite data was used with spatial resolution of 10 m, using a Forward Feature Selection.<br/> Results: We found out that the Giant Mole Rat is distributed across the whole Afroalpine zone of the Bale Mountains. It<br/> concentrates on the northern part of the Sanetti Plateau, in Sodota and Morebawa in wet and swampy habitat structures. Giant<br/> Mole Rats cover an area of 8301,16 ha and an estimated population density of 22 individuals/ha via upscaling could be proved.<br/> The Giant Mole Rat provides advantages to plants that require mixed and heterogen soil characteristics. The genera of Alchemilla<br/> and Salvia are examples for that and could be found on a major part of the Giant Mole Rat mounds. The genus of Helichrysum<br/> is abundant in the normal vegetation pattern and is almost completely absent on the Mole mounds. The presence of Helichrysum<br/> causes higher plant volume in the normal vegetation, which is 1,7 times higher than on the Mole mounds.<br/> Main conclusions: Giant Mole Rats change habitat and plant community structures. Shrub or woody plants do not occur on<br/> Giant Mole Rat mounds. The Giant Mole Rat is distributed across the whole Sanetti but most abundant in the northern part of<br/> Sanetti, Sodota and Morebawa. It prefers wet and swampy habitat.
Additional Infos:
First supervisor: Dr. Lars Opgenoorth<br/> Second supervisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Nauss
Keywords:
| afroalpine vegetation | vegetation | Ericaceous vegetation | c2 | giant mole rat | biomass |
Literature type specific fields:
THESIS
Degree: master
Degree Institution: Philipps Universität Marburg
Total Pages: 14
Metadata Provider:
Individual: Luise Wraase
Contact:
Online Distribution:
Download File: http://vhrz669.hrz.uni-marburg.de/bale/publications.do?citid=77


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afroalpine vegetation archaeology biomarker c2 ecology Erica Ericaceous vegetation excavation geochemistry High-altitude habitation isoptopes lake sediment Late Pleistocene p5 paleoclimatic paleovegetation pollen sediment Settlement history Tropical mountains