Search by...
Authors:
Country:
Protected area:
Main Topic:
Sub Topic:
List of 779 scientific articles available | Year |
---|---|
Livestock depredation and mitigation methods practised by resident and nomadic pastoralists around Waza National Park, Cameroon Tumenta P.N., De Iongh H.H., Funston P.J., Udo De Haes H.A. Abstract: Conflict between humans and lions Panthera leo is a key factor driving population declines of lions in Africa, especially in communal lands and on the edges of small protected areas. We assessed this conflict in Waza National Park, Cameroon, in 2008 through an interview survey. A total of 207 resident and 174 nomadic pastoralists were interviewed. Results indicated high levels of livestock depredation around the Park, with attacks occurring most often at night. Lions were economically a substantial threat accounting for total losses of EUR 100,000 per annum. Per household, resident pastoralists lost one cow and nomadic pastoralists two cows per annum, equating to c. EUR 260 and 520, respectively. To mitigate these losses resident pastoralists used enclosures for nocturnal protection of their livestock more than nomadic pastoralists, who tended to herd livestock more during pasture. Improved mitigation methods pertaining to herding practice, the use of enclosures and the presence of dogs resulted in a reduction of 25% livestock depredation and 50% cattle depredation. These methods could be further improved, however, education and awareness about the ranging behaviour of lions during different seasons and periods of the day is important for all pastoralists. Additionally, park management needs to be improved through effective law enforcement. Copyright © Fauna & Flora International 2013. Source title: ORYX DOI: 10.1017/S0030605311001621 Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84876361401&doi=10.1017%2fS0030605311001621&partnerID=40&md5=75c319a82ed270303007f227d7fa07b4 Correspondence Address: Tumenta, P.N.; Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon; email: tumentap@yahoo.com Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Cameroon ; Protected area: Waza Main topic: Humans ; Biodiversity Subtopic: Human-wildlife conflicts ; Periphery / Management ; Perceptions / Behaviors ; Income-generating activities ; Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Carnivores ; Biology / Ecology | 2013 |
Long-Term Monitoring of Microsporidia, Cryptosporidium and Giardia Infections in Western Lowland Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) at Different Stages of Habituation in Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic Sak B., Petrzelkova K.J., Kvetonova D., Mynarova A., Shutt K.A., Pomajbikova K., Kalousova B., Modry D., Benavides J., Todd A., Kvac M. Abstract: Background:Infectious diseases pose one of the greatest threats to endangered species, and a risk of gastrointestinal parasite transmission from humans to wildlife has always been considered as a major concern of tourism. Increased anthropogenic impact on primate populations may result in general changes in communities of their parasites, and also in a direct exchange of parasites between humans and primates.Aims:To evaluate the impact of close contact with humans on the occurrence of potentially zoonotic protists in great apes, we conducted a long-term monitoring of microsporidia, Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections in western lowland gorillas at different stages of the habituation process, humans, and other wildlife in Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas in the Central African Republic.Results:We detected Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotypes I and II (7.5%), Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotype D and three novel genotypes (gorilla 1-3) (4.0%), Giardia intestinalis subgroup A II (2.0%) and Cryptosporidium bovis (0.5%) in gorillas, whereas in humans we found only G. intestinalis subgroup A II (2.1%). In other wild and domestic animals we recorded E. cuniculi genotypes I and II (2.1%), G. intestinalis assemblage E (0.5%) and C. muris TS03 (0.5%).Conclusion:Due to the non-specificity of E. cuniculi genotypes we conclude that detection of the exact source of E. cuniculi infection is problematic. As Giardia intestinalis was recorded primarily in gorilla groups with closer human contact, we suggest that human-gorilla transmission has occurred. We call attention to a potentially negative impact of habituation on selected pathogens which might occur as a result of the more frequent presence of humans in the vicinity of both gorillas under habituation and habituated gorillas, rather than as a consequence of the close contact with humans, which might be a more traditional assumption. We encourage to observe the sections concerning hygiene from the IUCN best practice guidelines for all sites where increased human-gorilla contact occurs. © 2013 Sak et al. Source title: PLoS ONE DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071840 Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84881357587&doi=10.1371%2fjournal.pone.0071840&partnerID=40&md5=6e378ebd0c6b8798cd63b7e137672d2d Correspondence Address: Sak, B.; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, ?eské Bud?jovice, Czech Republic; email: casio@paru.cas.cz Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Central African Republic ; Protected area: Dzanga-Sangha Main topic: Health Subtopic: Human & animal health | 2013 |
Long-Term Temporal and Spatial Dynamics of Food Availability for Endangered Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Grueter C.C., Ndamiyabo F., Plumptre A.J., Abavandimwe D., Mundry R., Fawcett K.A., Robbins M.M. Abstract: Monitoring temporal and spatial changes in the resource availability of endangered species contributes to their conservation. The number of critically endangered mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) in the Virunga Volcano population has doubled over the past three decades, but no studies have examined how food availability has changed during that period. First, we assessed if the plant species consumed by the gorillas have changed in abundance and distribution during the past two decades. In 2009-2010, we replicated a study conducted in 1988-1989 by measuring the frequency, density, and biomass of plant species consumed by the gorillas in 496 plots (ca. 6 km2) in the Karisoke study area in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. We expected to observe a decreased presence of major gorilla food plants as a likely result of density-dependent overharvesting by gorillas. Among the five most frequently consumed species (composing approximately 70% of the gorilla's diet, excluding bamboo), two have decreased in availability and abundance, while three have increased. Some species have undergone shifts in their altitudinal distribution, possibly due to regional climatic changes. Second, we made baseline measurements of food availability in a larger area currently utilized by the gorillas. In the extended sampling (n = 473 plots) area (ca. 25 km2), of the five most frequently consumed species, two were not significantly different in frequency from the re-sampled area, while two occurred significantly less frequently, and one occurred significantly more frequently. We discuss the potential impact of gorilla-induced herbivory on changes of vegetation abundance. The changes in the species most commonly consumed by the gorillas could affect their nutrient intake and stresses the importance of monitoring the interrelation among plant population dynamics, species density, and resource use. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Source title: American Journal of Primatology DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22102 Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84872598432&doi=10.1002%2fajp.22102&partnerID=40&md5=222267db60132c8e966c910bb03f2e3f Correspondence Address: Grueter, C.C.35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009, Australia; email: cyril.grueter@uwa.edu.au Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Rwanda ; Protected area: Volcans Main topic: Biodiversity Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Primates ; Biology / Ecology ; Plants ; Abundance ; Structure / Biomass | 2013 |
Mangrove and peat swamp forests: Refuge habitats for primates and felids Nowak K. Abstract: Swamp forests may be important refuges for primates and felids where these taxa are threatened with habitat loss. Mangrove and peat swamp forests, impenetrable, wet habitats, inaccessible and uninhabitable for humans, may, in some regions, be the most significant remaining habitats for threatened species. They are nevertheless neglected in field studies compared to relatively species-rich, terrestrial tropical forests probably, in part, because of the difficulties associated with surveying them. As a result, maps of mammal distributions may overlook swamp forests although camera-trapping is gradually rectifying this gap. I have compiled and mapped records of over 60 primate and 20 felid taxa reported to use mangrove and peat swamp forests in Africa and Asia at 47 sites, of which 21 are Afrotropical mangrove, 25 are Indo-Malayan mangrove or peat swamp forest, and 1 is an outlying mangrove site in Japan. Eleven of these are designated Ramsar Sites. I highlight key sites of conservation priority on the basis of primate and felid species richness and composite 'threat scores'. Petit Loango in Gabon and Gunung Palung National Park in Indonesia emerged as top priority sites in Africa and Asia, respectively. Further research on the role of swamp forests in the ecology and persistence of threatened mammals is needed. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel. Source title: Folia Primatologica DOI: 10.1159/000339810 Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84873401093&doi=10.1159%2f000339810&partnerID=40&md5=9495dd747b4b3d2afa16628c5722fca8 Correspondence Address: Nowak, K.; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States; email: knowak02@gmail.com Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Cameroon ; Equatorial Guinea ; Gabon ; Republic of Congo ; Protected area: Douala Edéa ; Rio Ntem o Campo ; Pongara ; Loango ; Conkouati-Douli Main topic: Biodiversity Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Primates ; Carnivores ; Survey / Monitoring ; Biology / Ecology | 2013 |
Mapping the biodiversity of tropical insects: Species richness and inventory completeness of African sphingid moths Ballesteros-Mejia L., Kitching I.J., Jetz W., Nagel P., Beck J. Abstract: Many taxa, especially invertebrates, remain biogeographically highly understudied and even baseline assessments are missing, with too limited and heterogeneous sampling being key reasons. Here we set out to assess the human geographic and associated environmental factors behind inventory completeness for the hawkmoths of Africa. We aim to separate the causes of differential sampling from those affecting gradients of species richness to illustrate a potential general avenue for advancing knowledge about diversity in understudied groups. Location: Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: Using a database of distributional records of hawkmoths, we computed rarefaction curves and estimated total species richness across 200km × 200km grid cells. We fitted multivariate models to identify environmental predictors of species richness and used environmental co-kriging to map region-wide diversity patterns. We estimated cell-wide inventory completeness from observed and estimated data, and related these to human geographic factors. Results: Observed patterns of hawkmoths species richness are strongly determined by the number of available records in grid cells. Both show spatially structured distributions. Variables describing vegetation type, emerge as important predictors of estimated total richness, and variables capturing heat, energy availability and topographic heterogeneity all show a strong positive relationship. Patterns of interpolated richness identify three centres of diversity: Cameroon coastal mountains, and the northern and southern East African montane areas. Inventory completeness is positively influenced by population density, accessibility, protected areas and colonial history. Species richness is still under-recorded in the western Congo Basin and southern Tanzania/Mozambique. Main conclusions: Sampling effort is highly biased and controlling for it in large-scale compilations of presence-only data is critical for drawing inferences from our still limited knowledge of invertebrate distributions. Our study shows that a baseline of estimate of broad-scale diversity patterns in understudied taxa can be derived from combining numerical estimators of richness, models of main environmental effects and spatial interpolation. Inventory completeness can be partly predicted from human geographic features and such models may offer fruitful guidance for prioritization of future sampling to further refine and validate estimated patterns of species richness. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Source title: Global Ecology and Biogeography DOI: 10.1111/geb.12039 Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84876301984&doi=10.1111%2fgeb.12039&partnerID=40&md5=3be9aa1e0a201065db371adbbb6521fd Correspondence Address: Ballesteros-Mejia, L.; University of Basel, Environmental Sciences, St Johanns Vorstadt 10, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; email: liliana.ballesteros@unibas.ch Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Central Africa ; Protected area: Many Main topic: Biodiversity Subtopic: Animals ; Invertebrates ; Survey / Monitoring ; Diversity | 2013 |
National forest cover change in Congo Basin: Deforestation, reforestation, degradation and regeneration for the years 1990, 2000 and 2005 Céline E., Philippe M., Astrid V., Catherine B., Musampa C., Pierre D. Abstract: This research refers to an object-based automatic method combined with a national expert validation to produce regional and national forest cover change statistics over Congo Basin. A total of 547 sampling sites systematically distributed over the whole humid forest domain are required to cover the six Central African countries containing tropical moist forest. High resolution imagery is used to accurately estimate not only deforestation and reforestation but also degradation and regeneration. The overall method consists of four steps: (i) image automatic preprocessing and preinterpretation, (ii) interpretation by national expert, (iii) statistic computation and (iv) accuracy assessment. The annual rate of net deforestation in Congo Basin is estimated to 0.09% between 1990 and 2000 and of net degradation to 0.05%. Between 2000 and 2005, this unique exercise estimates annual net deforestation to 0.17% and annual net degradation to 0.09%. An accuracy assessment reveals that 92.7% of tree cover (TC) classes agree with independent expert interpretation. In the discussion, we underline the direct causes and the drivers of deforestation. Population density, small-scale agriculture, fuelwood collection and forest's accessibility are closely linked to deforestation, whereas timber extraction has no major impact on the reduction in the canopy cover. The analysis also shows the efficiency of protected areas to reduce deforestation. These results are expected to contribute to the discussion on the reduction in CO2 emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) and serve as reference for the period. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Source title: Global Change Biology DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12092 Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84874738526&doi=10.1111%2fgcb.12092&partnerID=40&md5=fc171d71588fb789081e565bf630cdc1 Correspondence Address: Céline, E.; Earth and Life Institute - Environnemental Sciences, Université Catholique de Louvain, Place Croix du Sud 2 bte L7.05.16, Louvain-la-Neuve B-1348, Belgium; email: celine.ernst@uclouvain.be Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Central Africa ; Protected area: Many Main topic: Environment Subtopic: Land use / cover ; Forests ; Deforestation | 2013 |
New species of Doumea (Siluriformes: Amphiliidae) from coastal river basins of the Republic of the Congo Ferraris Jr. C.J., Vari R.P. Abstract: A new species of the African catfish subfamily Doumeinae of the family Amphiliidae is described from collections made in the Dimonika Biosphere Reserve in the eastern portion of the Republic of the Congo. The species, assignable to the genus Doumea, has the smallest known maximum length of the nine species of that genus. The new species is readily distinguishable from its congeners in having a relatively low number of pectoral-fin rays, vertebrae, and ribs and several morphometric features, especially those involving the caudal peduncle. © 2013 by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Source title: Copeia DOI: 10.1643/CI-13-014 Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84891780833&doi=10.1643%2fCI-13-014&partnerID=40&md5=94ded3b6fb61b27c669d2ebe5015a6cb Correspondence Address: Vari, R.P.; Division of Fishes, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 37012, WG-14, MRC 159, Washington, DC 20013-7012, United States; email: varir@si.edu Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Republic of Congo ; Protected area: Réserve de biosphère de la Dimonika Main topic: Biodiversity Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Fish ; Taxonomy | 2013 |
Notes on the herpetofauna of western Bas-Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo Nagy Z.T., Kusamba C., Collet M., Gvoždík V. Abstract: Data deficiency in tropical regions is still a major problem in herpetofaunistic research. During the last few years we conducted several field expeditions to Central Africa, including the Congo Basin. In 2012 we visited four sites in the westernmost part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These included the Mangroves National Park in the region of the Congo River estuary as well as the Mayombe region characterized by low mountains covered by rainforest, all north of the Congo River, and an additional site south of the Congo River with savannah habitats. Remarkably, no recent herpetological research was done in this part of the country. We surveyed a wide spectrum of habitats including mangroves, savannah, forests, village surroundings and agricultural sites. Approximately 22 species (or representatives of species complexes) of amphibian and 23 species of reptile have been recorded. Source title: Herpetology Notes DOI: Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84896900639&partnerID=40&md5=ea422908b36e012671b7f153a3a77344 Correspondence Address: Nagy, Z. T.; Royal Belgian Institute of Natural SSciences, Joint Experimental Molecular Unit, Rue Vautier 29, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; email: lustimaci@yahoo.com Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ; Protected area: Parc Marin des Mangroves ; Luki Main topic: Biodiversity Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Reptiles ; Amphibians ; Survey / Monitoring ; Diversity | 2013 |
Occurrence and molecular analysis of Balantidium coli in mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) in the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Hassell J.M., Blake D.P., Cranfield M.R., Ramer J., Hogan J.N., Bosco Noheli J., Waters M., Hermosilla C. Abstract: Cysts morphologically resembling Balantidium coli were identified in the feces of a mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei). Confirmatory PCR and sequencing revealed two distinct B. coli-specific sequences (ITS-1, sub-types A0 and B1). This represents the first report of B. coli in this species, raising the possibility of infection from a reservoir host. © Wildlife Disease Association 2013. Source title: Journal of Wildlife Diseases DOI: 10.7589/2013-02-041 Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84887128153&doi=10.7589%2f2013-02-041&partnerID=40&md5=b48d49282e9f2aea590ab617a2b9712c Correspondence Address: Hassell, J. M.; Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, United Kingdom; email: hassell.jm@gmail.com Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Rwanda ; Protected area: Volcans Main topic: Health Subtopic: Animal health | 2013 |
Phenology in functional groups of central african rainforest trees Couralet C., Van Den Bulcke J., Ngoma L.M., Van Acker J., Beeckman H. Abstract: A good understanding of the phenology of rainforest trees would help in anticipating ecosystem response to future global climate change. Extensive and long-term phenological observations in the tropics are rare and difficult to realise but unpublished historical records have been preserved and are of high value. Phenological data gathered between 1948 and 1957 on 3642 trees of 158 species in the rainforest reserve of Luki, Democratic Republic of Congo were analysed. Patterns of leaf shedding, flowering, fruiting and fruit dispersal were presented for three major functional groups of trees and their relationships with rainfall investigated. Annual rhythms of leaf and reproductive phenology were observed with patterns ranging from synchronous annual peaks to continuity. Over the years, positive association was found between leaf shedding and annual rainfall for shade-tolerant canopy species as well as between reproductive phenology and annual rainfall for long-lived heliophilous and shade-tolerant understorey species. Direct and indirect associations with intra-annual and supra-annual climate variations suggest that changes in environmental conditions may affect phenological patterns of tropical trees thus species interactions and ecosystem dynamics. The different leaf and reproductive phenological patterns found in different functional groups of trees promote the coexistence of numerous tree species in tropical rainforest multispecies communities. The associations between tree phenology and rainfall also reinforce the evidence for potential effects of climate variations on the ecology of Central African forests. © Forest Research Institute Malaysia. Source title: Journal of Tropical Forest Science DOI: Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84880892177&partnerID=40&md5=9960ea373aa9a0a3e87b23f8b3f6bb29 Correspondence Address: Laboratory of Wood Biology and Xylarium, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ; Protected area: Luki Main topic: Biodiversity Subtopic: Plants ; Biology / Ecology | 2013 |
Phlebotomus (Legeromyia) multihamatus subg. nov., sp. nov. from Gabon (Diptera: Psychodidae) Rahola N., Depaquit J., Makanga B.K., Paupy C. Abstract: During a research project aimed at the study of the Culicinae fauna of Gabon and carried out in the National Park of La Lopé, we captured an unknown sandfly male specimen (genus Phlebotomus) by CDC miniature light trap belonging to a new species for Science. Furthermore, the originality of his genitalia does not allow us to include this species in one of the existing subgenus, thus in this paper we propose the creation of a new subgenus, as Phlebotomus (Legeromyia) multihamatus sp. nov., subg. nov. described from the National Park of La Lopé, through one male captured with CDC miniature light trap. A new species and a new subgenus of sandfly is characterised by a short style with three spines, a paramere wearing a basal hook as well as a basal pouch and the absence of basal lobe on the coxite. The originality of the genitalia of the male gives way to discussion about potential primary homologies between P. multihamatus sp. nov. and Phlebotomus (Abonnencius) fortunatarum, Phlebotomus (Anaphlebotomus) stantoni and Phlebotomus (Euphlebotomus) argentipes, which should be verified for future studies. The discovery of this new species in Gabon must encourage the study of sandflies in this country. Source title: Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz DOI: 10.1590/0074-0276130172 Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84886920274&doi=10.1590%2f0074-0276130172&partnerID=40&md5=c8e0a63a70698fc42a7c5ac15532406f Correspondence Address: Paupy, C.; Laboratoire Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Genetique, Evolution et Controle, Unité Mixte de Recherche 224-5290, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Universités Montpellier 182, Montpellier, Hérault, Languedoc Rousillon, France; email: christophe.paupy@ird.fr Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Gabon ; Protected area: Lopé Main topic: Biodiversity Subtopic: Animals ; Invertebrates ; Taxonomy | 2013 |
Population density and habitat preferences of forest duikers in moukalaba-doudou national Park, Gabon Nakashima Y., Inoue E., Akomo-Okoue E.-F. Abstract: We conducted a line-transect survey via direct observation to estimate the densities of forest duikers in Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, Gabon. Five 2-km line transects were established in different vegetation types, and each transect was walked at 1.0 km/h. We also conducted a 'quick survey' by walking at c. 2.5 km/h along all transects. A detection function was estimated separately for each species by pooling all the data from the five transects. For Cephalophus silvicultor, all sighting records of the two surveys were used because there was no significant difference in the encounter rates. In total, Philantomba monticola, red duikers (Cephalophus spp.), and C. silvicultor were observed 100, 80, 33 times, respectively. Their individual densities were estimated at 16.43/km(95% CI: 11.4-23.6), 7.1/km(5.5-9.2), and 1.63 km(1.0-2.8), respectively. The encounter rate for P. monticola and C. silvicultor did not vary significantly between the transects, while that of red duikers was higher in the primary forest than in the young secondary or gallery forest. The duiker densities in our study area are among the highest in the African rainforest. Our results indicate that quick surveys may be an effective approach to estimate the densities of rare species. Source title: African Zoology DOI: 10.3377/004.048.0212 Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84890539120&doi=10.3377%2f004.048.0212&partnerID=40&md5=ca16e3b526bb5cb5ed9a098054818ad8 Correspondence Address: Nakashima, Y.; Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Oiwake-cho, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, 606-8502 Kyoto City, Kyoto, Japan; email: yosshi1215jp@yahoo.co.jp Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Gabon ; Protected area: Moukalaba-Doudou Main topic: Biodiversity Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Ungulates ; Survey / Monitoring ; Abundance ; Biology / Ecology | 2013 |
Possible tool use in a mountain gorilla Grueter C.C., Robbins M.M., Ndagijimana F., Stoinski T.S. Abstract: Here we report a description of putative tool use in wild mountain gorillas. At the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund's Karisoke Research Center in Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda), an adult female was observed using a bamboo culm as a ladder for her offspring. This is one of only a few documented cases of possible tool use in wild gorillas, although tool use behavior is commonly observed in captive gorillas. Although the behavior observed may have been incidental, the present report in combination with previous evidence (Breuer et al., 2005) suggests that tool use in gorillas occurs outside the context of food acquisition and may be directed at overcoming physical obstacles in complex rugged microhabitats such as bamboo forest and swamps. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. Source title: Behavioural Processes DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2013.09.006 Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84886289703&doi=10.1016%2fj.beproc.2013.09.006&partnerID=40&md5=db9c9d9a87bdc7070c455d5adf63b352 Correspondence Address: Grueter, C.C.; School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; email: cyril.grueter@uwa.edu.au Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Rwanda ; Protected area: Volcans Main topic: Biodiversity Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Primates ; Biology / Ecology | 2013 |
Potential effects of prescribed savannah burning on the diet selection of forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus) in Lopé National Park, Gabon Van der Hoek Y., Lustenhouwer I., Jeffery K.J., van Hooft P. Abstract: Seasonality and management are factors that may affect the diet selection of the forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus). Fire is considered a major driving force in savannah systems and prescribed burning is a commonly applied conservation tool in protected areas such as Lopé National Park, Gabon. Prescribed annual fires contribute to the maintenance of open areas and provide high-quality forage for forest buffalo, a major herbivore in the park. We used microhistological faecal analysis to determine the diet selection of forest buffalo and measured the extent of variation between a dry season, preburn and a wet season, postburn sampling period. The buffalo diet comprised mainly of monocotyledons, primarily grasses (Poaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Intake of open-area-associated plant species was higher in the wet season, postburn treatment sampling period (97%) than the dry season, preburn sampling period (87%), which corresponded conversely to a reduction in forest-associated Marantaceae plants (10% versus 1%). High proportions of grasses and sedges in the diet signify the importance of open areas for forest buffalo. Controlled burning as tool for maintenance of open areas may play a key role in the meta-population management of the forest buffalo. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Source title: African Journal of Ecology DOI: 10.1111/aje.12010 Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84873244911&doi=10.1111%2faje.12010&partnerID=40&md5=dfa92b21fb64807143d9d8a2c2910934 Correspondence Address: Van der Hoek, Y.; Department of Biology, The Graduate School and University Center, The City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States; email: yvan_der_hoek@gc.cuny.edu Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Gabon ; Protected area: Lopé Main topic: Biodiversity Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Ungulates ; Biology / Ecology | 2013 |
Preliminary description of the diet of Hippopotamus amphibius L. in Loango National Park (Gabon) [Première description du regime alimentaire de Hippopotamus amphibius L. au Pare National de Loango (Gabon)] Michez A., Doucet J.-L., Dendoncker N., Bouché P., Vermeulen C. Abstract: Due to the paucity of suitable habitat, hippos are very rare in the Congo Bassin. Compared to East-African populations, Central African populations of hippos have been less studied. Information found in the literature regarding the animal's basic ecology is limited. This study focuses on the description of the diet of an isolated hippo population in Loango National Park (Gabon), comparing faecal analysis with a reference collection of herbaceous species from the savannas. The effectiveness of using faecal analysis versus using the fioristic description of hippos' pastures was demonstrated. The most frequent herbaceous species identifed in faeces samples were Paspalum vaginatum, Axonopus compressus, Stenotaphrum secundatum (Poaceae) and Desmodium triforum (Fabaceae). The voluntary consumption of a dicotyledonous species (Desmodium triforum) is novel for this species. Source title: Biotechnology, Agronomy and Society and Environment DOI: Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84888332029&partnerID=40&md5=0f687e8891beb6792baa2550ad3cb08c Correspondence Address: Univ. Liege-Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech. Department of Forests, Nature and Landscape. Unit of Forest and Nature Management, Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Forestry, Passage des Déportés, 2, B-5030 Gembloux, Belgium Language of Original Document: English; French Access Type: Article Country: ; Gabon ; Protected area: Loango Main topic: Biodiversity Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Ungulates ; Biology / Ecology | 2013 |
Priority Areas for Large Mammal Conservation in Equatorial Guinea Murai M., Ruffler H., Berlemont A., Campbell G., Esono F., Agbor A., Mbomio D., Ebana A., Nze A., Kühl H.S. Abstract: Hunting is one of the main driving forces behind large mammal density distribution in many regions of the world. In tropical Africa, urban demand for bushmeat has been shown to dominate over subsistence hunting and its impact often overrides spatial-ecological species characteristics. To effectively protect remaining mammal populations the main factors that influence their distribution need to be integrated into conservation area prioritisation and management plans. This information has been lacking for Río Muni, Equatorial Guinea, as prior studies have been outdated or have not systematically covered the continental region of the country. In this study we evaluated: 1) the relative importance of local vs. commercial hunting; 2) wildlife density of protected vs. non-protected areas; and 3) the importance of ecological factors vs. human influence in driving mammal density distribution in Río Muni. We adopted a systematic countrywide line transect approach with particular focus on apes and elephants, but also including other mammal species. For analysis of field data we used generalised linear models with a set of predictor variables representing ecological conditions, anthropogenic pressure and protected areas. We estimate that there are currently 884 (437-1,789) elephants and 11,097 (8,719-13,592) chimpanzees and gorillas remaining in Río Muni. The results indicate strong hunting pressures on both local and commercial levels, with roads demonstrating a negative impact on elephants and overall mammal body mass. Protected areas played no role in determining any of the mammal species distributions and significant human hunting signs were found inside these protected areas, illustrating the lack of environmental law enforcement throughout the country. Río Muni is currently under-represented in conservation efforts in Western Equatorial Africa, and we recommend a focus on cross-boundary conservation, in particular in the Monte Alén-Monts de Cristal and Río Campo Ma'an conservation landscapes, where the highest densities and diversity of large mammals remain. © 2013 Murai et al. Source title: PLoS ONE DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075024 Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84884694006&doi=10.1371%2fjournal.pone.0075024&partnerID=40&md5=60f8816bfc3207a237b043f33aeeef4f Correspondence Address: Murai, M.; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-EVA), Leipzig, Germany; email: m.murai@hotmail.co.uk Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Equatorial Guinea ; Protected area: Many Main topic: Biodiversity ; Humans Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Hunting / Poaching ; Conservation initiatives | 2013 |
Protected areas in Cameroon from Rio to Rio+20 (1992-2012) Mbi B.M.T., Ndi H.N. Abstract: The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) recognizes protected areas (PAs) as instrumental in fostering the attainment of international targets. At the end of the Rio+20 in Brazil, this paper focuses on PAs created in Cameroon since 1992. Statistics from the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA), and other sources illustrate that 15 PAs covering 1 901 739 hectares have been created and 13 others enclosing 666 026 hectares are at different stages of creation. They are 11 national parks covering 1 806 928 hectares representing 95% and 4 sanctuaries wrapping up 5% (94 811 hectares). The tropical humid ecosystem has 56% of the area protected; the tropical wooded savannah 30% and the montane ecosystem 7%. PAs overlap significantly (96%) with Key Biodiversity Areas suggesting they are conferring some protection on biodiversity. Source title: International Forestry Review DOI: 10.1505/146554813809025667 Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84890785157&doi=10.1505%2f146554813809025667&partnerID=40&md5=5015e9cc8520814ae2c007e6c87e950d Correspondence Address: National Institute of Cartography, P.O. Box 157, INC, Yaoundé, Cameroon Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Cameroon ; Protected area: Many Main topic: Environment Subtopic: Land use / cover ; Forests ; Savannas ; Other ecosystems | 2013 |
Protected areas within multifunctional landscapes: Squeezing out intermediate land use intensities in the tropics? Dewi S., van Noordwijk M., Ekadinata A., Pfund J.-L. Abstract: A protected area (PA) tends to be designated in an area where tracts of primary forest remain, often with poor accessibility due to terrain features and yet with some exposure to threats. Typically, a PA is at the start of a 'forest transition' gradient. The establishment of a PA influences the whole gradient. We analyzed the temporal patterns of land-use change inside and outside four PAs, with one located in each of Laos, Indonesia, Madagascar and Cameroon. In Laos, in the Viengkham landscape, the rates of conversion of natural forest increased after the designation of the PA and were higher than the spatial baseline predicted. In the three other landscapes, the policies associated with the implementation of PAs increased the conversion rate immediately outside the boundary of the PAs. In Indonesia, in the Bungo landscape, forms of land-use associated with multifunctional agroforestry activities involving rubber trees land-use became the target for conversion to oil palm and monoculture rubber tree crops when the rules on the protection of the remaining natural forest were tightened. We tested a new metric for the degree of integration of forest in multifunctional landscapes which recognizes the surrounding matrix, both as surrogate habitat and as a corridor for tree species. Two important findings were: (i) a 'leakage' zone of influence of at least 10. km around a PA needs to be included for quantification of the deforestation and degradation changes that may be due to forest protection inside the PA and (ii) agroforest and other mixed tree cover can maintain or increase the degree of integration of forest in the multifunctional landscape for biodiversity maintenance and conservation, while providing a source of livelihood for the local people. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. Source title: Land Use Policy DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2012.02.006 Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84858402795&doi=10.1016%2fj.landusepol.2012.02.006&partnerID=40&md5=31aec633793cec276b7c3f7c4158ff77 Correspondence Address: Dewi, S.; World Agroforestry Centre, ICRAF Southeast Asia Regional Office, Jl CIFOR, Situgede, Sindang Barang, Bogor 16115, Indonesia; email: sdewi@cgiar.org Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Cameroon ; Protected area: Takamanda Main topic: Environment ; Humans Subtopic: Land use / cover ; Deforestation ; Governance / Policy ; Periphery / Management ; Agriculture ; Income-generating activities ; Conservation initiatives | 2013 |
Rhipidoglossum montealenense (Orchidaceae), a new species from Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon Descourvières P., Dubuisson J.-Y., Droissart V., Cribb P., Cawoy V., Simo-Droissart M., Sonké B., Stévart T. Abstract: Background and aims - While conducting a taxonomic revision of the genera Diaphananthe and Rhipidoglossum (Orchidaceae), a new taxon from Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon was discovered, and is formally described here. Methods - A comparison of about 800 specimens with the nomenclatural types and the specimens housed at BR, BRLU, K, P, WAG and YA herbaria was undertaken in order to confirm the taxonomical status of the new taxon. Its conservation status was assessed using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Key results - Rhipidoglossum montealenense Descourvières, Stévart & P.J.Cribb sp. nov., here described and illustrated, is endemic to Río Muni (Equatorial Guinea) and southern Cameroon. The species is found in the mountainous area situated along the transition from the coastal and to the continental regions of Atlantic Central Africa. It is close to R. melianthum but differs by its decurrent petals, a small ovary and a comparatively short spur. The species also differs from R. paucifolium by its elliptical lip lacking a callus and by rounded to subacute sepals and petals, and from R. rutilum by its short leaf internodes. The species is considered as Endangered according to IUCN Categories and Criteria. Its survival in situ will likely depend on the maintenance of the subpopulation in the Monte Alén National Park. © 2013 National Botanic Garden of Belgium and Royal Botanical Society of Belgium. Source title: Plant Ecology and Evolution DOI: 10.5091/plecevo.2013.841 Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84887191395&doi=10.5091%2fplecevo.2013.841&partnerID=40&md5=efdd4acbe301921939a40abc71ad32cc Correspondence Address: Stévart, T.; Missouri Botanical Garden, Africa and Madagascar Department, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, MO 63166-0299, United States; email: tariq.stevart@mobot.org Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Equatorial Guinea ; Cameroon ; Protected area: Monte Alén ; Campo-Ma'an Main topic: Biodiversity Subtopic: Plants ; Taxonomy ; Biology / Ecology | 2013 |
Safeguarding ecosystem services and livelihoods: Understanding the impact of conservation strategies on benefit flows to society Willemen L., Drakou E.G., Dunbar M.B., Mayaux P., Egoh B.N. Abstract: Society has always benefited from ecosystems through the provision of ecosystem services. To ensure a continuous flow of these benefits, different strategies aimed at safeguarding ecosystem services are proposed. In this paper we explore how biodiversity conservation measures, particularly protected areas, influence the flow of ecosystem services to different members of society. We highlight the impact of these measures on the poorer members of society because of their strong dependence on ecosystem services to sustain their livelihood. For the Democratic Republic of Congo we mapped five ecosystem services (food production, tourism, carbon, timber and fuel wood production) using spatial landscape indicators, within and outside protected areas, and identified their direct beneficiaries. This illustration was used to feed a round-table discussion on the impact of different conservation strategies on society, held with ecosystem services professionals during the 4th Ecosystem Service Partnership Conference in the Netherlands. The discussion highlighted the need for spatial methods to assess ecosystem service trade-offs, as well as the main challenges for conservation measures to contribute to both livelihood improvement and conservation gains. We argue that, ecosystem services maps can play a crucial role in understanding and managing the trade-offs in ecosystem service flows resulting from conservation strategies. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. Source title: Ecosystem Services DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2013.02.004 Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84879451139&doi=10.1016%2fj.ecoser.2013.02.004&partnerID=40&md5=fade8a391e5fc1ca3d52539b82cae5ae Correspondence Address: Willemen, L.; Ecoagriculture Working Group, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca NY, 14853, United States; email: llw55@cornell.edu Language of Original Document: English Access Type: Article Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ; Protected area: Many Main topic: Humans Subtopic: Ecosystem services ; Conservation initiatives ; Agriculture ; Tourism ; Timber ; Periphery / Management ; Income-generating activities | 2013 |
Documentation
[English below]
Cette base de données rassemble les articles scientifiques publiés dans des revues scientifiques internationales entre 2011 et 2020, au sujet d’une ou plusieurs aires protégées dans les dix pays d’Afrique centrale. De nombreuses données ont été réunies pour chacune de ces publications : titre, auteurs, revue, lien de téléchargement, adresse e-mail de l’auteur correspondance, langue du document, accès libre ou non, pays, aire(s) protégée(s) concernée(s), sujets principaux et secondaires.
Il s’agit d’un outil de recherche qui vous permet d’afficher les références selon cinq critères :
- Le nom de l’auteur ;
- Le pays ;
- L’aire protégée ;
- Le sujet principal ;
- Les sujets secondaires.
Pour toute question ou tout renseignement lié à cet outil, vous pouvez contacter Simon LHOEST par e-mail à l’adresse simlho@hotmail.com.
Bonne recherche !
[English]
This database gathers scientific articles published in international scientific journals between 2011 and 2020, about one or more protected areas in the ten Central African countries. Many data have been gathered for each of these publications: title, authors, journal, download link, e-mail address of the corresponding author, language of the document, open access or not, country, protected area(s), main and secondary topics.
It is a search tool that allows you to display the references according to five criteria:
- The name of the author;
- The country;
- The protected area;
- The main subject;
- The secondary subjects.
For any question or information related to this tool, you can contact Simon LHOEST by e-mail at simlho@hotmail.com.
Have a good search!