Mammal diversity and temporal activity patterns in a Mediterranean botanical garden: evidence for urban refuge function

Purpose: Urbanization drives habitat loss and fragmentation, posing significant challenges for terrestrial mammals in Mediterranean ecosystems. Structurally complex urban green spaces, such as botanical gardens, can serve as refuges and micro-scale protected areas within human-dominated landscapes. This study evaluated the diversity of mammalian species and large-mammal activity patterns in the Ali Nihat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden (ANGBG), a semi-isolated urban green space in southern Türkiye. Method: From March 2022 to May 2023, camera traps, live traps, mist nets, ultrasonic bat detectors, and field-sign surveys were used to document mammal taxa. Independent camera-trap records were used to analyze activity patterns through kernel density-based temporal overlap analyses. Findings: A total of 29 taxa across six orders were either directly detected or assessed as potentially occurring based on habitat suitability and regional literature. Camera traps yielded 236 independent records over 281 sampling days, identifying seven large mammal species. Activity analyses revealed predominantly nocturnal patterns in wild boar (Sus scrofa), beech marten (Martes foina), and Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica). In contrast, red fox (Vulpes vulpes) displayed a flexible bimodal diurnal and crepuscular pattern. Kernel density-based temporal overlap analyses indicated moderate overlap between red fox and other species and high overlap among nocturnal taxa. Conclusion: These results indicate that temporal niche differentiation may facilitate coexistence within this spatially constrained urban green space. Even small, well-managed botanical gardens can support diverse mammal communities and function as urban refuges under increasing anthropogenic pressure. Urban green spaces, therefore, represent important components of biodiversity conservation in Mediterranean cities.