The aim of the study is to assess the functional zoodiversity and its bearing on both the ecological and socio-economic qualities of natural ecosystems and farming-systems in relation to changes in climate and land use. Since organisms are functional units building up ecosystemic interactions, functional zoodiversity describes ecosystems as the sum of interactions caused by organismal abilities and limitations of species (feeding, reproduction and locomotion). This approach integrates organismal biology (the animal as a whole) and ecology to achieve a deeper understanding of mechanisms governing ecosystem and farming system function.
We will focus on small mammals, especially on their direct and indirect relationships to soil, plants and insects. Furthermore, the impact of large domestic and wild mammals (traditional and game farming) will be analysed. Due to their inconspicuous nature, the ecological role of small mammals is often underestimated. However, primary and secondary consumption, seed dissemination, and bioturbation by small mammals are factors that influence ecologically and economically important qualities of ecosystems and farming systems. The degree and relevance of both the ecological and economical impact of small mammals will be detected and described by means of trophic interactions, i.e., foodwebs. The foodwebs of small mammals provide a suitable and feasible starting point for the description and analysis of ecological systems. In the pilot phase, we focus on rodents (Muridae, Gerbillidae) and insectivores (Chrysochloridae, Erinaceidae, Macroscelidea). Further groups (small carnivores, larger rodents etc.) may be added according to their relevance. Practically, the food webs will be investigated by feeding signs, direct observation, stomach contents, pellet and scat analysis. Major emphasis will be put on mammal interactions with 1) herbivorous insects of the soil, grasses and herbs, 2) social insects, 3) coprophagous and detrivorous beetles, 4) vegetation including lichens and fungi, and, 5) predatory vertebrates. Both the relationships between small mammals and economically important insects like locusts, bugs (Heteroptera), termites and the influence of small mammals on the presence and formation of insect guilds are considered. Influences of domestic animal or game densities on small mammals and vice versa are investigated by the analysis of the vegetation types produced by the corresponding species composition and abundance (in cooperation with the botanical working group of BIOTA, Juergens). A cooperation with the socio-economy working group of BIOTA (Hoffmann/Nuppenau) will provide information (countings, activity signs) for the analysis of the relationship between small and large domestic mammals.
Using the foodwebs of small mammals as a starting point to reveal indirect relationships with other organisms, e.g. the impact on the vegetation by reduced larval consumption of herbivorous insects. The study will be extended step by step to understand relevant ecological relationships. Organismal abilities and limitations of species and their change during life cycles are regarded to be important ecological factors. For instance, the amount of nutritional resource utilization of certain species depends on their respective developmental and/or reproductive status. Thus, temporally separated peaks in the use of resources caused by differential timing of the reproduction (e.g., having offspring at different times) will be investigated and used as a criterion for ecosystem stability. The expertise provided by our partner in the National Museum of Windhoek (E. Marais) will help to understand how the presence of dung of both cattle or game and small mammals rule the soil properties of the areas under investigation.
A major aim, especially after the end of the pilot phase of the long term study, is to reveal mechanisms that govern species composition, abundance as well as the ecological and socio-economic impact of small mammals. Under this respect, the role of predators will be investigated. It is intended to reveal factors that influence the species composition and abundance of small mammals by means of ecological modelling (in cooperation with the BIOTA modelling group, Wissel). Both the analysis of food webs and the ecological modelling aim at assisting in the development of management strategies for the sustainable use of African landscapes and their natural resources.

Cooperation partners in Namibia and South Africa

E. Moombolah, Chief curator and vice director of the National Museum of Namibia, Windhoek. Assistance with defining general aspects of the research focus, administration and logistics.
E. Marais, Curator of Insects, National Museum of Namibia, Windhoek. General assistance and support concerning entomological problems. Analysis of the ecosystemic significance of coprophagous insects.
A. Kirk Spriggs, National Museum of Namibia, Windhoek. Assistance with identification of insects, especially pollinators (Diptera).
Dr. St. Green, National Museum of Namibia, Windhoek. Assistance with identification of economically important insects (especially locusts).
Dr. C. Eardly, Safrinet Coordinator & ARC - PPRI Specialist Scientist. Identification of important pollinators, especially wild bees. Assistance in collecting.
Dr. S. Grube, Etosha Nationalpark, termite ecology specialist. Assistance with the design of ecological studies considering termite ecology.
Prof Dr N Owen-Smith, Centre of African Ecology, University of Witwatersrand. Mutual exchange of data and assistance concerning large mammal ecology.
Dr. R. Baxter (University of Fort Hare, RSA), Dr. C. Downes (University of Natal, RSA), Dr. J. Masters (Natal Museum Pietemaritzburg, RSA). All three persons are mammalogists working with small mammals and will assist in problems concerning small mammal ecology.
Dr. G. Prinsloo (Plant Protection Research Institute, Pretoria, RSA). Assistance with identification of herbivorous and economically important insects.