Download TAAG Book of Abstracts - Tropical Biology Association

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.
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 3

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 First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 5

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 8

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 11

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 12

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 13

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 14

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.
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 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
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.
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 18

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 19

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.
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 20

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 21

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 22

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).
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 23

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 24

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 25

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 26

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.
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 27

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 28

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 29

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 30

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.
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 31

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 34

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 –
00506, Nairobi, Kenya.
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.
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 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
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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 38

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,
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 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.
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.
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 42

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-
00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
(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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 47

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 49

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.
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 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
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.
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 51

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 54

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 55

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 56

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
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 57

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