Download Presentation

Education program on climate change and biodiversity
conservation in the Albertine Rift
Climate change risks to ecosystems and
biodiversity in Ruvubu National park, Burundi
Dr Tatien MASHARABU,
University of Burundi
UDSM / IRA, Dar es Salaam, November 15-16, 2011

Study area (1/2)
Temperature (°C)
- Ruvubu National Park (RNP)
- Covers an area of 50800 ha
- Altitudes: 1350-1836 m
- Tropical climate classified as (AW3)s
- RNP established since 1980
- Category II according to UICN (1994)
- Main ecosystems types: savannahs
(~85%), forest galeries and swamps
- Little study and data on climate change
100
80
60
40
20
0
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Month
200
160
120
80
40
0
Rainfall (mm)
Rainfall
Temperature
2

Study area (2/2)
(c) Bucorvus leadbeateri
(Bucerotidae)
(a) Syncerus caffer
(Bovidae)
(b) Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa
(Bovidae)
(d) Cercopithecus aethiops
(Cercopithecidae)
Last refugia of large mammals in Burundi; Important Bird
Area, Ten bird species on IUCN redlist, Potential Ramsar
Site.
Victim of poaching
3

Objectives
General aim:
To assess impacts of climate change and climate variability on the flora
and vegetation of the RNP.
Specific aims:
To assess trends in rainfall and temperature variations recorded for a 10
years period (1997-2006)
To check out the RNP plant diversity with emphasis on invasive and
ruderal species, as invasive and ruderal species (nitrophilic and
heliophilic) don’t likely occur in naturally disturbed or climax communities
To assess trends of non-climatic stressors as they may be influenced by
climate change
4

Methodology
Data collection
- Meteorological data (rainfall, temperature): 1997-2006 , from IGEBU
- Vegetation and flora survey using Braun-Blanquet method
- Interview park managers for monitoring trends of non climatic stressors
Data analysis
Quantitative analysis
Occurrence of exotic, invasive (Global Invasive Species Database, 2005)
and ruderal species was checked out.
Cluster analysis
SciViews - R and MVSP: to examine trends and seasonal shifts of rainfall
and temperature based on monthly and yearly mean.
5

RESULTS
Yearly mean rainfall and temperature
trends in the RNP (1997-2006)
Sum Sq Df F value Pr(>F)
Province 47911 2 3.2194 0.04124 *
Year 103748 9 1.5492 0.12961
Province: Year 48765 18 0.3641 0.99279
Minimum variance
7200 6000 4800 3600 2400 1200 0
Squared Euclidean
Karuzi
Cankuzo
Muyinga
The park recorded much variability in terms of rainfall. Droughts and floodings
have been coupled during that period and there’s evidence that biodiversity should
have been affected by the changing climate.
There’s a significant difference in terms of rainfall distribution per province (Karuzi,
Muyinga and Cankuzo) but the annual rainfalls fluctuation is a reality even if there’s
no significant difference between provinces, an evidence that all provinces have
been affected by climate variability and indirectly the RNP has been affected.
Temperatures (°C)
750,0
700,0
650,0
600,0
550,0
500,0
450,0
400,0
350,0
300,0
250,0
200,0
150,0
100,0
50,0
0,0
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
Years
2003
2004
2005
2006
1500,0
1400,0
1300,0
1200,0
1100,0
1000,0
900,0
800,0
700,0
600,0
500,0
400,0
300,0
200,0
100,0
0,0
Rainfall (mm/year)
Rainfall
Temperatures
6

Vulnerabilities and non-climatic stressors
The main issues that the park is facing are: Poaching, Fire & Livestock
grazing ;
… Mining activities (NICKEL) in upcoming years with impacts on
biodiversity, water quality and availability,…
Some fire tolerant and propagated species found in the RNP are:
Combretum collinum (Combretaceae), Combretum molle (Combretaceae),
Protea madiensis (Proteaceae), Cussonia arborea (Araliaceae), Entada
abyssinica (Mimosaceae), Hymenocardia acida (Euphorbiaceae), Parinari
curatellifolia (Chrysobalanaceae)
Along animals corridors and in their resting space, appearance of
nitrophilic species indicating disturbance : Bidens steppia , Guizotia
scabra, Leonotis nepetifolia, Emilia caespitosa, Ageratum conyzoides,
Achyranthes aspera, Conyza floribunda, Gutenbergia cordifolia, Bidens
7
pilosa

Exotic & Invasive species
The major exotic plant found in the RNP is Eucalyptus sp (Myrtaceae):
Eucalyptus plantations are found to be located in the park where people
have been moved out in the 80s.
Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) and Mimosa pigra (Mimosaceae) are the
most potential harmful as they are established not far to the Ruvubu River
and roadsides. Rivers and roads are best corridors for migratory
movements and colonisation.
Other invasive species recorded are Asystasia gangetica (Acanthaceae),
Pennisetum polystachion (Poaceae), Commelina benghalensis
(Commelinaceae), Dioscorea bulbifera (Dioscoreaceae), Imperata
cylindrica (Poaceae) and Melinis minutiflora (Poaceae). They should have
potential invasive effects in the RNP, but for the moment, they are found
as individuals without substantial effects on native species.
8

Conservation implications
• Safeguard of biodiversity, mitigation of climatic and non
climatic stressors on RNP biodiviversity should include
(1) implication of local communities in the park
management; (2) promotion of poverty alleviation
through development initiatives in the RNP
surroundings; and (3) transboundary conservation
initiatives including climatic and non-climatic threats.
• Role of Government (s) and partners, scientific
community, local communities, individuals, NGOs
9

THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION
10