Department of Environmental Science

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Browsing Department of Environmental Science by Subject "Conservation"

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    Climate change adaptation and primates’ conservation in Budongo-Bugoma corridor privately owned forests
    (Kyambogo University (University work), 2024-10) Abowe, Daniel
    This study examined the strategies used by conservation NGOs in Uganda's Budongo-Bugoma Corridor (BBC) to support primate conservation and climate change adaptation (CCA). The objectives included characterizing forest conservation and CCA practices used by NGOs, determining primate species diversity, and assessing private forest owners’ attitudes toward primate conservation and CAA. Using a mixed-methods research design, the study collected quantitative data through household surveys and qualitative data through key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). A total of 206 private forest owners’ households across four parishes—Munteme, Kidoma, Kibanjwa, and Birungu—were surveyed, while 20 KIIs and 8 FGDs provided further insights. Descriptive statistics were used to describe study findings while SPSS and Atlas ti analyzed quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Primate surveys were conducted through reconnaissance walks in private forests to record species sightings. Remote sensing and GIS tools analyzed habitat conditions and spatial distribution of primate species, while encounter rates (ERs) and the Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index measured primate abundance and diversity. The study found that tree planting was the most common CCA strategy (65%), and conservation NGO efforts positively influenced forest conditions, with 69.4% of respondents reporting improvements. Forest ownership increased over time, with 68.5% of respondents owning forests between 1–2 acres in 2022, compared to 52.4% in 2010. Additionally, 82% of respondents indicated NGO support for development initiatives, such as tree farming, water access, education, and healthcare. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) results showed significant differences in primate conservation and CCA efforts based on respondents' occupations (p ≤ 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed a negative relationship between gender (male) and community contributions to conservation (p ≤ 0.05) and a positive relationship between occupation and the perceived importance of conservation (p ≤ 0.05). Twenty-three reconnaissance surveys were conducted, covering 109.3 km, with an average distance of 4.752 km per survey: Birungu (36.6 km), Kibanjwa (26.6 km), Kidoma (34.4 km), and Munteme (11.5 km). The primate surveys recorded seven species, including Chimpanzee, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Olive Baboon, Black-and-white Colobus, Blue Monkey, Red-tailed Monkey, and Vervet Monkey. The diversity of primate species underscores the importance of continued conservation efforts in the BBC. To enhance effectiveness, the study recommends that future conservation and CCA initiatives consider private forest owners’ tree planting practices and occupations. An integrated approach combining preferred conservation and CCA strategies is suggested to optimize conservation outcomes. Conservation actions, it concludes, should be evidence-based, informed by scientific research, and tailored to local conditions to ensure sustainable protection of primate species and their habitats in the corridor.
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    The effects of oil and gas exploration on Mammalian population distribution and habitant change in Murchison Falls national Park, Uganda
    (Kyambogo University (Unpublished work), 2021-02) Akisiimire, Hindrah
    Uganda discovered petroleum deposits in commercially viable quantities in 2006. Most areas such as Murchison Falls National Park where petroleum has been discovered overlap with wildlife and nature conservation with high biodiversity and sensitive ecosystems. Oil development could destroy mammal habitats, disrupt animal abundance and people’s lives if not well planned. This research aimed to find out the current status of mammals and their habitats as well as the social perception of oil and gas operations in the park five years after completion of exploration and restoration of oil pads. The specific objectives of the study were to; determine the change in mammal habitats in relation to oil and gas exploration, determine the effects of post exploration oil and gas infrastructure on the abundance and distribution of mammalian population and determine the social perception of the people living in and around MFNP regarding oil and gas operations in the protected area. The study used observation and survey methods for data collection. It involved measuring vegetation frequency index, vegetation relative abundance and vegetation diversity in oil pads and control areas. The study recorded grasses, shrubs and tree plant forms using different size quadrats along a 60m line transect. The quadrat sizes were (1x1m) for grasses, (5x5m) for shrubs, (10x10m) for trees. The number of quadrats and transects per site under study were (8 x4) in total. Indirect and direct mammal counts were conducted by walking along a 2km transect while recording physical mammals, footprints, fecal pallets, wallowing grounds, fur, palm seeds and kobleks. A social survey was conducted by administering 50 questionnaires to key informants to determine the perception of the community about oil and gas exploration. The key informants included 10 UWA administrators, 10 oil and gas workers and 30 local people from Nwoya (15) and Pakwach (15) Districts. The study recorded uniform and non-uniform plant species and the mean vegetation diversity of (1.9±0.058) in oil pads and (1.71±0.120) in control areas. The study identified 31 different plant species and among these 7 plant species were recorded in oil pads, 8 in control areas. 16 types of these plant species were recorded in both oil pads and control areas. The results indicate a non-significant difference in the vegetation relative abundance and diversity between oil pads and control areas. The study counted seven mammal species and the results show a non-significant difference of the mammal’s population abundance and distribution in oil pads and control areas. The survey participants suggested improvement in areas of oil waste management, noise, animal disturbance and displacement. The local people fear that the park is at risk of losing its biodiversity. Further studies can be carried out using different methodologies such as chemical soil analysis, animal tagging, and genetics to further determine if there are any effects on mammals as a result of oil exploration activities. It’s further recommended that similar studies could be conducted on other former oil pads in the national park to get the true representation of the whole ecosystem.
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    Impact of implementation of community-based wetland management plan on the conservation of lake Mulehe wetland in Kisoro, Uganda
    (Kyambogo University[unpublished work], 2022-09) Birungi, Kabasharira Joan
    Increased encroachment, mismanagement and degradation of wetland resources such as Lake Mulele in Uganda has called for continuous involvement of surrounding people into their management. The Ugandan government and other conservation agencies such as IUCN, Wetland Management Department have encouraged the implementation of CBWMPs since 1992. This study’s objective was therefore to determine the impact of Community Based Wetland Management Plan on conservation of Lake Mulehe wetland in Kisoro, South Western Uganda. The study ascertained land cover changes in Lake Mulehe wetland, examined impacts of CBWMP on community perceptions and practices towards wetland conservation and established the emerging threats to the conservation of L. Mulehe wetland. The study undertook both qualitative and quantitative research designs that included observational survey methods, household interview, FDGs and Key informant interviews. Land cover analysis identified seven (7) key land cover types (Built up, forest, tea plantation, woodland, bush land, and subsistence farming). A small increment of 0.07% in wetland land cover between 2004 and 2018 with subsistence and bushland taking a front case with 64.04% and 11.20% respectively was also observed. L. Mulehe CBWMP positively influenced the conservation perceptions and practices of the surrounding communities thus 68% respondent agreed that there was improvement in vegetation, water and soils although the imagery analysis revealed otherwise. A 86.7% correlation between age of respondents and participation in conservation activities also confirm a positive impact of CBWMP on the wetland. The CBWMP has also boosted the conservation status of L. Mulehe. In addition, CBWMP has influenced conservation of L. Mulehe wetland through perception change. Such positive impacts of CBWMP in Mulele can be used by both NEMA and Ministry of water and environment in enhancing conservation of wetlands in other areas among different community members.