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This study examined spatial and temporal variation of Pteropus voeltzkowi population and its potential roles in restoring forest connectivity in Pemba Island where four villages including; Wete, Ngezi, Kidike, and Msitu mkuu were involved. The study adopts longitudinal research design whereby the data were collected once in a dry season and once in a wet season. The collected data were then processed and analysed using R computer software. Specifically, the study aimed at assessing variation of Pteropus voeltzkowi population during dry and wet season in these four villages, habitat preference and potential roles of Pteropus voeltzkowi in restoring forest connectivity in Pemba Island.
The findings revealed that population of Pteropus voeltzkowi significantly varied between the seasons with high relative abundance in dry season compared to wet season and between villages. Further there was significant decrease of Pteropus voeltzkowi relative abundance during wet season (β= -63.5, SE = 25.4) compared to dry season. On the other hand, there was a significant increase of Pteropus voeltzkowi relative abundance in Wete village (β= 142.1, SE=46.6, df= 138, p - value = 0.002) and significant decrease of Pteropus voeltzkowi relative abundance in Ngezi (β = -105.3, SE=46, df=138, p-value=0.0237) compared to Kidike.
In addition, there was an increase in relative abundance of Pteropus voeltzkowi on every increase of roosting trees canopy diameter (β= 10.4, SE = 2.9, df = 138, p- value= 0.0005) and height (β= 4.5, SE = 1.95, df = 138, p- value= 0.0219). Furthermore, observations revealed that, out of twelve plant species only ten plant families were identified as sources of food for Pteropus voeltzkowi during the study and the preferred food type by Pteropus voeltzkowi were fruits followed by nectar and leaves. Lastly, experimental results revealed that, all the seeds that were processed by Pteropus voeltzkowi significantly showed better germination rate than those extracted from unprocessed when they were planted in a plastic beaker under natural condition (X2 = 16.266, df= 3, P- value =0.001)
These findings can be used to inform spatial temporal species distribution models intended to cover extensive area and longer time. In addition, it can help to develop a village specific conservation strategy to alleviate potential human-bats conflicts. It highlight the potential role of Pteropus voeltzkowi in enhancing forest connectivity and thus additional reason for conserving this species. |
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