The value of a peri-urban conservancy – effects of varying levels of disturbance on small mammal populations

Good day,

My name is Tyrone Mckendry and I am an Honours of Science student at the University of the Witwatersrand. As part of the degree, I am conducting research on the effect of varying levels of disturbance on small mammal

Map of GEKCO, showing the two major riparian corridors that run through the conservancy.

populations in the Greater Kyalami Conservancy (GEKCO). This research is intended to assess the importance of the riparian corridors (wetlands) to the survival of the small mammals in the area.

I am asking individuals to allow me to interview them on the small mammals that they have seen in the area over the last couple of years, particularly near the major wetlands (see attached GEKCO map) .

Your input will allow me to gain a greater insight into the presence or absence of the small mammal species in the area that I may not be able to find and record in the allocated survey period. This will in turn serve to ensure that my results and conclusion are more accurate which means that I can make sound recommendations on the value of the riparian corridors in the GEKCO conservancy.

I therefore wish to invite you to participate in this study. Your participation is entirely voluntary and refusal to participate will not be held against you in any way. If you agree to participate, I shall ask you to make yourself available for a brief interview at your convenience. You may withdraw from the study at any time and you may also refuse to answer any questions that you feel uncomfortable with answering.

Please be assured that your name and personal details will be kept confidential and no identifying information will be included in the final research report.

Please feel free to pose any questions regarding this research. I shall answer them to the best of my ability. I may be contacted via email (tyrone.mckendry@gmail.com), or via my supervisor, Dr. Ute Schwaibold at Ute.Schwaibold@wits.ac.za. Should you wish to receive a summary of the results of this research; an abstract will be made available on request. There will be no rewards for participating in this research.

Thank you for taking the time to consider participating in the research.

Yours sincerely,

Tyrone Mckendry