Effects of prescribed burning on rodent community ecology in Serengeti National Park

Prescribed burning in Serengeti National Park alters rodent community dynamics, with Mastomys natalensis declining and Arvicanthis niloticus increasing in burned areas. While species diversity remained unchanged, reproductive activity in female rodents varied significantly between treatments, peaking in burned plots during March for A. niloticus and M. natalensis. The study employed a randomized design with two treatments (burned/unburned) and two replications, capturing 148 individuals across six rodent species over 2,940 trap nights. Findings suggest conservation strategies should account for small mammal reproductive periods to mitigate adverse effects of burning on at-risk species, ensuring rapid recovery amid reduced food resources and increased predation risks.

Manyonyi, A. M., Mariki, S. B., Mnyone, L. L., Belmain, S. R., & Mulungu, L. S. (2020). Effects of prescribed burning on rodent community ecology in Serengeti National Park. Journal of Vertebrate Biology, 69(2). https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.20001