Walia Special Edition on the Bale Mountains (2011) - Zoologische ...

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A Summary of the Conservation Status of the Mountain Nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) in Bale Mountains National Park Yosef Mamo 1 and Michelle Pinard 2 * 1 Institute of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Aberdeen, UK 2 Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Cruickshank Building, 23 St Machar Drive, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, UK *Email: m.a.pinard@abdn.ac.uk Abstract This note presents an executive summary of the doctoral thesis conducted by Yosef Mamo that examined conservation issues for the mountain nyala in Bale Mountains National Park. The objectives of the thesis were as follows: to examine the population size and dynamics of the mountain nyala; to evaluate the relationships between the mountain nyala and its habitats in terms of use and preference; to study the effects of encroachment by local people and livestock on mountain nyala habitat availability and use; and, to determine the perceptions of the local people in the vicinity of the park headquarters towards the conservation values of the park and the mountain nyala. Introduction The mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni), is a spiral-horned bovid, endemic to the Ethiopian highlands and endangered due to habitat loss and land degradation. The responses of a species to anthropogenic pressures can be complex, dependent upon life history characteristics, local environmental conditions, and the specific attributes and impacts of the disturbance (Mace et al. 2001). To help inform conservation decisions related to the mountain nyala, this study examined four questions: what is the current population size and how is it changing; how do mountain nyala relate to their habitat in terms of use and preference; how does encroachment of habitat by people and livestock affect habitat availability and use; and, what are the perceptions of the local people living in and near mountain nyala habitat towards the conservation values of the park and how do these vary among the settlements in the area. Population Size and Dynamics Distance sampling techniques and total count methods were employed to gather data on demographic parameters, movement and habitat. The study was undertaken between 2003-2005; previously collected data on demography of the species from the same area, mainly from1983-85 period, were <strong>Walia</strong>-<strong>Special</strong> <strong>Edition</strong> on the Bale Mountains 94
used for comparison. The study revealed that the total population size of T. buxtoni in the study area varied between 887 and 965 (95% CI) antelope, representing a reduction by about 48% from what was reported in 1980’s. However, due to contraction of its habitat, the average densities of mountain nyala have shown an increase from what was reported in 1980s. The population structure consisted of 58% adults, 25% sub-adults, 9% juveniles and 5% calves, with a sex ratio of 2:1 (♀:♂). Significance differences in most parameters such as density, age-group composition, recruitment and sex ratios were observed between the population in the Dinsho sanctuary and that found in the Gaysay/Adelay area. No conclusive evidence was found to suggest that demographic characteristics of the species have made a significant contribution on observed decline in population size since the 1980s, because many life history traits (e.g., age structure, and group size) were similar between 1983-85 and 2003-05 periods. Habitat Components The general aim this research was to describe the basic components of the mountain nyala habitat and assess how mountain nyala relates to them. The study area was divided into three parts, based on the dominant vegetation and relative location. Random sampling in plots (100 m2 ) placed along transects was used, with 69 plots were Gaysay grassland, 71 in Adelay woodland and 31 in Dinsho woodland areas. The major parameters measured were: ground cover; incidence of browsing; vegetation height; slope; altitude; canopy openness; visibility; and, tree density. Indices of habitat suitability and use were based on mountain nyala abundance and incidences of browsing. Gaysay grassland was found to be the most suitable while Dinsho woodland the least suitable habitat to mountain nyala. Seven types of vegetation were identified in Gaysay grassland area with open grassland vegetation covering the largest proportion (58%). In Dinsho woodland, five vegetation groups were identified with Hygenia and Juniperus woodland covering the largest proportion (68%). In Adelay woodland, Hygenia and Juniperus woodland covered the largest proportion (65%). When all vegetation types are pooled together, levels of browsing decreased with increase in vegetation height and increased with increase in patch size. However, positive correlations were reported between levels of browsing and vegetation height for Helichrisum species and while negative correlations were recorded for Artemesia and open grassland in terms of patch size. The study also revealed that greater availability of vegetation does not necessarily result in higher use by mountain nyala. Interactions between Livestock and Mountain Nyala Habitat The main aim of this study was to assess how the presence of livestock and local people affect habitat availability, composition and structure to mountain nyala. Also, the research investigated how livestock use of the area affects mountain nyala habitat use and preference. Parameters such as presence and/or absence of both livestock and mountain nyala dung, levels of browsing, vegetation <strong>Walia</strong>-<strong>Special</strong> <strong>Edition</strong> on the Bale Mountains 95
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Walia Spec
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This Special <stro
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Foreword The Bale Mountains are uni
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FACTORS AFFECTING FIRE ExTENT AND F
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Introduction This Special</
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Mammals of the Bale Mountains Natio
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History and Physical Features of th
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Name of Order Name of Family No of
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wolf is a rare canid endemic to the
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Hillman. J. C. 1993. Ethiopia: Comp
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Scientific name Common name Sources
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Structuring of the Birds of the Bal
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interactions? 2) Would such classif
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feeding habit and the related bill
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Table 1. Component loadings of fora
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Assemblage 1 Assemblage 2 Assemblag
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of a community there must be a prem
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Hillman, J.C. 1986. The Bale Mounta
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1995a; Sillero-Zubiri et al. 2004,
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Monitoring Activities the Bale Moun
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Table 1. Packs monitored in the Bal
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long-term study areas. However, tot
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Creel, S., Spong, G., Sands, J.L.,
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Observations on the Status of the M
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The Bale Mountains Figure 1. The kn
Page 51 and 52: of the park’s interior, where hum
Page 53 and 54: The Ahmar (Chercher) Mountains The
Page 55 and 56: Casuarina equisetiflium lia, Hageni
Page 57 and 58: Threats Predictably, the main threa
Page 59 and 60: populations within hunting blocks a
Page 61 and 62: Population Estimates and Diet of St
Page 63 and 64: To identify the types and proportio
Page 65 and 66: Table 3. Coverage of plant species
Page 67 and 68: for eating grass species. During th
Page 69 and 70: Ecology and Reproductive Strategy o
Page 71 and 72: overall diet (36% of total prey occ
Page 73 and 74: Table 1. Ethiopian wolf density (in
Page 75 and 76: encounters between neighbouring wol
Page 77 and 78: No new packs were formed between 19
Page 79 and 80: Cooperative Breeding Role of helper
Page 81 and 82: Mean feeding rate (contributions/ho
Page 83 and 84: successful dispersal are very low,
Page 85 and 86: References Ashenafi, Z.T. 2001. Com
Page 87 and 88: Solomon, N. G., and French, J.A. Ed
Page 89 and 90: Figure 1. The Bale monkey (Cercopit
Page 91 and 92: Survey method - Dec 06-Jan 07 Line
Page 93 and 94: Table 3. Estimates of population de
Page 95 and 96: Monitoring and management prioritie
Page 97 and 98: Amphibians and Reptiles Recorded fr
Page 99 and 100: Lizards Agamidae Acanthocercus atri
Page 101: to just two montane sites in Harenn
Page 105 and 106: Mapping High-Altitude Vegetation in
Page 107 and 108: of the alpine vegetation have been
Page 109 and 110: Observers located each point by GPS
Page 111 and 112: Figure 1. Afroalpine vegetation in
Page 113 and 114: other, and class N from O, because
Page 115 and 116: J. mima mounds and grazed mineral s
Page 117 and 118: Node Clusters Species in 1st cluste
Page 119 and 120: A. Arboreal heather/lake -E 64.6 +W
Page 121 and 122: A. Arboreal heather/lake 82 ± 176
Page 123 and 124: elevations of 4100-4200 m a.s.l. in
Page 125 and 126: Miehe, G. and Miehe, S. 1994. Erica
Page 127 and 128: and managing natural resources and
Page 129 and 130: The Bale Mountains National Park is
Page 131 and 132: The ground-truthing points made up
Page 133 and 134: Table 2. Table showing the area for
Page 135 and 136: Table 5. Description of patchiness
Page 137 and 138: Acknowledgments This study was fund
Page 139 and 140: Characteristics and Origins of Glad
Page 141 and 142: Figure 1. Map with the approximate
Page 143 and 144: Table 1. Main characteristics of th
Page 145 and 146: Table 2. Soil Properties at two dep
Page 147 and 148: Total aboveground biomass ranged fr
Page 149 and 150: There might be some evidence for th
Page 151 and 152: Appendix 1. Attributes for soil pro
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Ogate (altitude 1753 m) Water Site
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the loss of natural forests due to
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Results Fire extent and frequency A
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Soil type Over 50% of the total num
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Distance to settlements The frequen
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than expected given there available
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MOA 2000. Ethiopian Forest Status R
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among seasons are usually only a fe
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In contrast to the northern highlan
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Table 1. The distribution, species
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it was absent from the central subz
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Figure 2. Population structure of t
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Fetene, M., Gashaw, M., Nauke, P. a
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Bale Mountain Lakes: Ecosystems Und
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occurrence above 4000 m. Rainfall i
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Table 1. List of the sampled waterb
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total nitrogen, chlorophyll a, cond
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Eggermont H., Russell, J.M.. Schett
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Direct Consumptive Use Value of Eco
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As more literature seeks to explore
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Table 1. Ecosystem goods and servic
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Figure 1. Map of the Bale Mountains
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2(a) Crop Production HH Crop Value
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3(a) Mean Household Annual Direct C
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accruing to households. Although no
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Acknowledgements This study was mad
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Livestock Grazing in Bale Mountains
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evidence that low levels of grazing
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wildlife, especially the mountain n
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and control sites (areas where live
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several of the Bale ecosystem compo
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Paine, R. T. and Vadas, R. L. 1969.
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their hives. Hive and tree types we
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HOROqqA (Bersama abyssinica, Melian
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Value Chain Analysis for Bamboo Ori
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data recorded by the Development Ag
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Amongst the interviewees, 80% of pe
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Producers As reported previously, b
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The above figure shows the various
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(6) BERSMP and all other stakeholde
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The Distribution, Properties and Us
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preliminary data. From the prelimin
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Figure 1. Map of the southern part
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Addeye All the 11 horas in Addeye a
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Tabalas are used for healing purpos
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Cultural value and history The use
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(Barrett-Lennard 2003). Finally, pr
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Appendix ph Colour Salinity (mS) Ta
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Villages using the hora Animals vis
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General Management Planning for the
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BMNP Management History Since its i
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effectively and efficiently impleme
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Problems and Issues A problems and
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understood threats were also identi
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Park Operations Programme This prog
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according to its core vision and pr
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People in National Parks - Joint Na
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pastoralists, as part of pastoral s
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of wild animals (Stephens et al. 20
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have experience in the implementati
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2004) or conservation and livelihoo
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• The redefinition of protected a
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Risk of Disease Transmission Betwee
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aspects of these factors, including
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ecorded as “point vegetation” f
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Table 1: Composition of 326 ungulat
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Table 3. Distance from road at whic
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Transmission risk Clearly, disease
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Dunn, A.M. 1968. The wild ruminant
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however continues to rise and in 19
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Tourism in the Bale Mountains Natio
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the past 5 years tourism activities
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assist with implementation of the t
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An increase in tourism investment i
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at a loss of approximately ETB 10,0
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Can Carbon Contribute to Conservati
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emains. The more recently coined RE
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Benefits The implementation of such
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or meet the minimum costs necessary
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Table 1. Financial forecast for 20
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across Africa. Biological Conservat
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sets, extract relevant bits of info
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What to Monitor? The question of wh
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scale as a balance where one side r
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through existing databases not only
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The moral of these stories are that
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anger based monitoring system is a
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spatial and temporal extent of the
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IUCN Red Listed Species Description
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Appendix 2: Metadata form A digital
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and climate data, AVHRR NDVI data,
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http://www.mentorsoftwareinc.com Me
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Individual Arrest Form Index No. Lo
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If for Commercial Market: □ in yo
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• Improve research work on wildli
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• Development Partners (donors) a
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Sustainable Development of the Prot
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I. Personal details Ethiopian Wildl
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Publication Financially Supported b
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