Light paths and dark valleys: Topographic complexity and mammal occupancy in a semi-arid mountain landscape

Topographically complex mountainous regions are critical for biodiversity conservation, supporting high beta diversity, endemic species, and essential ecosystem services. These landscapes enhance ecological connectivity by facilitating species movement and providing vital resources for wildlife and human communities. In this study, we deployed 131 camera traps to assess the occupancy of 34 mammal species in relation to key topographic variables in a semi-arid mountain catchment in South Africa. Multispecies occupancy models were used to evaluate the probability of habitat use concerning topographic complexity, characterized by features such as catchment aspect, slope, ruggedness, solar gain and landscape units. The results identified floodplains, valleys, low slopes, and areas with low ruggedness as biodiversity hotspots, offering critical resources like water and forage, and supporting high species richness. Conversely, steep slopes, rugged terrains, and high solar gain areas, while supporting fewer species, served as critical refuges for specialized taxa such as leopard, klipspringer, caracal, and grey rhebok. While topographic features like ruggedness may have a limited impact at the community level, their importance becomes more pronounced at the species level. This study underscores the value of incorporating detailed topographic metrics into ecological research, particularly in mountainous landscapes where these features govern species distribution. Conservation strategies should integrate both community-level and species-specific monitoring approaches to safeguard the unique biodiversity and ecological dynamics of topographically complex mountain landscapes. Information & Authors Information Version history Peer review timeline Published Ecology and Evolution Version of Record13 Feb 2026Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Collection

Authors Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 300views 146downloads Citations Download citation Maya Beukes, Travis Perry, Dan Parker, et al. Light paths and dark valleys: Topographic complexity and mammal occupancy in a semi-arid mountain landscape. Authorea. 12 November 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176297983.34440238/v1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176297983.34440238/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.