# Environmental and Anthropogenic Drivers of Mammalian Functional Diversity in Bénoué National Park, Cameroon

## TL;DR

This study explores how environmental factors and human activities affect mammal diversity in a Cameroonian national park.

## Contribution

The study reveals how plant species and land use influence mammalian traits and responses to human disturbance.

## Key findings

- Vegetation structure and key plant species correlate with specific mammalian traits.
- Human-impacted areas show varied species presence, with some avoiding disturbance while others do not.
- Conservation should focus on vegetation and spatial connectivity to maintain diversity.

## Abstract

This study investigates the drivers of mammalian functional diversity in Benoué National Park, Cameroon, focusing on the relative roles of environmental filtering, spatial structure, and plant–animal interactions. Using trait‐based approaches, we partitioned the effect of local environmental variables (plant species or land use) and spatial predictors on mammalian functional traits' structure. Based on the first analysis, the presence of tree species as environmental variables highlighted the dual role of vegetation structure as well as the importance of the spatial pattern. Key plant species such as Burkea africana, Gardenia aqualla, and
Annona senegalensis
were significantly associated with specific functional traits (carnivores, herbivores, and migratory species). According to the second analysis, with land use proportions as environmental variables, the results highlighted strong trait–environment correlations, particularly in response to anthropogenic disturbance and habitat heterogeneity. Species less frequently observed in areas affected by human activities included Lion
Panthera leo
, Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
, and Giant eland
Taurotragus derbianus gigas
. On the other hand, some species did not avoid the areas with increased human activity (Kob
Kobus kob
or Olive baboon
Papio anubis
). Conservation strategies should integrate vegetation management, landscape‐scale planning, and spatial connectivity to preserve both taxonomic and functional diversity. Our study emphasizes the ecological importance of plant–mammal interactions in tropical savannah.

This study explores the drivers of mammalian functional diversity in Benoué National Park, Cameroon, focusing on the combined effects of environmental filtering, spatial structure, and plant–animal interactions. Results show that both vegetation characteristics and spatial configuration significantly influence trait distribution, highlighting the importance of integrating landscape and plant‐based conservation strategies in tropical savannah ecosystems.