Estimation of mammalian wildlife density by REM method in a Mediterranean forest ecosystem (Pinus brutia) of Türkiye: how human footprint effects mammal community?

Background: Determining the density of mammalian wildlife in an ecosystem is very important for the ecosystem conservation. The aim of this study is to reveal mammalian wildlife density and compare the effect human footprint index (HFI) on the Mediterranean ecosystems. The mammalian wildlife surveys were conducted between August 2013 and December 2013, using 21 camera traps with 2175 camera trap days in a Mediterranean forest ecosystem in İzmir, Türkiye. We used random encounter model (REM) method to estimate densities.

Results: The population density for 5 mammals were; for red fox 7.89 ind./km² (± 0.82 SE), wild boar 4.36 ind./km² (± 0.46 SE), European hare 15.33 ind./km² (± 03.37 SE), beech marten 0.99 ind./km² (± 0.10 SE) and golden jackal 0.50 ind./km² (± 0.05 SE). These results were compared with mammal community which was previously studied in another Mediterranean ecosystem in Muğla, Türkiye, includes caracal and has a lower human footprint index.

Conclusions: According to results of this study human activity which can be revealed by Human footprint index (HFI) is one of the main parameter on Mediterranean ecosystem and it is effecting the density and occurence of species in mammal community. Both a higher human footprint index and the absence of caracal might cause higher density of red fox and European hare in İzmir, Türkiye. This study also suggests that caracal might be a serious suppressor on red fox which could be explained by competition. Caracal may also control the European hare in Mediterranean forest ecosystem of Anatolia. Thus, decreasing human footprint index and maintaining caracal suppressor effect are crucial for the conservation of the whole Mediterranean ecosystem.