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

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.