Biodiversity patterns of small mammals and their natural predators: implications for rodent pest management in agricultural systems

Abstract There is increased interest in replacing the use of rodenticides with ecologically based rodent management practices to control rodent pests in agricultural ecosystems. One of the suggested methods is biological control by natural predators such as meso-carnivores and raptors. However, meso-carnivores and raptors, like other predators inhabiting agricultural ecosystems, face many threats, including persecution and habitat loss. These threats influence the distribution, habitat use and ecosystem service of meso-carnivores and raptors. Little is known about the extent to which meso-carnivores and raptors can regulate rodent pest populations and thereby reduce damage to agricultural crops. The aim of this study was to assess the diversity and abundance of small mammals (rodents and shrews) and their natural predators (meso-carnivores and raptors) in three different habitats (maize fields, forest, and natural grassland). Our results show that habitat had a significant effect on the intensity of use of a habitat by meso-carnivores and raptors, with their intensity of use generally highest in maize fields and lowest in the natural habitat. Also, the higher the number of individuals of small mammals in the habitat, the higher the intensity of use of a habitat by their natural predators. These results highlight the potential of meso-carnivores and raptors in the regulation of rodent pests. We recommend conducting experiments to quantify the impact of meso-carnivores and raptors on rodent pest populations. Evidence-based results on the predation services provided by meso-carnivores and raptors in agricultural landscapes will be important in promoting the coexistence between people and meso-carnivores and raptors and harness the full benefits of the potential ecosystem services that they provide.