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Abstract: The management rational of a protected area in general, the one to vocation cynégétique in particular, must rest on merely scientific bases. Information and the key information on vegetation, fauna and the ecological functions of the protected area, must be collected progressively so that they help to make assort a coherent program of his/her/its planning. The administrators of these spaces must follow the evolution of these resources therefore regularly, and particularly to know the animal species and their movements. It is in this optics that the present survey has been undertaken in the Bay of Wali situated to the periphery of the National Park of Nouabalé Ndoki in the goal to know the quality and the quantity of big mammals that frequent it. The present survey has been achieved during three months of January 15 to April 15, 2011 to the course of which we inventoried the big mammals in and to the periphery of the Bay of Wali. According to the results of this survey, the Bay of Wali presents a very rich, containing animal diversity thirty one (31) species different from big mammals, having preferences of very determined habitat. These preferences seem to be guided by the food needs and in mineral salts, the bodily cares and the type of plant formation. The results of the present survey could contribute to the setting up of a vast program of development of the vision tourism around the Bay of Wali and his/her/its periphery. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2012.
Source title: Pakistan Journal of Nutrition
DOI: 10.3923/pjn.2012.473.480
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84863810379&doi=10.3923%2fpjn.2012.473.480&partnerID=40&md5=3e2a5e3ee4693fdcc17593989ee06b69
Correspondence Address: Ngokaka, C.; Laboratoire des Productions Animales et Biodiversite, Université Marien, NGOUABI, B.P. 69, Brazzaville, Congo
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Nouabalé-Ndoki
Main topic: Biodiversity ; Humans
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Survey / Monitoring ; Diversity ; Abundance ; Biology / Ecology ; Tourism

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Abstract: Questions: Mixed litter may decompose at different rates to single-species litter, leading to differences in ecosystem functioning and decomposition. Studies of the effects of different litter species and combinations are rare in tropical forests and absent from African forests. Therefore we investigated: (1) Are there differences in litter decomposition in two forest types differing in tree diversity; and (2) is litter decomposition diversity-dependent? Location: Old-growth moist evergreen tropical forest Dja Faunal Reserve, southeast Cameroon. Methods: We calculate decomposition rates (leaf litter fall/leaf litter standing crop) along a tree diversity gradient in two forest types (naturally occurring low-diversity monodominant and adjacent higher-diversity mixed forest). Both forests experience the same climate on the same soil type; the former is dominated by a single species, Gilbertiodendron dewevrei (De Wild.) J. Léonard, probably due to lack of a long-term disturbance and has similar edaphic factors. Decomposition experiments were conducted in both forest types using single and mixed species litter bags of standard high-quality (bay leaves; Laurus nobilis L.) and low-quality (G. dewevrei) litter over 9 months. Results: The estimated decomposition rate in mixed forest was four times faster than in monodominant forest, and not significantly correlated with local quadrat-scale tree species diversity. The litter bag experiment showed that decomposition of high-quality leaves was faster than low-quality leaves (k values: 2.0 yr -1 vs 0.6 yr -1). Decay rates for each single species litter type were not significantly different in both forest types. However, G. dewevrei litter in mixed bags decomposed faster than in single-species bags in mixed forest, suggesting an impact of litter mixing on decomposition. In addition, bay litter in mixed bags decomposed faster in mixed than in monodominant forests across the three study sites. Conclusion: The observed difference in litter decomposition rate between low-diversity monodominant and adjacent high-diversity forest is more likely due to dominance of low-quality G. dewevrei litter, rather than low-diversity of the litter itself. © 2011 International Association for Vegetation Science.
Source title: Journal of Vegetation Science
DOI: 10.1111/j.1654-1103.2011.01352.x
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84858333038&doi=10.1111%2fj.1654-1103.2011.01352.x&partnerID=40&md5=44c17c9d311fbc72bb9855e5ff5c9e3f
Correspondence Address: Peh, K.S.-H.; School of Geography, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom; email: kelvin.peh@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Dja
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Biology / Ecology ; Diversity

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Abstract: Sport hunting is one of the oldest known recreational activities using wildlife. Some researchers have suggested that sport hunting can benefit the development and economy of local communities, thereby promoting the protection of wildlife resources as well as both ecological and economic sustainability. However, important debates remain regarding the social impacts of conservation and tourism on local com- munities near protected areas. This study using a case study from northern Cameroon aimed to 1) analyze the social impacts of sport hunting on local people and 2) discuss sustainability of sport hunting. Approximately two years of fieldwork, mainly based on interviews and observations in two villages, showed that sport hunting generated tax revenues of approximately US$1.2 million in one season as well as provided profit sharing and employment opportunities for local communities. However, the local people were affected by regulations of their rights to use natural resources. Moreover, some villages experienced forced migration for the beginning of sport hunting. Many officers and hunting operators insist that sport hunting entails ecological and economic sustainability because it is operated under strict regulations and generates enormous tax revenues. This is in contrast to hunting by local people, who do not consider the hunting regulation nor pay taxes. The question remains, however, whether the term "sustainability" should only encompass ecological and economic factors. Even if sport hunting plays an important role in community conservation, the social impacts on local communities should be considered before the activity is considered as a viable tactic for wildlife conservation. © Author(s) 2012.
Source title: Field Actions Science Report
DOI:
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84870381139&partnerID=40&md5=10e3c9e7adde70f00bc9f8ca373f50f1
Correspondence Address: Yasuda, A.; JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science), Tokyo University, Kyoto UniversityJapan; email: yasudakeyaki@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Bénoué ; Faro ; Bouba Ndjida
Main topic: Humans
Subtopic: Hunting / Poaching ; Tourism ; Conservation initiatives ; Periphery / Management ; Income-generating activities ; Perceptions / Behaviors ; Governance / Policy

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Abstract: This article evaluates the use of deliberative methods for filling the democratic deficit arising from the shift to management through partnerships in conservation in developing countries. We ask whether deliberative approaches are feasible in a rural African context and the extent to which they can form a basis for socially just environmental decision making. In answering these questions we focus on two main concerns: the possibility of achieving satisfactory representation and the possibility of constructing counter-factual spaces of deliberation in which identity-based bias is suspended in favour of reasoned argument. Our survey data suggests that participants are themselves satisfied that representation is fair, and that the consensus attained at the end of deliberative events is not the result of domination of more powerful interests. Nevertheless, our more qualitative observations of individuals involved in deliberative events provide stronger cause for caution. It is not possible to leave power and prejudice out of deliberative processes, though well managed spaces of deliberation can temporarily mitigate these and in doing so provide some empowerment to normally marginalised participants. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
Source title: Journal of Rural Studies
DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2012.02.001
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84862093777&doi=10.1016%2fj.jrurstud.2012.02.001&partnerID=40&md5=bd53f01eb7b7202ee7281b91baea93ef
Correspondence Address: Martin, A.; School of International Development, University of East AngliaUnited Kingdom; email: Adrian.martin@uea.ac.uk
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Rwanda ;
Protected area: Volcans ; Nyungwe
Main topic: Humans
Subtopic: Governance / Policy ; Periphery / Management ; Perceptions / Behaviors ; Conservation initiatives

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Abstract: Repeated dictatorships and wars have led the Congo towards a generalization of land conflitcs. Although the soil and the subsoil belong to the State, two land regimes coexist in fact: first the land concession, in urban areas and big agricultural, mining or forest exploitations, and second, anywhere else, the regime of national lands managed according to traditional rules. These collide with the Land registry offices, which, in a context of approximate law and corruption at every level, seize the lands of the peasant communities to sell them to the highest bidder. Spoliation of farmlands and mining plunder are illustrated by recent examples taken in Kivu, and in Katanga. The Virunga national park affair, and the Luishia high school case, show the extent of a disaster which is also human and environmental.
Source title: Bulletin d'Association de Geographes Francais
DOI:
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84868629853&partnerID=40&md5=fdf834e6d096c1989261c52caa7e5a2d
Correspondence Address: Bruneau, J.-C.; Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, UMR 5115 LAM, Les Afriques dans le Monde, Université de BordeauxFrance; email: jicbruneau@hotmail.fr
Language of Original Document: French
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Kahuzi-Biega ; Virunga
Main topic: Humans
Subtopic: Governance / Policy ; Periphery / Management ; Armed conflicts ; Agriculture

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Abstract: Sericostachys scandens is a monocarpic and heliophilous liana, native in tropical African forests. In the montane forests of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) (East of DR Congo), it has been expanding very strongly for a decade, and is currently considered as having negative impacts on biodiversity conservation. In this paper, we test if S. scandens differs from three co-occurring, native, non spreading lianas (Gouania longispicata, Tacazzea apiculata and Adenia bequaertii) for functional traits which might influence plant expansion. For leaf traits (SLA, dry matter content, nitrogen concentration), S. scandens did not show extreme values compared to those of the three other lianas. In contrast, S. scandens had much higher biomass allocation to sexual reproduction. It also differs from the three other lianas for its reproductive strategy that combines both vegetative propagation and sexual reproduction, and propagule dispersal by wind. Moreover, S. scandens has larger leaves and a greater number of lateral branches per unit stem length. It is argued that the particular combination of functional traits exhibited by S. scandens may in part explain its propensity to behave as an opportunistic weed in the disturbed areas in the montane forests of Kahuzi-Biega. © 2012 Science Press, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, CAS and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
Source title: Journal of Mountain Science
DOI: 10.1007/s11629-012-2382-x
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84866679384&doi=10.1007%2fs11629-012-2382-x&partnerID=40&md5=9f95e8471e13ebf4234619b891a4f153
Correspondence Address: François, H. M.; Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique, Rue Vautier 29, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium; email: francois.muhashy@naturalsciences.be
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Kahuzi-Biega
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Biology / Ecology ; Structure / Biomass

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Abstract: Spatially-explicit maps of aboveground biomass are essential for calculating the losses and gains in forest carbon at a regional to national level. The production of such maps across wide areas will become increasingly necessary as international efforts to protect primary forests, such as the REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) mechanism, come into effect, alongside their use for management and research more generally. However, mapping biomass over high-biomass tropical forest is challenging as (1) direct regressions with optical and radar data saturate, (2) much of the tropics is persistently cloud-covered, reducing the availability of optical data, (3) many regions include steep topography, making the use of radar data complex, (5) while LiDAR data does not suffer from saturation, expensive aircraft-derived data are necessary for complete coverage. We present a solution to the problems, using a combination of terrain-corrected L-band radar data (ALOS PALSAR), spaceborne LiDAR data (ICESat GLAS) and ground-based data. We map Gabon's Lopé National Park (5000 km2) because it includes a range of vegetation types from savanna to closed-canopy tropical forest, is topographically complex, has no recent contiguous cloud-free high-resolution optical data, and the dense forest is above the saturation point for radar. Our 100 m resolution biomass map is derived from fusing spaceborne LiDAR (7142 ICESat GLAS footprints), 96 ground-based plots (average size 0.8 ha) and an unsupervised classification of terrain-corrected ALOS PALSAR radar data, from which we derive the aboveground biomass stocks of the park to be 78 Tg C (173 Mg C ha-1). This value is consistent with our field data average of 181 Mg C ha-1, from the field plots measured in 2009 covering a total of 78 ha, and which are independent as they were not used for the GLAS-biomass estimation. We estimate an uncertainty of ± 25% on our carbon stock value for the park. This error term includes uncertainties resulting from the use of a generic tropical allometric equation, the use of GLAS data to estimate Lorey's height, and the necessity of separating the landscape into distinct classes. As there is currently no spaceborne LiDAR satellite in operation (GLAS data is available for 2003-2009 only), this methodology is not suitable for change-detection. This research underlines the need for new satellite LiDAR data to provide the potential for biomass-change estimates, although this need will not be met before 2015. © 2012 Author(s).
Source title: Biogeosciences
DOI: 10.5194/bg-9-179-2012
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84863714143&doi=10.5194%2fbg-9-179-2012&partnerID=40&md5=9fcb80e207e9a9710d0d9b5cd79f85b8
Correspondence Address: Mitchard, E.T.A.; School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, EH8 9XP, United Kingdom; email: edward.mitchard@ed.ac.uk
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Lopé
Main topic: Environment
Subtopic: Land use / cover ; Forests ; Carbon

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Abstract: Determining the ecological and anthropogenic factors that shape the abundance and distribution of wild primates is a critical component of primate conservation research. Such research is complicated, however, whenever the species under study are encountered infrequently, a characteristic of many taxa that are threatened with extinction. Typically, the resulting data sets based on surveys of such species will have a high frequency of zero counts which makes it difficult to determine the predictor variables that are associated with species abundance. In this study, we test various statistical models using survey data that was gathered on seven species of primate in Korup National Park, Cameroon. Predictor variables include hunting signs and aspects of habitat structure and floristic composition. Our statistical models include zero-inflated models that are tailored to deal with a high frequency of zero counts. First, using exploratory data analysis we found the most informative set of models as ranked by ?-AIC (Akaike's information criterion). On the basis of this analysis, we used five predictor variables to construct several regression models including Poisson, zero-inflated Poisson, negative binomial, and zero-inflated negative binomial. Total basal area of all trees, density of secondary tree species, hunting signs, and mean basal area of all trees were significant predictors of abundance in the zero-inflated models. We discuss the statistical logic behind zero-inflated models and provide an interpretation of parameter estimates. We recommend that researchers explore a variety of models when determining the factors that correlate with primate abundance. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Source title: American Journal of Physical Anthropology
DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22139
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84867545028&doi=10.1002%2fajpa.22139&partnerID=40&md5=7229e6769d118d3680e7ffd2d54d2d86
Correspondence Address: Linder, J.M.; Department of Sociology and Anthropology, James Madison University, MSC 7501, 71 Alumnae Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, United States; email: linderjm@jmu.edu
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Korup
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Primates ; Abundance ; Survey / Monitoring

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Abstract: Increasing human settlement and disturbance adjacent to protected areas have intensified competition between people and wildlife for resources and living space. In northern Cameroon, over 60,000 people live in villages surrounding Bénoué National Park. In that same area, as in other parts of Africa, savanna elephants damage crops, homes, water provision infrastructures, and grain stores. Using almost 1000 satellite-derived positions for two matriarch female elephants from 2007 to 2009, movement patterns were analyzed with respect to a highway, secondary roads, unpaved park roads, rivers, and villages through the use of log linear modeling. More than half of all locations and core areas occurred outside the park, while seasonal and individual differences in home range size and distribution were found within the protected area. Elephant occurrence within approximately 7 to 9 km of villages showed a decreasing trend with proximity. The highway appeared to act as a barrier to movement for one elephant herd, while the other did not come within 11 km of it. On the other hand, elephants remained close to the Bénoué River and secondary roads. Our findings show that in the Bénoué Wildlife Conservation Area, perennial water availability and human disturbance from the presence of villages can influence elephant spatial distribution in the protected area, and overlap of villages with elephant home range indicates a high potential for human-elephant conflict. This highlights the need for more effective land use planning to reduce such conflict and for additional research into movement patterns of the Bénoué National Park elephant population. © Alys Granados, Robert B. Weladji and Michael R. Loomis.
Source title: Tropical Conservation Science
DOI: 10.1177/194008291200500205
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84863881016&doi=10.1177%2f194008291200500205&partnerID=40&md5=4beb223756fd6dc46d803f3f84e6a951
Correspondence Address: Weladji, R. B.; Department of Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada; email: rweladji@alcor.concordia.ca
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Bénoué
Main topic: Biodiversity ; Humans
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Ungulates ; Elephants ; Biology / Ecology ; Human-wildlife conflicts ; Demography ; Agriculture ; Income-generating activities

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Abstract: African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) are of immediate conservation concern, yet are understudied due to inaccessible habitats. We analyzed the home range size and overlap of six adult females. Home ranges were among the smallest for all elephant species and individuals were positioned adjacent to one another with minimal overlap. © 2012 The Author(s) Journal compilation © 2012 by The Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation.
Source title: Biotropica
DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7429.2012.00889.x
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84863497978&doi=10.1111%2fj.1744-7429.2012.00889.x&partnerID=40&md5=1bee28ffed77c870ec0f1d6d3ed5c4e1
Correspondence Address: Schuttler, S.G.; Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, 226 Tucker Hall, Columbia, MO, 65211, United States; email: sgschuttler@mizzou.ed
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Loango
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Ungulates ; Elephants ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: The São Tomé Grosbeak Neospiza concolor is critically endangered, with an area of occurrence smaller than 16 km2 and an adult population under 50 individuals. It was previously thought to be restricted to old-growth forest in the southern lowlands of the island, but here we describe its presence at altitude over a long period, using young secondary forests and feeding on plants characteristic of disturbed areas. By extending the grosbeak's area of occurrence and what is known about its ecology, these observations raise new hope for the survival of this threatened bird. However, this new site lies outside the Ôbo Natural Park, São Tomé's only protected area, for which we alert the need to better protect its surroundings, which are relevant for many of the island's endemic species. © 2012 Copyright NISC (Pty) Ltd.
Source title: Ostrich
DOI: 10.2989/00306525.2012.724033
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84870931237&doi=10.2989%2f00306525.2012.724033&partnerID=40&md5=339ba5a1d07f29d16bcedd6c9b6b6405
Correspondence Address: de Lima, R. F.; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom; email: rfaustinol@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; São Tomé and Príncipe ;
Protected area: Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Birds ; Survey / Monitoring ; Biology / Ecology ; Abundance

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Abstract: The intensification of human activities within the habitats of wild animals is increasing the risk of interspecies disease transmission. This risk is particularly important for great apes, given their close phylogenetic relationship with humans. Areas of high human density or intense research and ecotourism activities expose apes to a high risk of disease spillover from humans. Is this risk lower in areas of low human density? We determined the prevalence of Escherichia coli antibiotic-resistant isolates in a population of the critically endangered western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and other wild mammals in Lopé National Park (LNP), Gabon, and we tested whether the observed pattern could be explained by bacterial transmission from humans and domestic animals into wildlife populations. Our results show a high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial isolates in humans and low levels in gorillas and other wildlife. The significant differences in the genetic background of the resistant bacteria isolated from humans and gorillas suggest that transmission is low or does not occur between these two species. These findings indicate that the presence of antibiotic-resistant strains in wildlife do not imply direct bacteria transmission from humans. Thus, in areas of low human density, human-wildlife E. coli transmission seems to be low. The presence of antibiotic-resistant isolates in gorillas may be better explained by other mechanisms for resistance acquisition, such as horizontal gene exchange among bacteria or naturally acquired resistance. © 2012, American Society for Microbiology.
Source title: Applied and Environmental Microbiology
DOI: 10.1128/AEM.07593-11
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84864105714&doi=10.1128%2fAEM.07593-11&partnerID=40&md5=dd285bf685a109fdf6364ca22e0f5db9
Correspondence Address: Benavides, J.A.; CNRS-Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier II, Place Eugéne Bataillon, Montpellier, France; email: benavidesjulio@yahoo.fr
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Lopé
Main topic: Health
Subtopic: Human & animal health

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Abstract: Simian immunodeficiency viruses infecting western lowland gorillas (SIVgor) are closely related to HIV-1 and are most likely the ancestors of HIV-1 groups O and P. At present, limited data are available on genetic diversity, transmission, viral evolution, and pathogenicity of SIVgor in its natural host. Between 2004 and 2011, 961 putative gorilla fecal samples were collected at the Campo Ma'an National Park, Cameroon. Among them, 16% cross-reacted with HIV-1 antibodies, corresponding to at least 34 infected gorillas. Combining host genotyping and field data, we identified four social groups composed of 7 to 15 individuals each, with SIV rates ranging from 13% to 29%. Eleven SIVgor-infected gorillas were sampled multiple times; two most likely seroconverted during the study period, showing that SIVgor continues to spread. Phylogenetic analysis of partial env and pol sequences revealed cocirculation of closely related and divergent strains among gorillas from the same social group, indicating SIVgor transmissions within and between groups. Parental links could be inferred for some gorillas infected with closely related strains, suggesting vertical transmission, but horizontal transmission by sexual or aggressive behavior was also suspected. Intrahost molecular evolution in one gorilla over a 5-year period showed viral adaptations characteristic of escape mutants, i.e., V1V2 loop elongation and an increased number of glycosylation sites. Here we show for the first time the feasibility of noninvasive monitoring of nonhabituated gorillas to study SIVgor infection over time at both the individual and population levels. This approach can also be applied more generally to study other pathogens in wildlife. © 2012, American Society for Microbiology.
Source title: Journal of Virology
DOI: 10.1128/JVI.01186-12
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84866174385&doi=10.1128%2fJVI.01186-12&partnerID=40&md5=60b79f3faed99c12b488fc8a4788ac0f
Correspondence Address: Peeters, M.; UMI233, TransVIHMI, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France; email: martine.peeters@ird.fr
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Campo-Ma'an
Main topic: Health
Subtopic: Animal health

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Abstract: We explore the potential for payments for ecosystem services (PES) to reconcile conservation and development goals, using a case study of an experimental PES intervention around the Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda. The scheme involves the purchase of biodiversity conservation services from local communities in four selected locations. Although a portion of the payment is awarded at the household level, it is the collective action of the community that determines the level of the payment. Contracts are negotiated annually and include performance indicators within each participating community. We examine the ability of PES to achieve conservation and development objectives, through three sub-questions: Is the PES scheme effective? Is it legitimate and fair? Is it equitable? Our findings indicate that the relationship between these evaluation criteria is complex, with both trade-offs and synergies. In this case study the effectiveness of PES is dependent on the equitable distribution of the payment, participants' belief and acceptance of the service being paid for, institutional histories that aid in the establishment of legitimacy and fairness, and the complementary nature of PES to more conventional enforcement methods. © 2012 Fauna & Flora Internationa.
Source title: ORYX
DOI: 10.1017/S0030605311001372
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84857736236&doi=10.1017%2fS0030605311001372&partnerID=40&md5=6469d1bb76b593bcb9aeb41fed3b9362
Correspondence Address: Gross-Camp, N.D.; International Development UEA, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom; email: n.gross-camp@uea.ac.uk
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Rwanda ;
Protected area: Nyungwe
Main topic: Humans
Subtopic: Ecosystem services ; Perceptions / Behaviors ; Governance / Policy ; Periphery / Management ; Conservation initiatives ; Income-generating activities

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Abstract: Background and aims - Floristic inventories are the primary means by which the plant diversity of an area can be understood and are important in underpinning management plans for conservation. One of the priorities set out for Loango National Park (LNP) in an IUCN assessment of Gabon's protected areas was to produce a vascular plant checklist. Therefore, the primary goal of this research was to significantly increase the number of specimens for the park and make a concentrated effort to increase knowledge of plant diversity in the area. The secondary goal of this study was to analyse the flora of LNP in terms of phytogeography and endemism. Methods - A specimen-based botanical inventory was carried out in LNP (1005 herbarium specimens collected for this study were added to 752 existing records) and vegetation observations were made. Phytogeographical analyses were also performed using two different methods and datasets for comparison. Key results - A preliminary checklist of 686 species of vascular plants of LNP is presented, making a significant contribution to our knowledge of the flora of Gabon with more than twenty new country records. Conclusions -There is a surprisingly high proportion (15%) of the overall Gabonese flora recorded from within the park in this preliminary checklist. Further inventory within the park will undoubtedly produce a much higher percentage of the flora of the whole country. This high proportion is explained in part by the combination of restricted coastal endemics, diversity of habitats, and dynamic biological and physical processes. Phytogeographical analyses reveal different floristic relationships between the forest and savanna components of the flora suggesting different origins of these two biomes in coastal Gabon. The forest species are typically Guineo-Congolian in distribution and the savanna species are Sudano- Zambezian or widespread in distribution. Together, the faunal elements and the high diversity of the flora of Loango National Park make it a globally important site for conservation. © 2012 National Botanic Garden of Belgium and Royal Botanical Society of Belgium.
Source title: Plant Ecology and Evolution
DOI: 10.5091/plecevo.2012.641
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84864800702&doi=10.5091%2fplecevo.2012.641&partnerID=40&md5=27c39071caa08381a27cb3e564940403
Correspondence Address: Harris, D. J.; Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK - EH3 5LR, United Kingdom; email: d.harris@rbge.org.uk
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Loango
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Survey / Monitoring ; Diversity ; Genetics ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: Forest cover and forest cover loss for the last decade, 2000-2010, have been quantified for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) using Landsat time-series data set. This was made possible via an exhaustive mining of the Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM. +) archive. A total of 8881 images were processed to create multi-temporal image metrics resulting in 99.6% of the DRC land area covered by cloud-free Landsat observations. To facilitate image compositing, a top-of-atmosphere (TOA) reflectance calibration and image normalization using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) top of canopy (TOC) reflectance data sets were performed. Mapping and change detection was implemented using a classification tree algorithm. The national year 2000 forest cover was estimated to be 159,529.2. thousand hectares, with gross forest cover loss for the last decade totaling 2.3% of forest area. Forest cover loss area increased by 13.8% between the 2000-2005 and 2005-2010 intervals, with the greatest increase occurring within primary humid tropical forests. Forest loss intensity was distributed unevenly and associated with areas of high population density and mining activity. While forest cover loss is comparatively low in protected areas and priority conservation landscapes compared to forests outside of such areas, gross forest cover loss for all nature protection areas increased by 64% over the 2000 to 2005 and 2005 to 2010 intervals. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.
Source title: Remote Sensing of Environment
DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2011.08.027
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84864397452&doi=10.1016%2fj.rse.2011.08.027&partnerID=40&md5=61888a532309d95e841f48107071efd2
Correspondence Address: Potapov, P.V.; Geographic Information Science Center of Excellence, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, United States; email: peter.potapov@hermes.geog.umd.edu
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Many
Main topic: Environment
Subtopic: Land use / cover ; Forests ; Deforestation ; Mines

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Abstract: In order to assess the impact of human activities on chimpanzee behavior, we compared reactions to humans of Eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) living in proximity to and at a distance from roads and settlements in the Bili-Uele landscape in Northern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We found that chimpanzees in the remote Gangu Forest were more likely to show curious or neutral reactions to us and were less likely to flee than those living closer to roads. In addition, arboreal contact durations with Gangu chimpanzees lasted significantly longer than elsewhere. The most likely explanation for this phenomenon is that with increasing distance from roads, chimpanzees have in the recent past had fewer negative encounters with humans, and thus never learned to fear them. The discovery of this population of "naïve chimpanzees" presents us with an important research and conservation opportunity that may result in the installation of a long-term research site and increased protection of the population. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Source title: American Journal of Primatology
DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22023
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84863329596&doi=10.1002%2fajp.22023&partnerID=40&md5=ec19bb535192bba42e55f43c6f430b81
Correspondence Address: Hicks, T.C.; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Liepzig, Germany; email: clevehicks@hotmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Bili-Uere
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Primates ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: Investigating the recovery capacity of wildlife populations following demographic crashes is of great interest to ecologists and conservationists. Opportunities to study these aspects are rare due to the difficulty of monitoring populations both before and after a demographic crash. Ebola outbreaks in central Africa have killed up to 95% of the individuals in affected western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) populations. Assessing whether and how fast affected populations recover is essential for the conservation of this critically endangered taxon. The gorilla population visiting Lokoué forest clearing, Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of the Congo, has been monitored before, two years after and six years after Ebola affected it in 2004. This allowed us to describe Ebola's short-term and long-term impacts on the structure of the population. The size of the population, which included around 380 gorillas before the Ebola outbreak, dropped to less than 40 individuals after the outbreak. It then remained stable for six years after the outbreak. However, the demographic structure of this small population has significantly changed. Although several solitary males have disappeared, the immigration of adult females, the formation of new breeding groups, and several birth events suggest that the population is showing potential to recover. During the outbreak, surviving adult and subadult females joined old solitary silverbacks. Those females were subsequently observed joining young silverbacks, forming new breeding groups where they later gave birth. Interestingly, some females were observed joining silverbacks that were unlikely to have sired their infant, but no infanticide was observed. The consequences of the Ebola outbreak on the population structure were different two years and six years after the outbreak. Therefore, our results could be used as demographic indicators to detect and date outbreaks that have happened in other, non-monitored gorilla populations. © 2012 Genton et al.
Source title: PLoS ONE
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037106
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84861369931&doi=10.1371%2fjournal.pone.0037106&partnerID=40&md5=7a9ebe5d14844363f9d3c7568f07d44e
Correspondence Address: Genton, C.; UMR 6553, ECOBIO: Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Evolution, CNRS/University of Rennes 1, Biological Station of Paimpont, Paimpont, France; email: celine.genton@yahoo.fr
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Odzala Kokoua
Main topic: Health
Subtopic: Animal health

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Abstract: This article explores spatial and temporal changes in diurnal primate abundance and behavior in response to hunting, logging, and conservation at the Dzanga Sangha Dense Forest Reserve (RDS), Central African Republic over time. We use a combination of line-transect surveys in 2002 and 2009 (N = 540 km) and ethnographic interviews (N = 210) to investigate changes in the status of cercopithecines and colobines at RDS, with additional comparisons to earlier work. This protected area was lightly logged in the 1970s and the park was gazetted in 1990, with multiple-use reserve sectors allocated. Since the park's inception, hunting and the trade of primates have increased, along with human migration, greater accessibility of arms, and reduction of preferred ungulate prey. Primates have declined in both the park and reserve sectors. Our data further suggest that at RDS hunting has had a greater impact on primate diversity and abundance than logging. We have identified changes in species-specific vulnerability to hunting over time, with Cercopithecus nictitans and Lophocebus albigena initially having appeared to be relatively resistant to hunting pressure in 2002. However, subsequently as gun hunting has increased at RDS, these species have become vulnerable. Although monkeys at RDS have been responding behaviorally to increased gun hunting, they are not able to keep pace with changing hunting practices. This study allows us to begin to understand synergistic impacts of hunting and logging, necessary if we are to recommend strategies to better secure the future of primates in multiuse protected areas. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Source title: American Journal of Primatology
DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22012
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84861547866&doi=10.1002%2fajp.22012&partnerID=40&md5=e065dd5dc9344a3e662f91d370f71e58
Correspondence Address: Remis, M.J.; Department of Anthropology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2059United States; email: remis@purdue.edu
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Central African Republic ;
Protected area: Dzanga-Sangha
Main topic: Biodiversity ; Humans
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Primates ; Abundance ; Survey / Monitoring ; Biology / Ecology ; Conservation initiatives ; Hunting / Poaching ; Timber

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Abstract: Species commonly exist in sympatry, yet ecological studies are often based on a single species approach while ignoring the impact of sympatric competitors. Over 13 mo we used 24 remote video-camera traps to monitor habitat use of sympatric chimpanzee, gorilla and elephant in four different habitat types in Loango National Park, Gabon. Habitat use by each species was predicted to vary according to seasonal changes in food availability and precipitation. Increased interspecific competition between the three species was expected at times of reduced resource availability, leading to exclusion of the inferior competitor. Supporting the predictions, species abundance per habitat showed seasonal variation: all three species responded positively to increased fruit availability in all habitats, but the response was only significant for gorilla in mature forest and elephant in coastal forest. Responses to rainfall varied, with the chimpanzee responding negatively to rainfall in swamp forest, the gorilla responding positively to rainfall in coastal and secondary forest, and the elephant responding positively to rainfall in mature forest. Elephant presence resulted in competitive exclusion of the apes under certain conditions: the chimpanzee was excluded by the elephant where fruit availability was low, whereas the gorilla was excluded by the elephant in areas of low herb density despite high fruit availability. Our results emphasize the value of applying a multi-species, longer-term approach to studying variation in habitat use among sympatric species and highlight the impact competitors can exert on one another's distribution. © Cambridge University Press 2012.
Source title: Journal of Tropical Ecology
DOI: 10.1017/S0266467412000612
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84870017022&doi=10.1017%2fS0266467412000612&partnerID=40&md5=dee681da8dea343921a074539385542e
Correspondence Address: Head, J.S.; Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; email: head@eva.mpg.de
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Loango
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Primates ; Ungulates ; Elephants ; Survey / Monitoring ; Abundance ; Biology / Ecology