Effects of prescribed burning on rodents in an East African woodland ecosystem

Prescribed burning in miombo woodlands, such as those found in the Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania, significantly influences rodent species diversity and abundance. While some species like Acomys ngurui and Mastomys natalensis show no significant difference in abundance between burnt and unburnt areas, burnt sites generally exhibit higher species diversity than unburnt ones, both during wet and dry seasons. The study, conducted over two years with 14,112 trap nights, captured six rodent species and two shrew species, revealing that prescribed burning affects specific demographic characteristics of these small mammals in complex ways. This highlights the need for careful management to mitigate potential negative impacts on ecosystem dynamics.

Saanya, A., Mulungu, L., Sabuni, C., Massawe, A., & Makundi, R. (2023). Effects of prescribed burning on rodents in an East African woodland ecosystem. African Journal of Ecology, 61(3), 583–594. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13143