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Abstract: A distinctive new monotypic genus from Gabon is described in the tropical plant family Annonaceae: Sirdavidia, in honor to Sir David Attenborough. Molecular phylogenetic analyses confirm that Sirdavidia, which is very distinct from a morphological standpoint, is not nested in any existing genus of Annonaceae and belongs to tribe Piptostigmateae (subfamily Malmeoideae), which now contains a total of six genera. The genus is characterized by long acuminate leaves, fully reflexed red petals, 16-19 bright yellow, loosely arranged stamens forming a cone, and a single carpel topped by a conspicuous stigma. With just three known collections, a preliminary IUCN conservation status assessment is provided as "endangered" as well as a distribution map. The discovery of Sirdavidia is remarkable at several levels. First, it was collected near the road in one of the botanically best-known regions of Gabon: Monts de Cristal National Park. Second, its sister group is the genus Mwasumbia, also monotypic, endemic to a small area in a forest in Tanzania, some 3000 km away. Finally, the floral morphology is highly suggestive of a buzz pollination syndrome. If confirmed, this would be the first documentation of such a pollination syndrome in Magnoliidae and early-diverging angiosperms in general. © Thomas L.P. Couvreur et al.
Source title: PhytoKeys
DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.46.8937
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84927670534&doi=10.3897%2fphytokeys.46.8937&partnerID=40&md5=05e42ceb4dc27effb361b8112bff7f83
Correspondence Address: Couvreur, T.L.P.; Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR-DIADE, BP 64501, France
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Monts de Cristal
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Taxonomy

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Abstract: Deserts are among the most poorly understood biomes in the world, currently experiencing among the highest rates of environmental change and biodiversity loss. A major controlling factor on the ecology and distribution of vegetation and animal populations in these harsh arid systems is the abundance and distribution of water sources. Accordingly, extraction and redistribution of water at artificial water points across desert landscapes can constitute a real threat to local ecosystem dynamics. A major challenge in tackling this potential threat is identifying changes in the distribution of artificial water points through space and time, due to the difficulties of collecting such information at relevant spatial and temporal scales. We here investigate the potential for freely available satellite imagery to provide reliable information about the distribution of artificial water points using the Ouadi Rime-Ouadi Achim Faunal Reserve (OROAFR), Chad, as a case study. We reveal that Landsat 8 data combined with texture analysis can accurately detect these artificial landmarks across the heterogeneous environment of OROAFR; 75.68% of artificial water points within the site were successfully identified and false positive detection rate was minimal at 7.69%. The methodological framework developed for this work, based on the treatment of freely available satellite data using open source software, adds to other works attempting to help monitor threats to biodiversity in desert ecosystems, enabling up-to-date information on the level of anthropogenic activities in these habitats to be easily and regularly collected. © 2015 The Authors Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Zoological Society of London.
Source title: Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation
DOI: 10.1002/rse2.5
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84978611161&doi=10.1002%2frse2.5&partnerID=40&md5=185ae43f628162b9db641bb25de5b12a
Correspondence Address: Pettorelli, N.; Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, United Kingdom; email: nathalie.Pettorelli@ioz.ac.uk
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Chad ;
Protected area: Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim
Main topic: Environment
Subtopic: Land use / cover ; Deserts ; Wetlands / Water bodies

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Abstract: This paper explores the rise of a new era in biodiversity conservation, whereby older protected areas lose management and funding to the point that they become open access spaces. Using Waza National Park as a case study, the paper shows that while the enclosure of this protected area had serious detrimental effects for local natural resource users, it offered limited advantages to those who were able to negotiate "insider" status. I argue that the dissolution of this enclosure and the loss of the ability to exclude "outsiders" or negotiate differential use of the protected area's resources created a situation that was even more harmful to local people's physical and food security than the initial enclosure. Taking a historical view of territory, subjectivity, and access in and around Waza, this paper shows who is able to benefit from various legal and practical territorial components of landscapes, when, and how. © 2014 Antipode Foundation Ltd.
Source title: Antipode
DOI: 10.1111/anti.12132
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84929048935&doi=10.1111%2fanti.12132&partnerID=40&md5=2aacc211a65530ee0d700c1dd67c80da
Correspondence Address: Kelly, A.B.; Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of CaliforniaUnited States
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Waza
Main topic: Humans
Subtopic: Periphery / Management ; Governance / Policy ; Conservation initiatives ; Income-generating activities

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Abstract: Wolbachia are endosymbiotic bacteria of arthropods and nematodes that are able to manipulate host reproduction. Although vertically transmitted via the cytoplasm in eggs, horizontal transmission of Wolbachia among and within arthropod species has been shown to be common. Eusocial insects represent interesting models for studying Wolbachia transmission due to colonial organization and close interaction between nestmates. Here we conducted a detailed screening of Wolbachia infection for 15 colonies of the very common soil-feeding termites Cubitermes spp. affinis subarquatus (Termitidae, Termitinae) that consist of four distinct phylogenetic species in the Lopé forest Reserve, Gabon. Infection tests showed that 50% of the individuals were Wolbachia positive (N = 555) with 90%of reproductives and 48% of offspring infected. White soldiers, which are transitional stages preceding mature soldiers, had a significantly higher mean infection rate (74%) than the other castes and stages (63%, 33% and 39% for larvae, workers and mature soldiers, respectively). We used a maximum likelihood method and Akaike's Information Criterion in order to explain the non-expected high rate of Wolbachia infection in white soldiers. The best model included a species effect for the stochastic loss of Wolbachia and a caste effect for the rate of gain. After fitting, the best model selected was for a species-specific rate of loss with a null rate of new gain for larvae, workers and soldiers and a probability of 0.72 whatever the species, that a white soldier becomes newly contaminated during that stage. The mean expected infection rate in white soldiers without a new gain was estimated to 17% instead of the 74%observed. Here we discuss the possible explanations to the high infection rate observed in white soldiers. © 2015 Roy et al.
Source title: PLoS ONE
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116070
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84923060155&doi=10.1371%2fjournal.pone.0116070&partnerID=40&md5=a7eb93bd79d92b2213f8254e5b44ef2e
Correspondence Address:
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Lopé
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Microorganisms ; Animals ; Invertebrates ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: The bush mango, Irvingia gabonensis, is one of the most heavily used non-timber tree species around the Lobeke National Park in Cameroon. A survey among fruit gatherers showed that the fruits are collected from the forest floor, which involves very high risks of gorilla attack (100%) and long camping periods (87%). All the gatherers preserve this species, mostly (82%) by protecting wild seedlings, but they are generally reluctant to plant it. However, up to 68% of gatherers indicated that they would be willing to plant the species. The I. gabonensis kernel was ranked by gatherers (98%) as the second main source of food and the first main source of income (93%) among four major Non-Timber Forest Products in the area. An inventory was carried out to determine the abundance of the species in three forest systems: the protected area, a community production forest (a natural forest forming part of the non-permanent forest domain and managed by a village community with the assistance of the forestry administration) and agroforest (fallow land and productive crop/cocoa plantations), in 6 x 3 1-ha plots. Fruit production was assessed by counting fruits during gathering. Seedling growth and survival were assessed only in the protected area because very few seedlings were available in the production forest and agroforest. The overall mean density of I. gabonensis was assessed at 3.3 trees per ha, with no significant difference between the three forest systems. The mean diameter at breast height of I. gabonensis trees in all three forest systems was not significantly different. Mean fruit production in the three forest systems also showed no significant difference. Seedling survival fell to 70% in the protected area after 18 months. The presence of mostly medium to large diameter trees is an indication that the resource will continue to be available for some time but the near absence of younger individuals to replace the ageing population is detrimental to resource availability in the long term. Due to the intensity of gathering, it is recommended that the local population should actively incorporate this species into their farms.
Source title: Bois et Forets des Tropiques
DOI: 10.19182/bft2015.324.a31262
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85031047958&doi=10.19182%2fbft2015.324.a31262&partnerID=40&md5=20ba4158a0a00ea134e8fca099c4041b
Correspondence Address:
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Lobéké
Main topic: Biodiversity ; Humans
Subtopic: Plants ; Survey / Monitoring ; Biology / Ecology ; Structure / Biomass ; Non-timber forest products ; Perceptions / Behaviors ; Income-generating activities

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Abstract: We present a case study on the privatization of the Nyungwe National Park's buffer zone in which we critically examine the potential implications of a shift in management practice for local people. We present empirical data describing household collection of natural resources from the park, buffer zone, purchased from local markets, and private lands from areas adjacent to the park and buffer. Results show heavy reliance on wood from the buffer zone, with a larger proportion of relatively poorer households' income being derived from wood. Furthermore, semistructured interviews used to depict local perceptions of access to the buffer zone preceding the New Forest Company (a United Kingdom-based timber company) operations describe increasing difficulty in accessing resources due to greater enforcement. We conclude that the change in management poses substantial loss for local communities, in particular for the poorest households, in terms of resources from and access to the buffer. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Source title: Society and Natural Resources
DOI: 10.1080/08941920.2014.948246
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84923583526&doi=10.1080%2f08941920.2014.948246&partnerID=40&md5=a84354eab055d66cd827e16b0975f850
Correspondence Address: Gross-Camp, N.D.; School of International Development, University of East AngliaUnited Kingdom
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Rwanda ;
Protected area: Nyungwe
Main topic: Humans
Subtopic: Governance / Policy ; Periphery / Management ; Conservation initiatives ; Income-generating activities ; Perceptions / Behaviors

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Abstract: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the second largest country on the African continent with a population of over 70 million. It is also a major crossroad through Africa as it borders nine countries. Unfortunately, the DRC has experienced recurrent political and social instability throughout its history and active fighting is still prevalent today. At least two decades of conflict have devastated the civilian population and collapsed healthcare infrastructure. Life expectancy is low and government expenditure on health per capita remains one of the lowest in the world. Emergency Medicine has not been established as a specialty in the DRC. While the vast majority of hospitals have emergency rooms or salle des urgences, this designation has no agreed upon format and is rarely staffed by doctors or nurses trained in emergency care. Presenting complaints include general and obstetric surgical emergencies as well as respiratory and diarrhoeal illnesses. Most patients present late, in advanced stages of disease or with extreme morbidity, so mortality is high. Epidemics include HIV, cholera, measles, meningitis and other diarrhoeal and respiratory illnesses. Lack of training, lack of equipment and fee-for-service are cited as barriers to care. Pre-hospital care is also not an established specialty. New initiatives to improve emergency care include training Congolese physicians in emergency medicine residencies and medic ranger training within national parks. © 2015 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.
Source title: African Journal of Emergency Medicine
DOI: 10.1016/j.afjem.2015.08.001
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84951159756&doi=10.1016%2fj.afjem.2015.08.001&partnerID=40&md5=50dd8a4413c5c224220a70770cc5b1da
Correspondence Address: Salmon, M.; Department of Surgery HEAL HospitalCongo; email: margiesalmon@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Note
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Virunga ; Lomami National Park
Main topic: Health ; Humans
Subtopic: Human health ; Armed conflicts

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Abstract: The African genus Crotonogynopsis Pax (Euphorbiaceae) is revised to include four species, including two novelties, C. korupensis Kenfack & D. W. Thomas from the Korup National Park, Cameroon, and the Reserva Natural de Río Campo in Equatorial Guinea; and C. australis Kenfack & Gereau from the southern part of the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania, with a distant outlier in Mozambique. Three of the four species are assigned the IUCN Red List category of Least Concern (LC) on the basis of their occurrence in protected areas with no known threats.
Source title: Novon
DOI: 10.3417/2015005
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84949995906&doi=10.3417%2f2015005&partnerID=40&md5=7fe6616258713c7d42847e6c229eb7d4
Correspondence Address:
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ; Equatorial Guinea ;
Protected area: Korup ; Rio Campo
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Taxonomy

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Abstract: On May 14, 2013, a wild, human-habituated, juvenile female mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda was observed utilizing a tool to acquire food. The young gorilla watched an adult male use his hand to collect ants from a hole in the ground, and then quickly withdrew his hand and move away from the hole, shaking his arm to presumably remove biting ants. The juvenile female engaged in similar behavior, withdrawing her hand covered in ants, and shaking her arm vigorously. She then selected a piece of wood approximately 20cm long and 2cm wide at one end, 1cm wide at the other, and proceeded to insert the stick into the hole, withdraw the stick, and then lick ants off of the stick. In contrast to the sizeable body of literature on tool use in wild chimpanzees, this is the first report of tool use for food acquisition by a wild gorilla. Am. J. Primatol. 77:353-357, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Source title: American Journal of Primatology
DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22351
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84922961416&doi=10.1002%2fajp.22351&partnerID=40&md5=b00511029ae4ec71ccb45401cc58596e
Correspondence Address: Kinani, J.-F.; Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, Inc., University of CaliforniaUnited States
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Rwanda ;
Protected area: Volcans
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Primates ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: The purpose of this article is to evaluate the possibilities of touristic development of the La Lopé National Park and to indicate the most important barriers and limitations of the area exploitation. For this purpose a SWOT method was applied. This assignment presents the situation as of the end of 2014. The majority of the up-to-date data was collected during the mission, the purpose of which was to observe the region, and which was organized by Université Omar Bongo in Libreville and Warsaw University. The La Lopé National Park has a significant touristic potential which is very poorly used. The diagnose of the reasons for that can be an indicator for attempts to rationally use the resources of the region and present an appropriate development strategy. © 2015 University of Warsaw - Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies.
Source title: Miscellanea Geographica
DOI: 10.1515/mgrsd-2015-0008
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84946571672&doi=10.1515%2fmgrsd-2015-0008&partnerID=40&md5=668f25a498094e809ceea5e9cd730401
Correspondence Address:
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Lopé
Main topic: Humans
Subtopic: Tourism

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Abstract: Seed production, seed dispersal, and seedling recruitment are integral to forest dynamics, especially in masting species. Often these are studied separately, yet scarcely ever for species with ballistic dispersal even though this mode of dispersal is common in legume trees of tropical African rain forests. Here, we studied two dominant main-canopy tree species, Microberlinia bisulcata and Tetraberlinia bifoliolata (Caesalpinioideae), in 25. ha of primary rain forest at Korup, Cameroon, during two successive masting events (2007/2010). In the vicinity of c. 100 and 130 trees of each species, 476/580 traps caught dispersed seeds and beneath their crowns c. 57,000 pod valves per species were inspected to estimate tree-level fecundity. Seed production of trees increased non-linearly and asymptotically with increasing stem diameters. It was unequal within the two species' populations, and differed strongly between years to foster both spatial and temporal patchiness in seed rain. The M. bisulcata trees could begin seeding at 42-44. cm diameter: at a much larger size than could T. bifoliolata (25 cm). Nevertheless, per capita life-time reproductive capacity was c. five times greater in M. bisulcata than T. bifoliolata owing to former's larger adult stature, lower mortality rate (despite a shorter life-time) and smaller seed mass.The two species displayed strong differences in their dispersal capabilities. Inverse modelling (IM) revealed that dispersal of M. bisulcata was best described by a lognormal kernel. Most seeds landed at 10-15. m from stems, with 1% of them going beyond 80 m (<100 m). The direct estimates of fecundity significantly improved the models fitted. The lognormal also described well the seedling recruitment distribution of this species in 121 ground plots. By contrast, the lower intensity of masting and more limited dispersal of the heavier-seeded T. bifoliolata prevented reliable IM. For this species, seed density as function of distance to traps suggested a maximum dispersal distance of 40-50 m, and a correspondingly more aggregated seedling recruitment pattern ensued than for M. bisulcata.From this integrated field study, we conclude that the reproductive traits of M. bisulcata give it a considerable advantage over T. bifoliolata by better dispersing more seeds per capita to reach more suitable establishment sites, and combined with other key traits they explain its local dominance in the forest. Understanding the linkages between size at onset of maturity, individual fecundity, and dispersal capability can better inform the life-history strategies, and hence management, of co-occurring tree species in tropical forests. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.
Source title: Forest Ecology and Management
DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2014.11.005
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84949119933&doi=10.1016%2fj.foreco.2014.11.005&partnerID=40&md5=a885a639ac914bf2ea45c44c30a4ece7
Correspondence Address: Norghauer, J.M.; Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, 21 Altenbergrain, Switzerland
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Korup
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: Protected area downgrading, downsizing and degazettement (PADDD) is a global phenomenon that has not received formal attention in Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) policies designed to reduce forest carbon emissions and conserve biodiversity. Here, we examine how PADDD affects deforestation and forest carbon emissions. We documented 174 enacted and 8 proposed PADDD events affecting more than 48,000 km2 in three REDD+ priority countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malaysia, and Peru. Where sufficient data were available, we estimated deforestation rates and the quantity and economic value of forest carbon already lost and at risk in three land tenure classes: PADDDed, protected, and never-protected. PADDDed forests experienced deforestation and forest carbon emissions greatly exceeding rates in protected areas and slightly exceeding rates in never-protected forests. PADDD represents business-as-usual for protected areas, posing substantial risk to forests and forest carbon stocks. REDD+ policies have substantive implications for protected area biodiversity and forest carbon emissions; the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ provides new, but insufficient, guidance for nations to address these issues. © 2014 The Authors.
Source title: Conservation Letters
DOI: 10.1111/conl.12144
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84928119421&doi=10.1111%2fconl.12144&partnerID=40&md5=1745b5e22ada3dc05abdef6693186a26
Correspondence Address: Forrest, J.L.; World Wildlife Fund-US, 1250 24th Street, NW, United States
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Many
Main topic: Environment
Subtopic: Land use / cover ; Deforestation ; Carbon

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Abstract: The importance of wild meats for rural people is well documented in tropical forests worldwide. However, the case of oceanic islands remains relatively poorly studied. We assess the contribution made by wild meats to the diets of rural inhabitants in the Island of São Tomé, characterize the relative importance of native and introduced fauna, and discuss the implications of wild meat consumption on rural livelihoods and on the conservation of the resident fauna. Using semistructured interviews, we assessed animal protein consumption in 10 communities (716 household-weeks), around the vicinity of the island’s main protected area, Obô Natural Park. Fish and the introduced West African giant snail (Archachatina marginata) are the most important sources of protein for rural inhabitants, with wild terrestrial vertebrates being consumed by only a small fraction of sampled households. Significantly higher amounts of wild snail and wild mammal meat are consumed in more remote areas with poorer families depending more on snails, and richer households on fruit bats or introduced mammals. Although eaten in relatively small numbers per household, consumption of wild birds is widespread, thus when extrapolated to the island’s entire rural population, this practice is likely to be unsustainable, particularly for endemic pigeons that are also commercially hunted. Our results suggest that rural populations in São Tomé largely depend on protein from introduced wild species, with native and endemic fauna constituting less important sources. However, endemic birds and native fruit bats are extensively harvested for household consumption and constitute a commonly used resource that urgently needs to be regulated. © 2015 by the author(s).
Source title: Ecology and Society
DOI: 10.5751/ES-07831-200327
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84943187944&doi=10.5751%2fES-07831-200327&partnerID=40&md5=7be20542fa7b8c3206215f85ac294421
Correspondence Address:
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; São Tomé and Príncipe ;
Protected area: Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé
Main topic: Humans ; Biodiversity
Subtopic: Hunting / Poaching ; Periphery / Management ; Income-generating activities ; Animals ; Vertebrates ; Fish ; Birds ; Mammals ; Invertebrates

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Abstract: Background: Cameroon is known as Africa in miniature because of its multitude of ecosystems and associated biodiversity, cultures and traditions. The country also harbors very ancient human populations whose relationship with nature is very intimate and where animals play important roles for their livelihood. Located in the South-west region of Cameroon, the Nkwende Hills Forest Reserve (NHFR) represents an important wildlife conservation site because of its strategic position at the periphery of Korup National Park (KNP). The periphery of NHFR is inhabited by several ethnic groups amongst which are the Obang and Ngunnchang clans who share particular relationships with wildlife. The present paper studies these relationships and contributes to the growing trend of scientific ethnozoological studies across Africa. Method: From August to December 2011, a questionnaire survey was addressed to 126 randomly chosen household respondents (HRs) in seven villages at the Northwest periphery of NHFR. In households, preference was given to parents, and to the eldest child in case the parents were absent. Questions related to the uses and local taboos on wildlife species were asked to HRs. Results: Both communities have accumulated knowledge on the use of 51 wildlife species of which 50.9% represent mammals, 21.6% birds, 15.7% reptiles, 7.8% fish and 3.9% invertebrates. Four main use categories of wildlife by both communities were identified, namely (1) Food, medicine and sales values (41.2%), (2) Ethnomusical animals and parts used as trophy (29.2%), (3) Decoration and jewelry making values (21.9%) and (4) Magico-religious and multipurpose values (7.8%). Regarding local taboos, species specific taboos (generation totems and acquired totems), habitat taboos (sacred forests), method and segment taboos still persist but are rarely respected among the youth mainly because of the scarcity of wildlife (65.3% of HRs). Conclusion: Like other communities living around forest areas, the studied communities use wildlife in their culture and tradition. Wildlife is not only used for consumption, but also for traditional medicines, craft materials and spiritual purposes. But, threats to wildlife and their traditional uses are real and acculturation seems to be the main driver. High priority should be given to the reconciling conservation of species with high values for local communities and human needs. © Bobo et al.; licensee BioMed Central.
Source title: Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine
DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-11-2
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84924201483&doi=10.1186%2f1746-4269-11-2&partnerID=40&md5=c027205e41cfcea0ebdb9f45ae89a743
Correspondence Address: Bobo, K.S.; University of Dschang, Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box: 222, Cameroon
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Korup
Main topic: Humans ; Biodiversity
Subtopic: Ethnoscience ; Perceptions / Behaviors ; Anthropology / Ethnoscience ; Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Birds ; Reptiles ; Fish ; Invertebrates

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Abstract: Central Africa's tropical forests are among the world's largest carbon reserves. Historically, they have experienced low rates of deforestation. Pressures to clear land are increasing due to development of infrastructure and livelihoods, foreign investment in agriculture, and shifting land use management, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The DRC contains the greatest area of intact African forests. These store approximately 22 billion tons of carbon in aboveground live biomass, yet only 10% are protected. Can the status quo of passive protection - forest management that is low or nonexistent - ensure the preservation of this forest and its carbon? We have developed the SimCongo model to simulate changes in land cover and land use based on theorized policy scenarios from 2010 to 2050. Three scenarios were examined: the first (Historical Trends) assumes passive forest protection; the next (Conservation) posits active protection of forests and activation of the national REDD+ action plan, and the last (Agricultural Development) assumes increased agricultural activities in forested land with concomitant increased deforestation. SimCongo is a cellular automata model based on Bayesian statistical methods tailored for the DRC, built with the Dinamica-EGO platform. The model is parameterized and validated with deforestation observations from the past and runs the scenarios from 2010 through 2050 with a yearly time step. We estimate the Historical Trends trajectory will result in average emissions of 139 million t CO2 year-1 by the 2040s, a 15% increase over current emissions. The Conservation scenario would result in 58% less clearing than Historical Trends and would conserve carbon-dense forest and woodland savanna areas. The Agricultural Development scenario leads to emissions of 212 million t CO2 year-1 by the 2040s. These scenarios are heuristic examples of policy's influence on forest conservation and carbon storage. Our results suggest that 1) passive protection of the DRC's forest and woodland savanna is insufficient to reduce deforestation; and 2): enactment of a REDD+ plan or similar conservation measure is needed to actively protect Congo forests, their unique ecology, and their important role in the global carbon cycle. © 2015 Galford et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Source title: PLoS ONE
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128473
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84939168982&doi=10.1371%2fjournal.pone.0128473&partnerID=40&md5=85731c6f6fcbcfe6b250ce333bd14ef2
Correspondence Address:
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Many
Main topic: Environment
Subtopic: Land use / cover ; Deforestation ; Carbon

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Abstract: A recent targeted entomological survey in the Republic of Rwanda has produced two conspecific male and female specimens of an undescribed species of praying mantis (Mantodea). The specimens were collected in Nyungwe National Park in May of 2013. The species is closest morphologically to Dystacta alticeps (Schaum, 1853). Therefore, a new species is described, Dystacta tigrifrutex sp. n., along with the first instar nymphs and ootheca. In addition, the previously monotypic genus Dystacta Saussure, 1871 is re-described to provide a broader definition of the genus group. Habitus images, measurement data, a key to species, natural history information, and locality data are provided. © Riley Tedrow et al.
Source title: ZooKeys
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.410.7053
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84901275222&doi=10.3897%2fzookeys.410.7053&partnerID=40&md5=98976e648133e1b0dcc7ccccec790648
Correspondence Address: Svenson, G. J.; Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Drive, Cleveland, OH, United States; email: gsvenson@cmnh.org
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Rwanda ;
Protected area: Nyungwe
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Invertebrates ; Taxonomy ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: Protected areas are important for biodiversity conservation and the maintenance of ecosystem services, including climate regulation through carbon storage. Yet, there is little knowledge of their carbon storage potential. This study assesses the above-ground carbon stock and the congruence between carbon stock and tree diversity in the Kom-Mengamé forest conservation complex (KMFCC) in South-Cameroon, based on an inventory of trees with DBH ? 10cm in 1,366 plots (100 × 5m each) covering 63.8ha, established in different land use types (terra firma forest, swamp forest and cultivated areas). Above-ground carbon was estimated using generic allometric equation and species-specific wood density derived from wood density databases. Results showed high carbon stock in KMFCC with values ranging from 143.29 ± 124.37Mg/ha-1 in swamp areas to 240 ± 204.35Mg/ha-1 in terra firma forests. Mean carbon stock in managed areas differed from that of terra firma forests. Petersianthus macrocarpus showed the greatest carbon stock. The study demonstrates the need for integrated approaches for carbon management in secondary forests where agroforests might be important to maintain biodiversity associated with high carbon storage. These approaches are particularly relevant to the Congo basin region where protected areas are threatened by poor management of their periphery. © 2014 United Nations.
Source title: Natural Resources Forum
DOI: 10.1111/1477-8947.12049
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84906792885&doi=10.1111%2f1477-8947.12049&partnerID=40&md5=55b322dbf3af72229dc2e4bcc14dd540
Correspondence Address:
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Kom ; Mengame
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Structure / Biomass ; Survey / Monitoring ; Diversity

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Abstract: With great ape populations in decline across much of their range, it is crucial to obtain a global picture of their distribution and abundance, in order to guide conservation activities and to provide baseline data against which to monitor their trends. Although great apes are popular, charismatic species, we still do not possess a complete understanding of their distribution and abundance, which hinders their long-term protection. We highlight this problem by providing information on the distribution and abundance of the Eastern chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in the northern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a region which has until now received little attention. We conducted a standing crop nest survey in the Bili area in 2005 and exploratory reconnaissance walks (recces) across the Bas-Uele region between 2004 and 2009. At Bili, the nest encounter rate in the remote forest was 4.84nests per km (CI=2.78-8.55) and in the area closer to the road it was 1.92nests per km (CI=1.08-3.43). In 2012, we repeated a part of the original transect survey and found that the nest encounter rate had remained stable over that period. On our recce walks across the region, we encountered chimpanzee nests in all forests surveyed, and within 13km of the largest population centers. Our results suggest that the Central Uele landscape and neighboring regions are home to one of the largest remaining continuous populations of Eastern chimpanzees, that extends across at least 50,000km2, likely representing thousands of individuals, but which is falling under increasing pressure from habitat destruction, mining and the bushmeat trade. This population has until now remained hidden from researchers and is not protected. Our results reflect gaps in our current understanding of ape distribution and abundance, and highlight the importance of obtaining more sound and complete data before assessing species status and making recommendations to guide conservation efforts. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.
Source title: Biological Conservation
DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2014.01.002
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84893511743&doi=10.1016%2fj.biocon.2014.01.002&partnerID=40&md5=b3ed31537e988fbb7aac6999d64472c8
Correspondence Address: Hicks, T.C.; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; email: clevehicks@hotmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Bomu ; Bili-Uere
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Primates ; Survey / Monitoring ; Abundance

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Abstract: Our understanding of the functioning of a species' vocal repertoire can be greatly improved by investigating acoustic variation and using objective classification schemes based on acoustic structure. Here we used a syntactic approach to investigate the acoustic structure of the gorilla close distance vocalizations ('close calls'), which remain as yet little understood. We examined 2130 calls of 10 mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, and 5 western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) from Bai Hokou, Central African Republic. We segmented calls into units using distinct acoustic features and employed model-based cluster analyses to define the repertoire of unit types. We then examined how unit types were combined into calls. Lastly, we compared unit type use between age-sex classes and the two study groups. We found that the gorilla close calls consist of 5 intergraded acoustic unit types which were flexibly but yet non-randomly concatenated into 159 combinations. Our results are in line with previous quantitative acoustic analyses demonstrating a high degree of acoustic variation in a variety of animal vocal repertoires, particularly close distance vocalizations. Our findings add on to (1) the recent argument that the common practice of describing vocal repertoires as either discrete or graded may be of little value as such distinctions may be driven by human perception and non-quantitative descriptions of vocal repertoires, and (2) recent studies indicating that flexibility in close range social calls can come about through combinatorial systems, which previously have been studied primarily in long distance vocalizations. Furthermore, our study highlights differences in the vocal repertoire of western and mountain gorillas, as expected given differences in environment and social behaviour. Our results offer opportunities for further in-depth studies investigating the function of the gorilla close calls, which will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of ape vocal communication in general. © Copyright 2014 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Source title: Behaviour
DOI: 10.1163/1568539X-00003175
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84904108118&doi=10.1163%2f1568539X-00003175&partnerID=40&md5=191692f3102ecb08ba85561bde4a25ed
Correspondence Address: Hedwig, D.; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; email: hedwig@eva.mpg.de
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Central African Republic ;
Protected area: Dzanga-Ndoki
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Primates ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: For animal species with dynamic interactions, understanding social patterns can be difficult. Social network analysis quantifies associations and their intensity between individuals within a population, revealing the overall patterns of the society. We used networks to test the hypothesis that the elusive African forest elephant Loxodonta cyclotis exhibits fission-fusion social dynamics, similar to other elephant species. We observed associations between individuals in savanna clearings in Lopé National Park, Gabon, in 2006, 2008, and 2010. When possible, dung was collected from individuals for genetic analyses using 10 microsatellite loci and the mitochondrial DNA control region. Using simple ratio association indices, networks were created for each year, wet and dry seasons, individuals detected at least twice, and for all females. We identified 118 unique adult females, for 40 of which we obtained genetic information. Networks had low densities, many disconnected components, short average path lengths, and high clustering coefficients. Within components, average relatedness was 0.093 ± 0.071 (SD) and females appeared to share mitochondrial haplotypes. We detected 1 large component consisting of 22 adult females, but there were few preferred associations (8 of 65, 12.3%). No seasonal or yearly differences were observed. Our results substantiate fission-fusion dynamics in forest elephants; however, the networks are more disconnected than those for other elephant species, possibly due to poaching and ecological constraints in the forest environment. © Inter-Research 2014 www.int-res.com.
Source title: Endangered Species Research
DOI: 10.3354/esr00618
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84940373108&doi=10.3354%2fesr00618&partnerID=40&md5=6df44b7be3c1d5d0894c090a7dc286c0
Correspondence Address: Schuttler, S.G.; Division of Biological SciencesUnited States; email: stephanie.schuttler@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Lopé
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Ungulates ; Elephants ; Biology / Ecology ; Genetics