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Factors affecting warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) occupancy with presence of aardvark (Orycteropus afer) as a keystone species
Mini Dissertation (MSc (Wildlife Health, Ecology and Management))--University of Pretoria, 2024.
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University of Pretoria
2024
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| _version_ | 1867613723219197952 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Keith, Mark |
| author_browse | Keith, Mark |
| author_facet | Keith, Mark |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Mini Dissertation (MSc (Wildlife Health, Ecology and Management))--University of Pretoria, 2024. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/99209 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:40:40.528Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2024 |
| publishDateRange | 2024 |
| publishDateSort | 2024 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/99209 Factors affecting warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) occupancy with presence of aardvark (Orycteropus afer) as a keystone species Keith, Mark deanjenk121@gmail.com Venter, Jan A. Somers, Michael J. Jenkins, Dean UCTD Sustainable development goals (SDGs) Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) Occupancy Climate change Reintroduction African swine fever (ASF) Keystone species Coexistence Covariates Occupancy modelling Detection probability Mini Dissertation (MSc (Wildlife Health, Ecology and Management))--University of Pretoria, 2024. This study investigated the dynamics of warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) occupancy across two diverse properties. Warthog are a common mammal species prevalent across diverse landscapes in Africa. The distribution of warthog has undergone notable shifts due to climate change and species reintroduction, with consequential impacts on farmlands through activities such as damage to fences, pipelines, and crops. Moreover, warthog are carriers of African swine fever, posing a threat to swine biosecurity. The primary objective of this research is to determine the variables influencing warthog occupancy, focusing on the presence of aardvark (Orycteropus afer) as a possible keystone due to its facilitative capabilities supporting burrowing species. The findings provide a foundation for future studies aiming to map potential warthog distribution based on influential covariates. My hypothesis considered a range of factors such as the presence of aardvark, the presence of predators, vegetation type, soil composition, distance to perennial water sources, proximity to roads, distance to the nearest 10 trees (tree cover at site level), and camera efficiency, was tested using occupancy modelling with camera trap data from Atherstone Private Game Reserve and Mountain Zebra National Park. My hypothesis is that multiple drivers/factors influence warthog occupancy. The results revealed that warthog occupancy is positively influenced by the presence of aardvark and camera efficiency, while it is negatively influenced by the presence of predators (lion, Panthera leo and leopard, Panthera pardus), increased distance to perennial water sources, and shorter average distance to the nearest ten trees (potentially linked to vegetation structure/type). These covariates also impacted the detection probability of warthog at both study sites, highlighting the complexity of the factors influencing their occupancy. The understanding gained from this study emphasises the significance of considering multiple variables to predict and manage warthog occupancy, particularly as climate change likely can shape their distribution. Therefore, my hypothesis is supported based on the covariates that significantly influence warthog occupancy. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing research, incorporating additional covariates, to refine our understanding of the multifaceted influences on species (warthog) occupancy to improve effective management and conservation. Production Animal Studies MSc (Wildlife Health, Ecology and Management) Unrestricted Faculty of Veterinary Science SDG-03: Good health and well-being 2024-11-20T19:51:11Z 2024-11-20T19:51:11Z 2025-04 2024-08 Mini Dissertation * A2024 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/99209 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.27527067.v1 10.25403/UPresearchdata.27527067 en © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable development goals (SDGs) Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) Occupancy Climate change Reintroduction African swine fever (ASF) Keystone species Coexistence Covariates Occupancy modelling Detection probability Factors affecting warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) occupancy with presence of aardvark (Orycteropus afer) as a keystone species |
| title | Factors affecting warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) occupancy with presence of aardvark (Orycteropus afer) as a keystone species |
| title_full | Factors affecting warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) occupancy with presence of aardvark (Orycteropus afer) as a keystone species |
| title_fullStr | Factors affecting warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) occupancy with presence of aardvark (Orycteropus afer) as a keystone species |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors affecting warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) occupancy with presence of aardvark (Orycteropus afer) as a keystone species |
| title_short | Factors affecting warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) occupancy with presence of aardvark (Orycteropus afer) as a keystone species |
| title_sort | factors affecting warthog phacochoerus africanus occupancy with presence of aardvark orycteropus afer as a keystone species |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable development goals (SDGs) Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) Occupancy Climate change Reintroduction African swine fever (ASF) Keystone species Coexistence Covariates Occupancy modelling Detection probability |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/99209 |