Leopards and mesopredators as indicators of mammalian species richness across diverse landscapes of South Africa

The rapid extinction of species over the past few decades has created a biodiversity crisis. Factors contributing to recent extirpations are linked increased human population growth, habitat loss and fragmentation, over-exploitation wildlife. Only decisive, effective action combat can reverse these trends. use indicator as surrogates for provides way identify areas with high so that conservation efforts be accelerated supported in those areas. Predators considered important indicators healthy, biodiverse ecosystems due their trophic level direct indirect interaction other species. Using camera trap data from 221 cameras set across five vegetation types land zones South Africa, we evaluated carnivores potential biodiversity. We used leopard (Panthera pardus), three meso-predators: caracal (Caracal caracal), honey badger (Mellivora capensis), black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas), candidate mammals captured at traps measure referred mammalian richness. richness was highest Orange River Nama Karoo type privately owned game reserves. found predator sightings were associated significantly higher which increasing number These findings suggest surrogate concept applied meso-predators.