Impact of human-induced disturbances on population abundance of large herbivores in Mago National Park, Southern Ethiopia

Large herbivores in various environments, including protected areas, face severe threats from human activities. These activities include tree cutting, human settlement patterns, and use of fire. Such disturbances can alter habitat structures and increase mortality risks for large herbivores. Large herbivores are considered highly susceptible to use of fire based on their dependence on specific habitats for food resource and shelter. Understanding these effects is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies. This study analyzed the effect of these disturbances on large herbivore abundance in Mago National Park using line transect and plot surveys. Two-Way ANOVA and linear regression analyses were employed to examine the relationships between disturbance levels and herbivore abundance. Our result showed that tree cutting was the predominant human activity in the park. The highest counts and abundance of herbivore species were observed in undisturbed areas, while the lowest were recorded in highly disturbed regions across all habitat types during both dry and wet seasons. We found significant negative associations between tree cutting, human settlement, and burned area with herbivore abundance. These findings highlight the complex relationship between human-induced disturbances and herbivore distribution patterns. The findings have made it clear that there is a great need to have effective zoning legislation put into practice and a comprehensive conservation strategy implemented with a focus on sustainable utilization. This will be an effective means of combating deforestation and protecting herbivorous biodiversity pockets outside the boundaries of Mago National Park. Moreover, it will improve living standards of local inhabitants by promoting sustainable resource utilization.