Browsing by Author "Bitariho, Robert"
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Item Annual Cycles are the Most Common Reproductive Strategy in African Tropical Tree Communities(Biotropica, 2018) Adamescu, Gabriela S.; Plumptre, Andrew J.; Ndangalasi, Henry J.; Mugerwa, Badru; Gilagiza, Baraka; Bitariho, RobertWe present the first cross-continental comparison of the flowering and fruiting phenology of tropical forests across Africa. Flowering events of 5446 trees from 196 species across 12 sites and fruiting events of 4595 trees from 191 species across 11 sites were monitored over periods of 6 to 29 years and analyzed to describe phenology at the continental level. To study phenology, we used Fourier analysis to identify the dominant cycles of flowering and fruiting for each individual tree and we identified the time of year African trees bloom and bear fruit and their relationship to local seasonality. Reproductive strategies were diverse, and no single regular cycle was found in >50% of individuals across all 12 sites. Additionally, we found annual flowering and fruiting cycles to be the most common. Sub-annual cycles were the next most common for flowering, whereas supra-annual patterns were the next most common for fruiting. We also identify variation in different subsets of species, with species exhibiting mainly annual cycles most common in West and West Central African tropical forests, while more species at sites in East Central and East African forests showed cycles ranging from sub-annual to supra-annual. Despite many trees showing strong seasonality, at most sites some flowering and fruiting occurred all year round. Environmental factors with annual cycles are likely to be important drivers of seasonal periodicity in trees across Africa, but proximate triggers are unlikely to be constant across the continent.Item Census of the mountain gorilla Gorilla beringei beringei population in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda(Oryx, 2006) McNeilage, Alastair; Robbins, Martha M.; Gray, Maryke; Olupot, William; Babaasa, Dennis; Bitariho, Robert; Kasangaki, Aventino; Rainer, Helga; Asuma, Steven; Mugiri, Ghad; Baker, JuliaMountain gorillas Gorilla beringei beringei are Critically Endangered, with just two small populations: in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south-western Uganda and the nearby Virunga Volcanoes on the borders with Rwanda and Uganda. A survey of the Bwindi population was carried out in 2002 and results were compared with the previous census in 1997. Our estimate of total population size increased over that period by c. 7% to 320 individuals and the structure and distribution of the population were largely unchanged. Signs of human disturbance were more common in 2002 than 1997, and gorillas tended to be found in areas of relative low disturbance. This suggested that disturbance could be a constraint on population growth and distribution but demographic stochasticity may also be responsible for the observed level of population change over a short time period. Other potential limiting factors, including habitat availability and disease, are discussed. While conservation activities in Bwindi have probably contributed to the stability of the population, strengthening of law enforcement and continued vigilance are needed to ensure the population’s long-term growth and survivalItem Financing forest conservation in Uganda(2008) Van Heist, Miriam; Sheil, Douglas; Bitariho, Robert; Kasangaki, AventinoThe Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation (ITFC) is a small but dynamic research station of Mbarara University of Science and Technology and is located on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP or Bwindi), a World Heritage site in southwest Uganda. The area has numerous endemic species and half the world’s mountain gorillas (Gorilla berengei berengei), which have attracted a valuable tourist trade. The wider region is poor and densely populated (about 600 people per km2); people mainly depend on subsistence agriculture. Forest cover stops abruptly at the park boundary — most forest outside the park has been lost.Item Forest Fire Prevention and Control in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, South West Uganda(2000) Babaasa, Dennis; Kasangaki, Aventino; Bitariho, RobertItem Gap characteristics and regeneration in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda(African Journal of Ecology, 2004) Babaasa, Dennis; Eilu, Gerald; Kasangaki, Aventino; Bitariho, Robert; McNeilage, AlastairBefore Bwindi Impenetrable forest, Uganda, became a national park in 1991, there was a high level of human activity in much of the forest, especially cutting of large trees for timber by pitsawyers. This created extensive gaps in this tropical Afromontane rain forest. We quantified and compared tree regeneration in three sites that were logged at different intensities. Gap sizes in Bwindi, even under fairly natural conditions are very large (mean ¼ 4460.1 m2). Logging further enlarged the gap sizes and had a negative impact on tree regeneration. The study shows the strong role of logging disturbance in promoting an alternative successional pathway, where the large gaps created by logging are in a low-canopy state dominated by a dense tangle of herbs, shrubs, and herbaceous or semiwoody climbers. We recommend periodic monitoring of gap size and tree regeneration in the gaps to ascertain the trend of recovery from past logging disturbance.Item Hydrological Systems in the Greater Virunga Landscape: Water Quality around Mikeno Sector(Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 2016) Karume, Katcho; Bagalwa, Mashimango; Yalire, Mapendano; Kazi, Katya; Mukengere Bagula, Espoir; Bitariho, Robert; Nahayo, Deogratias; Kasangaki, Aventino; Byamukama, JamesMonitoring of environmental parameters is one of the highest priorities in the evaluation of environmental status of water resources and in environmental protection policy. The main objectives are to understand and evaluate the water quantity and quality in order to provide water of appropriate quality to various water users. The water quantity was assessed by the measurement of runoff or discharge at specific river cross sections using floating method for surface water and bucket and stopwatch method for springs and boreholes. The quality of river water and spring was identified in terms of its physical, chemical, and biological parameters. The analyzed data were compared with standard values recommended by WHO. Macroinvertebrates were collected in the rivers using a plankton nets and 10 minutes of sampling. Identification was made at the laboratory of Malacology. Results revealed that the quality of water obtained from sampling points is generally good to use for different domestic purposes except the Idanta River and Rwembwe borehole, which need an appropriate treatment before use. All sampling points are located far from houses and latrines, which can contribute to fecal contamination. On the different sampling points, bathing and washing clothes were observed and could constitute the source of pollution of drinking water. In Idanta and Kamira Rivers animals used water for drinking while also people use this water for domestic and drinking. In the two sampling points high values of Escherichia coliItem Impact of Water Harvesting on Kabiranyuma Swamp, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Southwest Uganda(2003) Bitariho, Robert; Babaasa, Dennis; Kasangaki, AventinoKabiranyuma swamp is one of the rarest afromontane swamp habitats in Uganda. The swamp is a major source of water for the Kabiranyuma Gravity Water Scheme that supplies water to over 21,000 people around Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The Institute of Tropical forest Conservation-Ecological Monitoring Programme together with the Development Through Conservation of CARE are monitoring the impact of the water scheme on the ecology of the swamp and sustainability of water extraction from the swamp respectively. Monitoring methods used are vegetation cover monitoring, fauna monitoring and hydrological monitoring. The vegetation cover monitoring was established by putting up a series of Permanent Sample Plots in the swamp to monitor changes in swamp vegetation over time and taking fixed-point photographs from the summit of Mt Gahinga for monitoring changes in swamp area cover. The fauna monitoring was established by carrying out a small mammal inventory within the swamp although successive inventories has not been possible due to insecurity in the park. Hydrological monitoring was established by CARE-DTC putting up a network of hydrological instruments to measure changes in water flows, water depth and rainfall. A probable negative impact of the water scheme on the plant ecology was manifested in a slight increase in Hypericum revolutum seedlings in the swamp. This is an indication that the typical “dryland” plant species may be invading the central swamp area, as is also seen in the fixed-point photographs. The major swamp vegetation is Carex spp that constitutes over 50% vegetation cover and has been constant over a three-year studyItem A Survey of Burnt Areas in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, S. W. Uganda The Fires Of 2000(Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation, 2001) Kasangaki, Aventino; Babaasa, Dennis; Bitariho, Robert; Mugiri, GhadFire has been one of the main management challenges and is considered one of the major long-term threats to forest biodiversity in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. In June, July and August 2000 fire outbreaks occurred the two parks. During September 2000 we carried out a survey of the burnt areas, which aimed at documenting the burnt sites and extent of damage caused by the fires. This was done as part of a long term monitoring programme to advise park managers about what could be done to prevent, halt or decrease incidences of fire outbreaks. The results show that approximately 0.2 square kilometers constituting 0.05% of the total park area was affected by fire in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The area affected was significantly smaller than that burnt in 1999 (2.64 square kilometers, 0.8% of park area); there has been a significant reduction in fire incidences in Bwindi in 2000 that we have attributed to the difference in the number of ‘rainy days’ in the ‘North sector’ and Buhoma and Ruhija, improved park boundary maintenance and increased sensitization of communities surrounding the park. However, the total numbers of ‘rainy days’ during the months of May to September were not significantly different between 1999 (139 ‘rainy days’) and 2000 (127 ‘rainy days’). In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, 0.1 square kilometers constituting 0.3% of the Park area was affected by fire. However, we have no previous with which to compare 5 these estimates. In both parks illegal honey collectors caused most fires with a few spreading from community agricultural fields. On a positive note, the communities’ response to putting out fires was almost 100%. This shows an improved attitude of the communities towards protected areas. Given the fact that fire has become a regular component of the disturbance regime in the two parks, we recommend preventive measures such as public education and good public relations between parks and local communities, instituting and enforcing legislation on regulations for lighting fire in the park, establishment of early warning systems and the establishment and maintenance of a clear park boundary. We further advocate for the provision and maintenance of appropriate equipment and training of park staff in fire suppression measures. Lastly, since illegal honey collectors caused most fires, we recommend that park staff and all stakeholders in the management of the two Parks intensify sensitization of the communities on the dangers of fire in protected areas.Item Weather Patterns At Ruhija, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, South West Uganda(2000) Bitariho, Robert; Babaasa, Dennis; Kasangaki, AventinoItem Woodlot Management and Livelihoods in a Tropical Conservation Landscape(Ambio, 2021) Bailey, Karen; Newton, Peter; Bitariho, Robert; Namusisi, Shamilah; Tinkasimire, Rogers; Hartter, JoelIn biodiversity hotspots, there is often tension between human needs and conservation, exacerbated when protected areas prevent access to natural resources. Forest-dependent people may compensate for exclusion by managing unprotected forests or cultivating planted woodlots. Outside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, household wood product needs are high and population growth puts pressure on the environment. We investigated the role of privately and collectively managed woodlots in provisioning wood products and supporting local livelihoods. We found that households relied heavily on woodlots for daily needs and as resources during time of need. We also found that locally relevant social institutions, called stretcher groups, played a role in the management of woodlots, providing shared community resources. Privately and collectively owned woodlots support local livelihoods and wood product needs in the region. Long-term management of forests in Uganda should consider the value of woodlots and the mechanisms required to support them.