Geographical distribution and diversity patterns of bird species are influenced by climate change. The Rouget’s rail (Rougetius rougetii) is a ground-dwelling endemic bird species distributed in Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is a near-threatened species menaced by habitat loss, one of the main causes of population declines for bird species. The increasing effects of climate change may further threaten the species’ survival. So far, the spatial distribution of this species is not fully documented. With this study, we develop current potential suitable habitat and predict the future habitat shift of R. rougetii based on environmental data such as bioclimatic variables, population density, vegetation cover, and elevation using ten algorithms. We evaluated the importance of environmental factors in shaping the bird’s distribution and how it shifts under climate change scenarios. We used 182 records of R. rougetii from Ethiopia and nine bioclimatic, population density, vegetation cover, and elevation variables to run the 10 model algorithms. Among 10 algorithms, eight were selected for ensembling models according to their predictive abilities. The current suitable habitats for R. rougetii were predicted to cover an area of about 82,000 km² despite being highly fragmented. The model suggested that temperature seasonality (bio4), elevation, and mean daily air temperatures of the driest quarter (bio9) contributed the most to delimiting suitable areas for this species. R. rougetii is sensitive to climate change associated with elevation, leading to a large, shrinking distribution of suitable areas. The projected spatial and temporal pattern of habitat loss of R. rougetii suggests the importance of climate change mitigation and implementing long-term conservation and management strategies for this threatened endemic bird species.

Studying small mammals has a paramount significance for ecological, cultural and economic reasons. A survey on the diversity, abundance and habitat association of small mammals in Wenchi highlands, central Ethiopia, was carried out from August 2019 to January 2021. Small mammals were trapped from six different habitats (Hagenia Woodland, Erica Scrub, Qibate, Lakeshore, Erica and Albesa Forests) using Sherman and snap traps in standard trapping grids. A total of 935 rodents belonging to 12 species (Arvicanthis abyssinicus, Desmomys yaldeni, Mastomys natalensis, M. awashensis, Stenocephaylemys albipes, Lophuromys flavopunctatus, L. brevicaudus, L. chrysopus, Dendromus lovati, Lophiomys imhausi, Graphirius murinus, and an unidentified murid rodent), and 24 insectivores belonging to 3 species (Crocidura bailey, C. fumosa and C. olivieri) were recorded. Hystrix cristata and Tachyoryctes splendens were also recorded through indirect evidences. About 52.9% of the identified small mammals were endemic to Ethiopia. A significant variation was observed in the captures of small mammals. The capture rate was higher in live traps (23.85%) than snap traps (8.26%). The diversity and distribution of small mammal species varied among habitats. The highest species diversity (H’=1.74) was recorded in Albesa Forest, while the least was in Qibate Forest (1.43). The highest number of individuals were recorded in Lakeshore Forest (27.73%), whereas the least was in Erica Forest (4.27%). M. natalensis (30.86%) and S. albipes (27.53%) were the two most abundant species, whereas L. imhausi (0.1%) was the least. Wenchi montane forests are one of the most important homes to unique small mammals that need urgent conservation actions.

Estimating population densities is essential for understanding primate ecology and for guiding conservation efforts. Such information, however, is still scarce for many forest primates. The Djaffa Mountains guereza (Colobus guereza gallarum) is an Ethiopian endemic taxon for which information about their distribution and population size are missing. To fill this gap of knowledge, we conducted line-transect surveys in forest fragments within the range of C. g. gallarum in the Ahmar Mountains, Eastern Ethiopia. Between December 2020 and September 2021, we sampled 22 transects, covering a total distance of 93.7 km. We found considerable variation of encounter rates among the forest fragments. In total, we encountered 79 guereza clusters (most likely groups) and estimated their overall population density as 16.5 clusters/km2 (95%CI = 10.2–24.5) and 83.1 individuals/km2 (95%CI = 50.7–121.1). Their estimated population size was 15,205 (95%CI = 9288–22,163) individuals. This population density is thus lower than of C. g. guereza in other parts of Ethiopia. Given that the habitat of C. g. gallarum and its population are highly fragmented, further monitoring of the population and exploring the possibilities of reconnecting its habitat should be of conservation priority.