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THE TROPICAL BIOLOGY ASSOCIATION 

AFRICAN ALUMNI GROUP (TAAG) 

BOOK OF ABSTRACTS 

MAIDEN AFRICAN STUDENT’S 

CONFERENCE 

Theme: Biodiversity in Africa – Present State, Challenges and 

Prospects for its Conservation 

Edited by 

Folaranmi D. Babalola

The Tropical Biology Association African Alumni Group 

— TAAG — 

Maiden African Students’ Conference 

Theme: Biodiversity in Africa-Present state, challenges and prospects for 

its conservation 

Date: 2 nd - 4 th July 2013 

Venue: Louis Leakey Auditorium, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi 

©www.iisd.ca 

TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 2

© 2013 by TAAG 

All rights reserved 

Tropical Biology Association African Alumni Group 

C/o The Tropical Biology Association 

P.O. Box 44486, 00100- Nairobi, Kenya 

Email: TAAG-LOC@tropical-biology.org 

Web page: http://www.tropical-biology.org/information/TAAG.htm 

Disclaimer 

Any views expressed in this book are those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the 

views of the authors’ institutions, those of the Tropical Biology Association, or the partners of this 

conference 

Edited by 

Folaranmi D. Babalola PhD 

Department of Forest Resources Management, University of Ilorin, Nigeria 

and 

Centre for Environmental Economics and Policy in Africa, 

University of Pretoria, Republic of South Africa 

Cover photos: Fola D. Babalola 

Top: Main forest of Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve, Mambilla Plateau, Nigeria 

Bottom: Boundary of Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve showing the conserved area and the area 

immediately outside the reserve use for grazing and farming. 


Tropical Biology Association 

The Tropical Biology Association (TBA) is a non-government, non-profit organisation working to develop a 

community of well-trained and motivated tropical biologists and conservationists in Africa. Established in 

1993 by a group of dedicated biologists, the TBA has registered offices at Cambridge University, UK and at 

the National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi and is governed by a council representing 18 European and African 

countries. 

The TBA core business is in promoting responsible use and management of the environment by building 

capacity among individuals and institutions. It does this by delivering a portfolio of demand-driven training 

courses with follow-up support to ensure that new skills are applied after the training. Because TBA training 

activities are run in close collaboration with local institutions, they are in line with national and regional 

priorities and involve appropriate target groups so that ultimately they make a tangible impact in biodiversity 

research, conservation and management. 

Since its first course with 27 participants (18 Europeans and 9 Africans) in Uganda in 1994, the TBA has grown 

from strength to strength and has ran over 90 field and specialist training courses to date! The courses have 

trained over 1,800 biologists from over 68 African and 26 European/other countries. The number of field 

courses the TBA runs annually has also increased from 2, in 1994, to 3 or 4; the African courses run in 

Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Madagascar. TBA also runs a course at the Island of Borneo, Malaysia targeting 

European and Asian participants. 

Integral to the TBA courses is the Alumni Follow Up Support which has proved to be extremely successful; 

TBA enjoys 68% contact rate with its past African Alumni. Over 80% of those African alumni have remained in 

the field of conservation biology, working for government and non-government institutions. The follow up 

support has catalysed formation of TBA alumni groups 13 in African countries. The groups are strong in 

collaboration and in sharing knowledge that help build capacity from within and without. A major milestone 

in the growth of the TBA Alumni network has been the formation of the first ever TBA African Alumni Group 

(TAAG). TAAG is the host of the first ever Student Conference on biodiversity in Africa in 2013 and the TBA is 

very proud to be part of this great initiative. 

TBA European Office: 

tba@tropical-biology.org 

Department of Zoology, 

Downing Street, Cambridge, 

CB2 3EJ, UK 

Tel: +44 (0)1223 336619 

Fax: +44(0)1223 336676 

TBA African Office: 

tba-africa@tropical-biology.org 

C/o Nature Kenya (the EANHS) 

National Museums of Kenya, Museums Hill Road, 

Nairobi 

PO BOX 44486 

00100 – Nairobi, Kenya 

Tel. +254 (0)20 353 7568;

TBA African Alumni Group 

Tropical Biology Association African Alumni Group (TAAG) is an association of African biologists and 

conservationists who are alumni of the Tropical Biology Association (TBA). The focus of the group is to 

facilitate a forum for the members to have a real impact on biodiversity conservation in their own countries 

and Africa at large. 

The idea to form TAAG was conceived in June 2011when a number of TBA alumni met in Amani, Tanzania for 

a TBA specialist training workshop on understanding and valuing ecosystem services. The workshop was 

sponsored by the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI) fund for conservation and BAT Biodiversity 

Partnership. During this workshop, the alumni present shared a dream of organizing a conference to bring 

TBA African alumni together, and possibly form an umbrella alumni group that will unite all the TBA African 

alumni. 

The initial aims of TAAG were to: 

1. Share knowledge from research and work experience and build capacity in conservation challenges 

for the next generation. 

2. Generate a synergy of ideas, networks, opportunities and proactive action to solve real world 

conservation challenges in Africa 

3. Serve as a voice for conservation biologists in Africa, shaping policy and trailblazing the frontiers of 

research for the benefit of biodiversity and humanity. 

TAAG Conference 

The TAAG conference is uniquely designed and organized by vibrant TBA African alumni with the view of 

building the capacity of the next generation of biologists and conservationists. The conference is aimed at 

bringing together like-minded young African ecologists and conservationists to share their research findings 

and make valuable contacts across countries. The conference is designed to fit into the TBA alumni career 

interests. The conference approach entails plenary sessions for oral as well as poster presentations, group 

discussions, and training workshops. Based on country case studies, the forum will facilitate discussions 

aimed at providing solutions to current issues facing conservation of the threatened African biodiversity. 

Plenary speakers share practical conservation experiences from African countries in relation to each of the 

day’s conference theme. 


TAAG Maiden Conference 

The three-day first international TAAG students’ conference is hosted at the National Museums of Kenya 

from 2 nd – 4 th July 2013. 

The theme of the conference is “Biodiversity in Africa – present state, challenges and prospects for its 

conservation”. The specific conference’s working themes are: 

Biodiversity loss and challenges of conservation in African context 

Climate change and other threats to biodiversity conservation 

Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning and services 

Capacity building for biodiversity conservation in Africa 

Social dimension aspects for biodiversity conservation 

Challenges and opportunities for effective linkage of biodiversity conservation research with policy 

and practice in Africa 

Students, conservation biologists and practitioners, policy makers, tropical ecologists, NGOs and government 

agencies have the opportunity of participating in five keynote addresses, three parallel workshops and a 

panel discussion; present and listen to findings on country case studies and engage in working group 

discussions.

Conference Sponsors and Partners 

Lion Sponsor 

Eagle Sponsor 

Mt Kenya Sponsors 

Tropical Biology Association (TBA) 

As the Lion sponsor of the Conference, the TBA is standing to its 

mission of developing the capability of people and institutions 

to effectively manage biodiversity in the tropics, and of building 

bridges for collaboration and networking among African and 

European biologists alike thereby strengthening the 

international scientific and conservation community. 

BES Tropical Ecological Group (BESTEG) 

The aim of BESTEG is to promote and facilitate communication 

and interaction between tropical ecologists. This is to enable 

transfer and development of knowledge and skills; interdisciplinary 

research activities; communication with 

practitioners and policy; and support for early career 

researchers. 

BES Outreach Grants 

The vision of BES is to advance ecology and make it count. This 

it does through thepublication of five internationally renowned 

journals, the organisation and sponsorship of scientific 

meetings, its numerous grant schemes, and by engaging in 

education and policy work. BES supports the gratis book 

scheme which is aimed at making ecological publications widely 

accessible.BES’s Outreach Grants helps promote ecological 

science to a wide audience. 

National Museums of Kenya 

NMK is a multi-disciplinary institution whose role is to collect, 

preserve, study, document and present Kenya’s past and 

present cultural and natural heritage. This is for the purposes 

of enhancing knowledge, appreciation, respect and sustainable 

utilization of these resources for the benefit of Kenya and the 

world, for now and posterity.

Editorial Team for the Conference 

The conference Local Organising Committee (LoC) wishes to acknowledge the following individuals who 

spared their time in reviewing the abstracts submitted to the first TAAG students’ conference. 

Names Nationality Institution Affiliation TBA Course Attended 

Prof. Jean Nduwamungu Rwanda National University of Rwanda 95/3, Kibale 

Ms. Beryl A. Bwong Kenya National Museums of Kenya DRECA-Kenya, 2010/11 

Dr. Caleb Ofori-Boateng Ghana Forestry Research Institute of Ghana 07/1, Kibale 

Mr. Charles K. Meshack Tanzania Tanzania Forest Conservation Group 00/2, Amani 

Dr. Clive Nuttman UK Tropical Biology Association, UK TBA Course Coordinator 

Dr. Anne Wairimu Muohi Kenya School of Biological Sciences, College of 

99/3, Amani 

Biological and Physical Sciences, University of 

Nairobi, Kenya 

Dr. Bernard W.T. Coetzee South Africa Centre for Invasion Biology, Botany & Zoology 06/3. Mpala/Naivasha 

Dept, Stellenbosch University, SA 

Dr. Duncan M. Kimuyu Kenya Karatina University College DRECA-Kenya, 2010/11 

Dr. Emily Wabuyele Kenya National Museums of Kenya 

Dr. Ezekiel Edward 

Nwakalukwa 

Tanzania 

Forest Biology, Sakoine University of 

Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania 

Dr. Folaranmi D. Babalola Nigeria University of Ilorin, Nigeria 03/1, Kibale 

Dr. Gauden Nantale Uganda Busitema University – Tororo, Uganda 02/1, Kibale 

Dr. Halima Saado Abdillahi Kenya National Museums of Kenya 06/4, Kirindy 

Dr. Jacob Mueti Ngwava Kenya National Museums of Kenya 10/2, Kibale 

Dr. Lucy Deho-Quarshie 

Amissah 

Ghana 

CSIR-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana/ 

Wageningen University, Netherlands 

STP workshops 2005, 2006, 

2007 & 2008 

98/1, Kibale 

Dr. Mao Angua Uganda African Centre for a Green Economy, S.A 02/3, Amani 

Dr. Mwangi Githiru Kenya Wildlife Works 97/1, Kibale 

Dr. Patricia Bi Asanga Fai Cameroon University of Dschang 00/1, Naivasha/ Taita 

Dr. Paul Osei-Tutu Ghana University of Freiburg, Germany 06/2, Kibale 

Dr. Peter Njoroge Kenya National Museums of Kenya 94/2, Kibale 

Dr. Ronald Mulwa Kenya National Museums of Kenya 99/3, Amani 

Dr. Sally Archibald South Africa Council for Scientific & Industrial Research 00/1, Naivasha/ Taita 

Dr. Sara Nachuha Kasozi Uganda Islamic University in Uganda 98/3, Amani 

Dr. Shem Kuyah Kenya Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and 

Technology 

DRECA-kenya, 2011 & 

2012 

Dr. Sogbohossou Etotepe Benin Faculty of Agronomy, University of Abomey- 04/1, Naivasha/ Taita 

Aikpemi 

Calavi, Benin 

Dr. Wayne Dawson UK University of Konstanz, Germany 05/3, Amani 

Dr. Winfred Musila Kenya Management University of Africa 98/2, Kibale 

Mrs Margaret Awuor Kenya School of Water Resources Science and 

06/2, Kibale 

Technology, South Eastern Kenya University 

Mr. Anthony Kuria Kenya Tropical Biology Association, Kenya 96/2, Kibale 

Mr. Temitope Israel Borokini Nigeria National Centre for Genetic Resources and 

Biotechnology, Nigeria 

DRECA-Nigeria, 2011 & 

2012 

Mr. Titus Adhola Kenya National Museums of Kenya 04/4, Kirindy 

Mr. Victor Wasonga Kenya National Museums of Kenya 98/1, Kibale 


Keynote Speakers 

Dr. Leon Bennun, 

Director of Science, Policy and Information, Birdlife 

International, UK 

Subtheme Title: Challenges and opportunities for effective 

linkage of biodiversity conservation research with policy 

and practice in Africa 

Prof. Nick Oguge, 

University of Nairobi, Kenya 

Subtheme Title: Social aspects for biodiversity 

conservation 

Dr. Mohammed Bakarr, 

Senior Environmental Specialist, Natural Resources 

Division, Global Environment Facility, US 

Subtheme Title: Climate change and other threats to 

biodiversity conservation 

Prof. Jonathan Kingdon, 

University of Oxford, UK 

Subtheme Title: Biodiversity loss and challenges of 

conservation in African context 

Dr. Rosie Trevelyan, 

Director, Tropical Biology Association, UK 

Subtheme Title: Capacity building for biodiversity 

conservation in Africa

Local Organising Committee Members 

Margaret Awuor Owuor (TBA 06/2, Kibale, Uganda) 

Chairperson 

Assistant Lecturer, South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU), Kitui, 

Kenya 

Imran Ejotre (TBA 09/1, Kibale, Uganda) 

Vice chairperson 

Assistant lecturer, Department of Biological 

Sciences, Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) 

Badru Mugerwa (TBA 10/2 Kibale, Uganda) 

Secretary 

Research Scientist, Institute of Tropical 

Forest Conservation (ITFC), UG. 

Dr. FolaBabalola (TBA 03/1 Kibale, Uganda ) 

Chair, TAAG Scientific Committee 

Lecturer, University of Ilorin, Nigeria, and 

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pretoria, South Africa 

Titus Adhola (TBA 04/4 Kirindy, Madagascar) 

Logistics Coordinator 

Research Scientist, Mammalogy Section, Zoology Department, 

National Museums of Kenya 

Noreen Mutoro (TBA 13/2 Segera, Kenya) 

Conference Assistant 

Postgraduate student at The University of Nairobi

Table of Contents 

Pages 

Cover page 2 

Tropical Biology Association 4 

Tropical Biology Association African Alumni Group (TAAG) 5 

Conference Sponsors and Partners 7 

Editorial Team 8 

Keynote Speakers 9 

Local Organising Committee Members 10 

Table of Content 11 

CONTRIBUTED 

ABSTRACTS BY SUB-THEMES 

BIODIVERSITY LOSS, CLIMATE CHANGE AND OTHER THREATS 15 

Habitat use and Feeding Ecology of introduced Red-Bellied Monkey (Cercopithecus erythrogaster 

erythrogaster) in Botanical and Zoological Garden of University of Abomey, Calavi, Benin. Martial Kiki 16 

Effects of Predator-Proofing Homesteads on the Socio-Economic Well-Being of Pastoralists in Amboseli 

Ecosystem, Kenya. Iregi Mwenja 16 

Conserving the Endemic Birds of the Upper Guinea Forest under Current and Future Climates. Christopher 

Ilori and Deborah Ogunsola 17 

Understanding the variation of tree growth in an African mountain forest.BadruMugerwa, Douglas Sheil 

and Julius B. Lejju 17 

Determination of possible niche overlap among Sunbirds in Amurum Forest Reserve, Jos Plateau State 

Nigeria.Gbegbaje Rosemary Kerime, Adams A. Chaskda, Piet J.van den Hout 18 

Habitat preferences and feeding ecology of three endemic Chameleon species from Mount Manengouba, 

Cameroon volcanic line.Walter Paulin Tapondjou Nkonmeneck, Legrand Gonwouo Nono, and Pierre 

Ngassam 18 

Analysis of road kills in Tsavo-East National Park along Mombasa Nairobi Highway. Joseph Mzozo 19 

Bird Species Diversity and Abundance on Farmlands Surrounding Amurum Forest Reserve, Jos, Nigeria. 

Kambai Collina, Ulf Ottosson, Dami F. Danjuma 19 

The Impacts of Climate change on Protected Areas in the Sahel savannah ecoregion of Nigeria. Borokini, 

T.I 20 

Insect conservation in a changing world: the nesting ecology and threats to some stingless bee species in 

Ghana. Ferdinand Tornyie 20 

Diversity, Abundance and Feeding Ecology of Mangrove Crabs in Cameroon. Simon. N. Longonje 21 

Assessment of Fauna Resources of Oli River Complex at Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria. Folusade 

Catherine Arowosafe 21 

Potential impact of Climate Change on Highway Bridge Structures: A case for Uganda. Hilary Bakamwesiga 22 

Effects of Climate Changes on Malaria Epidemiology in Sudan Region. Rasha A.A and Ayman A. Elshaye 22 

Effort towards Conservation of Bird Species across Urban-Rural Gradients in Benin City, Edo State, 

Nigeria.AkemienNeriNerioya, Abalaka Jacinta, Molokwu Mary, Nwaogu Josiah Chima 23 

Elephant Tolerance to Human activity in the Mara Ecosystem of Kenya. Mayeli Hensley 23 

Impact of Frog Collection for Dissection in Secondary Schools on Wild Frog Populations in Tanzania. Ignas 

Safari and Julius Nyahongo 24 


Environmental history of the Virunga Volcanoes of south-western Uganda: sediment-based evidence. May 

L. Murungi and Julius B. Lejju 24 

Altitudinal Distribution of Amphibians and Prevalence of Chytrid Fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis 

in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Sekisambu Robert S. 25 

Impacts of Domestic Energy Consumption on Biodiversity Loss: Assessment of Charcoal as Household 

Energy in Benue State, Nigeria. Babalola, Folaranmi D. and Opii, Egbe E. 25 

Factors Predicting Bovid Species Occurrence in Pendjari Biosphere Reserve (Northern Benin) during the 

resource-limited of dry season. Chabi A. M. S. Djagoun, Bruno A. Djossa, Tim Coulson, Brice Sinsin 26 

Influence of plant functional types on life history strategies. Nthambeleni Masia and Sally Archibald 26 

Distribution Status of Two Endemic Dwarf Chameleon Nadzika mbiamlanjensis and Rampholeonplatyceps 

on Mt Mulanje, Malawi.Yankho Chapeta, Enoch Ng’oma, Tiwonge I Mzumara 27 

Floristic composition, structure and species associations of dry Miombo woodland in Tanzania. Ezekiel 

Edward Mwakalukwa, Henrik Meilby and Thorsten Treue 27 

Ecology and Conservation Status of the three endemic primates (Bale monkey, Boutourlini’s blue monkey 

and Gelada baboon) of Ethiopia.Alemneh Amare Aligaz 28 

Carbon Stocks and Stocking Characteristics of Hanang Mountain Forest, Tanzania.Godgift Swai, Henry J. 

Ndangalasi, Pantaleo K.T. Munishi, Deo D. Shirima 28 

Conservation and Threats of the Dinder National Park, Sudan.Razan Nimir 29 

Fragmentation of the Eastern Mau Forest and its Effects on Avifauna’s Composition and Diversity. 

FaithMilkah W. Muniale, Wegulo, F. and Shivoga, W.A. 29 

Stakeholders’ involvement in Forest Offences and implication on Sustainable Forest Management in 

South-West Nigeria.Oso Abiodun O. 30 

The spatial and temporal variations in nematofauna of recovering Rhizophora mucronata mangroves at 

Gazi Bay, Kenya.Mutua, A.K., Ntiba, M. J.Muthumbi, A. Vanreusel, A. 30 

The Role of ‘Dryland Wetlands’ in Semi AridMikuyuni River Catchment in South Eastern Kenya as sources 

of livelihood. Romulus Abila, Margaret Awuor Owuor and Cecilia M. Musyoka Agatha Nthenge 31 

Wildlife Conservation Challenges in Okomu National Park, Nigeria. Olaleru, F. and Egonmwan, R.I. 31 

CAPACITY BUILDING FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN AFRICA 32 

Rethinking Youth Capacity Development in Forest Governance: the Case of Wabane Subdivision in 

Cameroon.Fomengia Dominic Nkenglefac, Mbunya Francis Nkemnyi, and Florence 

NgueiwohNyiawung 33 

Preliminary Survey on the Distribution, Feeding Habit and Nesting of Yellow-Faced Parrot (Poicephalus 

flavifrons) in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Kiroswelegerima, Meheretu Yonas, Tsegazeabe Hadush, 

Solomon Kiros and Tadesse Dejenie 33 

Effects of grafting technique, shade intensity and age of rootstocks on vegetative propagation of 

Mangifera indica in Central Uganda.Malinga, M., Okullo, J.B.L.and Tumwebaze, S.B. 34 

Estimating the survival and growth rates of Allanblackia stuhlmannii for domestication and conservation 

strategies.Mpanda, M. M., Munjuga, M. R., Simons A. J., Sawe, C. T., Cordeiro, N. J., Coe, R., Ofori, D. 

A., Mowo, J. and Jamnadass, R. 34 

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EFFECTIVE BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION RESEARCH, POLICY 

AND PRACTICE 35 

Health and nutrition garden: An effort to conserve Kenya’s indigenous medicinal and food plants. 

Nyamolo Walter 36 

Challenges of Community Conservation and Implications for Wildlife Conservation in Kenya. Joseph 

Mwanyalo, John Kiringe, Shem Mwasi, and Hellen Ipara 36 


Exploring the Potential of Enhanced Traditional Medicines and Municipal Botanical Gardens as alternative 

Health Care in Benin Republic.Alfred Houngnon 37 

Prospects and Challenges of Agroforestry Practices in Government Owned Forest Reserves, Ogun State, 

Nigeria. Otesile, A.A. and Agbeja, B.O. 37 

Safeguarding the future of the African elephant: Society for Conservation Biology (SCB)'s position on the 

use of ivory for religious objects.Stephen MufutauAwoyemi 38 

Population Status and possible effects of Lantana camara to the native woody species in Adwa district, 

Ethiopia. Berhane G. Asmelash and Mengisteab Hailu Ubuy 38 

Managing biological resources: Anthropogenic pressure on plant community structure in Mt. Marsabit 

forest, Kenya.Eunice W. Githae and David W. Odee 39 

Diversity and pathogenicity of ophiostomatoid fungi found on native trees in the Cape Floristic Region. 

Tendai Musvuugwa 39 

Maesopsis eminii mortality in relation to stand density and age: A study at Amani Nature Reserve in 

Tanzania. Kilawe, C.J. and Mtwaenzi, I. 40 

Habitat Structure of Flat-Headed Cusimanse (Crossarchus platycephalus) in FUTA Wildlife Park, Ondo 

State, Nigeria. Oguntuase B.G and Agbelusi E.A 40 

Human Health and Conservation of Biodiversity: Impacts of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) in the 

Fontem Focus, South West Region of Cameroon. Awungia Tegomo Alain 41 

Prediction of Environmental Behaviour in Kilombero Valley Wetlands Tanzania.Felister Mombo, Zuzanna 

Pieniak , Valerie Vandermeulen,Wim Verbeke and Guido van Huylenbroeck 41 

Distribution and abundance of Invasive Non-indigenous Plant, Mauritius thorns (Caesalpinia decapetala) 

in Arusha National Park Tanzania. Gladys Zacharia Ng’umbi 42 

Prevalence of Bovine Tuberculosis in slaughter cattle along the Lyantonde-Mbarara Highway, 

Uganda.Nasaka, J., Masembe, C. and Rwego, B.I. 42 

Influence of rooting media and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) concentration on rooting and shoot formation 

of Warburgia ugandensis stem cuttings. Florence Akwatulira, Samson Gwali, John Bosco Lamoris 

Okullo, Paul Ssegawa, Susan Balaba Tumwebaze, John Richard Mbwambo and Alice Muchugi 43 

ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONING AND SERVICES 44 

Landscape Connectivity as a Strategy to solving Habitat Fragmentationacross Borders: A case study of 

Nigeria.Fasona Michelle Iyabo 45 

Understanding Relationship between Stand Structure and Carbon Stock in Nilo Nature Reserve, 

Tanzania.Mwainunu, E.J., Munishi, P.K.T. and Nzunda, E.F. 45 

Influence of Land Use History and Edaphic Factors on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal (AMF) Abundance in 

Tropical Savanna Soils of Tanzania.Geofrey E. Soka, Mark Ritchie and Emilian Mayemba 46 

Plant Community and Ecological Analysis of Woodland Vegetation in Metema Area, Amhara National 

Regional State, Northwestern Ethiopia.Haile Adamu Wale, Tamrat Bekele, and Gemedo Dalle 46 

Periphyton as Inorganic Pollution Indicators in Themara River, Kenya.Mbao O. Evance, NzulaKitaka, Steve 

O. Oduor and Julius Kipkemboi 47 

Biometric parameters and growth of Cyperus papyrus in seasonally and permanently flooded zones of the 

Mara Wetland, Tanzania.Sadiki Lotha Laisser 47 

Impact of Land Use Practices on Traits and Production of Shea Butter Tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. 

Gaertn.) in Pendjari Biosphere Reserve, Benin. Akpona, T.J.D., Ayihouenou, B.E., Akpona, H.A. and 

Doucet, J.L. 48 

Effects of Salt Making Activities on Mangrove Ecosystem at Machole, Lindi Urban District in 

Tanzania.Abdala Salum Liingilie 48 


Coping Strategies by Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) during Fruit Scarcity in Gishwati 

Montane Forest Fragment, Rwanda. Rebecca L. Chancellor, Aaron S. Rundus, and Sylvain Nyandwi 49 

Study on Density and Diversity of Leaf Litter Insects at Amani Nature Reserve, Tanzania. Esra Elfaki 49 

Butterfly Species Richness in Selected West Albertine Rift Forests in Uganda. Patrice Kasangaki, Anne M. 

Akol, and Gilbert IsabiryeBasuta 50 

Study of Blood Parasites in Mabuya sp Lizards and Buforegularis Toads in Jebel Awlia and Tuti Island of 

Khartoum, Sudan. Mukhtar M. M. Hassan 50 

Breeding Habits and Nesting Success of Village Weavers (Spotted–Backed) Ploceus cucullatus at Soba 

Region, Khartoum State Sudan.Noon Bushra Eltahir and Dawi Musa Hamed 51 

SOCIAL CULTURAL ASPECT OF BIODIVERSITY 52 

Community Participation in Biodiversity Conservation and Management: Case Study of Osse River Park, 

Ondo State, Nigeria. Oladeji, S.O and Fatukasi D.T 53 

Impacts of Pastoral Communities on Forest Diversities in Mathews Range Forest Reserve, Kenya.Peter 

Fundi Njagi 53 

Community Perception of Climate Change and Altered Usage Patterns of Non-Timber Forest Products by 

Forest-Dependent Communities Around New-Dabaga Ulonghambi, Tanzania. Upendo Msalilwa, 

Suzana Augustino and Peter Reuben Gillah 54 

Environmental and Socio-cultural impacts of Tourism on Livelihood of Indigenous Communities living 

along the Tourist Road from Makuyuni to Ngorongoro gate in Arusha, Tanzania. Masinda, Maswet 

Crescent 54 

Beehive and honey losses caused by bush burning to beekeepers in Adjumani District, Uganda.Moses 

Chemurot, Patrice Kasangaki, Ojja Francis, Eric Sande and Gilbert Isabirye-Basuta 55 

Increasing Nutritional value of the Oyster mushroom by incorporating Gliricidia sepium in the growing 

substrate.John Richard 55 

Making the Environment-Development Link: Community Forestry, Biodiversity and Indigenous People 

Livelihood in Cameroon.Mbunya Francis Nkemnyi; Tom De Herdt; George B. Chuyong 56 

Knowledge and Perception about Bats by Local People of Mijikenda Community in Kenya.Simon Musila 

and Judith Mbau 56 

Status of Soil Properties and Wheat Production under Parkland Agroforestry at Beressa Watershed in 

Gurage Zone, Central Ethiopia.Gosaye Degu Belay 57 

The Vulnerability of the Coast of Liberia to Marine Oil Spills: Implications for Biodiversity and Renewable 

Natural Resource Utilization. Darlington Saykay Tuagben 57 


Biodiversity loss, Climate Change and other Threats

Habitat use and Feeding Ecology of introduced Red- 

Bellied Monkey (Cercopithecus erythrogaster 

erythrogaster) in Botanical and Zoological Garden of 

University of Abomey, Calavi, Benin 

Martial Kiki 

Laboratory of Applied Ecology, University of Abomey- 

Calavi, Benin 

Email for correspondence: martialkiki@live.fr 

Abstract 

Red-bellied monkey, Cercopith ecuserythrogaster 

erythrogaster is an endangered species that is endemic 

to Dahomey Gap, West Africa. Investigation on the 

activity budget and feeding ecology of a troop of C. e. 

erythrogaster in a Botanical Garden in Benin was 

conducted between January and February, 2011. I used 

instantaneous scan sampling at intervals of 5 minutes to 

record the activities undertaken by each visible 

individuals and 2 minutes focal animal sampling 

methods to record data on a single animal. The 

Monkeys spent 32% of their time feeding, 25% resting, 

17% moving, 10% playing, 9% grooming and remaining 

7% on other activities. Young leaves constituted the 

greatest proportion (33%) of the monkeys’ diet, 

followed by seeds (17 %), fruits (16 %), provisions 

(sweet potatoes) (13 %), and invertebrates (11 %). The 

consumption of Strophantus spp. achenes may replace 

consumption of Ceiba pentandra follicles in the wild. 

Ceiba fruits content play the role of water supply in dry 

season in the wild while in the JBZ young leaves and 

endocarp of Terminalia catappa fruits play similar role. 

Availability of plant species diversity were determined 

by vegetation surveys which showed 24 species grouped 

into 18 families, 18 trees species and 6 lianas. 

Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides has the highest density 

followed by Azadirachta indica, Acacia auriculiformis, 

Albizia adianthifolia, Anthocleista vogelii and Dialium 

guineense. This habitat does not give a large food 

selection choice to wild animals. My results revealed 

behavioural and dietary flexibility among C. e. 

erythrogaster that may enable them to thrive outside 

their natural habitat. Primates can change diet through 

seasons and resources availability within their habitat. 

Keywords: Cercopithecinae; folivore; frugivore; 

behavioral patterns; conservation 

Effects of Predator-Proofing Homesteads on the Socio- 

Economic Well-Being of Pastoralists in Amboseli 

Ecosystem, Kenya 

Iregi Mwenja 

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology 

Email for correspondence: iregim@gmail.com 

Abstract 

Lion (Panthera leo) and spotted hyaena (Crocuta 

crocuta) populations in Kenya are becoming increasingly 

threatened. In the Amboseli ecosystem, a 

human/carnivore conflict hotspot, the most immediate 

and serious threat to these species is conflict with 

humans. Shrinking habitats and reducing numbers of 

natural prey (due to drought and poaching for the illegal 

bushmeat trade) has resulted in increasing numbers of 

livestock being predated by lions and hyenas. The 

consequence of such livestock predation is retaliatory 

killing by local community. As a result, predator 

numbers have fallen dramatically. The majority of 

attacks by predators on livestock are at night-time, 

when livestock are enclosed in traditional ‘bomas’ 

(night-time enclosures made of a ring of cut thorns, 

approximately 1.5m high). Predators find these bomas 

easy to penetrate, and livestock housed in the 

traditional bomas are therefore an easy target. 

Conservation organizations are Predator-proofing these 

homesteads to protect livelihoods and enhance social 

interactions of the households in Olgulului Group Ranch 

in Amboseli ecosystem. My study investigated the 

effects of this project on the social and economic wellbeing 

of these pastoralists in the group ranch. Findings 

of the study reveals that predator-proofing of 

homesteads in the group ranch boosted the 

beneficiary’s household income through reduced costs 

of night guarding and resulting increase in herd sizes 

due to reduced depredation; the time the family spent 

together both during the day and at night was improved 

as there was no longer the need for overnight sentry; 

and lastly, the initiative improved tolerance to predators 

due to the socio-economic benefits accrued thereby 

considerably reducing their propensity to retaliatory 

killings. 

Keywords: Predators, Amboseli, predator-proof Bomas, 

human/carnivore conflict, Pastoralists, Maasai.

Conserving the Endemic Birds of the Upper Guinea 

Forest under Current and Future Climates 

*Christopher Ilori and Deborah Ogunsola 

University of Greenwich, UK and Apple Tree 

International College, The Gambia 

*Email for correspondence: 

christopherilori@yahoo.co.uk 

Abstract 

That the World is currently experiencing biodiversity 

loss as a result of land-use and climate change is no 

longer a debate. These changes, whether in isolation or 

in combination, will have an impact on the distributions 

of species. Given this, it is becoming increasingly 

important to assess the distributions of species across 

landscapes. This study aims to produce habitat 

suitability maps for current and future distributions of 

the endemic bird species in the Upper Guinea forest of 

West Africa using GIS and a predictive species 

distribution model. For current distributions, data 

spanning 50 years (1950 – 2000) were obtained from 

WorldClim’s data portal. Models were developed for 

future distributions from the Intergovernmental Panel 

for Climate Change’s HadCM3 climate model for 2 time 

steps (2020 and 2050). Environmental layers were also 

used to examine the effects of different relevant 

predictors. The study revealed that vegetation was the 

most important determining variable for bird 

distributions in the Upper Guinea forest. It was also 

found that precipitation-based variables played more 

significant role than temperature-based variables for 

most of the modelled species. Realized and fundamental 

niches can be identified for species relocation to 

minimise biodiversity loss. Human disturbances will 

continue to lead to the destruction of vegetation cover, 

which currently serves as the major distribution 

determinant for the majority of the bird species, future 

modelling should therefore be enhanced by including 

vegetation projection. 

Keywords: Species distribution model, Upper Guinea 

forest, biodiversity loss, species relocation, climate 

model 

Understanding the variation of tree growth in an 

African mountain forest 

Badru Mugerwa 1 *, Douglas Sheil 1, 2,3 and Julius Bunny 

Lejju 4 

1 Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation, Mbarara University 

of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 44, Kabale, Uganda 

2 School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern 

Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia. 

3 

Centre for International Forestry Research, P.O. Box 0113 

BOCBD, Bogor 16000, Indonesia 

4 Department of Biology, Mbarara University of Science and 

Technology, P.O. Box 1410 Mbarara, Uganda 

*Email for correspondence:mugerwa@itfc.org or 

b.mugerwa@gmail.com 

Abstract 

A strong negative relationship between climate change and 

tropical forest growth has been reported. However, models 

for predicting the responses of tropical forests’ growth to 

climatic changes rarely consider the relationships between 

the local site characteristics and tree growth. We examined 

the variation of tree growth rates in Bwindi Impenetrable 

National Park. We attempted to understand and explain 

the relationships between tree growth and thirteen 

site/tree characteristics. We used a three-year growth data 

set for 3067 trees and tree ferns belonging to 99 species 

from six 1-ha permanent sample plots (PSPs). All stems 

measured ≥10 cm diameter at breast height. Tree growth 

rates varied significantly among PSPs. Average tree growth 

rate was 0.29cm/yr. Single factor general linear models 

(GLM) with a Gaussian error distribution and identity link 

identified species as the best predictor of tree growth 

among the considered predictor variables. A significant 

positive variation of tree growth among species, tree size 

classes, slope position, crown form, crown position, climber 

infestation and tree diameter was observed. On the other 

hand, tree growth varied significantly negatively with forest 

undergrowth, past human disturbance, competition for 

light, competition for all growth resources and altitude. 

Surprisingly, tree growth did not show a significant 

relationship with tree basal area. GLMs further 

demonstrated that a significant negative interaction 

between species, competition for light and altitude best 

explained variation of tree growth. This means that as 

altitude increases, competition for light also increases 

leading to reduced tree growth. Tree growth rates were 

significantly associated with both tree and local site 

characteristics. Our results suggest that these should be 

considered in managing tropical rainforest’s growth to 

mitigate climate change impacts through REDD+ and other 

mechanisms. Local tree/site characteristics should also be 

incorporated in models for predicting the responses of 

tropical forests to climatic changes. 

Keywords: Bwindi, climate change, forest productivity, 

REDD+, tree growth, local forest and site characteristics. 


Determination of possible niche overlap among 

Sunbirds in Amurum Forest Reserve, Jos Plateau State 

Nigeria 

*Gbegbaje Rosemary Kerime, Adams A. Chaskda, Piet 

J.van den Hout 

A.P Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, 

Department of Zoology, University of Jos, P.O. Box 

13404, Laminga, Plateau State, Nigeria 

*E-mail for correspondence: wiray5@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

The ability of bird species to cohabit and utilize similar 

resources depends on the partition mechanisms the 

species have employed in their ecological niche. This 

study sought to find out the plant species that serve as 

source of food to sunbird species within the Amurum 

Forest Reserve in Jos, Eastern Nigeria and the extent of 

competition on the three most utilized plant species 

(Tapinanthus sessilifolius, Tapinanthus dodoneifolius 

and Lantana camara). In addition, we investigated 

whether correlations between flower tube length and 

bill length could explain the number of visits by sunbird 

species across plant species. Our results show overlap in 

visit frequency across all four sunbird species (Greenheaded 

Sunbird, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Variable 

Sunbird and Copper Sunbird) on T. dodoneifolius and T. 

sessilifolius while three sunbird species (Scarlet-chested 

Sunbirds, Variable Sunbirds and Copper Sunbirds) were 

found to overlap on L.camara. Inter-species aggression 

was not common between those bird species, apart 

from Scarlet-chested Sunbirds that appeared dominant 

over the Variable Sunbirds. Both Scarlet-chested 

Sunbirds and Green-headed Sunbirds visited plants with 

longer tube length whereas Copper Sunbirds and 

Variable Sunbirds were indifferent to flower tube length 

on individual plants. Sunbirds also showed niche 

partitioning based on preferred foraging height across 

the three plant species. 

Keywords: Niche overlap, sunbirds, tapinanthus, 

amurum, tube length. 

Habitat preferences and feeding ecology of three 

endemic Chameleon species from Mount Manengouba, 

Cameroon volcanic line 

Walter Paulin Tapondjou Nkonmeneck, Legrand 

Gonwouo Nono, and Pierre Ngassam 

University of Yaoundé I, Faculty of Science, Department 

of Physiology and Animal Biology 

Email for correspondence: tankwalter@yahoo.fr 

Abstract 

In order to improve knowledge on ecology of endemic 

chameleon collected for pet trade from Cameroon, the 

distribution and food preferences of three species of 

chameleons (Trioceros perreti, T. montiumand T. 

quadricornis quadricornis) were investigated in Mount 

Manengouba a biodiversity hotspot of chameleons in 

the Cameroon volcanic line. Randomly selected transect 

passing through various habitats including forest, 

savannah, farmland and villages were surveyed during 

50 days (day and night) to collect data on the target 

species. Encounter rate (IKA) of the chameleons was 

computed to estimate their distribution. The feeding 

ecology was assessed by identification at the ordinal 

level of the stomach flushing content. The Pianka Index 

was used to estimate the trophic niche overlapping. A 

total of 424 Individuals of Trioceros were collected 

comprising 316 (74.5 %) individuals of T. perreti, 57 

(13.4 %) of T. q. quadricornis and 51 (12.02 %) of T. 

montium. The majority of our observations were made 

in the forests (75.4 %), followed by savannah (10.04 %), 

farmland (10.43 %) and villages (4.13 %). Based on a 

point of view of habitats, T. perreti is the most generalist 

and T. q. quadricornis the less generalist. Analysis of 

food preferences revealed that the three Trioceros 

species investigated exclusively feed on Arthropods. The 

constitution of the trophic niche at the interspecific 

level shows more similarities than differences between 

the three species studied. At the ordinal level it show a 

similarity decreasing from the most generalist to the 

less generalist. The greatest chameleon threats are 

deforestation, bush fire, crops, abusive gathering, pet 

trade and beliefs inflicted on chameleon’s populations 

and habitat. 

Keywords:Mount Manengouba, endemic chameleon, 

distribution, trophic niche, conservation. 


Analysis of Road Kills in Tsavo-East National Park along 

Mombasa Nairobi Highway 

Joseph Mzozo 

Email for correspondence: josephmzozo@gmail.com 

Abstract 

Highways close to and located within protected areas 

have led to high levels of animal-vehicle collisions. Tsavo 

East National Park is located along the ever busy 

Nairobi-Mombasa highway. The highway has led to 

killing of many wild animals including carnivores, 

mammals, birds and reptiles thereby making the area 

insecure and unsafe for movement of wildlife. The aim 

of the study is therefore to assess the seasonal 

frequency and species of road kills in the different 

sections of the Nairobi-Mombasa highway. The study 

was carried out between December 2009 and March 

2010. This involved survey of carcasses, blood signs and 

broken limbs of wild animals knocked down by vehicles 

along the highway. The survey was carried out through 

patrolling with a vehicle at 15km h -1 on the entire length 

of the 61km highway. At each encounter, the necessary 

information about the animal is recorded, GPS of the 

points was taken and the carcasses were removed to 

avoid double counting. Secondary data was also 

collected from the Tsavo Research Centre Research 

Station. It was discovered that the Mombasa–Nairobi 

highway has resulted in high levels of animal vehicle 

collisions. A total of one hundred and one animals killed 

were encountered during the survey, mostly carnivores, 

herbivores, reptiles, birds and primates respectively. 

Carnivores were mostly affected in most of the 

observed cases. On the overall, dry season recorded 

high number of road kills. It was recommended that 

mitigation measures should be put in place such as sign 

posts, and both crossings on straight and curved 

sections to reduce animal vehicle mortality through 

speeding vehicles. 

Keywords: Animal, vehicle, collisions, seasonal 

frequency. 

Bird Species Diversity and Abundance on Farmlands 

Surrounding Amurum Forest Reserve, Jos, Nigeria 

1,2 *Kambai Collina, 2 Ulf Ottosson, 2,3 Dami F. Danjuma 

1 Federal College of Forestry, Jos, Nigeria 

2 A.P Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, Amurum 

Forest Reserve, Jos, Nigeria 

3 University of Jos, Nigeria 

*Email for correspondence: talk2nev@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

Increasing demand for agricultural lands to ensure food 

security due to the growing human population has 

resulted in massive degradation, fragmentation and loss 

of natural forests. This study was conducted to 

understand the farmland type that bird species are 

associated with in a bid to ensure their conservation. 

Four habitat types – farmland with trees (FWT), 

farmland without trees (FWOT), rocky outcrop (RO) and 

fallow farmlands (FF) were surveyed using line transect. 

Bird survey was carried out in 435 transect of 100 

metres each chosen using stratified random sampling. 

The rank abundance of the bird species was determined 

by the proportions of the occurrence of each bird 

species in each of the farmland type. Post-hoc test was 

used to determine if differences in bird species diversity 

and abundance between each pair of farmland types 

were significant. Shannon diversity index was used to 

calculate bird diversity. Results show that presence of 

shrub, water, hedgerow and trees were highly 

significant in predicting bird species richness. There was 

no significant difference in bird abundance, diversity 

and richness between FWT, FF and RO, but there was a 

high significant difference in FWOT. FWT had the 

highest bird abundance and diversity while FWOT had 

the least. Moreover, the presence of trees rather than 

number of trees found on farmland is an important 

predictor of bird species richness and this must be 

understood in order to incorporate it into conservation 

management plans. Birds with varying fielding guilds 

which poses less threat to crop yield was high in FWT 

while FWOT had high numbers of granivorous birds that 

are harmful to crop yield. Economic trees could be 

planted, which conserves bird species on farmland, 

performs its role in ecosystem functioning and 

generates income to the farmer. 

Keywords: Conservation, Bird species diversity, 

Abundance, Farmland, Vegetation 


The Impacts of Climate change on Protected Areas in 

the Sahel savannah ecoregion of Nigeria 

Borokini, T.I 

National Centre for Genetic Resources and 

Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Ibadan, Nigeria 

Email for correspondence: tbisrael@gmail.com 

Abstract 

Nigeria is losing over 351,000 ha of landmass annually, 

most especially farmlands and water systems, as the 

Sahara desert encroaches into the Sahel Savannah 

ecoregion of the country. Worse still, the region 

represents about 30% of the nation’s entire population 

and also the poorest people of Nigeria. This study was 

conducted to unravel the direct and indirect impacts of 

climate change on the protected areas in the Sahel 

savannah ecoregion. Information was gathered by onsite 

assessment of 8 protected areas in the Sahel 

Savannah ecoregion, while questionnaires were 

administered to some of the protected area staffs. 

Results indicate that high rates, but indirect impacts of 

climate change on the protected areas through 

deforestation, illegal felling, poaching and land use 

change in all the 8 protected areas. As climate change 

turns farmlands into sand dunes with associated poor 

crop yield, the farmers in turn, encroach into the 

protected areas, which are short-staffed for proper 

monitoring. Majority of the people are involved in illegal 

activities for survival in the wake of harsher climate in 

the region. Adaptation to climate change that allows for 

the sustainability of the protected areas must start with 

a pragmatic review of the Government Policy on 

Forestry to allow the people own and plant forests and 

encourage community based forest resources 

management. Other adaptation measures include 

provision of environment and user-friendly solar 

powered cooking stoves, sustainable farming systems 

such as crop rotation, intercropping, sustainable 

irrigation, organic farming and agroforestry, as well as 

diversification of income sources. 

Insect conservation in a changing world: the nesting 

ecology and threats to some stingless bee species in 

Ghana 

Ferdinand Tornyie 

Department of Entomology and Wildlife, School of 

Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana 

E-mail for correspondence:ferditor@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

In spite of their importance to humans, insects are often 

neglected in biodiversity conservation policies. Stingless 

bees are key insects in the tropics, both as pollinators of 

crops and as contributors to the maintenance of floral 

diversity through pollination of wild plants. This study 

investigated the nesting ecology and threats to 3 

stingless bees: Meliponula bocandei (Spinola), 

Meliponula ferruginea (Lepeletier) and Dactyluria 

staudingeri (Gribodo) in three landscapes. 

Characteristics of the landscapes are a forest with 

logging and wild honey hunting, farmlands that 

experience annual wild fire and a National Park. In all, 

93 nests were found in 48ha (density 1.9 nests/ha); 81% 

in tree cavities and 19% in deserted termite mounds/soil 

habitats. M. ferruginea was the only species using 

deserted termite mounds (17 nests) and in the ground 

(1 nest). Tree size (DBH > 15cm) and large tree density 

were important for nest site selection but there was no 

effect of tree species. M. ferruginea may be restricted in 

choice of nest site in farmland areas by absence of trees. 

Reduced availability of trees in agricultural landscape 

together with bush burning and wild honey collecting 

are the main threats to stingless bees and need to be 

addressed for their successful conservation in Ghana. 

Keywords:Stingless bees, Colony, Nest site, Tree 

density, Termite mound, Honey hunting. 

Keywords: Sahel Savannah, Climate change impacts, 

Sahara desert, Nigeria, desertification. 


Diversity, Abundance and Feeding Ecology of 

Mangrove Crabs in Cameroon 

Simon. N. Longonje 

University of Buea, Cameroon 

Email for correspondence: nlongonje@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

The diversity and abundance of crab species was studied 

in the Cameroon estuary mangrove. Five zones located 

from landward to seaward fringes were sampled twice a 

month for 6 months, using standard excavation and crab 

catching methods. In each zone 10x10m plots were 

sampled and 1m 2 quadrat excavated. In total, 1,349 

crabs in 13 species were recorded. Five species were 

Sesarmidae (38.5%), four species were Grapsidae 

(30.8%), two species were Ocypodidae (15.4%), one 

species was Portunidae (7.7 %), and one species was 

Gecarcinidae (7.7 %). Uca tangeri (Ocypodidae) and 

Goniopsis pelii (Grapsidae) were the dominant species, 

constituting 44.1% and 21.9 % respectively. The 

dominating species in mudflat, young forest and 

landward fringe were Uca tangeri, Goniopsis pelii and 

Cardisoma respectively. The feeding ecology of several 

species of mangrove crabs was studied through 

tethering experiments and gut analyses. Feeding 

preference was determined on fresh and senescent 

leaves of Laguncularia racemosa, Avicennia germinans 

and Rhizophora species while propagule predation was 

investigated on Rhizophora mangle, R. harrisonii and R. 

racemosa. Gut content analysis was done on 

Metagrapsus curvatus, Sesarma huzardi, S. elegans, S. 

alberti, G. pelii and Grapsusgrapsusto assess their 

natural diets. The field observations suggest that 65.9% 

of the propagules studied were predated and 71.3% of 

the leaves damaged. Mangrove material was the main 

component of crab’s diet: M. curvatus (45.4%) S. 

elegans (55.0%), S. Alberti (62.5%), G. pelii (65.9%) S. 

huzardi (47.8%) and G. grapsus (37.3%). Damage on 

young mangrove trees was highly correlated to the 

number of crabs on trees (r 2 = 0.75). The high damage 

rate of mangrove materials indicate that crabs play a 

significant ecological role in the functioning of the 

mangrove ecosystem, by affecting mangrove 

recruitment and biogeochemical functioning. 

Assessment of Fauna Resources of Oli River Complex at 

Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria 

Folusade Catherine Arowosafe 

Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria 

Email for correspondence:folukate@gmail.com 

Abstract 

The Oli River of the Kainji Lake National Park provides 

water for the wild animals throughout the year making 

it a hotspot for ecotourism because of its unique 

assemblages of flora and fauna more visible during the 

dry season when the animals come for water at the 

river. This research, focused on the natural resources of 

Oli River complex. The resources in and around Oli River 

were assessed. Oral interviews and Park records were 

used in the process of data collection. The animal 

diversity was assessed using direct and indirect 

methods: the direct method used involved road count 

method while indirect methods include faecal 

droppings, footprints and calls. Random collection of 

fish from different points in the river was used in 

assessing the fish diversity. A total of 22 fish species in 

11 families were identified. Animals identified around 

the river include the Hippopotamus (24.2%), Kob 

(16.7%), Roan antelope (16.7%), Duiker (10.6%), Reed 

buck (4.6%), Warthog (15%), and Bird species (12.2%). 

Findings revealed that there is concentration of effort to 

reduce human activities such as poaching that could 

affect the conservation of the animals found in the park. 

As such management policies which allows game 

viewing for tourist but do not permit sport fishing and 

game hunting has gone a long way to meet the objective 

of conserving the animals found in and around the Oli 

River. 

Keywords: Natural resources, Oli River, Ecotourism, 

Conservation, Diversity 

Keywords: Mangrove crabs, Community structure, 

Feeding Behaviour, Biodiversity conservation, Cameroon 


Potential impact of Climate Change on Highway Bridge 

Structures: A case for Uganda 

Hilary Bakamwesiga 

Makerere University, Uganda 

Email for correspondence: hbakamwesiga@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

Although crucial to economic growth, the opportunity 

cost of engineering infrastructure often involves natural 

habitat destruction and biodiversity loss. Bridge 

structures, which are mainly constructed in lower lands 

than their surroundings, become victims of disrupted 

natural functions of wetlands. This study is aimed at 

analyzing potential impacts of extreme climate events 

on 22 highway bridges and their surroundings. The 

study is based on a review of literature and field 

observations as well as 50-year rainfall data. Rainfall 

Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curves derived from 

rainfall data and the Uganda Contour Map were used to 

show the flood potential of study sites. Based on 

document review, preliminary findings reveal that 

irregular maintenance, flooding and soil erosion 

contributed to 86% of the bridge collapses between 

2009 and to 2012. The consequences included cut-off of 

rural areas from important commercial centres, 

impaired access to health and agricultural services, as 

well as environmental degradation that undermined 

efforts to biodiversity conservation. To mitigate loss of 

biodiversity as a result of poor Bridge Management 

(BM) as well as flooding and soil erosion, there is need 

for concerted effort on riverbank restoration ecology as 

well as the involvement of all stakeholders in 

management strategy. 

Keywords: Highway bridges, extreme climate events, 

flooding, biodiversity, soil erosion. 

Effects of Climate Changes on Malaria 

Epidemiology in Sudan Region 

1 *Rasha A.A and 2 Ayman A. Elshaye 

1 Department of Environmental Studies, School of Life 

Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology-Alneelain 

University-Khartoum, Sudan 

2 Karary University, College of Medical Laboratory 

Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Khartoum, Sudan 

*Email for correspondence: ayshayeb@hotmail.com 

Abstract 

Many diseases in Africa such as malaria are known to be 

sensitive to climate factors. The study was conducted to 

evaluate the direct and indirect effects of climate 

changes on malaria distribution and spread in Sudan 

region from1997 – 2007. Secondary data were collected 

on climatic factors, vector distribution and malaria 

prevalence. Climatic information on temperature, 

rainfall and precipitation was collected from the Sudan 

Meteorological Authority. The malaria records were 

obtained from Ministry Health National Centre and 

United Nations humanitarian website data for Sudan. 

Regular limits of malaria allocation indicate that malaria 

could develop for several months in most areas of 

Sudan due to climate variables. Malaria transmission 

from endemic to pan endemic areas in Sudan is 

correlated with meteorological factors in different times 

of the year. We found that the malaria cases related to 

temperature increasing was recognized in the Northern 

State with 1.59% out of the state population. The most 

endemic state was Blue Nile with 2.45% in the Rich Wet 

Savannah, and the lowest state of malaria infections 

was Western Darfur with 0.06% cases. The total of 

malaria infections in northern Sudan was 15.19% out of 

29 million population, the prevalence of malaria in 

southern Sudan was 24.5% of the 9.5 million population 

(including 2004 and 2005 returnees) of those examined 

were infected. Whilst in Khartoum State, the mean 

number of cases increased to reach 60869 in the study 

period 5.5 million of population as the largest inhibited 

state.The study concluded that the increase in malaria 

incidence and prevalence in Sudan leads to high 

economic costs of treatment and increase in population 

poverty. 

Keywords: Climate changes, Malaria, Sudan, 

Temperature, Rainfall 


Effort towards Conservation of Bird Species across 

Urban-Rural Gradients in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria 

1 Akemien Neri Nerioya, 2 Abalaka Jacinta, 3 Molokwu 

Mary, 2 Nwaogu Josiah Chima 

1 Federal college of Forestry, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria 

2 A.P. Leventis ornithological Research Institute, Jos, 

Plateau, Nigeria 

3 Fauna and Flora International, Monrovia, Liberia 

Email for Correspondence:akemiennerioya@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

Urbanization is unquestionably the most ubiquitous 

form of land transformation that severely affect 

biodiversity. In order to ascertain the avian composition 

and potentiality of biodiversity conservation across an 

urban gradient,we surveyed birds across the urban-rual 

gradient in Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria. Fourty-five 

transects (each 1,601m long) were evenly distributed 

across three predefined gradient sites from the urban 

core to the rural undeveloped area namely, Vegetation 

Exclusive Residence (VER), Vegetation Inclusive 

Residence (VIR), Undeveloped site (UND) respectively. 

Transects surveys were replicated morning and evening 

on different days. A total of 16,043 bird individuals from 

139 species were recorded. Diversity and abundance 

varied significantly across the gradient. Avian diversity 

increased across the urban-rural gradient while 

abundance decreased across thesame gradient. All the 

bird species recorded in the three sites and their 

abundance were compiled into a checklist. Residents 

were casually interviewed on their knowledge about 

birds and conservation-inclined development. Overall, 

residents’ perception seem positive towards 

conservation of birds.We recommend a follow up with 

conservation education as a good number of the 

residents do not appreciate an aspect of bird behaviour, 

such as birdcalls which they perceive as “bad sign”. In 

addition, there is need for conservation inclined 

development such as protection of the Benin moat 

which fragments the VIR and habours a lot of vegetation 

within the City. 

Keywords: Vegetation Exclusive Residence (VER), 

Vegetation Inclusive Residence (VIR), Undeveloped site 

(UND), Urbanization, urban-rural gradient 

Elephant Tolerance to Human activity in the Mara 

Ecosystem of Kenya 

Mayeli Hensley 

IAS University of Washington Environmental Science 

Program 

Email for correspondence: may4u2nvme@msn.com 

Abstract 

The decline and management of elephant populations in 

Africa is a key concern of their conservation. This study 

investigated how elephant behaviour is affected by 

exposure to human activity. I compared the distribution 

of elephants after they had been translocated from 

Narok-North to the Masai Mara National Reserve 

(MMNR) by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) with native 

Mara elephants who had not been translocated. It was 

expected that the Narok elephant sub-population, 

which had experienced high levels of negative 

interactions with humans, would express less tolerance 

to human activity than the native Mara populations, 

which experience fewer negative interactions with 

humans. I quantified the tendency for elephants to 

avoid humans by recording the distance away from 

roads and human activity along 20 road transects. A 

total of 769 elephants in 112 herds were counted. My 

results indicated that the Narok-North sub population 

had no tolerance to human activity, with no sightings of 

the translocated elephants in any of the transects. 

Furthermore, GSM/GPS readings from collars on two 

translocated matriarchs indicated that they had crossed 

to Northern Serengeti National park, which presumably 

has lower human activity than MMNR. Taken together, 

my results suggest that the trans-located elephants had 

decreased tolerance to human activity, likely due to 

negative experiences stemming from Human Elephant 

Conflict (HEC), which has plagued the Narok area as a 

result of increased human population and the 

conversion of elephant range areas into crop farms. It is 

recommended that a long-term monitoring program be 

established to better document elephant behavioral 

characteristics in regard to human activity in the Mara 

ecosystem. 

Keywords: translocation, species conservation, Masai 

Mara, Human Elephant Conflict (HEC). 


Impact of Frog Collection for Dissection in Secondary 

Schools on Wild Frog Populations in Tanzania 

*Ignas Safari and Julius Nyahongo 

Department of Conservation Biology, University of 

Dodoma, P. O. Box 338, Dodoma –Tanzania 

*Email for correspondence: safariignas@yahoo.co.uk 

Abstract 

Studies have revealed alarming amphibian decline 

throughout the world. In Tanzania, frogs are still freely 

collected from the wild for dissection training in high 

schools. The study assessed frogs collected for 

dissection purposes by six high schools from Dodoma 

and Dar es Salaam Regions in order to establish the 

impact on long term survival of frogs in Tanzania. Frog 

specimens preserved for dissection purposes in 

laboratories of six selected high schools were identified 

to species level, counted, measured and the 

conservation status of each species according to the 

IUCN Red List determined. Field surveys were also 

conducted at various wetland sites to determine and 

compare species diversity and abundance of frogs 

between wetlands with different intensities of frog 

collection with wetland sites where there was no frog 

collection. In addition, questionnaires were distributed 

to six biology teachers and 190 students to seek their 

opinions and concerns about frog dissection exercises. 

Five frog species from four different families were found 

to be most often collected for dissection in the studied 

schools. Wetlands where frogs were collected for 

dissection purposes had lower species diversity but 

higher abundance than wetlands where there was no 

frog collection; although the difference was 

insignificant. A high school biology student in Tanzania 

was found to dissect an average of 2.9 ± 2.5 frogs 

annually. The Ministry of Education and Vocational 

Training in Tanzania is advised to review the use of frog 

dissection in high schools biology curriculum in order to 

ensure that the declining amphibian populations in the 

country are not overexploited for specimens used in 

dissections. 

Environmental history of the Virunga Volcanoes of 

south-western Uganda: sediment-based evidence 

*May L. Murungi and Julius B. Lejju 

Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda 

*E-mail for correspondence: maymurung@gmail.com 

Abstract 

The Virunga volcanoes of south western Uganda located 

along the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the 

Democratic Republic of Congo within the Albertine rift – 

one of the most important conservation areas in Africa - 

are globally recognized for their rich biodiversity. How 

these highlands responded to past environmental 

perturbations remains poorly resolved due to lack of 

long term instrumental data in the area. Sediment cores 

were extracted from a crater lake on the summit of 

Mount Muhavura and analysed for plant microfossils 

(phytoliths) in order to reconstruct the vegetation 

history. Results indicate that the last ca.2200 years were 

dominated by fluctuations between grasses of subfamily 

Pooideae flourishing in cold habitat/high altitudes and 

grass subfamilies found in warm and wet habitats. 

Vegetation indices indicate alternating cold and warm 

wet conditions throughout the last 2000 years with 

Pooideae grasses dominating from ca.2000 years to 

1600 years before present. However, warm and wet 

climate grasses steadily increased from 1600 years 

peaking in the last 60 years to present times, suggesting 

a possible shift to warmer and humid environmental 

conditions. The variation in grassland on Mt. Muhavura 

appears to be natural and not a result of anthropogenic 

activity as the impact of fire remains very low 

throughout the last 2000 years affirming the fact that 

climate is driven by natural drivers even in protected 

areas. In the absence of human impact, conservationists 

need to find alternative solutions in order to mitigate 

environmental change in the face of a changing climate. 

Keywords:Crater lake, Mt. Muhavura, Phytoliths, 

Vegetation, Climate, South western Uganda 

Keywords:Amphibian decline, Amphibian conservation, 

frog dissection, IUCN Red List, Tanzania 


Altitudinal Distribution of Amphibians and Prevalence 

of Chytrid Fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda 

Sekisambu Robert S. 

Makerere University Department of Enviornmental 

Sciences, Uganda 

Email for correspondence: rsekisambu@gmail.com 

Abstract 

Amphibians are vulnerable taxa yet poorly known 

particularly in the Albertine Rift where many rare and 

endemic species occur. I report on the diversity and 

altitudinal distribution of amphibians in Bwindi 

Impenetrable National Park and the incidence of Chytrid 

fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) –the causative 

agent of Chytridiomycosis disease associated with a 

global decline in amphibian populations and rapid 

species extinctions. I adopted the time constrained 

Visual Encounter Survey (VES) to sample 45 sites in 9 

major sectors of Bwindi (1190m -2607m) for 41 field 

days (68.5 hours) between December 2010 and 

September 2011. A total of 1,309 frogs were 

encountered representing 36 amphibian species, two 

(Ptychadenaanchietae and Leptopeliscalcaratus) of 

which were new records for Uganda. Although the 

highest number of species (25) were encountered at 

mid altitude (1600m-2000m), there was a monotonic 

linear decline in the number of species encountered per 

hour with increase in altitude. The number of individuals 

of a dominant species Leptopeliskivuensis increased with 

increase in altitude. Out of the 197 frogs sampled, 37 

frogs (18.8%) tested positive for Chytrid fungus 

(Batrachochytrim dendrobatidis) and prevalence 

increased with increase in altitude (R 2 =0.243); these 

represent 10 out of the 30 species sampled. A rare 

species Leptopelischristyi had the highest prevalence 

(100%) of all sampled species. I recommend use of this 

baseline data for long term monitoring of amphibian 

diversity much needed in studying altitudinal shifts in 

species distribution and localized declines in amphibian 

encounter rates linked to global warming and 

ecosystem changes in protected areas. 

Keywords: Fungus, altitude, frogs, Albertine Rift 

Impacts of Domestic Energy Consumption on 

Biodiversity Loss: Assessment of Charcoal as 

Household Energy in Benue State, Nigeria 

1,2 *Babalola, Folaranmi D. and 3 Opii, Egbe E. 

1 Centre for Environmental Economics and Policy in 

Africa, University of Pretoria, South Africa 

2 Department of Forest Resources Management, 

University of Ilorin, Nigeria 

3 Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture, Yandev, Benue 

State, Nigeria 

*Email for correspondence: folababs2000@yahoo.com 

ABSTRACT 

Charcoal has been an important domestic cooking 

energy for many years and has wide market acceptance 

in developing countries. It has also been discovered that 

production of charcoal contributes to forest degradation 

as well as destruction of vast area of tropical forest. It is 

assumed that increase in the consumption of charcoal at 

household level will definitely lead to demand for more 

charcoal and ultimately increase in the production of 

charcoal to meet the demand; this translates loss of 

more tree diversities as a result of tree felling for 

charcoal production. This study was therefore 

conducted to assess the socio-economic factors 

influencing consumption of charcoal by household in 

Benue State, Nigeria. Benue State is located in the 

middle belt of Nigeria with high level of charcoal 

production and usage at the household level. Structured 

questionnaire was administered to selected households 

within the State. It was discovered that the use of 

charcoal is on the increase with about 76.7% of the 

sampled households use charcoal as cooking fuel almost 

every day of the week. The most competitive alternative 

cooking fuels to charcoal used by the sampled 

household were kerosene and firewood. Affordability as 

a result of cheaper cost (62.8%) and consistent 

availability constituted the main reasons for using 

charcoal when compared with other domestic energy 

sources. Total stoppage to production and usage of 

charcoal at household level in the short run is not 

feasible. Therefore, sustainable production of charcoal 

through plantation establishment to meet timber 

demand and efficient use of the charcoal at household 

through introduction of efficient cook stove are 

recommended to reduce impacts on the remaining 

natural forests in the study area. 

Keywords: Charcoal, Domestic energy, Cooking fuel, 

Preference, Socio-economic factors 


Factors Predicting Bovid Species Occurrence in Pendjari 

Biosphere Reserve (Northern Benin) during the 

resource-limited of dry season 

* 1 Chabi A. M. S. Djagoun, 1 Bruno A. Djossa, 2 Tim 

Coulson, 1 Brice Sinsin 

1 Laboratory of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Agronomic 

Sciences, University of Abomey-calavi, Benin. 

2 Division of Biology, Silkwood Park campus of Imperial 

College, UK 

*E-mail for correspondence:dchabi@gmail.com 

Abstract 

Understanding the process animals follow to select 

habitat is a central topic in ecology. This study aims to 

assess the contribution of habitat structure, human 

disturbance and topographic factors in the habitat 

selection of bovid species in the Biosphere Reserve of 

Pendjari. Data on these predictive variables and the 

tracks and dung pellet of 10 bovid species were 

recorded within 1330 quadrats of 30 m x 30 m 

established along 38 transects of 7 km long in grassland, 

gallery forest, wood savannah, woodland and outcrop 

vegetation. Habitat selection indices (Manly’s alpha) 

were calculated for each bovid species and Generalized 

Linear Mixed effect Models performed on 

presence/absence data to identify the main predictive 

factors of habitat selection. Except buffalo, all bovid 

species were found to prefer woodland in habitat use. 

Reedbuck, roan, kob, oribi, hartebeest and waterbuck 

clearly avoided opened habitats in the hunting zone 

than in the strictly protected park. Most of the studied 

species avoided the hunting zone and preferred habitat 

located near rivers with canopy and grass cover of at 

least 60 %. These results provide a preliminary 

assessment of bovid species habitat relationships. 

Further studies are needed to understand the 

mechanisms behind the observed patterns. 

Influence of plant functional types on life history 

strategies 

1 Nthambeleni Masia and 2 Sally Archibald 

1 Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, 

South Africa (CSIR) 

2 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South 

Africa (WITS) 

Email for correspondence:NMasia@csir.co.za 

Abstract 

It has been difficult to study plant functional types or to 

classify them in a worldwide model as plants from 

different regions have different environmental 

constraints. With climate change imposing changes in 

environmental conditions, most plants have to adapt to 

changing systems. The primary objective of the study is 

to improve our understanding of classifying plant 

functional types influencing the adaptive strategies of 

savannahtrees. We conducted the study at the infertile 

sandy soil of Nylsvley Nature Reserve with 28 woody 

species measuring vegetative traits: leaf phenology, fine 

root growth, leaf specific area, leaf nitrogen, stem 

anatomical structure, stomatal conductance, and water 

storage capacity. Soil water content was measured at 

different depths using capacitance probes. We 

demonstrated that there is no correction between leaf 

phenology and fine root growth. We attribute positive 

correlation on leaf specific area and leaf nitrogen 

content. Our results show that most savannah trees can 

adapt with limited precipitation, as most species flesh 

their leaf before the first rainfall. 

Keywords: Plant functional types; Semi-arid savannah; 

Vegetative traits; Life history; Seasonal climate. 

Keywords:Bovid; Benin; habitat; preference; Pendjari 


Distribution Status of Two Endemic Dwarf Chameleon 

Nadzika mbiamlanjensis and Rampholeonplatyceps on 

Mt Mulanje, Malawi 

1 *YankhoChapeta, 2 Enoch Ng’oma, 1 Tiwonge I Mzumara 

1 Museums of Malawi, Natural History Department, Top 

Mandala, P.O Box 30360, Chichiri, Blantyre 3 

2 Biology of Ageing, Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, 

Germany 

*Email for correspondence: 

yankhochapeta@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

The dwarf chameleon, Nadzikambia mlanjensis 

constitutes a small population strictly endemic to Mt. 

Mulanje. The diminishing coverage of Montane Forest, 

primarily due to logging, is suspected to impact 

negatively on the population of N. mlanjensis. We 

investigated the current population status of N. 

mlanjensis by quantifying the frequency of encounters 

during forest searches in the wet and dry seasons. We 

also carried out analysis of genetic diversity in 16S and 

Prlr genes. The significance of indigenous practices 

towards its conservation was assessed through 

structured questionnaire interviews. Out of the 57 

chameleons encountered in 92 hours of search, none 

was N. mlanjensis. Instead, all of them belonged to a 

related dwarf chameleon, Rampholeonplatyceps which 

appeared to be genetically unstructured, generally 

showed high nucleotide diversity, and did not depart 

from neutrality. The absence of N. mlanjensis in our 

sample suggests that it is becoming very rare in the 

massif likely as a result of habitat transformation. This 

finding therefore calls for a quick intervention to save 

the endemic Mulanje dwarf chameleon. On a positive 

note, a biocultural survey indicates that although people 

have a bad perception about chameleons, very few are 

willing to kill them, providing a starting point towards 

their conservation. 

Keywords:N. mlanjensis, R. platyceps, endemic, Mt. 

Mulanje, conservation status, intervention 

Floristic composition, structure and species 

associations of dry Miombo woodland in Tanzania 

* 1,2 Ezekiel Edward Mwakalukwa, 1 Henrik Meilby and 

1 Thorsten Treue 

1 Danish Centre for Forest, Landscape and Planning, Faculty of 

Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958 

Frederiksberg C, Denmark 

2 Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Nature 

Conservation, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 

3010, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania 

*Email for correspond: Email- ezedwa@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

Biodiversity information for majority of forest reserves in 

Tanzania is poorly documented. This study contributes 

baseline data on species diversity, richness and forest 

structure, and attempts to understand the relationship 

between species occurrence and topographic and edaphic 

factors in the dry miombo woodland of Iringa rural district, 

Tanzania. The study is based on 35 nested circular plots 

with radii of 5, 15 and 20 m that were distributed regularly 

along transect lines across a 6,065 ha community-managed 

forest area. Seedlings of all species with diameter < 1 cm 

and saplings with diameter < 5 cm were identified and 

counted within 5 m plots while adults with diameter ≥ 5 cm 

were identified and counted within 5 m plots. The species 

of felled trees was identified and the stumps were 

measured 20 cm above ground within 20 m plots. Soil 

samples were collected from depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30 

cm and elevation measured within each of the plots. A 

total of 88 woody species belonging to 29 families were 

identified with family Caesalpiniaceae rank on top with 11 

species; a typical characteristic of Miombo vegetation. 

Shannon-Wiener and Simpson diversity indices for adults 

were 3.44 and 0.05 respectively. Mean stem density, basal 

area and volume were 1,521 stems/ha, 14m 2 /ha and 

92m 3 /ha respectively. Elevation, soil texture, soil pH, base 

saturation percentage, and C:N ratio strongly correlated 

with the occurrence of the four plant communities namely 

Brachystegia spiciformis – Diplorynchus condylocarpon – 

Lannea schweinfurthii woodland; Dalbergia arbutifolia – 

Commiphora africana – Albizia petersiana woodland; 

Acacia sp. – Acacia abyssinica – Albizia amara woodland, 

and Bauhinia petersiana –Shrebera trichoclada woodland. 

The results indicate high level of diversity in the forest 

which requires special effort in conservation and avoiding 

further deforestation through preparation of the updated 

and proper management plans. 

Keywords: Biodiversity, deforestation, environmental 

factors, NMS ordination, plant communities. 


Ecology and Conservation Status of the three endemic 

primates (Bale monkey, Boutourlini’s blue monkey and 

Gelada baboon) of Ethiopia 

Alemneh Amare Aligaz 

Department of Natural Resource Management, Wolkite 

University, Ethiopia 

Email for correspondence: talkalemneh21@gmail.com 

Abstract 

The vulnerable Bale monkey (Chlorocebus 

djamdjamensis), Boutourlini’s blue monkey 

(Cercopithecus mitis boutourlinii) and Gelada baboon 

(Theropithecus gelada obscures) is endemic to Ethiopia. 

We conducted this study (from August 2008 to 2012) to 

identify their population ecology in different parts of 

Ethiopia. Their distributional surveys were assessed 

using ground survey and direct observation across 

different habitat types. The population was estimated 

by using line transect and total count method. Dietary 

and habitat preferences were determined by scan 

sampling. Bale monkey was found in Bale highlands, and 

recorded as bamboo specialist. Boutourlini’s blue 

monkey is found in the western Rift Valley tropical 

montane forests. A total of 37 Bale monkey groups 

containing 722 individuals were recorded at 26 new 

localities. The density of the Bale monkey was estimated 

to be 121–141 km -2 . They spent on more time for 

foraging and bamboo was accounted for 76.7% of their 

diet.About 429 individuals of Boutourlini’s blue monkeys 

were recorded from 27 localities ranging from 1039 - 

2515m asl. Ficus sur was the dominant plants consumed 

by Boutourlini’s blue monkey. A total of 529 Arsi gelada 

was counted at 12 sites with altitudinal ranges from 

1180 to 2434 m asl and mainly preferred on cliff area. 

Feeding comprises the highest activity and short grass 

blades were the preferred diet for the gelada. The main 

threats for those primates were habitat loss, 

deforestation, mechanized agriculture by investors and 

increment of population around their habitats. The 

future conservation would be based on the conservation 

of the remaining primate habitats and forests of 

Ethiopia. We, therefore, recommend for the Regional 

and Federal Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority to 

design conservation management plan for primates 

through the expansion and establishment of protected 

areas that the species inhabits. 

Carbon Stocks and Stocking Characteristics of Hanang 

Mountain Forest, Tanzania 

Godgift Swai 1 , Henry J. Ndangalas 2 , Pantaleo K.T. 

Munishi 3 , Deo D. Shirima 3 

1 Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, 

Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3035, 

Morogoro, Tanzania 2 Department of Botany, College of 

Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Dar es 

Salaam, P.O. Box 35091, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 

3 Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry and 

Nature Conservation, Sokoine University of Agriculture, 

P.O. Box 3010, Morogoro, Tanzania 

Email for correspondence: godgiftsw@gmail.com 

Abstract 

The study assessed carbon stocks and stocking 

characteristics of Hanang Mountain Forest, Tanzania. 

Thirty-four sample plots (40m x 50m) were established 

along an altitudinal gradient. All trees (DBH ≥10cm) 

were identified and measured and herb species and soil 

were sampled from four 1m x 1m quadrats within 10m x 

10m subplots. Mean carbon stock was 48.37 t C ha -1 and 

0.26 t C ha -1 for tree and herb species respectively. Tree 

density and basal area was 333 stems per hectare and 

15.26 m 2 ha -1 respectively. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was 

64.2 t C ha -1 , 41.93 t C ha - 1 and 31.0 t C ha -1 in the 

upper, mid and lower layers respectively. It was found 

that differences in tree density and basal area were not 

significant along an altitudinal gradient unlike tree 

carbon. There was no significant difference in 

herbaceous carbon and SOC in the three layers along an 

altitudinal gradient. Tree density and basal area were 

relatively low compared to similar forests in the East 

Africa and tree carbon was low compared to other 

tropical areas where allometric models were employed. 

In contrast, SOC was high compared to other similar 

forests in the tropics. Anthropogenic threats will likely 

diminish the SOC hence conservation measures are 

needed. 

Keywords: carbon, density, basal area, significant, SOC 

Keywords: Bale Monkey, Boutourlini’s Blue Monkey, 

Conservation status, Ecology, Gelada 


Conservation and Threats of the Dinder National Park, 

Sudan 

Razan Nimir 

University of Khartoum, Sudan 

Email for correspondence: razannimir@gmail.com 

Abstract 

The Dinder National Park (1024 km 2 ) in the Southeastern 

Sudan is a Ramsar Site, biosphere reserve and 

archeological sites. It is home to 27 big mammal species, 

250 bird species (it falls in the flyway migratory species), 

32 fish species and over 58 trees and shrub species, in 

addition to other less documented wildlife species. The 

IUCN has listed a number of species from the DNP in its 

red list of threatened species such as the African lion, 

Greater kudu, Tiang, Wild dog, African elephant, Redfronted 

gazelle, Greater spotted eagle, Pangolin and 

Aardvark. The park has recently experienced some 

levels of deterioration as a result of poaching, illegal 

livestock, grazing, fire, human settlement around the 

park, illegal wood collection, honey collection and 

fishing. A global environmental fund (GEF) project in 

2000-2004 developed a management plan for the DNP 

based on the concept of biosphere reserve. European 

Union (EU) fund updated the park and produced 

budgeted plan for 2011-2015. This study is ongoing and 

will discuss and targeted at efforts toward implement 

the EU plan. 

Keywords: Dinder, species, endangered, threat, 

biosphere. 

Fragmentation of the Eastern Mau Forest and its 

Effects on Avifauna’s Composition and Diversity 

1 *Faith Milkah W. Muniale, 2 Wegulo, F. and 2 Shivoga, 

W.A. 

1 ERMIS Africa P.O. Box 17347-20100 Nakuru 

2 Faculty of Environment and Development, Egerton 

University, P.O. Box 536 -20170 Njoro 

*Email for correspondence: fngugi2001@gmail.com 

Abstract 

Eastern Mau forest is under threat from increasing 

human activities that led to rapid changes in land cover 

and deterioration of environmental condition. 

Degrading activities include replacement of indigenous 

tree species with exotic ones, clearing riparian 

vegetation, deforestation and forest fragmentation. 

Eastern escarpment of Mau is extensively degraded and 

fragmented. Forest area progressively declined from 

47% in 1970 to 15% in 1998. Between 1986 and 2005, 

the forest lost 10% and 9% of indigenous and plantation 

forests, respectively. The investigation was done on the 

effects of habitat fragmentation on birds focusing on 

composition, abundance and diversity in 3 forest 

fragments in Eastern Mau. Main data collection method 

was mist netting. Length of sampling time per station 

depended on rate of capture. Statistical and descriptive 

analyses were performed using MINITAB (version 13.1). 

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for Diversity Indices of the 

different forest fragments was done at 95% significance 

level. A total of 238 individual birds from 49 different 

species, 17 Families and 4 Orders were mist netted and 

ringed. The larger forest fragments recorded highest 

number of species and highest number of birds 

compared to smaller fragments. About 39% of captured 

birds were forest bird species. Only 7% of captured birds 

were juveniles. This study concludes that forest 

fragmentation has affected the distribution, diversity 

and abundance of birds in Eastern Mau forest. The study 

recommends reforestation program to bridge gaps 

between fragments, stop opening up forest land for 

cultivation and enhance community participation in 

conservation of Eastern Mau Forest. 

Keywords: Forest fragmentation, Birds, Diversity, 

Eastern Mau Forest 


Stakeholders’ involvement in Forest Offences and 

implication on Sustainable Forest Management in 

South-West Nigeria 

Oso Abiodun O. 

Ministry of Forestry, Ogun State, Nigeria 

*Email for correspondence: ososesi@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

In recent years, a number of major timber-producing 

countries around the world are faced with extensive 

illegal activities. However, there is dearth of information 

on the magnitude of forest offences on the sustainable 

forest management (SFM) in Nigeria. The study 

therefore assesses the impact of forest offences on 

sustainable management of forest resources. Primary 

data were collected through the administration of 

structured questionnaires to forestry stakeholders in six 

States of South-West Nigeria. The results obtained show 

that more than half of the forestry officials actually aid 

or commit forest offences; more than 70 percent each 

of the timber contractors, saw-millers and rural dwellers 

around the forestry reserve had committed forest 

offences within the last five years. Some of the 

dominant forest offences among the stakeholders 

include illegal felling of trees, failure to produce log 

certificates, non-renewal of property hammer, arson, 

poaching, forest encroachment and felling of undersized 

trees. The most common reason that forest offences are 

common is weak penalties and enforcement of forest 

laws. The issue was compounded by insufficient forestry 

officials (especially the boundary guards) in the field to 

prevent the illegal activities, and lack of training and 

adequate logistics (equipment, machinery, vehicles and 

fund) to be able to fight the increasing level of forest 

offences. There is need for orientation of the negative 

impacts of forest offences on achieving SFM and 

reformation of the concerned institutions responsible 

for fighting forest offences. Review of forest policy and 

strict enforcement of same is pertinent to curbing forest 

offences. 

Keywords: Forest offences, Forest policy, forestry 

stakeholders, Sustainable Forest Management, Forestry 

officials 

The spatial and temporal variations in nematofauna of 

recovering Rhizophora mucronata mangroves at Gazi 

Bay, Kenya 

Mutua, A.K. 1 , Ntiba, M. J. 2 Muthumbi, A. 2 Vanreusel, 

A. 3 

1 School of Water Resources Science and Technology, 

Department of Applied Limnology and Marine Sciences, 

South Eastern University College, P.O Box 170 – 90200 

Kitui, Kenya. 

2 Hydrobiology Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, 

University of Nairobi, P.O Box 30197 – 00100, Nairobi, 

Kenya. 

3 Marine Biology Research Group, Biology Department, 

University of Ghent, Belgium. 

Abstract 

The spatio-temporal variations in physical sediment 

characteristics and nematode community assemblages 

were investigated and compared between a natural, a 

10 years reforested and a degraded mangrove 

ecosystem in Gazi Bay, Kenya. PCA showed a clear 

separation of the degraded site from both the natural 

and the 10 years reforested sites based TOM and 

silt/clay. The wet and the dry seasons within the natural 

and the 10 years reforested sites were also separated 

based on salinity and silt/clay. An nMDS and ANOSIM 

analysis on nematode community, gave a clear spatial 

pattern, with both the natural and the 10 years 

reforested sites separated from the degraded site. The 

genera Terschellingia and Pierickia were dominant in the 

natural and the 10 years reforested sites respectively, 

and were responsible for the differences between both 

the natural and 10 years reforested sites and the 

degraded site. The degraded site was characterised by 

high densities of the genus Metachromadora. This study 

shows that clear felling of mangroves leads to changes 

in nematode genera composition. It is also evident that 

the nematode community has fully re-established within 

10 years of reforestation. 

Keywords: Mangroves, nematodes, reforestation, 

recolonisation, spatial, temporal 


The Role of ‘Dryland Wetlands’ in Semi AridMikuyuni 

River Catchment in South Eastern Kenya as sources of 

livelihood 

Romulus Abila * 1 , Margaret Awuor Owuor 1 and Cecilia 

M. Musyoka 2 Agatha Nthenge 3 

1 School of Water Resources Science and Technology. 

South Eastern Kenya University Kenya. 

2 Department of Mathematics and Actuarial 

Science.South Eastern Kenya University, Kenya. 

3 Department of Environmental Science, Chuka 

University, Kenya 

*Email for correspondence: romulus.abila@seku.ac.ke, 

abilaowino@gmail.com, 

Abstract 

Communities in Kenya’s arid and semi arid lands (ASALs) 

experience high levels of poverty due to limited 

livelihood opportunities. ‘Dryland wetlands’ have been 

recognized as possible sources of livelihood 

opportunities yet without awareness and conservation 

measures, unsustainable exploitation of such wetlands 

could further contribute to their degradation. We 

analysed the role Mikuyuini ‘dryland wetland’ in south 

eastern Kenya as a source of livelihood by administering 

semi structured questionnaires to sixty wetland 

residents. The following 9 main direct economic gains 

from the wetland were identified: vegetable growing, 

bee keeping, fishing in the ‘dams’ during rainy season, 

sand harvesting, source of water for domestic and 

livestock, grazing land, brick making, source of building 

stone, source of trees for charcoal burning, and source 

of grass for thatching. There are different perceptions 

on who ‘owns’ the wetland. There is a high degree of 

awareness by the community on economic activities 

that are detrimental to the ecological integrity of the 

wetlands. The following 5 activities were identified as 

detrimental: grazing, sand harvesting, tree cutting for 

charcoal, stone breaking and poor farming methods 

along the rivers. Conflicts among members of the 

community and between members of the 

community and two main church based organizations 

operation within the locality as well as government law 

enforcement agencies often arise concerning access to 

and exploitation of some of the resources. The following 

alternative livelihood activities were identified as 

environmentally sustainable and should be promoted: 

Tree nursery, vegetable growing in greenhouses, bee 

keeping, fish farming, and construction of terraces. 

Awareness creation on the importance of these dryland 

wetlands, a multi stakeholder participatory process to 

form a local water resource users association (WRUA) 

and implement a ‘sub catchment’ management plan are 

necessary to safeguard the wetland and minimize future 

conflicts. 

Wildlife Conservation Challenges in Okomu National 

Park, Nigeria 

*Olaleru, F. and Egonmwan, R.I. 

Natural Resources Conservation Unit, Department of 

Zoology, University of Lagos, Nigeria 

*Email for correspondence: olalerufat@yahoo.com; 

folaleru@unilag.edu.ng 

Abstract 

Okomu National Park, Nigeria became one in 1999. It is 

a rainforest ecosystem that was gazetted from the 

former Okomu Forest Reserve. The Park is known for its 

endemic white-throated monkey (Cercopithecus 

erythrogaster) and rare red-capped mangabey 

(Cercocebus torquatus) and a host of other forest 

mammals, some of which are endangered. Since its 

inception the area has been encroached for reasons that 

need to be studied. This study looked at the challenges 

of conserving the Park’s wildlife and other resources. A 

Likert scale questionnaire was used to obtain primary 

data, while the Park’s record of arrests and prosecution 

from 1999 to 2011 was used as secondary data. 

Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the result. 

Eighty eight people responded to the questionnaire. 

84.4% agreed that wildlife are nature’s gift to man. 

62.2% and 91.1% agreed that people hunted for 

subsistence and commercial reasons respectively. Wild 

animals could only be conserved if their habitats were 

protected was the agreement of 84% respondents. 

Poor maintenance and management of protected areas 

could lead to loss of wildlife was the opinion of 91.1% of 

the respondents. There were a total of 244 arrests 

during the period. The highest encroachment (15%) was 

in the first year, with farming taking the lead (67%). 

Hunting (poaching) and farming were the most common 

offences (29% each), followed by logging (19%), entry 

(8%) and collection of non timber forest products (7%). 

The most disturbed areas were those compartments 

around the Park edges. Park staff could be more 

committed to protecting the resources when they are 

catered for appropriately. Creation of buffer zone could 

reduce Park’s encroachment rate. 

Keywords: Wildlife, Encroachment, Conservation 

Keywords: ‘Dryland wetland’, Mikuyuni, arid and semi 

arid lands (ASALs), Livelihood, participatory process. 


Capacity Building for Biodiversity Conservation in Africa

Rethinking Youth Capacity Development in Forest 

Governance: the Case of Wabane Subdivision in 

Cameroon 

* 1,2 Fomengia Dominic Nkenglefac, 3 Mbunya Francis 

Nkemnyi, and 4 Florence NgueiwohNyiawung 

1 Resource Centre for Environment and Sustainable 

Development (RCESD), Cameroon, 

2 University of Dschang, Cameroon 

3 Institute of Development Policy and Management 

(IOB), University of Antwerp, Belgium. 

4 Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium 

*E-mail for correspondence: dformengia@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

Building the capacity of and creating sustained 

partnerships with youths are crucial strategies to 

achieving sustainable forest governance (SFG). 

Unfortunately, this has not been given adequate 

attention in practice by the international and national 

development stakeholders. The Wabane Subdivision in 

the South West Region of Cameroon has an 

approximate population of 45,000 inhabitants with 

about 70% being youths. This study focused on how 

building youth capacity can contribute to SFG and on 

how different stakeholders have been involved in 

developing youth capacity that foster SFG. We also 

looked at the attitude and contributions of rural youths 

towards SFG and the challenges involved. We used mix 

survey methods including questionnaires, interviews, 

focus group discussions and field observations. The 

main findings showed that though youths are willing to 

contribute positively toward SFG, they are faced with 

many challenges including insufficient technical and 

financial capacity coupled with poor livelihood 

situations. We recorded that 57.7% of youths did not 

complete primary education due to poor financial 

situations, thus their engagements in forest-based 

activities (subsistence farming, hunting, etc) and early 

marriages. Pulling these arguments together, we 

recommend potential strategies that may improve 

youth capacity toward SFG. 

Keywords: Capacity building, sustainable forest 

governance, stakeholders and youth’s development. 

Preliminary Survey on the Distribution, Feeding Habit 

and Nesting of Yellow-Faced Parrot (Poicephalus 

flavifrons) in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia 

*Kiroswelegerima, Meheretu Yonas, Tsegazeabe 

Hadush, Solomon Kiros and Tadesse Dejenie 

Department of Biology, Mekelle University, P.O. Box 

3179, Mekelle, Ethiopia 

*Email for correspondence: lezelalem16@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

The yellow-faced parrot (Poicephalus flavifrons) is 

Ethiopian endemic species with poor recognition. In this 

study, we surveyed current distribution, ecology and 

major threats of the species in Tigray. The parrots were 

surveyed by direct observation and informal interviews 

with local residents to collect additional information in 

the surveyed area. The parrots were distributed in the 

south part of Tigray in a very fragmented area at the 

foot of Hugumburda and Grakahsu forest priority areas. 

Feeding sites were located in Waja, Arorsha, Tumuga, 

Adiborie, Alamata, Kukfto and Werabayo, mostly in 

residential backyards and agricultural fields including 

irrigated areas. The only overnight roosting site was 

located on the edge of Grakahsu forest. Daily activity of 

the Yellow-faced parrot was peaked in the morning and 

again in the afternoon. Overall, 21 plant species were 

recorded as food of the yellow-faced parrot. The largest 

feeding flock (15 individuals) was recorded feeding on a 

single plant species of Acacia negrii at Werabayo. One 

active nest with juveniles and other ten nests which 

were in nest building stage were found at Adiborie and 

Alamata. The new records of the species extend the 

known range of the Yellow-faced parrot to northern 

Ethiopia. The most common threats recorded both in 

feeding and nesting site during the survey were habitat 

fragmentation, anthropogenic disturbance and erosion. 

This study provides baseline information and 

supplements the required information necessary for 

further detailed studies and conservation actions. The 

parrot is a potential key stone species for the 

conservation of Grakahsu and Hugumburda forests and 

adjacent habitats. 

Keywords:Anthropogenic disturbance, Conservation, 

Distribution, Yellow-faced Parrot

Effects of grafting technique, shade intensity and age 

of rootstocks on vegetative propagation of Mangifera 

indica in Central Uganda 

* 1 Malinga, M., 2 Okullo, J.B.L.and 2 Tumwebaze, S.B. 

1 National Forestry Authority, Uganda 

2 College of Agricultural and Environment Sciences, 

Makerere University, Uganda 

*Email for correspondence:malingams@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

Plant propagation studies are important to plant 

conservation and have led to the invention of grafting 

and budding methods that have enabled the 

improvement of commercial Mangifera indica (mango) 

cultivars. Although grafting techniques have led to the 

production of various cultivars in tree nurseries, mango 

fruit tree production is limited by poor grafting skills, 

insufficient planting material and variation in agro – 

ecological regions. The aim of this study was to improve 

on the grafting technology of M. indica in tree nurseries 

in Central Uganda. To that effect, two experiments were 

set up to evaluate the influence of shade intensities & 

grafting techniques and the effect of two rootstock ages 

on survival rate of five mango cultivars respectively. 

These experiments were laid out in a Completely 

Randomised Block Design of 5 x 3 x 3 and 5 x 2 x 3 

factorial treatment structure respectively. The 

treatments included five mango cultivars (‘Apple’, 

‘Alphonso’, ‘Bire’, ‘Ssejjembe’ and ‘Tommy atkins’), three 

grafting techniques (Side, Top wedge and Whip & 

tongue), three shading intensities (90%, 70% & 50%) and 

similar treatments except for two and four months 

rootstock ages respectively. The results showed that 

selected mango cultivars had significant differences in 

mean survival percentage (F= 3.40; p =0.011) across 

shade intensities. Within shade intensities, mean 

survival percentage differed only under the 90% 

(F=3.83, p=0.01), but not under the 50% and 70% shade 

intensities. Grafting technique significantly (F= 3.58; p= 

0.033) affected the hardening-off time of grafts with 

Whip and tongue being the fastest at 91 days. 

Considering that Mango cultivar Bire had the highest 

survival, it should be grafted on to two months old 

rather than four month old rootstocks under 50% shade 

intensity. The findings from this study, thus strengthens 

the idea that grafting techniques and shade intensities 

can play a central role in grafting success. 

Keywords: Mango tree, cultivar, grafts, shading, 

rootstock and grafting technology. 

Estimating the survival and growth rates of 

Allanblackia stuhlmannii for domestication and 

conservation strategies 

* 1 Mpanda, M. M., 2 Munjuga, M. R., 2 Simons A. J., 

3 Sawe, C. T., 4,5 Cordeiro, N. J., 2 Coe, R., 2 Ofori, D. A., 

2 Mowo, J. and 2 Jamnadass, R. 

1 World Agroforestry Centre, P O. Box 6226, Dar es Salaam, 

Tanzania, 

2 World Agroforestry Centre, P. O. Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya 

3 Forestry and Beekeeping Division, P. O. Box 426, Dar es 

Salaam, Tanzania 

4 Department of Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, 

Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 

60605, U.S.A. 

5 Departments of Botany and Zoology, The Field Museum, 

Chicago, Illinois 60605, USA 

*Email for correspondence: m.mpanda@cgiar.org 

Abstract 

Allanblackia stuhlmannii belonging to the family Clusiaceae 

has been identified as one of the valuable non-timber 

forest tree species in Tanzania worthy of domestication 

and conservation. This is due to the commercial value and 

demand for the seed oil for industrial purposes. In an 

earlier study, elite trees of the species were selected based 

on the superior characteristics (vigour, fruit size and 

quantity of fruits produced). The elite trees were 

conserved in a live genebank for sustainable production of 

adequate quantities of good quality planting stocks in the 

near future. The genebank was established with 20 

seedlings each from 20 mother trees in single tree plots. 

Data were collected on tree height, root collar diameter, 

flowering and fruiting, pests and diseases for 59 months. 

During the period of observation, no pests and diseases 

were recorded. At the 59 th months, diameter and height 

growth were positively correlated. Narrow sense 

heritability (h 2 ) for height growth was 0.61 resulting in 

genetic gain of 8.42% above the mean height growth to as 

low as -10.7% below the population mean. It was predicted 

that 12 progenies with genetic gain in height above the 

mean performance could flower earlier than rest if growth 

rate of A. stuhlmannii is linked to reproductive maturity. 

Furthermore, it was suggested that the 12 progenies might 

also sequester carbon at higher rate than the rest if planted 

for environmental purposes. The early field performance 

indicates suitability of A. stuhlmannii to plant both as a 

plantation and scattered on-farm, hence reducing pressure 

from the surrounding forests due to wild harvesting. 

Differences exhibited by various progenies can further be 

studied to unveil good traits such as branching, flowering 

and fruiting, seed and oil quantity and quality. 

Keyword: Tree domestication, Eastern Arc Mountains, 

endemism, Tanzania 


Challenges and opportunities for effective biodiversity 

conservation research, policy and practice

Health and nutrition garden: An effort to conserve 

Kenya’s indigenous medicinal and food plants 

Nyamolo Walter 

Nairobi Botanic Gardens, National Museums of Kenya 

Email for correspondence:wuonyamolo@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

Decline in indigenous practices in the utilization of 

biodiversity in natural habitats in Kenya has resulted in 

unhealthy and poverty-stricken populations. 

Recognition of this decline has guided the management 

of National Museums of Kenya (NMK) in identifying 

practical solutions to both human and environmental 

health issues that are inadequately catered for in formal 

education delivered by public schools and colleges in 

Kenya. As part of the solution, the NMK established an 

interactive and living health and nutrition garden at the 

Nairobi Botanic Garden that is open to the public. It 

stemmed from a conservation verification survey done 

in 7 districts in Luo –suba and Kamba region of Kenya 

that assessed and captured data on the extent of use of 

the priority species, their distribution and population 

structure and made recommendations on conservation 

measures as alternative. The methodology used 

involved interviewing traditional herbal practitioners, 

researchers, conducting market survey, field transect 

surveys and collection of their representative specimen. 

The survey confirmed that the target species were used 

for medicine and were actually being traded in small 

scale despite some being very few in their habitats. This 

led to the following recommendations: promoting 

domestication and cultivation of the species to relieve 

pressure on naturally occurring stock, make a business 

case in conserving medicinal plants both in/ex situ to 

encourage land owners to conserve them. It is in the 

light of the recommendation that above garden was 

established as a conservation intervention strategy. 

Further, it serves and calls for increased public 

awareness, need for more community outreach and 

similar demonstration gardens, herbal and nutritional 

guide books, maintained representative samples of 

plants for research, increased nursery supply of priority 

species, collaborations towards implementing 

convention on biological diversity, including medicinal 

and food plants as well as enhanced capacity of garden 

staff in the same. 

Keywords: Botanic garden, environmental health, 

indigenous knowledge, public awareness, medicinal. 

Challenges of Community Conservation and 

Implications for Wildlife Conservation in Kenya 

1 Joseph Mwanyalo, 2 John Kiringe, 3 Shem Mwasi, 

and 4 Hellen Ipara 

1 University of Eldoret, School of Natural Resource 

Management, Department of Wildlife Management, 

P.O. Box 1125-30100, ELDORET, Kenya 

2 The School for Field Studies, Centre for Wildlife 

Management Studies, Nairobi, Kenya, P. O. Box 27743 – 

00506, Nairobi, Kenya. 

3 The School for Field Studies, Centre for Wildlife 

Management Studies, Nairobi, Kenya, P. O. Box 27743 – 


4 University of Eldoret, School of Natural Resource 

Management, Department of Wildlife Management, 

P.O. Box 1125-30100, ELDORET, Kenya 

Email for correspondence: mzozoj@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

Amboseli Ecosystem in South Eastern Kenya rangelands 

consisting of Amboseli National park and surrounding 

group ranches, pioneered community conservation in 

Kenya, through establishing Kimana Community Wildlife 

Sanctuary, to promote biodiversity conservation and 

poverty alleviation. Amboseli Park depends on group 

ranches for wildlife dispersal areas and migratory 

corridors. The study analyzed benefits generated as well 

as their sufficiency to enhance long term community 

conservation in the face of competing, incompatible and 

rapidly expanding agriculture. Four hundred and sixty 

five interviews were conducted to randomly selected 

households in community and private conservancies to 

examine their awareness on benefits and benefit 

sharing system. Benefits received include employment, 

income from souvenirs sale, and lease fees obtained 

from community land through tourist institutions 

agreements. There’s a grim future for communal 

conservancies because most members oppose ventures, 

preferring subdivision of conservancy land, to farm so as 

to receive direct benefits, rather than the money 

benefiting few elites. Private sanctuary owners get 

direct benefits through individual bank accounts, though 

benefits were still low. Wildlife in Amboseli Park and 

Kenyan protected areas depend on community lands as 

dispersal and migratory corridors where they spend 

most time throughout the year. To advance community 

wildlife conservation, there’s need to increase the 

amounts of benefits and ensure its’ equitable 

distribution among landowners in rangelands to avoid 

losing the rangelands to expanding agriculture. 

Keywords: community conservation, benefits, wildlife 

dispersal area.

Exploring the Potential of Enhanced Traditional 

Medicines and Municipal Botanical Gardens as 

alternative Health Care in Benin Republic 

Alfred Houngnon 

Center of Bio-Archeology and Ecology, Institute of 

Botany, Montpellier France and Laboratory of Applied 

Ecology, Benin. 

Email for correspondence:quenh77@yahoo.fr 

Abstract 

Enhanced Traditional Medicines (ETMs) has increased in 

Africa and recently in Benin. ETMs prepared to treat 

malaria have also flooded the market. However, 

treatment costs are not very accessible while 

commercial harvest of plants increased the threat of 

many species used for medicinal purposes. Knowing that 

Benin is located in the Dahomey Gap, which is a 

transition zone already weakened with scarce plants 

resources, we conducted a comparative analysis of the 

average cost of treatment in order to be able to justify 

the need to promote the Botanical Gardens (BG) at 

municipal scale as well as local knowledge in restoration 

and utilization of medicinal plants. Surveys were 

conducted in 27 Chemistries and with 84 ETMs 

Producers and patients in five towns. Answers based on 

the list of six anti-malarial ETMs recognized by the 

National Traditional Medicine office were analyzed and 

a listing of 20 medicinal anti-malarial plants has been 

done. The results show that the average costs of malaria 

treatment vary from 5.7 Euro for the Chemistries pills, 

3.7 Euro for the ETM and 1.8 Euro for the generics 

drugs. Most of the treatments prove costly to the extent 

that monetary poverty still affects 36.2% of the 

population. ETMs would therefore not be better than 

municipal BG accessible in case of need. In the 

perspective to adapt BG to each area and comply with 

biodiversity conservation requirement, networking 

among the stakeholders such as mayors, herbalists, 

scientists, religious, actors of education and tourism 

were recommended for their optimal management 

within the Municipal framework. 

Keywords: Enhanced traditional medicines, Municipal 

Botanical Gardens, Benin, Dahomey gap. 

Prospects and Challenges of Agroforestry Practices in 

Government Owned Forest Reserves, Ogun State, 

Nigeria 

1 *Otesile, A.A. and 2 Agbeja, B.O. 

1 Ministry of Forestry, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria 

2 Department of Forest Resources Management, 

University of Ibadan, Nigeria 

*E-mail for correspondence: aaotesile@yahoo.co.uk 

Abstract 

The study assessed the prospects for synergy in forestry 

development and food security in Ogun State 

government-owned forest reserves. Survey of nine 

forest reserves was conducted to identify host 

communities. Semi-structured questionnaires was 

administered to 475 randomly selected respondents, 

consisting of 402 farmers selected base on probability 

proportionate to size and 73 government officials. 

About 68.8% of the farmers identified taungya system 

and shifting cultivation as the prevalent farming systems 

practiced in the state. Eighty-five percent of the 

respondents were of the opinion that mismanagement 

of agroforestry practices was responsible for forest 

encroachment and massive destruction of the forest 

estates in the state. However, results of logistic 

regression analysis revealed that easy accessibility (odds 

ratio = 2.17), fertile soil (odds ratio = 1.50), unavailability 

of fallow land outside the forest estate (odds ratio = 

2.30) and land tenure right (odds ratio = 2.10) were 

factors that influenced encroachment. Factors indicated 

by the government officials to be militating against 

forestry development in the state include inadequate 

staff for monitoring duties (75.0%), connivance between 

corrupt government staff and illegal farmers (55.2%) 

and inadequate patrol vehicles (67.8%). Fifty-eight 

percent of the respondents were however of the 

opinion that prospects of subverting the trend exists 

provided there is synergy of purpose and actions 

amongst all stakeholders. Challenges militating against 

successful implementation of agroforestry in the state 

could therefore be tackled with enough education and 

cooperation amongst all stakeholders. 

Keywords: Agroforestry, Forest Development, Food 

Security, Challenges, Prospects. 


Safeguarding the future of the African elephant: 

Society for Conservation Biology (SCB)'s position on the 

use of ivory for religious objects 

Stephen MufutauAwoyemi 

Society for Conservation Biology 

Email for correspondence: sawoyemi@gmail.com 

Abstract 

Global attention has recently been drawn to worrisome 

levels of elephant massacre for ivory in Africa. The 2013 

UNEP Rapid Assessment Report states that at the 

Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) 

monitoring sites alone, an estimated 17,000 elephants 

were poached in 2011 – a figure likely to be 25,000 

continent wide. The report estimates the total 

continental population of elephants to be in the range 

of 420,000 to 650,000 with just three countries, 

Botswana, Tanzania and Zimbabwe accounting for well 

over half of these elephants.Trends reveal alarming 

declines in Central and West Africa as well as increasing 

risk of local extinction of some populations. It has been 

discovered that the demand for ivory in Asia for 

religious artifacts and trinkets is a substantial driver of 

elephant poaching in Africa. This catastrophe calls for 

unprecedented levels of proactive action, deep 

commitment and collaboration across national borders, 

disciplines and worldviews. The elephant crisis in Africa 

must be tackled by addressing the problem from the 

root cause. Conservation biologists should work with 

religious leaders to address this challenge by proactively 

severing the demand for religious ivory and other 

intended uses of ivory. The Society for Conservation 

Biology (SCB)’s Religion and Conservation Research 

Collaborative (RCRC) of the Religion and Conservation 

Biology Working Group (RCBWG) has crafted a policy 

position statement on the use of ivory for religious 

objects. The objective of the position statement is to 

educate, spread awareness and pave way to engaging 

religious leaders in dialogue and collaboration to 

addressing religious ivory in Asia. It is hoped that the 

statement will stimulate the needed action by 

government, civil society and the religious community in 

resolving the crisis of religious ivory and the gruesome 

impact on the elephant populations and local 

communities in Africa. 

Keywords: Ivory, Religion, ivory, elephant tusk 

Population Status and possible effects of Lantana 

camara to the native woody species in Adwa district, 

Ethiopia 

1 *Berhane G. Asmelash and 2 Mengisteab HailuUbuy 

1 

Department of Ecology and Natural Resources 

Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, 

Norway 

2 

Department of Land Resource Management and 

Environmental Protection, Mekelle University, Ethiopia, 

Email for correspondence: mmailu@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

Invasion of new species to an ecosystem affected the 

native species diversity. The main objective was to 

assess the distribution of Lantana camara invasive 

species and effect on native species abundance in the 

study area. Randomly selected sampling quadrants (25, 

100 and 400m 2 ) were used to test the hypothesis that 

the L. camara invasive species have significant effect on 

native species abundance. The study was carried out in 

48 plots and various land uses such as exclosures, open 

area, cultivated lands and home garden. The mean 

numbers of species (mean ± SE) recorded in the seedling 

(height < 0.5m and DBH 0.5m 

and DBH 0.5m and DBH 

>5cm) were 3.33 ± 0.27, 6.50 ± 0.66 and 2.58 ± 0.31, 

respectively. The result confirmed that L. camara was 

the dominant species with highest proportion in the 

seedling (92%) and sapling (98%) compared to other 30 

woody species in the study area. L. camara invasive 

species in the seedling and sapling stages were 

significant negatively correlated with altitude, age of the 

exclosures, Shannon, evenness and equitability (all 

p0.183). The density of 

matured L. camarawas significant but negatively 

correlated (r =-0.487, p = 0.000). Highest abundances of 

L. camara invasive species per hectare were dominantly 

recorded and identified in the backyards (8588 ± 3705), 

followed by open land (7 615 ± 1 045). The cultivated 

land and exclosures had relatively lower number of 

invasive species per hectare. 

Keywords: Invasive species, native species; species 

richness; relative abundances 


Managing biological resources: Anthropogenic 

pressure on plant community structure in Mt. Marsabit 

forest, Kenya 

* 1 Eunice W. Githae and 2 David W. Odee 

1 School of Natural Resource Management, Narok 

University College, P. O. Box 861-20500, Narok, Kenya 

2 Drylands Research Programme, Kenya Forestry 

Research Institute (KEFRI), P. O. Box 20412-00200, 

Nairobi, Kenya 

*E-mail for correspondence: egithaeh@gmail.com 

Abstract 

Mt. Marsabit forest is the main water catchment in 

Marsabit district and the main source of foliage for 

livestock to the surrounding communities. Currently, the 

forest is under anthropogenic pressure leading to 

continued habitat degradation and loss of biomass and 

diversity on the mountain. This study was therefore 

conducted to identify the impacts of human activities on 

vegetation structure and composition in order to 

develop strategies for its conservation and proper 

management. Fifty two species of trees and shrubs, 

twelve species of herbs and six species of climbers and 

lianas were recorded belonging to 35 families and 64 

genera. Rubiaceae was the richest family observed with 

nine species. Rinorea convallaroides (Bak.f.)Eyles ssp. 

Marsabitensis, Grey-Wilson (Violaceae), an endemic 

species, and Drypetesgerrardii Hutch. (Euphorbiaceae) 

had more than a third of the total importance value. 

Eight vegetation associations were identified based on 

the dominant species, namely; Croton dichogamous, 

Strychnos henningsii, Rinorea convallaroides, 

Erythroxylum emerginatum, Cassipourea malosana, 

Teclea simplisifolia, Olea europaea and D. gerrardii. 

Most of the vegetation types were highly disturbed by 

grazing, honey harvesting and firewood collection. 

There was a high proportion of open canopies 

predominated by light-dependent species e.g. Ocimum, 

Bauhinia and Asparagus species, indicating severity of 

the disturbance. The density of tree communities with 

30 cm diameter at breast height was very low, an 

indication of climax vegetation elimination. Women and 

children played a major role in vegetation changes 

through collection of wood and non-wood forest 

products as a source of income. The success and future 

management and conservation strategy of the forest 

will largely depend on how to reduce the human 

pressure. This can be done by development of 

community agroforestry projects in order to provide 

both wood and non-wood forest products to the 

communities as well as silvo-pastoralism for high quality 

fodder for their livestock. 

Diversity and pathogenicity of ophiostomatoid fungi 

found on native trees in the Cape Floristic Region 

Tendai Musvuugwa 

Stellenbosch University, South Africa 

Email for correspondence:tmusvuugwa@gmail.com 

Abstract 

Almost nothing is known about fungi associated with 

native trees in South Africa, yet many plant species are 

evidently threatened by native and exotic fungal 

species. Ophiostomatoid group of fungi comprise 

serious plant and human pathogens. It is therefore 

important to investigate the ecology and diversity of 

ophiostomatoid fungi associated with native trees in the 

Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of South Africa. Bark and 

wood samples were collected from diseased native 

trees of the CFR. Ophiostomatoid fungi were isolated 

from collected samples and sequenced for 

identification. Some of the fungi were tested for their 

pathogenicity on native trees. Potential vectors 

(ambrosia and bark beetles and mites) of these fungi 

were collected and identified. Feeding studies were 

conducted for some of these mites on the fungi they 

vector and fungi that they do not normally vector to 

give an indication of the ease of host jumping. Eighteen 

ophiostomatoid fungal species have been collected and 

ten are new species. Some of them were pathogenic on 

various native tree species such as 

Rapaneamelanophloeos, Oleacapensis and 

Curtisiadentata. Numerous beetles and mites were 

identified as vectors of ophiostomatoid fungi. Some of 

these mite species feed on ophiostomatoid fungi and 

showed a high level of specificity towards the fungi they 

normally vector. 

Keywords: Ophiostomatoid, pathogenic, vectors 

Keywords: Biodiversity, Conservation, Community 

structure, Disturbance, Mt. Marsabit forest, 


Maesopsis eminii mortality in relation to stand density 

and age: A study at Amani Nature Reserve in Tanzania 

Kilawe, C.J. and Mtwaenzi, I. 

Department of Forest Biology, Sokoine University of 

Agriculture, P.O. Box 3010, Morogoro, Tanzania 

Email for correspondence:ckilawe@gmail.com 

Abstract 

Maesopsis eminii was introduced in Amani Nature 

Reserve in 1913 as a nurse tree to hasten the processes 

of regeneration of native tree species such as 

Cephalosphaerausambarensis, 

Newtoniabuchananii,Ocoteausambarensisand 

Berchemedia kweo. It was assumed that M. eminii 

would die (within 35-40 years) of age and competition 

from other tree species and that, the climax native tree 

species would take over. The empirical evidence of this 

assumption is scarce, however, and a better 

understanding of the dynamics of M. eminii is important 

for the management decisions, especially now when M. 

eminii is seen as a threat to the regeneration of native 

tree species. The study was conducted in two 

compartments: a pure stand of M. eminii and the other 

a mixed stand of M. eminii with other tree species. Forty 

plots (10 x 10 m) were laid systematically along 4km 

transects in each compartment. In each plot, the density 

of all higher plants, size (dbh) and number of all dead M. 

eminii were recorded. Multiple linear regressions on the 

influence of age of M. eminii and density of all trees 

were performed. We found that both age and stand 

density have significant effect on mortality of M. eminii 

(p

Human Health and Conservation of Biodiversity: 

Impacts of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) in 

the Fontem Focus, South West Region of Cameroon 

Awungia Tegomo Alain 

University of Dschang, Cameroon 

Email for correspondence:mcleot87@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a vector borne 

disease transmitted to humans and animals by tsetse 

flies. HAT is a disease essentially linked to man and to 

his behaviour, particularly to cultural activities, mode of 

habitation, means of getting food, water and mobility. In 

Cameroon, domestic and wild fauna have been looked 

upon as a probable animal reservoir for Trypanosoma 

bruceigambiense –the causative agent of HAT; and pigs 

have been identified as one of the domestic animals 

serving as reservoir. The “Fontem sleeping sickness 

focus” in the South West region of Cameroon has been 

identified as a main transmission zone of HAT. This 

study therefore aims at examining the interrelation 

between human health and well-being, and biodiversity 

conservation in the Fontem focus. Questionnaire was 

used to collect information from 1000 respondents 

living in the Fontem focus. Parasitological diagnosis of 

subject’s blood was done to know their trypanosomiasis 

statutes. The prevalence of HAT ranged between 0% 

and 2% among the respondents involved in 

development projects. About 90% of the respondents 

had knowledge of sleeping sickness and had been bitten 

by the tsetse fly, and 80% were farmers and keep either 

pigs, sheep or goats. Emerging human and domestic 

livestock pathogen might constitute a risk to community 

development projects, human health and well-being; 

these might have direct impacts to biodiversity 

conservation in Africa especially in local communities. 

The synergy in disciplines in today’s fight for 

conservation is primordial for the success of biodiversity 

conservation in Africa and the world at large. 

Keywords: Health, Zoonosis, Vector, Focus, Prevalence 

Prediction of Environmental Behaviour in Kilombero 

Valley Wetlands Tanzania 

1 *Felister Mombo, 2 Zuzanna Pieniak , 2 Valerie 

Vandermeulen, 2 Wim Verbeke and Guido van 

2 Huylenbroeck 

1 Department of Forest Economics, Faculty of Forestry 

and Nature conservation, Sokoine University of 

Agriculture, 3011 Morogoro, Tanzania 

2 Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of 

Bioscience Engineering, Gent University, Coupure Links 

653, Gent, Belgium 

*Email for correspondence: fmombo@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

Although many studies assess environmental attitudes, 

those focusing on African regions or countries using the 

New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) scale are very 

limited. This study used the NEP as a scale to assess the 

attitudes of the Kilombero Valley Wetlands stakeholders 

towards the principles of sustainable management. In 

addition the study simultaneously (using structural 

equation model) analysed the influence of stakeholders’ 

knowledge of the rules concerned with sustainable 

wetlands management, and their level of awareness and 

attitudes, on their conservation behaviour. The overall 

attitude score was calculated by taking the average of 

all the responses. This resulted into a mean of 3.19 and 

a standard deviation of 1.25. This can be regarded as a 

moderately positive attitude towards environmental 

issues (3.19 out of a possible 5), while the relatively 

large standard deviation indicates much variability 

among the participants. The hypothesised model, which 

relates attitudes with awareness and knowledge, 

performed well. The χ² for the model was 199.21 with 

113 degrees of freedom (p

Distribution and abundance of Invasive Nonindigenous 

Plant, Mauritius thorns (Caesalpinia 

decapetala) in Arusha National Park Tanzania 

Gladys Zacharia Ng’umbi 

Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) 

Email for correspondence: gnngumbi@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

Invasion by non-indigenous plants is widely considered 

to be a primary threat to species diversity and 

ecosystem functions. Ecosystem changes resulting from 

these invasions may negatively impact native plant 

communities as a whole, as well as rare and endangered 

species. The study explored the distribution and 

abundance of Caesalpinia decapetala in selected 

sections of Arusha National Park (ANAPA). The sites 

selected for the study include Old Ngongongare, Park 

Rest House, Ngurdoto, Rydon, Maliasili, 

Mweka,Kinandia and Seneto. Roaming surveys for 

exotic plant mapping were used with the aid of Garmin 

76s GPS unit. Results revealed that 143.5 ha out of 222 

ha of surveyed areas were heavily infested with C. 

decapetala across the park. The percentage of land 

cover that was invested by the species ranged 

from44.89% to 0.71%. Furthermore, the top three most 

infested sites are Old Ngongongare (35.515), Kinandia 

(18.82%) and Seneto (16.94%). The impacts of this 

species in the park are alarming such as invading the 

park the Montane forest habitats, and natural glades 

due to its prolific all-year flowering that allows rapid 

dispersal of seeds. Another impact was obstruction of 

patrolling activities in the park due to its possession of 

thicket thorns. Plan should therefore be put in place to 

control further the spread of this invasive plant in the 

park. 

Keywords:Arusha National Park, geographic information 

systems, global positioning system, handheld mapping, 

invasive species. 

Prevalence of Bovine Tuberculosis in slaughter cattle 

along the Lyantonde-Mbarara Highway, Uganda 

1 Nasaka, J., 2 Masembe, C. and 3 Rwego, B.I. 

1 Department of Wildlife and Aquatic Resources Management 

College of Veterinary medicine, Animal Resources and 

Biosecurity 

2 Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences, 

Makerere University, Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda 

E-mail for correspondence: njoelia@vetmed.mak.ac.ug 

Abstract 

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is an infectious disease caused 

by Mycobacterium bovis, a member of the 

Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC), which also 

comprises the closely related M. tuberculosis, the major 

causative agent of human tuberculosis (TB). Bovine 

tuberculosis is a zoonotic problem in pastoral 

communities in Uganda. . The main objective of the 

study was to determine the prevalence of bovine 

tuberculosis in slaughter cattle along this highway and 

to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of 

the various meat handlers involved in the meat business 

along this Lyantonde-Mbarara Highway. The study was 

carried out between January and December of 2012. 

Primary data collection on cross sectional surveys was 

carried out using "closed-ended", pre-tested structured 

questionnaires in the study area (Runyakitara and 

Luganda) were used. Ninety four suspicious tuberculosis 

samples were collected from slaughtered animals and 

cultured according to Mycobacteria Growth Indicator 

Tube (MGIT) for 8 weeks and later differentiated from 

the MTC using PCR genomic deletion (Regions of 

difference) analysis and the HAINLife science Genotype 

Mycobacterium kit. In the survey, 120 respondents 

answered questionnaires and majority were men 

(87.5%). Most of the respondents (60.8%) were aware 

of tuberculosis in cattle but couldn’t associate the cause 

to be bacteria. Eating of roasted meat was the highest 

risk factor to acquiring BTB. Of the 96 samples cultured 

for bovine TB, seven were positive and belonged to the 

Mycobacteria Tuberculosis Complex (MTC) whereas six 

samples were positive for Non tuberculous 

Mycobacteria (NTM). The prevalence of M. bovis was 

approximately 4.12% and M. tuberculosis (2.1%). There 

is a high potential for spread of zoonotic diseases like 

bovine TB from meat sold on highways especially that 

which is barbecued or roasted on sticks and fresh meat 

from the roadside meat sellers. There is need for vigilant 

meat inspection supported by an improved disease 

surveillance system to safe guard the health of travellers 

and the general public. 

Keywords:Mycobacterium bovis, slaughter houses, 

Bovine tuberculosis, zoonotic and prevalence. 


Influence of rooting media and indole-3-butyric acid 

(IBA) concentration on rooting and shoot formation of 

Warburgia ugandensis stem cuttings 

Florence Akwatulira 1 , Samson Gwali 2 *, John Bosco 

Lamoris Okullo 1 , Paul Ssegawa 3 , Susan Balaba 

Tumwebaze 4 , John Richard Mbwambo 5 and Alice 

Muchugi 6 

1 Department of Forest Biology and Ecosystems 

Management, Faculty of Forestry and Nature 

Conservation, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, 

Kampala, Uganda. 

2 National Forestry Resources Research Institute, P. O. 

Box 1752, Kampala, Uganda. 

3 Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Makerere 

University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. 

4 Department of Forest Management, Faculty of Forestry 

and Nature Conservation, Makerere University, P. O. 

Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. 

5 Lushoto Forestry Research Station, Tanzania Forestry 

Research Institute, P. O. Box 95, Lushoto, Tanzania. 

6 Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 

Faculty of Science, Kenyatta University, P. O. Box 43844- 


(ANOVA) and Chi square test. Callusing, root and shoot 

development were significantly (p

Ecosystem functioning and services

Landscape Connectivity as a Strategy to solving Habitat 

Fragmentationacross Borders: A case study of Nigeria 

Fasona Michelle Iyabo 

Department of Zoology, University of Lagos, Akoka, 

Lagos, Nigeria 

Email for correspondence: babsmichelle@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

The fragmentation of natural habitats for animal wildlife 

population is a growing concern in nature conservation. 

The concept of landscape connectivity is considered to 

be useful in combating the challenge wildlife 

populations’ face in isolated fragmented habitats. 

Landscape connectivity has two main aspects; structural 

and functional connectivity. The main aim of landscape 

connectivity is to make connecting areas functional for 

wildlife dispersing to other habitats. In Africa landscape 

connectivity efforts have predominantly been directed 

towards trans-boundary conservation practices which 

focus on conservation of worthy lands across 

international borders. The use of remote sensing, 

Geographic Information System and spatial analysis 

models in selected transboundary conservation studies 

carried out in Africa are reviewed. Findings from the 

studies revealed habitat suitable areas that can serve as 

functional conduits for terrestrial mammals in 

fragmented landscape. The paper made a case for 

studies on landscape connectivity in Nigeria as a way of 

conserving wildlife across borders. 

Keywords: Fragmentation, wildlife, Landscape 

connectivity and Transboundary conservation 

Understanding Relationship between Stand Structure 

and Carbon Stock in Nilo Nature Reserve, Tanzania 

1 *Mwainunu, E.J., 2 Munishi, P.K.T. and 3 Nzunda, E.F. 

1 Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, P. o. Box 30021, 

Kibaha, Costal Region. 

2 Department of Forest Biology, Sokoine University of 

Agriculture, P. o. Box 3010, Morogoro. 

3 Department of Forest Mensuration and Management, 

Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3013, 

Morogoro 

Email for correspondence: emajaphet@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

Natural forests are characterized by high heterogeneity 

in their stand structure. Understanding the relationship 

between tree parameters and carbon stock is necessary 

for predicting carbon storage in forests. Few studies 

have estimated carbon storage in natural forests of the 

Eastern Arc Mountains in Tanzania. The study therefore 

assessed stand structure parameters and its relationship 

with carbon storage. Additionally, the study assessed 

the usefulness of the stand structure parameters for 

estimating carbon stock in the Nature Reserve. The 

forest was stratified into four elevation bands. Four 

marked permanent sample plots of size 0.4 ha with 80 

subplots of size 2010 m one in each elevation band 

was established. In each plot, the following information 

on diameter at breast height of trees with dbh ≥ 5 and 

wood cores at dbh were collected. The data was used to 

determine stand structure parameters (species richness, 

diversity, stem density, average diameter, basal area 

and volume) and biomass carbon stock. The coefficient 

of correlation R 2 was employed to depict the 

relationship of the stand parameters and carbon stock. 

A total of 77 species of trees and shrubs belonging to 29 

families were identified. Shannon index was 3.60 

indicating high plant species diversity. The stand 

density, average diameter, basal area and volume were 

299 ± 26 stems ha -1 , 26.07 ± 2.88 cm, 38.08 ± 3.61 m 2 ha - 

1 and 488.35 ± 56.32 m 3 ha -1, respectively. Above ground 

carbon stocks was 291 ± 32.81t ha -1 . Volume, base area 

and mean diameter were strongly positively related to 

carbon storage (p = 0.001). Relationship between 

volume and carbon stock has the highest R 2 (R 2 = 99%), 

hence can be used adequately for estimation of carbon 

stock in forests of the same type. 

Keywords:Natural forest, parameters, Biomass, carbon, 

Eastern Arc Mountains

Influence of Land Use History and Edaphic Factors on 

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal (AMF) Abundance in 

Tropical Savanna Soils of Tanzania 

Geofrey E. Soka 1* , Mark Ritchie 2 and Emilian 

Mayemba 3 

1 Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine 

University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3073, Morogoro, 

Tanzania 

2 Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 107 

College Place, NY 13244 USA 

3 Serengeti Wildlife Research Center, P.O. Box 661, 

Arusha, Tanzania 

*Email for correspondence: gesoka@syr.edu 

Abstract 

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal (AMF) are important 

microbial symbioses for plants especially when soil 

Phosphorus (P) and Nitrogen (N) are limiting. Little is 

known about the distribution of the fungal hyphae in 

natural systems of tropical soils and their response to 

land use. We studied hyphal abundance in wildlife 

grazed; livestock grazed and cultivated soils in and 

around Serengeti Ecosystem. Samples of the upper 15 

cm of soil beneath clones of locally dominant plant 

species were collected. Hyphae were preserved on 

permanent slides, examined for morphology and length 

per gram of soil was calculated. Significant differences 

(p

Periphyton as Inorganic Pollution Indicators in 

Themara River, Kenya 

*Mbao O. Evance, NzulaKitaka, Steve O. Oduor and 

Julius Kipkemboi 

Department of Biological Sciences, Egerton University, 

P.O Box 536-20115, Egerton, Kenya. 

*E-mail for correspondence:emmbaombao@gmail.com 

Abstract 

Mara River is located in the Mara River Basin, with 

approximately 60% located in Kenya and 40% in 

Tanzania, and drains into Lake Victoria. The River is a 

tourist attraction site because of its diverse wildlife; 

however, it suffers impacts of agricultural pollutants in 

its upper course due to anthropogenic activities. The 

potential use of attached algae (periphyton), as 

indicators of organic pollution, was investigated in one 

of its tributaries, namely the Nyangores tributary. 

Periphyton were sampled by scrapping 12×75cm 2 

wooden substrates after two weeks colonization. This 

was done twice a month, for four months, between 

February and May 2012. Sampling was carried out at 

eight specific stations, according to the levels the 

pollutants’ influence. Major concern were nutrient 

inputs from agricultural activities upstream, due to their 

potential influence on the growth of the periphyton 

biomass and effect on community composition. 

Identification of periphyton genera and assemblage 

descriptors were carried out. Physical and chemical 

variables of the water were also measured. Results 

showed that nutrient levels in the water had a strong 

correlation with periphyton biomass. Periphyton 

community composed of mainly diatoms (67%). 

Periphyton species diversity was lower upstream 

(H=1.773) compared to downstream (H=2.141). 

Temporal nutrients concentrations varied significantly 

along Nyangores tributary with increased discharge 

downstream that was influenced greatly by land use. 

This was easily noted during the months of April and 

May when discharge was at peak. It is recommended 

that the catchment and riparian areas of this river be 

well managed through re-forestation programmes to 

stabilize the catchment areas and lower excess nutrient 

influx into the river caused by increased surface runoffs. 

Keywords: Periphyton, inorganic pollution, tributary, 

anthropogenic activities, catchment 

Biometric parameters and growth of Cyperus papyrus 

in seasonally and permanently flooded zones of the 

Mara Wetland, Tanzania 

Sadiki Lotha Laisser 

National Sustainable Wetlands Management- CEPA 

Officer, Wetland Unit, Wildlife Division, Ministry of 

Natural Resources and Tourism P.O.BOX 9372, Dar es 

Salaam, Tanzania 

Email for correspondence: laissersadiki@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

Cyperus papyrus is an emergent and nutrient off take 

plant. It is one of the macrophytes in the wetland and 

sensitive to ecological zonation. This study is aimed at 

determining the capacity of using C. papyrus as buffer to 

Mara wetland, Lake Victoria. Data was collected on the 

growth patterns, biomass, and nitrogen retention of C. 

papyrus. Bi-weekly monitoring was undertaken along 

transects in both seasonally and permanently flooded 

habitats of the wetland. Linear regression was used to 

determine relationships between weight, length and 

diameter of individual plants. The seasonally flooded 

zone revealed lower average live shoot counts per plant. 

Culm density showed slight differences between 

habitats and mature stands dominated the wetland 

zones. Above and below ground biomass and nitrogen 

were greater in permanently flooded zones whilst 

similar low levels of aging plants and detritus were 

recorded in both habitats. Below ground biomass and 

nitrogen recorded high in permanently flooded wetland 

zones with nitrogen leisure uptake. Inflow to the 

wetland recorded high nitrogen than outflow to the lake 

depicting buffering of the Lake from eutrophication. The 

study could not establish significant difference in soils 

nitrogen retention in different zones. Established was a 

strong relationship between ranges of biometric 

parameters with nitrogen concentration. A strong 

relationship between total dry weight and diameter at 

sheathing scale and with nitrogen was established which 

could be used to estimate biomass and nitrogen 

retention in both habitats in a non destructive method. 

The study reveals a need for conservation of the Mara 

wetland's at the catchment level and replica studies 

before generalization of these findings. 

Keywords: Biometric, parameters, flooded, wetland and 

Cyperus papyrus 


Impact of Land Use Practices on Traits and Production 

of Shea Butter Tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.) 

in Pendjari Biosphere Reserve, Benin 

1 *Akpona, T.J.D., 2 Ayihouenou, B.E., 1,2 Akpona, H.A. 

and 3 Doucet, J.L. 

Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, Laboratory of Applied 

Ecology, University of Abomey-calavi 

Email for correspondence:ajeandidier@gmail.com 

Abstract 

The Shea tree plays an important role in the livelihoods 

of local populations living around the Pendjari Biosphere 

Reserve and populations exist in the different land use 

systems: protected area, hunting zone and agriculture 

land. The aim of the study is to assess impacts of 

different land use systems on the production and 

morphological traits of shea trees. A total of 89 circular 

plots of 60m in diameter were established within the 

three selected areas using a stratified random sampling 

method. In each circular plot, all trees with a diameter 

at breast height (dbh) ≥10 cm were inventoried and 

measured for circumference, crown diameters, and total 

height. Additionally, shea butter production was 

estimated from 90 trees (30 trees in each of the site) 

selected randomly using Jessen Method. Our results 

revealed a significant difference in tree densities in 

increasing order of 5.9±0.3; 6.3±0.9 and 16.9±1.1 

respectively in the protected area, hunting zone and 

agriculture land. Highest value (3.71±1.1) for crow 

diameter was recorded in the agriculture land, while the 

dbh and total height parameters showed no significant 

difference in the different land systems. Production of 

the sampled shea trees was highest in the agricultural 

land. The findings of this study show that morphological 

traits and production of shea butter trees could be 

affected by land use systems. Agroforestry could be the 

solution for conservation of shea trees in Benin. 

Keywords:V. paradoxa, Conservation, Agroforestry, 

Pendjari Park, Benin. 

Effects of Salt Making Activities on Mangrove 

Ecosystem at Machole, Lindi Urban District in Tanzania 

Abdala Salum Liingilie 

Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry and 

Nature Conservation, Sokoine University of Agriculture, 

P.O Box 3010, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania 

Email for correspondence:evanssalum@gmail.com 

Abstract 

The effects of salt making activities on mangrove 

ecosystem were studied at Machole, Lindi Urban District 

in Tanzania, to determine its effect on the mangrove 

ecosystem. Interviews with farm owners and salt 

workers were conducted to identify the main activities 

involved in salt making in the coastal areas and 

sustainability of the mangrove. The decreasing order of 

identified main destructive activities involved in salt 

production include salt pans construction (35.8%), 

construction of ocean water reservoirs (21.14%), salt 

pans pathways construction (15.45%), construction of 

salt storage area (14.63%) and hurt construction 

(13.1%). The results of assessment of mangrove stocking 

and productivity in areas with and without salt making 

activities was conducted revealed that there was 

significant change (p

Coping Strategies by Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes 

schweinfurthii) during Fruit Scarcity in Gishwati 

Montane Forest Fragment, Rwanda 

Rebecca L. Chancellor, Aaron S. Rundus, and Sylvain 

Nyandwi 

Forest of Hope Association, Gishwati Forest Reserve, PO 

Box 538 Rubavu, Rwanda 

Email for correspondence: sylnyapi@gmail.com 

Abstract 

The increased number of primates living in fragmented 

habitats necessitates greater knowledge of how they 

cope with large-scale changes to their environment. 

Chimpanzees are exceptionally vulnerable to forest 

fragmentation; however, little is known about 

chimpanzee feeding ecology in fragments. Although 

chimpanzees have been shown to prefer fruit when it is 

available and fall back foods during periods of fruit 

scarcity, the information is still needed for appropriate 

conservation strategy. We examined how chimpanzees 

cope with fruit scarcity in Gishwati, a disturbed montane 

forest fragment. We assessed seasonal changes in 

chimpanzee diet and the use of preferred and fallback 

foods through faecal and food site analysis. We also 

examined seasonal variation in nest group size and 

habitat use through marked nest censuses. We realized 

that chimpanzees experienced a seasonal reduction in 

preferred fruit availability, which led to a seasonal diet 

change. Our results suggest that during periods of fruit 

scarcity the chimpanzees reduced nest group size. 

However, we found that the chimpanzees did not alter 

their habitat use between high- and low-fruit seasons, 

which suggests that the forest smallness limits their 

ability to change their seasonal habitat use. 

Consequently, fallback foods appear to be particularly 

important in small food-impoverished habitats with 

limited ranging options. 

Keywords:Fallback foods, Forest fragments, Gishwati, 

Pan troglodytes, Rwanda 

Study on Density and Diversity of Leaf Litter Insects at 

Amani Nature Reserve, Tanzania 

EsraElfaki 

University of Khartoum faculty of Science department of 

Zoology 

Email for correspondence: remma94@gmail.com 

Abstract 

Leaf litter provides food and shelter for earthworms, 

millipedes, spiders and other forest insects. Insects are 

essential components of the food web and ecosystem; 

and most importantly, leaf litter insects are one of the 

most important components of a forest ecosystem due 

to the role they play in processes such as 

decomposition, nutrient cycling and maintenance of soil 

fertility within a forest. The spatial variation in leaf litter 

composition is expected to affect both the density and 

diversity of leaf litter insects which is good indicator for 

environmental health and forest biotic integrity. This 

study therefore focused on the comparative analysis of 

leaf-litter insects in three different habits which include 

Bamboo shrubs, Japanese camphor and Eucalyptus 

species located in Amani Nature Reserve, Tanzania. A 

total of 1919 insects from 8 different orders Blattodea, 

Coleoptera, Collembola, Diptera, Hemiptera, 

Hymenoptera, Orthoptera and Thysanura were 

collected from pitfall traps, and 658 species from 

quadrat plots. Diptera had higher numbers compared to 

other orders with 13 families. Results revealed no 

difference in diversity of leaf litter insects between 

habitats. Furthermore, the depth of litter had no 

influence on insects’ abundance between habitats. Most 

of the insects are also discovered to be active at night. 

The quadrat method gave better results in studies of 

leaf litter insects. Amani Forest is rich in leaf litter insect 

diversity; this indicates forest stability and good for 

conservation of forest insects. 

Keywords: Insect diversity, Leaf litter, Amani Nature 

Reserve, insect abundance 


Butterfly Species Richness in Selected West Albertine 

Rift Forests in Uganda 

1 *Patrice Kasangaki, 2 Anne M. Akol, and 2 Gilbert 

IsabiryeBasuta 

1 National Livestock Resources Research Institute, P.O. 

Box 96, Tororo, Uganda 

2 Department of Biological Sciences, Makerere 

University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda 

*Email for 

correspondence:pkasangaki2005@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

The butterfly species richness of 17 forests located in 

the western arm of the Albertine Rift in Uganda was 

compared using cluster analysis and principal 

components analysis (PCA) to assess similarities among 

the forests. The butterfly samples were collected by the 

former Forest Department using sweep nets and baited 

cylindrical butterfly traps. A total of 630 butterfly 

species were obtained in 5 main families. The butterflies 

fell into 7 ecological groupings with the ‘closed 

forest’community having the most species, and the 

‘swamp/wetland’ group the lowest species richness. 

Three clusters were obtained. The first cluster had 

forests characterized by relatively high altitude and low 

species richness, despite large area and proximity to the 

Pleistocene refugium (i.e. forests of the Rwenzoris). The 

second cluster had moderate species richness in small 

forests far away from the putative refugium (except 

Kisangi); whereas the third cluster had more disturbed 

large forests at lower altitudes that exhibited high 

species richness.The similarity in species richness for 

most forests suggests that the forests have not changed 

very much from earlier times except for Era and Mt. Kei 

forest reserves which are very far from the supposed 

refugium and Echuya and Mafuga which are small, 

young artificial forests 

Keywords: Lepidoptera, refugium, ecology, clusters, 

conservation 

Study of Blood Parasites 

inMabuya sp LizardsandBuforegularisToadsin Jebel 

Awlia and Tuti Island of Khartoum, Sudan 

Mukhtar M. M. Hassan 

Department of Natural Resource Management, Wolkite 

University, Ethiopia 

Email for correspondence:mok87bigman@gmail.com 

Abstract 

Toads and lizards have been a part of our ecosystems 

for millions of years and they are good indicators of 

environmental health. Toads and lizards can be infected 

by different types of parasites; blood parasites are one 

of important parasites. The present study was 

conducted to survey and identify different blood 

parasites in Mabuyasp lizard and Buforegularis toad in 

two locations in Khartoum state; Tuti Island which lies in 

conjugation of the Blue and the White Nile and Jebel 

Awlia area near the White Nile. Fifteen samples of 

Mabuyasp were collected from TutiIsland, and fifteen 

Buforegularis were collected from Jebel Awlia area. 

Samples were randomly selected and captured by hand. 

All Toads and lizards were dissected and tissue from 

spleen and liver were examined. The microscopic 

diagnosis 

detected Sauroleishmania 

and Haemogregarina spp parasites in both Mabuya and 

B. regularis while Microfilariae spp was detected 

in Mabuya sp. Trypanosoma spp was detected in only 

one specimen of B. regularis. The results also indicated 

Sauroleishmania parasites and Haemogregarina spp 

parasites in the sampled toads and lizards in the two 

locations. The study of blood parasites and their effects 

in diversity and health of toads and lizards is necessary 

to determine the impacts of infections in these animals 

and the use of the results as indicator of hemoparasites 

in the environmental as well as the food chain. 

Keywords: Blood Parasites, Toads, Lizards. 


Breeding Habits and Nesting Success of Village 

Weavers (Spotted–Backed) Ploceus cucullatus at Soba 

Region, Khartoum State Sudan 

*Noon Bushra Eltahir and Dawi Musa Hamed 

University of Khartoum, Faculty of Science, Department 

of Zoology 

*E-mail for correspondence: nanobush@hotmail.com 

Abstract 

Field observations were made of the breeding habits of 

the Village Weaver (Spotted–Backed) Ploceus cucullatus 

at Soba Region, Khartoum State, Sudan, from March to 

September 2011. This species is widespread in most of 

sub-Saharan Africa. The maximum total numbers of 

investigated nests were 130, which were built on a 

Balanites Egyptica (Hajlij) tree. Descriptions are given of 

the nest, nest building, nest sites, the roles played by 

the male and female members of the pairs during the 

nesting period, eggs laying, incubation and hatching. 

This species builds a large coarsely woven nest made of 

grass and leaf strips with a downward facing entrance 

which is suspended from a branch in a tree. They bred 

socially and males build several nests ranging from 2 to 

5 nests. Average number of eggs per nests are 2 (N=13). 

Breeding success was high with nine out of 13 nests 

producing fledglings. Breeding success was calculated 

from nests that were followed from egg laying to 

fledgling. The daily survival probability would be 0.9316 

using a nesting period of 25 days and the total survival 

probability would be 0.17. So there is a 17% chance that 

a nest will fledge at least one young. 

Keywords: Village weaver, breeding, egg laying, 

incubation and hatching. 


Social cultural aspect of biodiversity

Community Participation in Biodiversity Conservation 

and Management: Case Study of Osse River Park, Ondo 

State, Nigeria 

*Oladeji, S.O and Fatukasi D.T 

Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, 

Federal University of Technology, Akure 

*E-mail for correspondence: oladejisunny@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

Local community involvement and participation are 

considered essential in achieving sustainable 

management, protection and conservation of 

biodiversity. The level of participation of host 

communities of Osse River Park was assessed through 

administration of four hundred structured 

questionnaires to four out of the eight adjoining 

communities to the park. Staffs of the two relevant 

government agencies in Ondo State and Nigeria 

Conservation Foundation (NCF) employees working 

within the Park were also interviewed. The research 

findings revealed that though the communities were 

involved at the inception of the Park, however their 

level of engagement is low (25%) in spite of the 

government and NCF’s investing in environmental 

education, community sensitization, park protection and 

surveillance. According to 50-70% of the respondent, 

government and NCF’s invested more in park protection 

and surveillance. Only 30% and 10% of the respondents 

identified provision of inputs and intensification of 

conservation education as needing attention, 

respectively. The research identified the need for 

increased financing from the present 5-25% of the 

government’s commitment in finance (and research) 

and NCF’s input in fund raising. Such investment could 

be reduced if the identified need for improved 

stakeholders’ relations, engagement, intensive 

conservation education and integration was met. The 

research output will greatly help in the proper 

integration of all the stakeholders in an effort to achieve 

sustainable biodiversity conservation of Osse River Park. 

It is recommended that NCF’s increased focus on 

research in biodiversity and development of ecotourism 

in the integration process. 

Keywords: Stakeholders, biodiversity conservation, host 

communities, Non-Governmental Organisation 

Impacts of Pastoral Communities on Forest Diversities 

in Mathews Range Forest Reserve, Kenya 

Peter Fundi Njagi 

Department of Ecology and Conservation, Institute of 

Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya 

Emails for correspondence: fundi@primateresearch.org; 

fundinjagi2000@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

The pastoral community’s livelihood has over the years 

depended on livestock keeping with major concerns 

about the long term sustainability of communally grazed 

rangelands. Prolonged droughts are forcing Samburu 

pastoralists to search for pasture and water within their 

only water catchment forests. To understand the impact 

this response has on forest structure, we characterized 

the habitat and determined the threats facing high 

altitude forests of Mathews Range Forest Reserve. 

Quantitative approach of vegetation sampling using 

20m by 20m quadrats was used to characterize the 

habitat in assessing the status and extent of 

anthropogenic threats. The habitat was found to 

comprise of 67 different tree species, 16 shrub species 

and 28 species of herbs and grasses. High canopy trees 

had the highest Shannon Weiner diversity index 

(H=3.31) compared to shrub or middle storey layer 

(H=1.70) and the herbaceous layer (H=2.82). Felling 

trees for livestock forage accounted for 50.5% of the 

observed habitat destruction with elephant destruction 

contributing to 25.8%. Threats attributed to human use 

of plant resources, honey harvesting and fire in the 

habitat were minimal. In total, 32 tree species were 

found to be affected by either anthropogenic or other 

related causes. The study revealed that pastoralists’ 

traditional cultural practices which promoted 

conservation are being overshadowed by the need to 

cater for community’s livelihood at the face of changing 

climate. Conservation policies geared towards 

conservation and management of pastoral landscapes 

should therefore be developed and enforced. 

Keywords: Livelihood, climate change, habitat, Threats, 

Mathews Rage Forest Reserve

Community Perception of Climate Change and Altered 

Usage Patterns of Non-Timber Forest Products by 

Forest-Dependent Communities around New-Dabaga 

Ulonghambi, Tanzania 

Upendo Msalilwa 1 , Suzana Augustino 2 and Peter 

Reuben Gillah 2 

1 Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, P.O. Box 1854, 

Morogoro, Tanzania 

2 Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3014, 

Morogoro, Tanzania 

Email for correspondence: upemsa@gmail.com 

Abstract 

Climate change is currently one of the greatest 

environmental challenges facing humankind. We 

investigated the local peoples’ perceptions of climate 

change and the use of NTFPs as a response to perceived 

change around the New Dabaga-Ulongambi Forest 

Reserve (NDUFR). Primary data were obtained using 

Participatory Research Approaches including focus 

group discussions and household questionnaires. 

Climate data from 1980 to 2011 show that temperature 

has increased, while rainfall is characterized by large 

inter-annual variability, with peak rains in 1997 and 

2010. The local peoples’ perceptions of climate change 

were in line with the available climatic data records. In 

response to climatic changes, communities living around 

the NDUFR use more than one strategy to cope with 

change; 43% of respondents admitted to use NTFPs at 

households for food as well as selling to generate 

income. Mixed cropping and on-farm tree planting were 

other adaptations strategies helping people to improve 

their livelihoods. Awareness creation on short-term 

crops with short rotation, establishment of beekeeping 

enterprises and formulation of tree planting groups are 

needed to sustain peoples’ livelihoods. Sustainable 

harvesting of NTFPs is crucial so as to reduce 

overexploitation of forest resources. 

Keywords: Perceptions, climate change, adaptation and 

Non-timber Forest Products. 

Environmental and Socio-cultural impacts of Tourism 

on Livelihood of Indigenous Communities living along 

the Tourist Road from Makuyuni to Ngorongoro gate in 

Arusha, Tanzania 

Masinda, Maswet Crescent 

University of Dodoma, P. O Box 295, Dodoma-Tanzania 

E-mail: sweatmn@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

The study assessed social-cultural and environmental 

impacts of tourism on livelihood of indigenous societies 

along 130 km tourist road from Makuyuni to 

Ngorongoro gate in Arusha, Tanzania. Questionnaires 

structured around the Likert scale, focused group 

discussion, interviews and documentation review 

methods were used to investigate community 

perceptions towards tourism impacts. Qualitative and 

quantitative information from 135 respondents were 

gathered, measured, and interpreted. All the 

respondents agreed that tourism activities were the 

main cause of socio-cultural and environmental changes 

in the area. About 70% were more concerned that 

tourism activities were causing cultural distortion, 

commoditization of culture, shortage of land, health 

problems, increase cost of living, and overutilization of 

natural resources. However, 62% of the respondent 

perceived tourism as a tool that brings people of 

different cultures together provides direct contact 

between the two parties, understanding between 

nations, and leads to employment, financial gain for 

individuals and environmental conservation. The study 

concludes that despite all the negative and positive 

impacts of tourism on the area, it is not yet clear 

whether the benefits outweigh the costs in perspectives 

of the local people. A reason for this vagueness is that 

52% of respondents favoured tourism while 48% 

condemned it as a dirty industry. 

Keywords: Tourism, Environment, Livelihood, Social 

Cultural heritage, Ngorongoro 


Beehive and honey losses caused by bush burning to 

beekeepers in Adjumani District, Uganda 

Moses Chemurot 1 , Patrice Kasangaki 2 , Ojja Francis 3 , 

Eric Sande 1 and Gilbert Isabirye-Basuta 1 

1 Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. 

2 National Livestock Resources Research Institute, P.O. 

Box, 96 Tororo. 

3 Adjumani District Local Government, P.O. Box, 2 

Adjumani. 

Corresponding author email: 

moseschemurot@gmail.com 

Abstract 

This paper examines annual beehive and honey losses 

due to bush burning among beekeepers in Adjumani 

District, northern Uganda. It seeks to quantify numbers 

of beehives and quantify honey losses together with 

economic losses accruing annually to beekeepers from 

the rampant bush burning so that government agencies 

can counter any breakdown in livelihood strategies and 

improve the quality of life of the beekeepers. We 

interviewed beekeepers on the number of hives lost to 

bushfires and estimates of honey lost to bush burning. 

The capacities of honey measuring containers used by 

beekeepers were estimated and always referred to for 

conversion. This information was later compared with 

field observations to get a better assessment of the 

losses. The results indicate that 29.6% of the 

beekeepers reported loss of beehives and honey to bush 

burning. On average a beekeeper lost 3 beehives. A 

total of 387 beehives were lost by 152 farmers sampled. 

The total projection of the number of beehives and 

honey lost in the district in the dry season of 2010/2011 

were 1067 and 10,456.6kg respectively. This quantity of 

honey could have fetched approximately 41,826,400 

Uganda Shillings ($16,730.6) when sold locally in 

Adjumani. Therefore bush burning is a big threat to 

livelihood strategies in Adjumani and if controlled, there 

is great potential for increased honey production, 

household incomes and increased local revenue. 

Environmental degradation caused by vegetation 

burning and free range of livestock in search for pasture 

was clearly evident. We recommend quick interventions 

such as implementation of the district environment 

ordinance and other environmental laws. 

Increasing Nutritional value of the Oyster mushroom 

by incorporating Gliricidia sepium in the growing 

substrate 

John Richard 

Tanzania Forestry Research Institute P.O. Box 

1854Morogoro, Tanzania 

Email for correspondence: jorijomb@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

Mushroom cultivation has recently gained attention of 

both small and large investors as it requires little space, 

less water utilization and is one of the important foods 

to people living with HIV AIDS. For communities living 

adjacent to forest reserves, mushroom cultivation has 

successfully been used as an alternative source of 

income thus reduces pressure to the forest. However, 

there is an increasing concern on the nutritional value as 

contents in the mushroom primarily depend on the 

substrate on which they grow. The study was therefore 

carried out to determine the amount of protein, and 

minerals in mushrooms following amendment of rice 

straw with Gliricidia sepium foliage. Mushrooms were 

cultivated in polythene bugs, whereby six treatments 

i.e. different ratios of Gliricidia foliage to rice straw (0%, 

5%. 10%, 15% 20% and 25%) were applied in the 

growing substrate. Protein and minerals from the 

harvested mushrooms were analyzed in the laboratory 

to determine the content of crude protein and minerals 

(i.e. Manganese, Copper, Potassium, Calcium, 

Magnesium and Zinc). There was an increase of 40% 

protein in the substrate (rice straw) amended with 10% 

Gliricidia foliage. Further increase of Gliricidia foliage in 

the growing substrate not only reduced the amount of 

protein but also inhibited the uptake of minerals such as 

Potassium, Magnesium, Zinc and Manganese. The 

increase in protein is significant and it shows that 

Gliricidia highly improves nutritional value of the 

mushroom. 

Keywords: Oyster mushroom, Gliricidia, nutritional, 

protein, substrate 

Keywords: Beekeeping, apiary, fire, economics, loss 


Making the Environment-Development Link: 

Community Forestry, Biodiversity and Indigenous 

People Livelihood in Cameroon 

* 1,2 Mbunya Francis Nkemnyi; 1 Tom De Herdt; 2 George 

B. Chuyong 

1 Institute of Development Policy and Management, 

University of Antwerp, Belgium; 

2 University of Buea, Cameroon 

*E-mail for correspondence: nmbunyaf@gmail.com 

Abstract 

Natural resource management requires concerted effort 

at multiple levels for both short and long-term 

sustainability. In this study, we examined how 

community forestry in the Tinto and Bamoko forest 

area, South West Cameroon has enabled both access to 

livelihood opportunities and biodiversity conservation. 

This study is based on literature review, semi-structured 

interviews, and focus group discussions with community 

members and local government officials. The results 

show that implementation of community forest concept 

has not been able to meet the intended expectations of 

local communities’ livelihood opportunities and at the 

same time has not encouraged biodiversity 

conservation. These drawbacks are linked to insufficient 

capacity of existing institutions managing forest 

resources and unsecured rights allocated to the local 

communities through community forestry. Community 

forestry has failed to consider the full dimensions of 

how resource use can lead to local people development, 

which is the principal incentive for local participation in 

resource sustainability. This study argues that, there is 

an urgent need to explore the full dimensions of how 

local institutions can enhance livelihood, biodiversity 

conservation and management sustainability. Ensuring 

this will require further research on how local 

institutions governing natural resources can meet 

legitimacy and sustainability. There is also a need to 

consider the aspects of critical institutionalism in 

management and how governance arrangements can 

work to make better choices for sustainable forest 

management. 

Keywords:Community Forest, Biodiversity, Livelihood, 

Cameroon 

Knowledge and Perception about Bats by Local People 

of Mijikenda Community in Kenya 

*Simon Musila and Judith Mbau 

Mammalogy Section, National Museums of Kenya, 

Kenya 

*Email for Correspondence: surnbirds@gmail.com 

Abstract 

Bats are the second largest group of mammals but are 

rarely understood and are viewed negatively by many 

people. The study therefore investigated the knowledge 

and perceptions about bats and the threats they faced 

among different sub-tribes of Mijikenda tribe, along the 

Kenya coast. With assistance of local people, semistructured 

questionnaires were administered to 142 

respondents randomly selected in households, small 

village towns and along the paths both in the north and 

south of Mombasa City. About 96.4% of the 

respondents called bat “Nundu” in their local language, 

while the remaining 2.8% from Giriama sub-tribe called 

it “Ndema”. The people generally used size in classifying 

bats into “big” and ‘small”. There were a total of 23 bat 

roosts reported by locals, which included seven caves, 

three roost trees and 13 houses. However, 64.08% of 

the people indicated that caves were the most known 

preferred habitats for bats. Cutting down of trees was 

ranked on top of the threats to bats survival; trees with 

roosts are cut down to drive bats away. Another threat 

to bats was the disturbances caused by constant 

visitations to caves by witchdoctors (patronized by lots 

of people in the study area) as consultation sites. The 

people reacted differently to bats encounter; 69.7% 

indicated that they would react positively on seeing a 

bat by doing nothing (61.26%) and admiring it (8.45), 

while 26.63% would react negatively by killing (13.38%) 

and chasing bats away from their hideouts (7.75%). 

Majority of respondents indicated that bats had no 

direct benefits to humans and were destructive to fruit 

trees in the farms. The negative perceptions which 

persist among the Mijikenda about bats need to be 

addressed by increasing bat conservation awareness 

among the local people living along the Kenyan coast. 

Keywords: Knowledge, perceptions, bats, roost, coast, 

Kenya 


Status of Soil Properties and Wheat Production under 

Parkland Agroforestry at Beressa Watershed in Gurage 

Zone, Central Ethiopia 

Gosaye Degu Belay 

Hawassa University, WondoGenet Collage of Forestry 

and Natural Resources, Ethiopia 

Email for correspondence:gosayede@yahoo.com 

Abstract 

This study was conducted in Gurage administrative Zone 

of Central Ethiopia and was intended to assess and 

document the dimensional effect of trees (Faidherbia 

albida, Cordia africana, Croton macrostachyus, Persea 

americana) on soil fertility and wheat crop. In the 

selection of appropriate trees, uniformity in topography 

and history of cropping practice was considered. The 

sampling procedure for agronomy and soil properties 

under the parkland tree species at different radii (0.5m, 

1m, 2m and 10m) from tree trunk and soil layer (0-20cm 

& 20-40cm) was followed accordingly. Different soil 

physical properties (texture, moisture, and soil bulk 

density) and chemical properties (total nitrogen, 

available phosphorus, cation exchange capacity (CEC), 

pH, organic carbon, electrical conductivity (EC), 

potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and 

Sodium (Na)) were analyzed. Based on the laboratory 

result large amount of soil nutrient is found on top soil 

layer than bottom and near to the tree trunk than away. 

Specifically significant differences were observed 

between 0-20cm and 20-40cm depths for bulk density 

under C. mycrostachus compared to the control. Little 

variation was observed for texture among the different 

tree species and distances. Soil pH and electrical 

conductivity were significantly different at 0-20cm and 

20-40cm depths for soil sample taken from P. 

americana. Exchangeable potassium shows significant 

difference between the two depths at one and two 

meter from all parkland tree species. Based on the 

agronomic result of the research, F. albida has increased 

the yield more than 50% as compared with the control. 

However for the rest tree species (C. africana, C. 

macrostachyus, and P. americana) the highest yield is at 

the control. As a general recommendation awareness of 

the local people about the economic importance of 

F.albida tree should be created through extension 

services. 

The Vulnerability of the Coast of Liberia to Marine Oil 

Spills: Implications for Biodiversity and Renewable 

Natural Resource Utilization 

Darlington Saykay Tuagben 

USAID, Liberia 

Email for correspondence:d.tuagben@gmail.com 

Abstract 

The West African coastline has become a “hotspot” for 

oil production and 17 oil exploration blocks have been 

designated off Liberia’s 579 km coastline which supports 

about 60% of the human population. There is a potential 

for conflict between oil production, existing human 

activities and biodiversity. This study aims to establish 

the level of dependency of rural coastal households on 

natural resources and assess this potential conflict with 

a goal to contribute to biodiversity conservation efforts 

in Liberia. Published literatures were reviewed to assess 

the vulnerability of coastal and marine resources and 

inhabitants to oil spills events followed by household 

surveys in seven coastal counties adjacent to ten of the 

17 offshore oil exploration blocks. Average household 

size (N=10) was similar in all sites. The coastal zone of 

Liberia comprises sensitive environments all of which 

are vulnerable to oil pollution to varying degrees. 

Mangroves, estuaries and coastal lagoons are important 

spawning, roosting and breeding sites for fish and other 

wildlife, whereas sandy beaches are used for recreation 

and breeding grounds for five species of marine turtles. 

Coastal inhabitants rely heavily on the utilization of 

coastal and marine resources for their livelihoods and 

income. Fishing and several other income sources might 

be lost in the event of a large oil spill, increasing poverty 

and food insecurity. There is an urgent need to develop 

an oil spill contingency plan and a waste management 

plan that will consider both biodiversity conservation 

and human safety and wellbeing. 

Keywords: Oil spills, Coastal vulnerability, Community 

livelihoods, Biodiversity conservation, Human safety, 

Contingency plan 

Keywords: agronomy, soil physical properties, 

agroforestry, Faidherbia albida 


Tropical Biology Association African Alumni Group 

C/o The Tropical Biology Association 

P.O. Box 44486, 00100- Nairobi, Kenya 

Email: TAAG-LOC@tropical-biology.org 

Web page: http://www.tropical-biology.org/information/TAAG.htm

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