---

Abstract: The Dja Faunal Reserve located in southeastern Cameroon represents the largest and best protected rainforest patch in Cameroon. Here we make available a dataset on the inventory of tree species collected across the Dja. For this study nine 5 km long and 5 m wide transects were installed. All species with a diameter at breast height greater than 10 cm were recorded, identified and measured. A total of 11546 individuals were recorded, corresponding to a total of 312 species identified with 60 genera containing unidentified taxa. Of the 54 identified families Fabaceae, Rubiaceae and Malvaceae were the most species rich, whereas Fabaceae, Phyllantaceae and Olacaceae were the most abundant. Finally, Tabernaemontana crassa was the most abundant species across the Reserve. This dataset provides a unique insight into the tree diversity of the Dja Faunal Reserve and is now publically available and usable. © Sonké B, Couvreur T.
Source title: Biodiversity Data Journal
DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.2.e1049
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85018193762&doi=10.3897%2fBDJ.2.e1049&partnerID=40&md5=30e5c57f4bf8a894142ff68e38ac30c7
Correspondence Address: Sonké, B.; Université de Yaoundé I, Ecole Normale SupérieureCameroon; email: bsonke_1999@yahoo.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Dja
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Survey / Monitoring ; Diversity ; Structure / Biomass

---

Abstract: We report our recent findings on the use of tool sets by chimpanzees in Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, Gabon. Direct observations and evidences left by chimpanzees showed that chimpanzees used sticks as pounders, enlargers, and collectors to extract honey from beehives of stingless bees (Meliponula sp.), which may correspond to those previously found in the same site for fishing termites and to those found in Loango National Park, Gabon. However, we observed chimpanzees using a similar set of tools for hunting a medium-sized mammal (possibly mongoose) that hid inside a log. This is the first report of hunting with tools by a chimpanzee population in Central Africa. Chimpanzees may recognize the multiple functions and applicability of tools (extracting honey and driving prey), although it is still a preliminary speculation. Our findings may provide us a new insight on the chimpanzee’s flexibility of tool use and cognitive abilities of complex food gathering. © 2014, Japan Monkey Centre and Springer Japan.
Source title: Primates
DOI: 10.1007/s10329-014-0431-5
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84919396562&doi=10.1007%2fs10329-014-0431-5&partnerID=40&md5=29172f183bb00e63f804633aa5d4c769
Correspondence Address: Yamagiwa, J.; Laboratory of Human Evolution Studies, Graduate School of Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Japan
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Moukalaba-Doudou ; Loango
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Primates ; Biology / Ecology

---

Abstract: Conservation of wide-ranging species, such as the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), depends on fully protected areas and multiple-use areas (MUA) that provide habitat connectivity. In the Gamba Complex of Protected Areas in Gabon, which includes 2 national parks separated by a MUA containing energy and forestry concessions, we studied forest elephants to evaluate the importance of the MUA to wide-ranging species. We extracted DNA from elephant dung samples and used genetic information to identify over 500 individuals in the MUA and the parks. We then examined patterns of nuclear microsatellites and mitochondrial control-region sequences to infer population structure, movement patterns, and habitat use by age and sex. Population structure was weak but significant, and differentiation was more pronounced during the wet season. Within the MUA, males were more strongly associated with open habitats, such as wetlands and savannas, than females during the dry season. Many of the movements detected within and between seasons involved the wetlands and bordering lagoons. Our results suggest that the MUA provides year-round habitat for some elephants and additional habitat for others whose primary range is in the parks. With the continuing loss of roadless wilderness areas in Central Africa, well-managed MUAs will likely be important to the conservation of wide-ranging species. © 2013 Society for Conservation Biology.
Source title: Conservation Biology
DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12161
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84893710488&doi=10.1111%2fcobi.12161&partnerID=40&md5=1c4943ba07bbd87fd9f7c8a0aabd3c74
Correspondence Address: Eggert, L.S.; Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, 226 Tucker Hall, Columbia, MO, 65211, United States; email: eggertl@missouri.edu
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Loango ; Moukalaba-Doudou
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Ungulates ; Elephants ; Genetics ; Diversity ; Abundance ; Biology / Ecology

---

Abstract: Forest cover maps were produced for the Gabonese Agency for Space Studies and Observations (AGEOS) for 1990, 2000 and 2010 for an area of approximately 102,000km2 corresponding to 38% of the total area of Gabon and representative of the range of human pressure on forest resources. The maps were constructed using a combination of a semi-automated classification procedure and manual enhancements to ensure the greatest possible accuracy. A two-stage area frame sampling approach was adopted to collect reference data for assessing the accuracy of the forest cover maps and to estimate proportion forest cover and net proportion deforestation. A total of 251 2×2km segments or primary sample units (PSUs) were visually interpreted by a team of photo-interpreters independently from the map production team to produce a reference dataset representing about 1% of the study area. Paired observations were extracted from the forest cover map and the reference data for a random selection of 50 secondary sample units (SSUs) in the form of pixels within each PSU. Overall map accuracies were greater than 95%. PSU and SSU outputs were used to estimate proportion forest cover and net proportion deforestation using both direct expansion and model-assisted regression (MAR) estimators. All proportion forest cover estimates were similar, but the variances of the MAR estimates were smaller than variances for the direct expansion estimates by factors as great as 50. In addition, SSU-level estimates had standard errors slightly greater than those of PSU-level estimates, but the differences were small, particularly when auxiliary variables were obtained from forest cover maps. Therefore, a two-stage sampling approach was justified for collecting a reliable forest cover reference dataset for estimating proportion forest cover area and net proportion deforestation. Finally, despite large overall map accuracies, net proportion deforestation estimates obtained from the maps alone can be misleading as indicated by the finding that the MAR estimates, which included adjustment for bias estimates, were twice the non-adjusted map estimates for the periods 1990-2000 and 1990-2010. The results confirmed the expected generally small level of net deforestation for Gabon. However, loss of forest cover appears to have almost stopped in the last 10years. One explanation could be the creation of national parks and the implementation of forest concession management plans from 2000 onward, but this should be further explored. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.
Source title: Remote Sensing of Environment
DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2013.09.015
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84906944950&doi=10.1016%2fj.rse.2013.09.015&partnerID=40&md5=d036eff3ddd42c4aea9960ea539f0eb3
Correspondence Address: Sannier, C.; SIRS, Parc de la Cimaise, 27 rue du Carrousel, 59650 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France; email: christophe.sannier@sirs-fr.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Many
Main topic: Environment
Subtopic: Land use / cover ; Forests ; Deforestation

---

Abstract: Distribution and procedure, two core social justice concepts, are central concerns for the design and practice of payments for ecosystem services (PESs). This paper explores the relationship between local conceptions of justice and the more globally referenced justice principles embedded in the design of PES schemes. The importance of this is that perceptions of justness are powerful determinants of human behaviour and, consequently, many environmental conflicts arise from contested visions of what constitutes 'just' environmental management. With that in mind we propose that PES schemes built on conceptions of justice that broadly align with those of prospective service providers will be better received than those that do not. In order to explore differences in justice conceptions, we specify three commonly defined dimensions of environmental justice: distribution, procedure and recognition. We predict that there will be differences in the importance different actors place on these different dimensions of justice and also differences in how each particular dimension is conceived. We interview 80 randomly selected respondents from a PES case in Rwanda and relate their views about justice to the design of the PES. Our findings challenge the implicit universalism in many market-based conservation interventions: that imposed framings of justice will resonate with local ones. They also challenge the assumption that different dimensions of justice are always mutually supporting - the fallacy of the rising tide that lifts all boats. We also conclude that an environmental justice framing provides a fruitful new analytical approach for research into global forest conservation efforts. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
Source title: Geoforum
DOI: 10.1016/j.geoforum.2013.02.006
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84901633912&doi=10.1016%2fj.geoforum.2013.02.006&partnerID=40&md5=0a7ea4c2968d487b1e6552936082ffd0
Correspondence Address: Martin, A.; School of International Development, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom; email: adrian.martin@uea.ac.uk
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Rwanda ;
Protected area: Nyungwe
Main topic: Humans
Subtopic: Ecosystem services ; Income-generating activities ; Perceptions / Behaviors ; Periphery / Management ; Governance / Policy ; Conservation initiatives

---

Abstract: Reliable dung decay rate estimates are essential for indirect surveys of forest ungulates, but there are still few reports of this parameter in the literature and there is a lack of consistency in their analytical assessment. In contrast to the standardized and statistically robust protocol for analyzing sign surveys of forest elephants, most duiker dung decay studies provide simple means only. We here report decay rates based on logistic regression on prospective data, collected at Korup National Park, Cameroon, based on 45 dung piles from Ogilby's duiker (Cephalophus ogilby) and on 23 dung piles from blue duiker (Philantomba monticola). Estimates were computed using maximum likelihood-based (R functions 'glm' as fixed and 'lmer' as mixed model specification), and quasi-likelihood-based ('lrm' and 'glmmpql') logistic regressions. Ogilby's and blue duiker dung decay rates were estimated at 17 and 11 days on average, respectively. Decay rate estimates did not differ between mixed and standard models in blue duikers and only slighdy in Ogilby's duiker. Our model-based decay rate estimates differed considerably from previously published dung decay rates and from arithmetic mean decay rates. Therefore we strongly suggest performing site- and time-specific dung decay experiments and utilizing logistic regression models to estimate dung decay to ensure robust duiker density estimations based on dung density. © Society for Tropical Ecology.
Source title: Ecotropica
DOI:
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84908059087&partnerID=40&md5=c4020b8f44c874513bbcb9ab74e14aea
Correspondence Address: Viquerat, S.; University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), Werftstr. 6, Germany
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Korup
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Ungulates ; Survey / Monitoring ; Biology / Ecology

---

Abstract: Including a diverse set of stakeholders in collaborative land use planning processes is facilitated by data and maps that communicate and inform an array of possible planning options and potential scenarios of future land use change. In northern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) has engaged stakeholders and the DRC Government to lead a participatory zoning process in the Maringa-Lopori-Wamba (MLW) Landscape. To assist landscape scale macro-zoning efforts, we employed a spatial allocation decision support tool called Marxan to develop a set of three scenarios of potential human and agricultural expansion for 2050. The results offer guidance to stakeholders and assist decision-makers in determining the most suitable land for inclusion in a proposed Rural Development Zone (RDZ), designed to accommodate the expansion of agricultural activities and subsequent deforestation while considering conservation priority areas. We used data describing current patterns of human activity, including historical primary forest loss, land cover suitability for agricultural activity, and presence of important wildlife connectivity zones and protected areas to identify locations where future agricultural expansion might be encouraged. We found that future agricultural demands can be met by expansion around historically intensive agricultural areas in the eastern portion of MLW without significantly compromising conservation priority areas. Wildlife connectivity zones are most vulnerable to future agricultural expansion because of their proximity to current agricultural activity. Our results demonstrate the need to prioritize conservation action in these areas and illustrate how competing needs might be balanced in planning for both agricultural expansion and terrestrial biological conservation in this landscape. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
Source title: Biological Conservation
DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2013.04.011
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84878940324&doi=10.1016%2fj.biocon.2013.04.011&partnerID=40&md5=47f6c3dd1bd7ed75bfcca472c43c4b7f
Correspondence Address: Nackoney, J.; Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, 2181 LeFrak Hall, College Park, MD 20742, United States; email: jnackone@umd.edu
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Lomako-Yokokala ; Luo Scientific Reserve ; Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve ; Lyondji Bonobo Community Reserve
Main topic: Environment ; Humans
Subtopic: Land use / cover ; Deforestation ; Conservation initiatives ; Periphery / Management ; Governance / Policy ; Demography ; Agriculture

---

Abstract: Wild chimpanzee populations are still declining due to logging, disease transmission and hunting. The bushmeat trade frequently leads to an increase in the number of orphaned primates. HELP Congo was the first project to successfully release wild-born orphan chimpanzees into an existing chimpanzee habitat. A collection of post monitoring data over 16 years now offers the unique opportunity to investigate possible behavioural adaptations in these chimpanzees. We investigated the feeding and activity patterns in eight individuals via focal observation techniques from 1997-1999 and 2001-2005. Our results revealed a decline in the number of fruit and insect species in the diet of released chimpanzees over the years, whereas within the same period of time, the number of consumed seed species increased. Furthermore, we found a decline in time spent travelling, but an increase in time spent on social activities, such as grooming, as individuals matured. In conclusion, the observed changes in feeding and activity patterns seem to reflect important long-term behavioural and ecological adaptations in wild-born orphan released chimpanzees, demonstrating that the release of chimpanzees can be successful, even if it takes time for full adaptation. © 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Source title: Animals; Vertebrates
DOI: 10.3390/ani3020532
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84879960997&doi=10.3390%2fani3020532&partnerID=40&md5=367bda10f26f828894b096ac846a26f8
Correspondence Address: Renaud, A.; HELP Congo (Habitat Ecologique et Liberté des Primates), BP 335, Pointe Noire, Congo; email: amandernd@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Conkouati-Douli
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Primates ; Biology / Ecology

---

Abstract: Opportunities to mitigate climate change through the reduction of emissions from deforestation and degradation, forest conservation, enhancement of carbon stocks and sustainable forest management (REDD+) in developing countries, have risen to the top of international climate policy agenda, attracting increasing attention and investment from environmental organizations, development assistance agencies and the business community. Cameroon as other COMIFAC country members is actively participating in REDD+ negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and is currently implementing not less than seven pilot projects which are planned around nearly all of the large forested National Parks in Cameroon, which represents over 7% of the forested land m the country. In this article, we evaluated REDD+ mechanism potential to effectively avoid carbon emissions and identify potential co-benefits for Akak community forest located near the Campo-Ma'an National Park in the South region. To do so, we used a Participatory Land Cover Change Mapping (PLCM) methodology with selected members in the community. This approach draws on local knowledge of the community forest, current patterns of forest resource use and information regarding how the community's choice are expected to affect forest cover to develop a credible baseline scenario. REDD+ policy scenarios developed in this paper indicates a potential of 83, 588.9 tC and 98, 690.9 tC of avoided carbon emissions for the most conservative scenario after 5 years and 10 years respectively of intervention. © Geoinformatics International.
Source title: International Journal of Geoinformatics
DOI:
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84877649165&partnerID=40&md5=586bca4cf85f3e832c201ab83486ac25
Correspondence Address: Centre for Environment and Development, (CED), P.O. Box: 3430, Yaounde, Cameroon
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Campo-Ma'an
Main topic: Environment ; Humans
Subtopic: Land use / cover ; Carbon ; Perceptions / Behaviors ; Income-generating activities ; Periphery / Management ; Governance / Policy

---

Abstract: We report on the amphibians of five sites within the Batéké Plateau National Park in southeastern Gabon. During our survey we recorded 11 genera and at least 18 frog species, including four new country records (Kassina maculosa, Phrynobatrachus ruthbeateae, Ptychadena uzungwensis and Xenopus pygmaeus). Most of the recorded frogs were typical savanna or farmbush species; some preferred forested habitats and were collected in gallery forest or small forest patches within the savanna. Larvae were also collected, and the identifications of tadpoles and select adults were confirmed using mtDNA. The presence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the fungus that causes the amphibian disease chytridiomycosis, was tested using Taqman PCR, including community-level sampling. All samples were Bd-negative. This amphibian survey represents the first within Batéké Plateau National Park and is valuable because the fauna of this expansive, true savanna habitat differs from other protected areas that have isolated savanna pockets. The results of this survey also assist in predicting which species may exist in the contiguous savanna habitat in the Republic of the Congo. © 2013 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Herpetologie und Terrarienkunde e.V. (DGHT), Mannheim, Germany.
Source title: Salamandra
DOI:
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84887508289&partnerID=40&md5=4e1d5cb928eb2819c56b158066e87d91
Correspondence Address: Zimkus, B. M.; Museum of Comparative Zoology and Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States; email: bzimkus@oeb.harvard.edu
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Plateaux Batéké
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Amphibians ; Survey / Monitoring ; Diversity ; Biology / Ecology ; Genetics

---

Abstract: Horseshoe bats of the Rhinolophus maclaudi species group were recently revised by Fahr et al. (2002). Known members of the group are located in the mountainous region of West Africa and the Albertine Rift, east of the Congo River basin with a major gap (4300 km) between the two recognized sub-groups. Here we describe two additional species within this species group from the Albertine Rift center of endemism in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. One derives from the Misotschi-Kabogo highlands, a heretofore poorly documented region half-way down the western shore of Lake Tanganyika. Additional bat records from this locality are also documented. The second new taxon was collected in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, a World Heritage Site adjacent to the shore of Lake Kivu. © ZFMK.
Source title: Bonn Zoological Bulletin
DOI:
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84892146827&partnerID=40&md5=4cc37e4aa3c6d6d357b7feebb01008f3
Correspondence Address:
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ; Rwanda ;
Protected area: Kahuzi-Biega ; Okapis ; Nyungwe
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Bats ; Taxonomy ; Survey / Monitoring ; Diversity ; Biology / Ecology

---

Abstract: Chad is amongst the richest countries in terms of biodiversity in Sahelo-Sudanian Africa with some of the last remaining populations of large mammals that once roamed West-Central Africa. Its protected area (PA) system, made up of three national parks (NP) and seven faunal reserves (FR) and introduced 40 years ago to focus on the protection of large game, has never been reviewed in terms of biodiversity coverage. This study (i) assesses whether the PA network captures Chad's current biodiversity (focusing on ecoregions and threatened mammal species), (ii) identifies gaps in the PA system and (iii) proposes recommendations to improve the representativeness of the PA system, in a country characterised by the lack of biological data. Of the seven ecoregions in Chad, three are not covered by PAs and two are represented only once and have less than 10% of their area included in the PA network. Of the 31 large mammal species used in the analysis, five occur only once in the network and five species are not represented. Analysis of the persistence of species shows that, of the nine historical PAs, all have lost at least one (and up to six) species of large mammals. The Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim FR was found to have the highest irreplaceability index, with the Bahr Salamat FR and Zakouma NP second and third respectively. Zakouma NP has the highest number of large mammal populations of an internationally important size. Threatened large mammals, many depending on large-scale migration, and (migratory) waterbird populations highlight the lack of wetlands in the formal PA system. We recommend a more effective protection of these wetlands, an extension of the PA system into ecoregions not covered by current PAs and provide details on the realignment of several of the PAs that have been encroached upon and are no longer viable. © 2013 Elsevier GmbH.
Source title: Journal for Nature Conservation
DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2013.02.004
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84883277245&doi=10.1016%2fj.jnc.2013.02.004&partnerID=40&md5=e3aa580d955f4874c96dd17353da5043
Correspondence Address: Brugière, D.; BRL Ingénierie, 1105 Avenue P. Mendes-France, 30 000 Nîmes, France; email: dmc_brugiere@yahoo.fr
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Chad ;
Protected area: Many
Main topic: Biodiversity ; Environment
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Land use / cover

---

Abstract: Strong raptor population declines have recently been reported in sub-Saharan West Africa, where the pressure on wildlife and their supporting habitats is particularly high. This makes it imperative to understand the role of land-use on landscape-scale patterns of raptors and to define priority areas for conservation. We examine landscape-scale community patterns of raptors in biogeographical zones with different degrees of anthropogenic land-use and assess the role of protected areas in maintaining such patterns. We recorded raptors along road transects in Cameroon's savannas, covering four years and 7,340-7,700 km in wet and dry seasons, in three biogeographical zones: the relatively well-preserved Inundation and Guinea zones to the north and south of the heavily exploited Sudan zone. The Inundation zone had the largest species pool and Palearctic raptor richness and abundance. The Guinea zone had the largest Afrotropical raptor species pool, while raptor diversity and richness were higher there than in the Sudan zone. The abundance of only one species (Fox Kestrel) peaked in the Sudan zone and only one large-bodied raptor (Hooded Vulture) with a Sudan-centered distribution was more common there than in the other zones. Our results suggest that land-use as determined by protected areas and human exploitation may override the role of biogeographical zonation in shaping raptor assemblages. Comparable patterns of raptor richness and diversity inside and outside protected areas suggest that both protected areas and partly cultivated peripheral zones act as important foraging and source areas, ensuring the preservation of diverse raptor assemblages at the landscape scale. Finally, our data illustrate the comparatively high richness of Cameroon's and West Africa's savanna raptor communities on a continental and global scale, underlining their importance for raptor conservation. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.
Source title: Biodiversity and Conservation
DOI: 10.1007/s10531-013-0498-0
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84880062080&doi=10.1007%2fs10531-013-0498-0&partnerID=40&md5=646ade8f3bc34281ab7185a27d9dd35a
Correspondence Address: Buij, R.; Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, PO Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands; email: ralph.buij@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Many
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Birds ; Survey / Monitoring ; Diversity ; Abundance ; Biology / Ecology

---

Abstract: The spatial ecology of Africa lions (Panthera leo) was studied from 2007 to 2009 in Waza National Park, Cameroon, by equipping individual lions with GPS/VHF radio-collars. Mean home range estimates using 100% minimum convex polygons (MCP) and 95% kernel-density estimation (KDE) were respectively 1015km2 and 641km2. The lions spent a considerable amount of time out of the park during the study period (21%), resulting in significantly larger wet season home ranges than in the hot dry season when they were largely within the park. Time spent outside of the park coincided with increased livestock predation, especially by males. The seasonal variation observed in home range appeared to be mainly due to prey dispersal, flooding and migrating livestock. Mean home range size was observed to have increased by 58.6% within the last decade. This observed increase in home range could possibly be attributed to recent declines in wild prey abundance and also, may be indicative of a trend of general degradation of the park due to intense human pressure. The change observed in lions' ranging behaviour was remarkable, with lions crossing the highway parallel to the park to the Cameroon-Nigerian borders. Measures to restore the integrity of the park are urgently needed, which could include the construction of a partial fence along the western boundary of the park to prevent lions moving across the parallel highway. © 2013 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Säugetierkunde.
Source title: Mammalian Biology
DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2013.08.006
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84886799102&doi=10.1016%2fj.mambio.2013.08.006&partnerID=40&md5=de7eceba87f0d098a754e79ec3bcfa73
Correspondence Address: Tumenta, P.N.; Department of Forestry, University of Dschang, PO Box 479, Dschang, Cameroon; email: tumentap@yahoo.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Waza
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Carnivores ; Survey / Monitoring ; Biology / Ecology

---

Abstract: Conservation priorities for Prunus africana, a tree species found across Afromontane regions, which is of great commercial interest internationally and of local value for rural communities, were defined with the aid of spatial analyses applied to a set of georeferenced molecular marker data (chloroplast and nuclear microsatellites) from 32 populations in 9 African countries. Two approaches for the selection of priority populations for conservation were used, differing in the way they optimize representation of intra-specific diversity of P. africana across a minimum number of populations. The first method (S1) was aimed at maximizing genetic diversity of the conservation units and their distinctiveness with regard to climatic conditions, the second method (S2) at optimizing representativeness of the genetic diversity found throughout the species' range. Populations in East African countries (especially Kenya and Tanzania) were found to be of great conservation value, as suggested by previous findings. These populations are complemented by those in Madagascar and Cameroon. The combination of the two methods for prioritization led to the identification of a set of 6 priority populations. The potential distribution of P. africana was then modeled based on a dataset of 1,500 georeferenced observations. This enabled an assessment of whether the priority populations identified are exposed to threats from agricultural expansion and climate change, and whether they are located within the boundaries of protected areas. The range of the species has been affected by past climate change and the modeled distribution of P. africana indicates that the species is likely to be negatively affected in future, with an expected decrease in distribution by 2050. Based on these insights, further research at the regional and national scale is recommended, in order to strengthen P. africana conservation efforts. © 2013 Vinceti et al.
Source title: PLoS ONE
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059987
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84875478797&doi=10.1371%2fjournal.pone.0059987&partnerID=40&md5=07a6249a14dc9f86e5527ad95b32cfce
Correspondence Address: Vinceti, B.; Headquarters, Bioversity International, Rome, Italy; email: b.vinceti@cgiar.org
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ; Equatorial Guinea ;
Protected area: Kilum Ijim, Mont Oku ; Mont Cameroun
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Survey / Monitoring ; Diversity ; Genetics

---

Abstract: Indicators on the state of global biodiversity illustrate continued decline, while pressure on biodiversity keeps rising. This necessitates revisiting site prioritization and species protection for conservation. Patterns of richness and threat of four well-studied aquatic taxa, the fishes, crabs, molluscs and dragonflies largely coincide at the continental scale, at least in Africa. For this study, we focus on dragonflies, for which there is a point locality database, as a surrogate taxon, modeling the species at the fine-scale, using species distribution modeling. With this approach, we built a protected areas network using spatial planning software. Priority areas for dragonfly conservation largely coincided with analyses of global biodiversity hotspots. The Zambian swamps and woodlands, as well as the rainforests of the Lower Guinea and Congo Basin are emphasized as hotspots of dragonfly diversity. Among globally threatened species, 72% were recorded at least once in a protected area. Although the current reserve network covers 10.7% of the landscape, the proportional representation of species geographic distributions in reserves is only 1.2%. The reserve network is therefore inefficient concerning freshwater species, and many areas of conservation priority that are not formally protected remain. The advantage of operating at the fine scale, while covering a large geographic area is that it shifts the focus from the large-scale hotspots to smaller priority areas within and beyond hotspots. Also, by operating at the fine-scale for a large geographical area, the potential exists for local conservation managers to consider campaigning for the inclusion of the priority areas that are not formally protected, while adjacent to the existing reserve networks. Where this is not possible, we recommend monitoring these areas to detect future threats to the habitats that these might face. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
Source title: Biological Conservation
DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2012.08.039
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84870360277&doi=10.1016%2fj.biocon.2012.08.039&partnerID=40&md5=4b68aeea21a02de294a0d573e290227d
Correspondence Address: Simaika, J.P.; Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Clamecystrae 12, D-63571 Gelnhausen, Germany; email: john.simaika@senckenberg.de
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Central Africa ;
Protected area: Many
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Invertebrates ; Diversity ; Abundance

---

Abstract: Although Rwanda's total fertility rate has declined over the past few decades, the country remains one of the most densely populated regions in the world. Habitat destruction driven by human population growth is pushing mountain gorillas closer to extinction. Though the mountain gorilla habitat exists in protected national park areas, encroachers find ways to cut firewood, plant crops, and hunt. To respond to these challenges, Population Media Center (PMC) broadcast a radio serial drama, Umurage Urukwiye [Rwanda's Brighter Future], in Rwanda from July 2007 to August 2009. Programme effects were monitored during broadcast through client exit interviews at reproductive health clinics and through interviews with people coming to buy tree seedlings at government distribution points. Programme impact was measured by comparing indicator measures through a pre-and post-broadcast population-wide survey (quantitative research), and through interviews, focus group discussions and participatory sketching exercises with regular listeners. The results of the quantitative survey, qualitative participatory evaluation, and clinic and tree seedling monitoring show that Umurage Urukwiye had a positive impact on the lives of many Rwandans. © 2013 Critical Arts Projects & Unisa Press.
Source title: Critical Arts
DOI: 10.1080/02560046.2013.766974
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84874628669&doi=10.1080%2f02560046.2013.766974&partnerID=40&md5=2c6a38c18e4faeff343ad217393634e6
Correspondence Address: Barker, K.; International Programs, Population Media Center, Cape Town, South Africa; email: krissbarker@populationmedia.org
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Rwanda ;
Protected area: Volcans
Main topic: Humans
Subtopic: Perceptions / Behaviors ; Demography ; Conservation initiatives ; Periphery / Management ; Income-generating activities ; Governance / Policy

---

Abstract: Expansion of cropland in tropical countries is one of the principal causes of biodiversity loss, and threatens to undermine progress towards meeting the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. To understand this threat better, we analysed data on crop distribution and expansion in 128 tropical countries, assessed changes in area of the main crops and mapped overlaps between conservation priorities and cultivation potential. Rice was the single crop grown over the largest area, especially in tropical forest biomes. Cropland in tropical countries expanded by c. 48,000 km2 per year from 1999-2008. The countries which added the greatest area of new cropland were Nigeria, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Sudan and Brazil. Soybeans and maize are the crops which expanded most in absolute area. Other crops with large increases included rice, sorghum, oil palm, beans, sugar cane, cow peas, wheat and cassava. Areas of high cultivation potential-while bearing in mind that political and socio-economic conditions can be as influential as biophysical ones-may be vulnerable to conversion in the future. These include some priority areas for biodiversity conservation in tropical countries (e.g., Frontier Forests and High Biodiversity Wilderness Areas), which have previously been identified as having 'low vulnerability', in particular in central Africa and northern Australia. There are also many other smaller areas which are important for biodiversity and which have high cultivation potential (e.g., in the fringes of the Amazon basin, in the Paraguayan Chaco, and in the savanna woodlands of the Sahel and East Africa). We highlight the urgent need for more effective sustainability standards and policies addressing both production and consumption of tropical commodities, including robust land-use planning in agricultural frontiers, establishment of new protected areas or REDD+ projects in places agriculture has not yet reached, and reduction or elimination of incentives for land-demanding bioenergy feedstocks. © 2013 Phalan et al.
Source title: PLoS ONE
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051759
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84872241208&doi=10.1371%2fjournal.pone.0051759&partnerID=40&md5=02eab2dc038eb4191cf2ec6488828616
Correspondence Address: Phalan, B.; Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; email: btp22@cam.ac.uk
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Central Africa ;
Protected area: Many
Main topic: Environment
Subtopic: Land use / cover ; Crops

---

Abstract: The study of forest herb availability improves knowledge of ecology and conservation of gorillas that depend on such herbs. Density patterns of herbs and location of western gorilla nest sites were studied in different habitat types at a site in south-east Cameroon to assess their relationship. Herb stems of the families Marantaceae and Zingiberaceae were identified and counted in 10,713 1-m2 plots distributed within six habitat types. Stem density correlated with light availability and ranged from 2.38stemsm-2 in near primary forest to 4.66stemsm-2 in light gaps. Gorillas showed marked preferences for habitats with high herb densities such as light gaps, swamps and young secondary forest. However, no clear relationship exists between terrestrial herbaceous vegetation and gorilla densities across Central Africa. It is suggested that differences in ecological factors and land use history within and between sites may explain differences in herb density and diversity which partly account for variations in the historical and present population distribution and density of western gorillas. Formerly logged and swamp forests, which are characterized by an abundance of herbs, may prove to be of great value in the conservation of western gorillas given appropriate forest management practices, adequate protection from poaching and limited human encroachment. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Source title: African Journal of Ecology
DOI: 10.1111/aje.12014
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84873268582&doi=10.1111%2faje.12014&partnerID=40&md5=ac355deac46181a651734a1243cf65ad
Correspondence Address: Willie, J.; Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; email: Jacob.Willie@UGent.be
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Dja
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Primates ; Biology / Ecology ; Plants ; Abundance

---

Abstract: High dependency on natural resources in post-conflict Goma caused severe damages to Virunga National Park (VNP) and Kivu Lake. Understanding the impacts of conflict on livelihoods and conservation activities is paramount in Goma. The main reasons for resource degradation here are heightened insecurity, theft, and uncertainty, which limit the use of far off land for agriculture. Consequently, most people depended on forest products and fish from protected areas, thereby causing higher risks of depletion of fish and park resources. High population density, few livelihoods alternatives, unpredictability, and weak state apparatus remain serious issues to be considered in resource conservation. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
Source title: Development in Practice
DOI: 10.1080/09614524.2013.781126
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84877846883&doi=10.1080%2f09614524.2013.781126&partnerID=40&md5=05cbe020c3aaf94485af6de64707b1f9
Correspondence Address: Ijang, T. P.; Farming System Unit of the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), Yaounde, Cameroon; email: ijang2001@yahoo.fr
Language of Original Document: English; French; Spanish
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Virunga
Main topic: Humans
Subtopic: Armed conflicts ; Income-generating activities ; Conservation initiatives ; Agriculture ; Demography ; Governance / Policy ; Periphery / Management ; Perceptions / Behaviors