Abundância relativa de Cabrito vermelho (Cephalophus natalensis) e Suni ( Neotragus moschatus) dentro e fora do Parque Nacional de Maputo, província de Maput

Abstract

Protected areas are a cornerstone of conservation, as they tend to be associated with greater biodiversity and abundance of fauna than unprotected areas. However, not all areas are equally effective due to variations in human activities. This research compares the relative abundance of the Red Goat (Cephalophus natalensis) and the Suni (Neotragus moschatus) in three areas inside and outside Maputo National Park (PNAM). Using the linear transect method through fecal counting, 36 transects of 1 km in length and 500 m in width were delineated, of which 18 were located inside and 18 outside PNAM in the communities of Massohane 1, Massohane 2 and Guengo, each with a different intensity of human activity, to estimate the relative abundance of Red Goat and Suni. Abundance was determined using the Kilometric Abundance Index (IKA). The t-student test was applied to compare abundance inside and outside the park at a significance level of 5%. The relative abundance of the Red Goat (29 records/km ± 13.69) and the Suni (16 records/km ± 14.29) was higher inside the PNAM compared to outside the park (25±8.13; (14±9.78 respectively), however, the differences were not significant (t=0.747; p>0.05, and t=0.25; p>0.05 respectively). However, in analyses restricted to communities, the relative abundance of red goat was significantly higher inside the park only in the Massohane 1 community. These patterns indicate that the PNAM has a positive effect on the protection of the studied species, reinforcing the importance of maintaining continuous enforcement, management and monitoring actions in order to ensure long-term conservation. (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)