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Abstract: Characterising forest dynamics of a forest is essential to its management. Tree crowns are a key factor in these dynamics, but measuring them in tropical forests is not an easy matter. This study tested the use of high-resolution aerial imagery to estimate the tree diameter growth by incorporating detailed measurements of the detected tree crowns. Ortho-images at a resolution of 10 cm/pixel were captured by a fixed-wing drone over a 9 ha plot in the Yoko forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Inventories conducted on trees ? 10 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) in 2008 and 2016 provided access to a variety of tree dendrometric characteristics, including DBH and species temperament, and allowed the calculation of diameter increments. Mixed linear models were calibrated to predict diameter increment of 163 trees identified both on the ground and on the ortho-images, using variables quantified on the ground only and/ or from variables measured from the ortho-images. From the aerial images, we were able to detect 23.4% of the trees with DBH ? 10 cm listed in the ground inventories, representing 75.1% of the stand’s aerial biomass. The probability of detecting the trees varied with their DBH, from 0.09 for trees with DBH < 30 cm to 0.97 for trees with DBH ? 60 cm. Predictions of diametric growth improved significantly when the variables quantified by remote sensing were added to the ground variables. The best models for estimating diameter increment include, in particular, a term characterising the size of tree crowns, which can only be measured by remote sensing. Of the variables determined by remote sensing, convex crown area was the most successfull in the models and therefore appears to be the most accurate variable to describe competition between tree crowns. These results open up possibilities to build new tools of data acquisition to support forest planning. Droit d’auteur © 2020, Bois et Forêts des Tropiques – © Cirad.
Source title: Bois et Forets des Tropiques
DOI: 10.19182/bft2020.343.a31848
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85086443034&doi=10.19182%2fbft2020.343.a31848&partnerID=40&md5=1897b39e793f7a9a9571dcc9b97cbaa5
Correspondence Address: Ndamiyehe Ncutirakiza, J.-B.; Université de Kisangani, Faculté de gestion des ressources naturelles renouvelables, Département d’agronomie générale, option des eaux et forêts, Université de Goma, Faculté des sciences agronomiques, BP 2012, Congo; email: ncutijean@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: French
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Yoko
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Structure / Biomass ; Biology / Ecology ; Survey / Monitoring

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Abstract: In order to improve sustainability and design adequate management strategies in threatened tropical forests, integrated assessments of the use of ecosystem services are needed, combining biophysical, social, and economic approaches. In particular, no integrated ecosystem services (ES) assessment has been conducted in Central Africa, where rural communities deeply depend on forests in a high-poverty context. Here, we aimed to quantify the use of ES provided by tropical forests to local populations in the Dja area (Cameroon), identify its determinants and evaluate its sustainability. We conducted various interviews and field surveys with 133 households in three villages, focusing on three provisioning services (bushmeat, firewood, and timber), and five cultural services (cultural heritage, inspiration, spiritual experience, recreation, and education). Local populations consumed a mean of 56 kg of bushmeat/person/year (hunting zones covering on average 213 km2), 1.17 m3 of firewood/person/year (collection zones covering on average 4 km2), and 0.03m3 of timber/person/year. Between 25% and 86% of respondents considered cultural services as important. The use of ES was mainly influenced by population size, deforestation rate, and forest allocations, whereas the influence of socio-demographic characteristics of households remained limited to slight differences between Baka and Bantu people. We conclude that the consumption of firewood and timber is sustainable, whereas high hunting pressure has resulted in severe defaunation in the area due to the large decline in the abundance and biomass of forest mammals hunted for bushmeat by local populations. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Source title: Sustainability (Switzerland)
DOI: 10.3390/su12062505
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85082700810&doi=10.3390%2fsu12062505&partnerID=40&md5=604f6b0b196d81132c483bd2d500f992
Correspondence Address: Lhoest, S.; Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Passage des Déportés 2, Belgium; email: simlho@hotmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Dja
Main topic: Humans ; Environment
Subtopic: Ecosystem services ; Perceptions / Behaviors ; Periphery / Management ; Income-generating activities ; Hunting / Poaching ; Timber ; Anthropology / Ethnoscience ; Demography ; Land use / cover ; Deforestation

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Abstract: Background: The humid tropical forests of Central Africa influence weather worldwide and play a major role in the global carbon cycle. However, they are also an ecological anomaly, with evergreen forests dominating the western equatorial region despite less than 2,000 mm total annual rainfall. Meteorological data for Central Africa are notoriously sparse and incomplete and there are substantial issues with satellite-derived data because of persistent cloudiness and inability to ground-truth estimates. Long-term climate observations are urgently needed to verify regional climate and vegetation models, shed light on the mechanisms that drive climatic variability and assess the viability of evergreen forests under future climate scenarios. Methods: We have the rare opportunity to analyse a 34 year dataset of rainfall and temperature (and shorter periods of absolute humidity, wind speed, solar radiation and aerosol optical depth) from Lopé National Park, a long-term ecological research site in Gabon, western equatorial Africa. We used (generalized) linear mixed models and spectral analyses to assess seasonal and inter-annual variation, long-term trends and oceanic influences on local weather patterns. Results: Lopé’s weather is characterised by a cool, light-deficient, long dry season. Long-term climatic means have changed significantly over the last 34 years, with warming occurring at a rate of +0.25 C per decade (minimum daily temperature) and drying at a rate of ?75 mm per decade (total annual rainfall). Inter-annual climatic variability at Lopé is highly influenced by global weather patterns. Sea surface temperatures of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans have strong coherence with Lopé temperature and rainfall on multi-annual scales. Conclusions: The Lopé long-term weather record has not previously been made public and is of high value in such a data poor region. Our results support regional analyses of climatic seasonality, long-term warming and the influences of the oceans on temperature and rainfall variability. However, warming has occurred more rapidly than the regional products suggest and while there remains much uncertainty in the wider region, rainfall has declined over the last three decades at Lopé. The association between rainfall and the Atlantic cold tongue at Lopé lends some support for the ‘dry’ models of climate change for the region. In the context of a rapidly warming and drying climate, urgent research is needed into the sensitivity of dry season clouds to ocean temperatures and the viability of humid evergreen forests in this dry region should the clouds disappear. © Copyright 2020 Bush et al.
Source title: PeerJ
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8732
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85083559586&doi=10.7717%2fpeerj.8732&partnerID=40&md5=c9f72934006e6a57975e87c68052631d
Correspondence Address: Bush, E.R.; Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of StirlingUnited Kingdom; email: e.r.bush@stir.ac.uk
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Lopé
Main topic: Environment
Subtopic: Climate

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Abstract: We conducted a general avian survey in and around the Gishwati Forest of Rwanda’s Gishwati-Mukura National Park between 6 June and 7 August 2019, using stationary point counts and opportunistic observations along approximately 300 km of transects and trails. Of the 155 bird species recorded, one is Critically Endangered (Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus), two are Endangered (Gray Crowned-Crane Balearica regulorum and Grauer’s Swamp Warbler Bradypterus graueri), one is Vulnerable (Taw-ny Eagle Aquila rapax), and two are Near-Threatened (Mountain Buzzard Buteo ore-ophilus and Lagden’s Bushshrike Malaconotus lagdeni). We recorded three Afrotropical migrants and 20 species endemic to the Albertine Rift (though two of these are only recognized at the subspecies level). Within this avian community, 41 species are forest specialists, 55 are forest generalists, and 25 are forest visitors. © 2020, Bird Committee of the East Africa Natural History Society. All rights reserved.
Source title: Scopus: Journal of East African Ornithology
DOI:
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85077838436&partnerID=40&md5=cfaa676baccd51b1879f4de24c816d9e
Correspondence Address: Inman, S.; Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, 195 Prospect St, United States; email: seth.inman@yale.edu
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Rwanda ;
Protected area: Gishwati-Mukura
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Birds ; Survey / Monitoring ; Diversity ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: The benthic assemblage of reefs provides an important resource of food and habitat for reef fishes. However, how benthic composition mediates reef fishes' biotic interactions at isolated environments such as oceanic islands remains largely unknown. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of four different reef microhabitats over biological interactions of fishes in an understudied oceanic island, Príncipe Island. For that, we recorded a total of 46 Underwater Remote Videos (RUVs) to document benthic composition and fishes' trophic and agonistic interactions. We used benthic cover estimates to group the samples into four microhabitats (dominated by epilithic algal matrix [EAM], sand/rock, corals and sponges), then quantified fishes' trophic and agonistic interactions in each microhabitat. All microhabitats presented a different structure of trophic and agonistic interactions of the fish assemblage. Feeding pressure (FP) and agonistic interactions were higher on the EAM microhabitat and lower in coral microhabitat. Herbivores were the main responsible group for the FP in all microhabitats. Territorial damselfishes used microhabitats differently for both trophic and agonistic interactions. We demonstrated that reef fish diversity and intensity of biotic interactions varied according the spatial distribution of benthic resources, which suggests that benthic composition plays an important role on structuring biological interactions at isolated reef systems. © 2020 Wiley-VCH GmbH
Source title: Marine Ecology
DOI: 10.1111/maec.12609
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85089254530&doi=10.1111%2fmaec.12609&partnerID=40&md5=d5410bc37f817a4d24c799557ae87f0f
Correspondence Address: Floeter, S.R.; Marine Macroecology and Biogeography Lab, Brazil; email: sergio.floeter@ufsc.br
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; São Tomé and Príncipe ;
Protected area: The Island of Príncipe
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Fish ; Invertebrates ; Algae ; Biology / Ecology ; Survey / Monitoring ; Diversity

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Abstract: The effect of forest reserve conversion to agriculture land on soil properties in the sudano-sahelian zone of Cameroon was investigated. Agricultural activities have caused the progressive reduction of the surface area of Zamai forest reserve, which reduced from nearly 50% of its original surface in 1970 to only about one third in 2016. This study was conducted on four plots that have been cultivated for 3, 29, 50 and 90 years respectively, and a forest reserve soil used as control plot, all located along a chronosequence on Dystric Arenosols. The sandy fraction of cultivated soils varies between 70.00 ± 2.65 and 75.00 ± 2.65%, lower than that of the control soil (76.67 ± 3.21%). Silt contents were very low, but clay contents were higher in cultivated plots, with the highest proportion (28.66 ± 3.05%) seen in the 29 years cultivated plot. The stability index (SI) of different plots was greater than 9%, characteristic of stable structures. Compared to both 50 and 90 year cultivated soils, 3 and 29 years old agricultural soils had lower stability index and are thus more vulnerable to water and wind erosion in accordance with the lowest chemical characteristics observed. There was a gradual increase in acidity of cultivated plots from 3 years reaching higher values of 6.70 ± 0.24 and 6.49 ± 0.75 after 50 and 90 years of cultivation respectively. Ca2+ and K+ were the most represented bases. Moreover, there was an overall decrease in organic matter, sand and silt contents, SI and C:N, with a relative increase in clay content, pHw, K+, Ca2+, N, sum of bases and cation exchange capacity from 3 years cropping to 90 years. Control and 90 years cultivated plots were very similar, as a result of the restoration of soil properties after 90 years of farming activities, initiated from 50th year of farming activity. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.
Source title: Geoderma Regional
DOI: 10.1016/j.geodrs.2020.e00338
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85091060804&doi=10.1016%2fj.geodrs.2020.e00338&partnerID=40&md5=b2b30174b58fe3dc57587b233cca74d6
Correspondence Address: Tsozué, D.; Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua, P.O Box 814, Cameroon; email: tsozudsir@yahoo.fr
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Zamai
Main topic: Environment
Subtopic: Geology / Pedology

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Abstract: The forests of Central Africa contain some of Earth's few remaining intact forests. These forests are increasingly threatened by infrastructure development, agriculture, and unsustainable extraction of natural resources (e.g. minerals, bushmeat, and timber), all of which is leading to deforestation and forest degradation, particularly defaunation, and hence causing declines in biodiversity and a significant increase in carbon emissions. Given the pervasive nature of these threats, the global importance of Central African forests for biodiversity conservation, and the limited resources for conservation and sustainable management, there is a need to identify where the most important areas are to orientate conservation efforts. We developed a novel approach for identifying spatial priorities where conservation efforts can maximize biodiversity benefits within Central Africa's most intact forest areas. We found that the Democratic Republic of Congo has the largest amount of priority areas in the region, containing more than half, followed by Gabon, the Republic of Congo and Cameroon. We compared our approach to one that solely prioritizes forest intactness and one that aims to achieve only biodiversity representation objectives. We found that when priorities are only based on forest intactness (without considering biodiversity representation), there are significantly fewer biodiversity benefits and vice versa. We therefore recommend multi-objective planning that includes biodiversity representation and forest intactness to ensure that both objectives are maximized. These results can inform various types of conservation strategies needed within the region, including land-use planning, jurisdictional REDD + initiatives, and performance related carbon payments, protected area expansion, community forest management, and forest concession plans. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd.
Source title: Environmental Research Letters
DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ab9fae
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85092023550&doi=10.1088%2f1748-9326%2fab9fae&partnerID=40&md5=3414d73a78b95b4c7fadd3c3586f6969
Correspondence Address: Grantham, H.S.; Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)United States; email: hgrantham@wcs.org
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Central Africa ;
Protected area: Many
Main topic: Humans ; Biodiversity ; Environment
Subtopic: Conservation initiatives ; Periphery / Management ; Governance / Policy ; Land use / cover ; Forests

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Abstract: The Volcanoes National Park (VNP) in Rwanda, part of the Virunga massif in the Albertine Rift region, boasts some of Rwanda's best remaining natural vegetation and is home to many endangered and endemic species. The park has suffered from high levels of degradation and destruction, reducing in size by 50% during the 1960s and 1970s, and remains under threat from illegal activities, human population pressure and climate change. This study is the first to investigate the status and trends of bird communities in the VNP, using a multi-year dataset. We use a five-year dataset, totalling over 3,200 point-counts, both within and around the VNP, to assess the conservation value of the VNP for birds in comparison with other national parks and non-protected areas. We assess bird communities and population trends within and around the parks and identify important habitat factors for birds within the VNP. We found that the VNP hosts a unique bird community compared to other localities, with several Albertine Rift endemics and threatened species occurring in the VNP. Hagenia/ Hypericum woodland, herbaceous vegetation, brush ridge and mixed forest host the highest levels of bird diversity in the VNP, whilst the park's waterbodies provide key habitat for the endangered Albertine Rift endemic Grauer's Swamp-warbler (Bradypterus graueri). Elevation had a negative effect on bird diversity in the VNP, whilst the basal area of dead trees, Hagenia and vines had a positive effect. Both inside and outside the VNP, there was a significant decline in abundance and species richness over the sampling years; however, we advocate for further monitoring to confirm these trends. Based on our findings, we recommend effective, targeted management of key habitats for birds within the park, including those identified in this study, in order to mitigate bird declines and conserve the unique bird communities in the VNP. © BirdLife International 2019.
Source title: Bird Conservation International
DOI: 10.1017/S0959270919000121
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85065817774&doi=10.1017%2fS0959270919000121&partnerID=40&md5=aead046699f8c6d0662f8a8a867edb8e
Correspondence Address: Derhé, M.A.; Karisoke Research Center, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, PO Box 105Rwanda; email: mia.derhe@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Rwanda ;
Protected area: Volcans
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Birds ; Diversity ; Abundance ; Survey / Monitoring ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) presents a roadmap and a concerted platform of action towards achieving sustainable and inclusive development, leaving no one behind, while preventing environmental degradation and loss of natural resources. However, population growth, increased urbanisation, deforestation, and rapid economic development has decidedly modified the surface of the earth, resulting in dramatic land cover changes, which continue to cause significant degradation of environmental attributes. In order to reshape policies and management frameworks conforming to the objectives of the SDG's, it is paramount to understand the driving mechanisms of land use changes and determine future patterns of change. This study aims to assess and quantify future land cover changes in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by simulating a future landscape for the SDG target year of 2030 in order to provide evidence to support data-driven decision-making processes conforming to the requirements of the SDG's. The study follows six sequential steps: (a) creation of three land cover maps from 2010, 2015 and 2019 derived from satellite images; (b) land change analysis by cross-tabulation of land cover maps; (c) submodel creation and identification of explanatory variables and dataset creation for each variable; (d) calculation of transition potentials of major transitions within the case study area using machine learning algorithms; (e) change quantification and prediction using Markov chain analysis; and (f) prediction of a 2030 land cover. The model was successfully able to simulate future land cover and land use changes and the dynamics conclude that agricultural expansion and urban development is expected to significantly reduce Virunga's forest and open land areas in the next 11 years. Accessibility in terms of landscape topography and proximity to existing human activities are concluded to be primary drivers of these changes. Drawing on these conclusions, the discussion provides recommendations and reflections on how the predicted future land cover changes can be used to support and underpin policy frameworks towards achieving the SDG's and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. © 2020 by the authors.
Source title: Sustainability (Switzerland)
DOI: 10.3390/su12041570
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85081561125&doi=10.3390%2fsu12041570&partnerID=40&md5=44d6953d75018e6063376655e0521762
Correspondence Address: Arsanjani, J.J.; Geoinformatics Research Group, Department of Planning and Development, Aalborg University Copenhagen, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, Denmark; email: jja@plan.aau.dk
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Virunga
Main topic: Environment
Subtopic: Land use / cover

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Abstract: We investigated intestinal trichomonads in western lowland gorillas, central chimpanzees and humans cohabiting the forest ecosystem of Dzanga-Sangha Protected Area in Central African Republic, using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and SSU rRNA gene sequences. Trichomonads belonging to the genus Tetratrichomonas were detected in 23% of the faecal samples and in all host species. Different hosts were infected with different genotypes of Tetratrichomonas. In chimpanzees, we detected tetratrichomonads from 'novel lineage 2', which was previously reported mostly in captive and wild chimpanzees. In gorillas, we found two different genotypes of Tetratrichomonas. The ITS region sequences of the more frequent genotype were identical to the sequence found in a faecal sample of a wild western lowland gorilla from Cameroon. Sequences of the second genotype from gorillas were almost identical to sequences previously obtained from an anorexic French woman. We provide the first report of the presence of intestinal tetratrichomonads in asymptomatic, apparently healthy humans. Human tetratrichomonads belonged to the lineage 7, which was previously reported in domestic and wild pigs and a domestic horse. Our findings suggest that the ecology and spatial overlap among hominids in the tropical forest ecosystem has not resulted in exchange of intestinal trichomonads among these hosts. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019.
Source title: Parasitology
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182019001343
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85072765203&doi=10.1017%2fS0031182019001343&partnerID=40&md5=c7434df7ec86a17d9f6509dec037e481
Correspondence Address: ?epi?ka, I.; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vini?ná 7, Czech Republic; email: ivan.cepicka@centrum.cz
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Central African Republic ;
Protected area: Dzanga-Sangha
Main topic: Health
Subtopic: Human & animal health

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Abstract: Within a comparative morphological framework, Hippopotamyrus aelsbroecki, only known from the holotype originating from Lubumbashi, most probably the Lubumbashi River, a left bank subaffluent of the Luapula River, is reallocated to the genus Cyphomyrus. This transfer is motivated by the fact that H. aelsbroecki possesses a rounded or vaulted predorsal profile, an insertion of the dorsal fin far anterior to the level of the insertion of the anal fin, and a compact, laterally compressed and deep body. In addition, a new species of Cyphomyrus is described from the Lufira basin, Cyphomyrus lufirae. Cyphomyrus lufirae was collected in large parts of the Middle Lufira, upstream of the Kyubo Falls and just downstream of these falls in the lower Lufira and its nearby left bank affluent, the Luvilombo River. The new species is distinguished from all its congeners, that is, firstly, from C. aelsbroecki, C. cubangoensis and C. discorhynchus, by a low number of dorsal fin rays, 27-32 (vs. higher, 36 (37), 34 (33-41) an 38 (38-40), respectively) and, secondly, from C. aelsbroecki, C. cubangoensis, and C. discorhynchus by a large prepelvic distance, 41.0–43.8% LS (vs. shorter, 39.7%, 38.9–39.1% and 37.0–41.0% LS, respectively). The description of yet another new species for the Upemba National Park and the Kundelungu National Park further highlights their importance for fish protection and conservation in the area. Hence, there is an urgent need for the full integration of fish into the management plans of these parks. © 2019 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles
Source title: Journal of Fish Biology
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14237
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85079723285&doi=10.1111%2fjfb.14237&partnerID=40&md5=4d3aa6793a7172693a52d4d2fd51e912
Correspondence Address: Vreven, E.; Vertebrate Section, Ichthyology, Royal Museum for Central AfricaBelgium; email: emmanuel.vreven@africamuseum.be
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Kundelungu ; Upemba
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Fish ; Taxonomy ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: Tropical forest fragmentation results in habitat and biodiversity loss and increased carbon emissions. Here, we link an increased likelihood of tropical forest loss to decreasing fragment size, particularly in primary forests. The relationship holds for protected areas, albeit with half the rate of loss compared with all fragments. The fact that disturbance increases as primary forest fragment size decreases reflects higher land use pressures and improved access for resource extraction and/or conversion in smaller fragments. Large remaining forest fragments are found in the Amazon and Congo Basins and Insular Southeast Asia, with the majority of large extent/low loss fragments located in the Amazon. Tropical areas without large fragments, including Central America, West Africa, and mainland Southeast Asia, have higher loss within and outside of protected areas. Results illustrate the need for rigorous land use planning, management, and enforcement in maintaining large tropical forest fragments and restoring regions of advanced fragmentation. Copyright © 2020 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License 4.0 (CC BY-NC).
Source title: Science Advances
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax8574
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85082083472&doi=10.1126%2fsciadv.aax8574&partnerID=40&md5=0ab099f476475e60655a270caf021b44
Correspondence Address: Hansen, M.C.; Department of Geographical Sciences, University of MarylandUnited States; email: mhansen@umd.edu
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Central Africa ;
Protected area: Many
Main topic: Environment
Subtopic: Land use / cover ; Forests

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Abstract: The relationship between protected forested areas and neighboring residents in developing countries has been one of conflict. Tourism has both direct and indirect benefits to residents neighboring protected areas, and it can be one of the most innovative ways to resolve human-wildlife conflicts and achieve long-term conservation goals. However, the effectiveness of direct and indirect benefits of tourism has not been settled in the literature. In this paper, the case of the Volcanoes national park is used to empirically examine the conservation effectiveness of direct and indirect tourism benefits for poor residents neighboring the park. Results indicate that direct tourism benefits have more potential to influence change in forest-dependent behavior when the behavior is driven by food security constraints. Additionally, the results suggest that the potential to reduce forest dependence is possible if both direct and indirect tourism benefits are aimed to address health, education and food security risks of poor households in proximity to VNP. © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Source title: Tourism Planning and Development
DOI: 10.1080/21568316.2019.1640282
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85074386593&doi=10.1080%2f21568316.2019.1640282&partnerID=40&md5=5e9e6a11ff1f5cd94b93d173c84c13c1
Correspondence Address: Munanura, I.E.; Forest Ecosystems and Society, United States; email: ian.munanura@oregonstate.edu
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Rwanda ;
Protected area: Volcans
Main topic: Humans
Subtopic: Tourism ; Income-generating activities ; Perceptions / Behaviors ; Periphery / Management ; Human-wildlife conflicts ; Conservation initiatives ; Governance / Policy

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Abstract: Forest edges that border savanna are dynamic features of tropical landscapes. Although the role of fire in determining edge dynamics has been relatively well explored, the role of mega-herbivores, specifically elephants, has not received as much attention. We investigated the role of forest elephants in shaping forest edges of the forest–savanna mosaic in Lopé National Park, Gabon. Using forty camera traps, we collected 1.2 million images between May 2016 and June 2017. These images were classified by over 10,000 volunteers through an online citizen science platform. These data were combined with a 33-year phenology dataset on elephant-favoured fruiting tree species, and field measurements of elephant browsing preferences and damage. Our results showed a strong relationship between forest elephant density at the forest edge and fruit availability. When fruit availability was high, elephant density at the edge reached values nearly double the highest densities ever reported in any other part of the landscape (7.5 elephants km?2 in this study vs the previous highest estimate of 4 elephants km?2). The highest elephant densities occurred at the end of the dry season, but even outside of this high density period elephant density at the forest edge (2.4 elephants km?2) was more than double what other studies estimate for forest interiors with low human hunting pressure (1 elephant km?2). We found forest elephants to be selective browsers, but their browsing was non-destructive (in contrast to savanna elephants) and had little effect on tree size demography. Elephant paths acted as firebreaks during savanna burning, making them inadvertent protectors of the fire-sensitive forest and contributing to the stabilising feedbacks that allow forest and savanna to coexist in tropical landscapes. © 2019, The Author(s).
Source title: Ecosystems
DOI: 10.1007/s10021-019-00424-3
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85069963892&doi=10.1007%2fs10021-019-00424-3&partnerID=40&md5=23a7405e6a66d1376202c5a190102f2b
Correspondence Address: Cardoso, A.W.; School of Geography and the Environment, University of OxfordUnited Kingdom; email: anabellecardoso@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Lopé
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Ungulates ; Elephants ; Biology / Ecology ; Survey / Monitoring ; Abundance

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Abstract: Background: There is a rich body of literature addressing the topic of illegal hunting of wild terrestrial mammals. Studies on this topic have risen over the last decade as species are under increasing risk from anthropogenic threats. Sub-Saharan Africa contains the highest number of terrestrial mammals listed as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered. However, the spatial distribution of illegal hunting incidences is not well documented. To address this knowledge gap, the systematic map presented here aims to answer three research questions: (1) What data are available on the spatial distribution of illegal hunting of terrestrial mammals in Sub-Saharan Africa in relation to environmental and anthropogenic correlates i.e. proximity to roads, water bodies, human settlement areas, different land tenure arrangements and anti-poaching ranger patrol bases? (2) Which research methodologies have primarily been used to collect quantitative data and how comparable are these data? (3) Is there a bias in the research body toward particular taxa and geographical areas? Methods: Systematic searches were carried out across eight bibliographic databases; articles were screened against pre-defined criteria. Only wild terrestrial mammals listed as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) whose geographical range falls in Sub-Saharan Africa and whose threat assessment includes hunting and trapping were included. To meet our criteria, studies were required to include quantitative, spatially explicit data. In total 14,325 articles were screened at the level of title and abstract and 206 articles were screened at full text. Forty-seven of these articles met the pre-defined inclusion criteria. Results: Spatially explicit data on illegal hunting are available for 29 species in 19 of the 46 countries that constitute Sub-Saharan Africa. Data collection methods include GPS and radio tracking, bushmeat household and market surveys, data from anti-poaching patrols, hunting follows and first-hand monitoring of poaching signs via line transects, audio and aerial surveys. Most studies have been conducted in a single protected area exploring spatial patterns in illegal hunting with respect to the surrounding land. Several spatial biases were detected. Conclusions: There is a considerable lack of systematically collected quantitative data showing the distribution of illegal hunting incidences and few comparative studies between different tenure areas. The majority of studies have been conducted in a single protected area looking at hunting on a gradient to surrounding village land. From the studies included in the map it is evident there are spatial patterns regarding environmental and anthropogenic correlates. For example, hunting increases in proximity to transport networks (roads and railway lines), to water sources, to the border of protected areas and to village land. The influence of these spatial features could be further investigated through meta-analysis. There is a diverse range of methods in use to collect data on illicit hunting mainly drawing on pre-existing law enforcement data or researcher led surveys detecting signs of poaching. There are few longitudinal studies with most studies representing just one season of data collection and there is a geographical research bias toward Tanzania and a lack of studies in Central Africa. © 2020 The Author(s).
Source title: Environmental Evidence
DOI: 10.1186/s13750-020-00195-8
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85087074739&doi=10.1186%2fs13750-020-00195-8&partnerID=40&md5=d63a74ae435a19730d40ed58576df844
Correspondence Address: Duporge, I.; Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Recanati-Kaplan CentreUnited Kingdom; email: Isla.duporge@zoo.ox.ac.uk
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Central Africa ;
Protected area: Many
Main topic: Humans ; Biodiversity
Subtopic: Hunting / Poaching ; Conservation initiatives ; Periphery / Management ; Income-generating activities ; Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals

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Abstract: Assessing the population status of wildlife is useful for enhancing biodiversity management strategies in protected areas. This study was carried out within the framework of the Faro National Park (FNP) management plan. The objective was to provide baseline data on the status and population dynamics of the Buffon's kob (Kobus kob kob). The surveys were conducted in the month of June at the beginning of the rainy season. Data were collected along 145 line transects of 2.5 km apart and analysed using Distance 7.2 and Quantum GIS 3.4 software. The Buffon's kob population was estimated to comprise around 4,094 ± 1,303 individuals, with an overall density of 1.24 individuals/km2. When compared to results from a study conducted in the year 2000, the concentration of Buffon's kob was higher in the northern part of the national park as opposed to the southern part, as was previously recorded. The population trend shows an extensive decline of approximately 80% compared to records of the year 2000. There was also a weak negative correlation between Buffon's kob density and human activities in the FNP. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Source title: African Journal of Ecology
DOI: 10.1111/aje.12808
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85093967487&doi=10.1111%2faje.12808&partnerID=40&md5=71670dd7ab8245a72b68531ce22a88e2
Correspondence Address: Kondasso Taïga, L.; Department of Biological Sciences, Cameroon; email: kondassotaiga@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Faro
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Ungulates ; Survey / Monitoring ; Abundance ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: Central African forest elephants (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) have declined by an estimated 62% between 2002 and 2011, largely as a result of poaching for the illegal ivory trade. They are now considerably more threatened than the Vulnerable African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana), and effective monitoring of refugia populations is essential to inform management and conservation plans to secure a future for this megafaunal species. Our forest elephant dung-based distance-sampling survey of the 5,260 km2 World Heritage Dja Faunal Reserve (DFR) in Cameroon systematically covered 298.2 km of line transects with a further 1,681.4 km covered as recces. The population estimates of 0.042 individuals/km2 (CV: 19.4%; 95% CI: 0.029–0.061) and 219 individuals (95% CI: 150–319) confirmed a significant decline over recent years. The low density of forest elephants in the DFR reflects similar losses experienced in other parts of Central Africa such as the heavily impacted Korup National Park (0.04 individuals/km2). Elephants now mainly persist in pockets within the northern part of the DFR, where the Cameroon Ministry of Forests and Fauna (MINFOF) has initiated a community support partnership agreement on sustainable access to forest resources, and increased law enforcement patrols and rapid response. The southern sector of the DFR is much more vulnerable to organised wildlife crime gangs operating from trafficking hubs outside traditional communities. The DFR management is implementing a community surveillance network and increasing SMART based patrolling, especially along the DFR’s southern boundary, as well as in the south-eastern corner to secure the only existing forest elephant corridor. With improved security and appropriate engagement with local communities and private sector operators in the region, the remaining elephant population should start to expand across the DFR and its buffer zone, and numbers gradually increase across the wider landscape. © 2020, IUCN - International Union for the Conservation of Nature. All rights reserved.
Source title: Pachyderm
DOI:
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85092335841&partnerID=40&md5=646e52b7e0aed1dc268df44b95483d18
Correspondence Address: Amin, R.; Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, United Kingdom; email: raj.amin@zsl.org
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Dja
Main topic: Biodiversity ; Humans
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Ungulates ; Elephants ; Survey / Monitoring ; Abundance ; Hunting / Poaching ; Conservation initiatives ; Periphery / Management

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Abstract: We explore whether a growth-ring analysis can produce additional information about carbon budgets in tropical forests. Such forests are characterized by a high number of species and by trees that rarely have anatomically distinct annual growth rings, which hampers the application of dendrochronological tools in carbon balance assessments in the tropics. We use forest inventory data and archived annual diameter measurements from the Luki Biosphere Reserve in the southwestern margin of the Congo Basin forest massif. In addition, dated wood data are available from the same location thanks to tag nail traces that allow for the measurement of growth increments over a period of 66 years. We find that precise increment measurements based on dated wood are advisable for small subsets of many less abundant species and for functional species groups characterized by slow growth. The dated wood approach shows that many understory trees with non-periodical rings remain in a steady state for long periods of time. These results suggest a dated wood approach is advisable for studies of growth trajectories of individual trees that might be of importance for carbon assessments in degraded forests. © 2020 The Authors
Source title: Dendrochronologia
DOI: 10.1016/j.dendro.2020.125723
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85087291690&doi=10.1016%2fj.dendro.2020.125723&partnerID=40&md5=f2e68b6e2eb7a07eafe76dc1b0d28e7f
Correspondence Address: Angoboy Ilondea, B.; Institut National pour l'Etude et la Recherche AgronomiquesDemocratic Republic Congo; email: bhely.angoboy@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Luki
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Survey / Monitoring ; Structure / Biomass ; Diversity ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) projects have the potential to conserve forest, generate income and attain development targets; but the level of transparency in benefit sharing and the community expected benefits are relatively unknown. Using cluster multi-stage random sampling, data were collected from 259 respondents living around Mount Cameroon National Park REDD+ project site. Results, analysed with SPSS and NVivo, show that community engagement in project interventions is significantly influenced by the perceptions that REDD+ will promote local community development and generate individual income. Although most community members do not know how forest revenues are presently distributed (no transparency) they are expecting more developmental projects and employment. It is belief that, there will be greater transparency in future REDD+ benefits because present benefits earned from the Ministry of Forestry and Fauna for participating in the present conservation initiative are unclear and negligible. Benefit-sharing mechanism and safeguards should be transparent and clearly designed to meet community expectations to enable sustainable development of communities and prevent early failure of REDD+ projects. © 2020, © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Source title: Ecosystems and People
DOI: 10.1080/26395916.2019.1698658
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85077636524&doi=10.1080%2f26395916.2019.1698658&partnerID=40&md5=f2367d4015b7a03b2018f8d6c3ad17c6
Correspondence Address: Awung, N.S.; York Institute for Tropical Ecosystems, Department of Geography and Environment, University of YorkUnited Kingdom; email: nvenakeng.s@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Mont Cameroun
Main topic: Humans
Subtopic: Periphery / Management ; Income-generating activities ; Conservation initiatives ; Governance / Policy ; Perceptions / Behaviors

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Abstract: Tropical forests ecosystems remain the most diverse on the planet, and store considerable amounts of biomass and carbon. Despite the importance of tropical forests, sizable knowledge gaps exist regarding species diversity, plant biomass and carbon. These knowledge gaps are particularly large in tropical systems, and even more so in the African tropics. This study provides baseline data on species composition and vegetation structure, and evaluate variation along elevational gradient transecting of four elevation-forest types: lowland, mid-elevation, sub-montane and montane forest in the Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve of Cameroon. We collected data on tree species diversity, above-ground biomass and carbon in 25 1-ha plots sampled in 500 m long x 20 m width transect. Results revealed high species diversity, particularly in lowland forest. Overall, the study enumerated 12,037 individuals (trees ? 10 cm dbh) of 441 species. The mean species per plot decreased with increasing elevation, 112 in lowland, 81 in mid-elevation, 60 in submontane and 38 in montane forest. Above-ground carbon averaged 162.88±50 t ha-1. We found the greatest carbon storage and tree and liana species diversity at low elevations. Our results indicate that high species diversity and occurrence of larger tree species are more important in carbon storage in lowland forest than at higher elevations. These findings are useful for management and land use planning of the forests in the Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve. © 2020, Pakistan Botanical Society. All rights reserved.
Source title: Pakistan Journal of Botany
DOI: 10.30848/PJB2020-6(39)
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85097901649&doi=10.30848%2fPJB2020-6%2839%29&partnerID=40&md5=0c0b882e6dc15e22139f187964e03b2b
Correspondence Address: Sainge, M.N.; Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies, Cape Town Campus, Keizersgracht, P.O. Box 652, South Africa; email: Moses.sainge@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Rumpi Hills
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Diversity ; Structure / Biomass ; Biology / Ecology