October 2018
“Ecology of soil seed banks: Implications for conservation and restoration of natural vegetation”: A review
Seed bank (henceforth referred to as SB) refers to viable seed which is present on or in soil and associated with litter/humus. Under different land use/land cover systems and climatic regions, density of seeds in the soil is variable both in space and time. SB density decreases with increasing depth and age of seeds in the soil. Smaller seeds are more easily incorporated, moved to deeper soil layers and persist longer...
October 2018
Characteristics of macrophytes in the Lubigi Wetland in Uganda
The Lubigi wetland, which is located in the north-western part of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda has been severely strained from anthropogenic encroachment and activities. These activities include harvesting of Cyperus papyrus and other plants, land filling for reclamation, human settlements and disposal of wastewater into the wetland among others. As a result of these anthropogenic activities, the macrophytes...
October 2018
Resource partitioning among sympatric species of primates at Kakum Conservation Area, Ghana
We investigated how four primate species in Kakum Conservation Area (KCA) coexisted after logging shrunk their feeding resources. We used multivariate discriminant function analysis to determine whether feeding sites and food types could discriminate them. Results showed that lower canopy discriminated Cercopithecus mona and Cercopithecus petaurista; middle canopy, C. petaurista and Procolobus verus,; upper canopy, P....
October 2018
Spatial variation in diversity of woody vegetation species within Kwara State University Malete campus, Kwara, Nigeria
The roles of woody vegetations and Africa savanna in human development and survival as attracted interest in their conservation to prevent the depletion or loss of those resources. However, there is need for accurate data on species composition, distribution and conservation of woody species in many parts of Africa for adequate planning, monitoring, management and conservation efforts. This study assessed woody species...
October 2018
Butterfly species composition and diversity in a protected area of Karnataka, India
Field investigations were made to record the diversity of butterflies at six forest ranges in Nagarahole National Park (NNP), Karnataka during 2014 to 2015. 138 butterfly species were recorded from 94 genera, which belong to five families such as Hesperiidae, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, and Pieridae. Species composition varied significantly (F = 93.85; P < 0.05) among forest ranges in NNP; 113 butterfly...
October 2018
Determinants of revegetation on landslide scars in an agro-based socio-ecological system in Bududa, Uganda
Landslides cause displacement or loss of plant cover, soil and other materials on slopes. Exposure of soil accelerates erosion processes thus contributing to stream sedimentation. Though playing a crucial role in stabilising scars there is limited understanding of the plant species colonisation process. This study aimed at examining the determinants and status of plant revegetation on a recent landslide scar in Bududa...
September 2018
Macrofungal diversity in Yangambi Biosphere reserve and Yoko reserve rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Detecting and understanding patterns in the distribution of taxa is a fundamental element in implementing biodiversity conservation. Regarding fungi, understanding how functional diversity varies with forest types helps to define their niche and allows predicting the impact of forest degradation on communities of macrofungi. It also allows better understanding of the way in which they realize their ecological function...
September 2018
In vitro micropropagation of Rhinacanthus nasutus (L) Kurz
The study was aimed to standardise a protocol for the in vitro mass propagation of Rhinacanthus nasutus (L) Kurz, an anticancer shrub. Leaf, node and inflorescence explants were inoculated onto the Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium enriched with different combinations and concentrations of growth regulators. Maximum callusing percentage was achieved in leaf explants in MS medium supplemented with 5 mg/l 2,4-D....
September 2018
Study on community perception of termite expansion and control in Borana plateau: Case study of Southern Oromia, Ethiopia
Ecologically termites can be divided into damp wood dwellers, dry wood dwellers under and above ground dwellers in Dire, Miyo and Moyale districts. The combination of methods and tools such as stakeholder, key informant interview, group discussions, timelines, transect walk, community sketches were used. About 90 pastoralists were interviewed formally on its expansion and control techniques. The cause of termite...
September 2018
Diversity, distribution and habitat association of birds in Menze-Guassa Community Conservation Area, Central Ethiopia
A study was conducted in Menz-Guassa Community Conservation Area (MGCCA) from November 2016 to March 2017, to assess the diversity, distribution and habitat association of birds. Three habitat types including forest, grassland, and moorland habitats were identified based on their vegetation composition. Point count method in Eucalyptus and Juniperus forest, and line transect technique in grassland and moorland habitats...
August 2018
Evaluation of socio-economic factors influencing exploitation of non-timber forest products in Tanzania
Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) constitute an important source of livelihood for millions of people from forest fringe communities across the world. This study was conducted to identify main NTFPs used by local communities around Nyanganje Forest Reserve (NFR) which is within the Eastern Arc Mountains in Kilombero district, Tanzania. Furthermore, the study aimed at determining socio-economic factors influencing...
August 2018
Perception, attitude and impacts of local communities on Senkele Swayne’s Hartebeest Sanctuary, Ethiopia
This study aimed to investigate perception, attitude and impacts of local communities on Senkele Swayne’s Hartebeest Sanctuary. Questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and observation were employed to collect data. A total of 196 households participated in the questionnaire survey. The findings revealed that the local communities of SSHS had unfavorable perceptions and attitude...
July 2018
Agro-pastorals’ adoption of soil and water conservation (SWC) technologies: The case of Aba’ala district in Afar Region, Ethiopia
This study assessed agro-pastoralists’ adoption of soil and water conservation measures in Aba’alla. A convergent parallel mixed design was used, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Samples were taken from five selected kebelles of spate irrigation areas in the Woreda. Questionnaires, group discussions, interviews and field observations were used. About 150 households were taken from 2450...
July 2018
Impact of human activities on biosphere reserve: A case study from Yayu Biosphere Reserve, Southwest Ethiopia
Little is known on wild animal threats and their relative severity in most biospheres reserves of Ethiopia. This study was conducted during the period of May 2015 to June 2015 and was aimed at documenting relative severity of current threats of Yayu Biosphere Reserve, Southwestern Ethiopia. One hundred farmers in and around Yayu biosphere reserve were interviewed. The most relatively severe threat factors were...
July 2018
New sighting record of white-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus in Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh, India
The white-tailed Lapwing, Vanellus leucurus, is a species of bird which is listed by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Least Concern, winter visitor to India and breed in Central Asia and Southern Russia. It is occasionally sighted in the western region of Maharashtra State, Gujarat, Rajasthan, India, but hardly ever documented. There is no record of its presence in the study area. In this note,...
June 2018
Indigenous knowledge based identification of medicinal plants in Central Zone of Tigray, North Ethiopia
There are many traditional medicine practitioners in every corner of the world, which can be grouped into spiritual healers and herbalists. Both groups do not tell to others about medicinal plants sometimes even to their descendants. This may have many different reasons, some say the medicine becomes functional if it is used in secret and some do not tell others fearing for competition of market as well as the medicinal...
June 2018
Conservation status of bird fauna of South West of Omo National Park, Ethiopia
A study on the conservation status of bird fauna of South West of Omo National Park (SWONP), South Western Ethiopia was conducted for dry (January - March, 2012) and wet (April - June, 2012) seasons. The study area was stratified based on vegetation (Riverine Forest land (RFL), Grass land (GL), and Bush land (BL)). Using systematic sampling, data was collected on birds in the morning (6:30 - 10:00 am) and evening...
June 2018
On-farm description and status of Nuer (Abigar) cattle breed in Gambella Regional State, Ethiopia
This study was conducted in Gambella Regional State (GRS) in order to characterize the Abigar cattle breed phenotypically at its breeding tract. It was done purposively in four selected districts of the region using extensive field surveys, morphological measurements and focused group discussions on the origin, distribution, current status and future threats, production and reproduction characteristics of Abigar cattle...
May 2018
Qualitative traits variation in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) landraces from the Southern highlands of Ethiopia
Thirty six barley landraces were collected from three districts of the southern highlands of Ethiopia and evaluated for 11 morphological traits to assess the extent of qualitative trait variations based on morphological traits. The results showed that 42% of the 36 barley landraces were found to have six kernel row numbers for the three collection districts. The distribution of four kernel raw number was found to be...
May 2018
How far can climate changes help to conserve and restore Garcinia kola Heckel, an extinct species in the wild in Benin (West Africa)
A study was conducted to assess how well climate changes can help to conserve and restore Garcinia kola Heckel in the Protected Area Network (PAN) and in urban areas in Benin. To achieve this, occurrence data from GBIF was used and the environmental data from AfriClim was used in order to model the species’ potential habitat under current and future climates. The maximum entropy modeling approach of MaxEnt was...
May 2018
Habitat biophysical and spatial patterns assessment within Oti-Keran-Mandouri protected area network in Togo
Oti-Keran-Mandouri (OKM) is part of the elephant historical range and one of the priority corridors proposed for elephant conservation in West Africa. However, its potentialities to be a functional corridor are yet to be evaluated in a context of increasing anthropogenic pressure. This study aims at assessing habitat biophysical patterns and fragmentation level. A multicriteria evaluation using fuzzy logic was performed...
May 2018
Effects of bush encroachment on plant composition, diversity and carbon stock in Borana rangelands, Southern Ethiopia
Bush encroachment is reducing rangeland productivity in Borana rangelands. This study was conducted in Teltele Woreda of Borana zone, to evaluate the effects of bush encroachment on plant species composition, diversity and its contribution to carbon stock. Bush encroached, non-encroached and bush thinned rangeland types were selected for the study. Nested plots for collecting tree, shrub, herbaceous and soil data were...
May 2018
Study of floral diversity from rural pockets of Odisha, India: Plants for fun and games
In earlier days, children used to play in outdoors with plant parts and their products for fun making and games. However with modernity and advancement in science and technology, this indigenous knowledge is vanishing day by day. There is no scientific documentation of plants being used for fun and games by children. The present study carried out in different tribal and non-tribal village schools of Koraput and Khordha...
April 2018
Mammalwatching: A new source of support for science and conservation
During the 20th century, birding evolved from a little-known hobby into a global phenomenon important for ornithology and bird conservation. More recently a similar change has begun for mammalwatching, which is rapidly gaining popularity and is already providing financial support, observational data, diagnostic information, and a volunteer base for mammalogy and mammalian conservation. The study data suggest that...
April 2018
Plant diversity analysis for conservation of Afromontane vegetation in socio-ecological mountain landscape of Gurage, South Central Ethiopia
The present study was conducted for the conservation and management of vegetation in a socio-ecological mountain landscape through assessment of floristic composition, community types and structure of woody species in the Wabe River catchment of the Gurage Mountains in Ethiopia. The preferential sampling technique was applied to collect floristic and vegetation structure data, and within each plot, woody species...
April 2018
Effect of forest management approach on household economy and community participation in conservation: A case of Aberdare Forest Ecosystem, Kenya
Forest ecosystems are important for ecological and socio-economic wellbeing, particularly for diversification of the livelihoods of adjacent communities. The forest management approach applied in an ecosystem influences availability, access and utilisation of forest products, and community participation in conservation. This study examined the effect of forest management approach on households’ economy and...
April 2018
Species diversity, habitat association and abundance of avifauna and large mammals in Gonde Teklehimanot and Aresema monasteries in North Gondar, Ethiopia
Studies on species composition, distribution and relative abundance of birds and mammals in Gonde Teklehimanot and Aresema Monasteries was carried out from December, 2015 to February, 2016. In these areas, wildlife conservation is directly relevant to the local community, often as a source of livelihood, medicine and spiritual values. To collect data on population status of large mammals, we commenced a line transect...
April 2018
Spatial-temporal distribution, abundance, diversity and mortality of birds on road network in the Serengeti Ecosystem, Tanzania
Vehicle collisions with wild animals are acknowledged as a non-negligible source of death of wild birds and often affect their spatial-temporal distribution, abundance and diversity. However, data to ascertain the impact of road kills on wild birds are scarce, especially around the Serengeti Ecosystem in Tanzania. This work aims to investigate the impact of road kills on wild birds and their spatial-temporal...
March 2018
Bioprospection of freshwater microalgae from Bonito, MS, Brazil
The great biodiversity of the Serra da Bodoquena is the result of years of biological evolution. A complex combination of natural factors allows aquatic plants, fish and invertebrates to coexist in absolutely crystalline water springs. Together, organisms form an intricate web of life, connecting a single-celled microalga with large river predators. For better knowledge of the biodiversity of microalgae, an important...
March 2018
Livestock depredation by wild carnivores in the Eastern Serengeti Ecosystem, Tanzania
Livestock losses caused by wild carnivores foster negative attitudes and promote retaliatory killings, threatening the future of carnivore populations. Measures to bring about coexistence between humans and carnivores are of great importance to carnivore conservation. The study questionnaire survey involved 180 respondents from Eastern Serengeti tribes (Maasai and Sonjo), all of which owned livestock. Reported livestock...
March 2018
The effect of land use type on butterfly diversity at Masako Forest Reserve, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo
The effect of land use type on butterfly abundance, species richness, and biodiversity was studied at Masako Forest Reserve in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo. The study was conducted in a primary (PF) and secondary forest (SF), fallow (FW), and an agricultural field (AF). Three bait traps were used; each trap had a cylinder consisting of two metal rings of 30.48 cm diameter and 106.68 cm length with a 15.24 cm...
March 2018
Impacts of anthropogenic pressures on wildlife in the northern sector of the National Park of Mbam and Djerem, Adamaou Cameroon
The study on the assessment of the scale of human pressure on wildlife in the Mbam and Djerem National Park was conducted between December 2012 and April 2013. This evaluation has relied on a review of seven reports ecological monitoring produced by Wildlife Conservation Society between 2006 and 2012, and direct observations. Results show that: the main causes of the reduction of wildlife are poaching (60.5%),...
February 2018
Intra and inter specific genetic divergence of termites species based on ISSR markers and 28S rDNA sequences
The comprehensive analysis of five identified and two unknown termite species with their binary scores of three markers viz., morphological, ISSR scoring and 28s rDNA sequence has been made to reveal in unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) cluster that Trinervitermes biformis (Wasmann) is out grouped with 35.7% of dissimilarity with other species; Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) and Odontotermes...
February 2018
Ethnobotany and population structure of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile in Sahelian zone of Cameroon
Indigenous tree species have multiple functions and the strong pressure exerted on them threatens their populations. The study aims to investigate the main uses of Balanites aegyptiaca and assess its population structure in the Sahelian zone of Cameroon. The study was carried out using ethnobotanical and quantitative ecological methods. The results showed that the species is multipurpose and produces six different...
February 2018
Hunting of Preuss’s red colobus (Procolobus preussi) in Korup National Park, Cameroon
This study was carried out in Korup Region to investigate the reasons for hunting preuss’s red colobus (PRC) in Korup National Park (KNP) Cameroon in order to contribute to its sustainable management. Questionnaires (open and closed end) were used to gather personal information from hunters on different hunting tactics, reasons for hunting PRC and threats to this species in KNP for a period of one month (January...
February 2018
Impacts of waste on macroinvertebrate assemblages of Msimbazi River, Tanzania
The status of waste and its impact on macroinvertebrate assemblages along Msimbazi River was assessed between May 2014 and August 2014. The aim was to identify the type of waste, their potential sources, and the assemblage of macroinvertebrate taxa that have been affected by waste disposal in the river. The study involved field study and laboratory analysis. Results indicated that organic and inorganic waste are the...
January 2018
Evaluation of land use land cover changes using remote sensing Landsat images and pastoralists’ perceptions on range cover changes in Borana rangelands, Southern Ethiopia
Studies on land-use/land cover (LULC) changes through remote sensing techniques represent vital tools for generating rational information for sound decision making on natural resources management. Related to the launching of the first Landsat satellite in 1973 there is a region of attention on the use of remote sensing techniques as tool for planning the appropriate management in rangelands. This study therefore aimed...
January 2018
Can communities close to Bui National Park mediate the impacts of Bui Dam construction? An exploration of the views of some selected households
This paper explores the perceptions of families and households near Bui National Park, on the impact of Bui dam on their capital assets and how they navigate their livelihoods through the impacts of Bui Dam construction. The mixed methods approach was applied to sample views of respondents from thirteen communities of which eight have resettled as a result of the Bui Dam construction. In-depth interviews were conducted...
December 2017
Energy consumption and expenditure of Panthera pardus in the Southern African region: How much hunting success is enough?
Panthera pardus is a widespread mammalian carnivore, with a very broad diet range. Therefore, it is often seen as needing less protection as compared with some other predator species. However, with a 37% reduction in historic range and some subspecies critically endangered, the leopard is a species that does indeed require certain conservation attention. In Southern Africa, there are several threats facing the leopard:...
December 2017
Distribution and habitat suitability of Nile crocodile (Crocodilus niloticus, L. 1768) in Tekeze River Dam, Tigray, Ethiopia
Understanding the spatial distribution and habitat utilization by animals play a significant role in wildlife conservation and habitat management for the benefits of both animals and communities living close to protected areas. This study was conducted to identify the distribution and habitat use of Crocodilus niloticus in Tekeze River Dam through qualitative and quantitative surveys based on diurnal survey,...
December 2017
Land use/cover change analysis and local community perception towards land cover change in the lowland of Bale rangelands, Southeast Ethiopia
Changes in ecosystem functions can be analyzed through changes in land use land cover (LULC) systems. This study was carried out to analyze the LULC changes and perception of local community towards land cover change in the lowlands of Bale, Southeast Ethiopia using remote sensing data, field observations and perception of local people. The results showed that cultivated land, settlement, bush land and bare land...
December 2017
Ecological niche modeling and strategies for the conservation of Dialium guineense Willd. (Black velvet) in West Africa
Dialium guineense is a multipurpose species useful in many respects. It is used in agroforestry and the trade of most of its organs is source of income for rural populations. Despite the high interests of this species to populations, we do not know much about how its spatial distribution could be impacted by climate change and which strategies to implement for its sustainable use and conservation. In order to overcome...
December 2017
Quantifying of plant species diversity, composition and density at Dammam Region, Eastern province, Saudi Arabia
This study assessed the diversity composition and density of plant species at Dammam Region, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Plant diversity is a vital component of any ecosystem. It is a well-known fact that, worldwide, thousands of plant species are endangered and facing extinction with the current trend of their influence and destruction. Changes in the structure of the assortment of resources lessen plant...
November 2017
The economic significance of lion breeding operations in the South African Wildlife Industry
Currently, the majority of land used in South Africa for wildlife by the private sector has been converted from livestock farms to game farms and covers more land than state-owned provincial and national parks conservation areas combined. One animal that stands out above most wildlife regarding its popularity is the lion. From a private land owners’ point of view, lions are amongst the most sought after animals...
November 2017
Diversity and distribution of African indigenous vegetable species in Uganda
African indigenous vegetable species (AIVS) provide a means of livelihood to many urban and peri-urban dwellers in Uganda. It was thus deemed necessary to understand the existing diversity and distribution of the traditional African vegetable species as a basis for recommending conservation and utilization strategies against biodiversity loss. A field survey was conducted in the four major agro-ecological zones of...
November 2017
Population structure and feeding ecology of Guereza (Colobus guereza) in Borena-Sayint National Park, northern Ethiopia
Population size, structure, activity time budget and feeding behavior of Guereza (Colobus guereza) were studied in Borena-Sayint National Park (BSNP), Ethiopia, from August 2008 to March 2009. Line transect survey technique was applied to investigate the population size and structure. Guerezas were observed only in the forest habitat. The mean group size, group density and group encounter rate in the forest habitat were...
October 2017
Diversity and morphological characterization of Musa spp. in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo constitutes an area where the East African Highland bananas (Musa-AAA-EA) and plantains (Musa-AAB) meet. However, Musa diversity in this region has never been characterized nor represented in national or international collections, yet increasing human activities and build-up of pests and diseases, especially Xanthomonas wilt of banana and banana bunchy top disease, could negatively...
October 2017
Knowledge of conservationists on the effect of lead toxicity on the conservation status of African mourning dove (Streptopelia decipiens) in Ibadan, Nigeria
The role of humans in any conservation action is vital and plays a key role in the success of biodiversity and wildlife conservation. The awareness and related activities of people to the risk of lead contamination as a threat to the conservation status is evaluated, particularly with respect to the status of the mourning dove. Lead pollution and toxicity has been reported in mourning dove with associated health and...
September 2017
Human carnivores conflict in Wamba District, Samburu County, Kenya
Human-livestock-carnivores conflict is a unifying theme on a complex problem of a shared environment. The study was conducted to determine the levels and nature of human wildlife conflict in Samburu County, Kenya. The data was collected from 2006 to 2009, in three community areas. A total of 266 homesteads were randomly selected for interviews and characterization. The survey was carried out using semi-structured...
August 2017
Inventory of termite species in thickly vegetated region of Northeastern Puducherry, India
A systematic survey of termite species in Northeastern Puducherry which is part of peninsular India, was carried out. As there is no pre-existing report on the richness or diversity of termifauna in this region, the present work aims to fill this major knowledge gap. The findings are discussed in the context of the quantitative studies on termifauna carried out across the world, as also in terms of the defining traits...
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