The use of teak (<i>Tectona grandis</i>) plantations by large mammals in the Kilombero Valley, southern Tanzania

Abstract

Abstract The establishment of plantations is impacting the large mammal populations of the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania. Animal spoors were used as a proxy for activity to determine the influence of teak stand age on mammals. Habitat variables were compared between different aged stands to investigate the relationship between mammal activity and vegetation characteristics. Vegetation surveys found plantation composition to differ with age; with young stands characterized by slender teak trees, limited leaf litter, abundant grass layer and substantial bare ground. Older plantations contained a high leaf litter layer and dead wood, low grass abundance and minimal bare ground. Spoor transects revealed that mammal species number decreased as the teak matured. Of those vegetation variables tested, grass and bare ground abundance explained significantly the variation in species number and in individual species’ habitat use between differently aged stands; therefore this habitat use was influenced by the foraging value of the plantation. This study showed that several species (some of which warrant conservation attention, such as elephant) use plantations &lt;6 years old to a greater extent than plantations &gt;6 years. Thus, there is a need for conservation measures, such as wildlife corridors and staggered teak planting to be continued, allowing large mammal movements in the valley.