Integrating small mammal community variables into aircraft-wildlife collision management plans at Namibian airports.
Understanding ecosystems within and around airports can help to determine the causes and possible mitigation measures for collisions between aircraft and wildlife. Small mammal communities are an important component of the semi-arid savanna ecosystems of Namibia, its productivity and its ecosystem integrity. They are also a major direct attractant for raptors at airports. The present study compared the abundance and diversity of small mammals between Namibia's 2 main airport properties (Hosea Kutako International Airport and Eros Airport), and among areas of land used for various purposes surrounding the airports. A total of 2150 small mammals (3 orders, 11 species) were captured over 4 trapping seasons. Small mammal abundance was significantly higher at the end of the growing season than during the non-growing season. The grass mowing regimen in current management plans at the airports resulted in a significant reduction of small mammal abundance at Hosea Kutako during the non-growing season only, thus indicating that annual mowing is effective but insufficient to reduce the overall abundance of mammal prey species for raptors. Small mammal numbers were significantly higher at Hosea Kutako Airport compared to the cattle and game farming land surrounding the airport, while no differences in small mammal densities or diversity were found for areas with different land uses at and surrounding Eros. The study suggests that the fence around Hosea Kutako provides a refuge for small mammals, resulting in higher densities. It also indicates that different surrounding land use practices result in altered ecosystem function and productivity, an important consideration when identifying wildlife attractants at airports.
Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Sciences, Polytechnic of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia.
Morgan L
ML
Hauptfleisch
Department of Mammalogy, National Museum, and Centre for Environmental Management, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Nico L
NL
Avenant
D000060:Accidents, Aviation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000401:Aircraft; D059028:Airports; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D002417:Cattle; D017753:Ecosystem; D008322:Mammals; D009276:Namibia; D006109:Poaceae; D012621:Seasons
Namibia; airport ecosystems; bird strike risk; small mammal indicators