NRU :: Browsing by Author "Kasangaki, Aventino"

Browsing by Author "Kasangaki, Aventino"

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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, Julia
Mountain 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 survival
Diversity of rodents and shrews along an elevational gradient in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, south-western Uganda
(African Journal of Ecology, 2003) Kasangaki, Aventino; Kityo, Robert; Kerbis, Julian
Small mammal species diversity in the major vegetation zones of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is discussed in relation to altitude. Species richness of the smallmammals was found to decrease with an increase in altitude. The main factors accounting for the observed diversity are the wide altitudinal variation and a complex array of vegetation types. Sixty-seven species of rodents and shrews were found to exist in the Park; 47 of which were rodents and 20 shrews. Of these, 26 species are new to theBwindi Park list.Three species have probably notbeen described before. The study found 10 species of small mammals to be Albertine Rift endemics. Three genera are recorded in Uganda for the ¢rst time: Rwenzorisorex, Suncus and Paracrocidura. Five species are new records for East Africa. These are Crocidura stenocephala, Lophuromys rahmi, L. medicaudatus, Paracrocidura maxima and Hylomyscus aeta. Because of thehigh endemismof plants, butter£ies, birds and now of small mammal species, Bwindi forest is a unique biodiversity hotspot and is among the highest conservation priorities in the Albertine Rift.
Financing forest conservation in Uganda
(2008) Van Heist, Miriam; Sheil, Douglas; Bitariho, Robert; Kasangaki, Aventino
The 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.
Forest Fire Prevention and Control in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, South West Uganda
(2000) Babaasa, Dennis; Kasangaki, Aventino; Bitariho, Robert
Gap characteristics and regeneration in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
(African Journal of Ecology, 2004) Babaasa, Dennis; Eilu, Gerald; Kasangaki, Aventino; Bitariho, Robert; McNeilage, Alastair
Before 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.
Heavy Metal Pollution in the Main Rivers of Rwenzori Region, Kasese District South-Western Uganda
(2020) Mukisa, Wilber; Yatuha, Jane; Andama, Morgan; Kasangaki, Aventino
Current study established heavy metal pollution of rivers Mubuku, Rwimi and Nyamwamba in Kasese district, Western Uganda. Their integrity is important because communities depend on them for water resources. No recent information is known on rivers' quality status yet traverse a densely populated area with agricultural activities and a history of copper/cobalt mining as heavy metals pose high health risks. The study was conducted from October 2019 to December 2019 and quantified levels of Cu, Zn, Pb and Co in water and fish to estimate the rivers quality. Water samples were randomly collected in sterilised bottle while fish samples were collected using non selective net method, dissected and dried to a constant mass. The total heavy metal load was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results showed that, apart from Lead, the levels of Cu, Zn and Co in the waters were all within WHO limits except Co at one site on R. Nyamwamba with 0.233±0.009mg/L above the limit 0.05mg/L for drinking water. The overall mean for Pb was 0.030±0.006mg/L and 0.047±0.003mg/L at R. Nyamwamba, 0.053±0.003mg/L at R. Mubuku and 0.067±0.003mg/L at R. Rwimi, all above the WHO limit of 0.01mg/L. In fish tissues, Cu was within WHO limit; however, Pb and Zn were above limits (Pb, 2.0ppm; Zn, 100ppm) for fish. The average concentration for Pb was 29.05±4.85ppm, 69.23±9.25ppm and 32.33±5.93ppm at R. Nyamwamba, Rwimi and Mubuku respectively and for Zn, 115.05±8.12ppm, 117.47±8.65ppm and 118.69±8.79ppm at R. Nyamwamba, Rwimi and Mubuku respectively. Similarly, for all the three rivers, physico-chemical parameters; pH, temperature, electro-conductivity and dissolved oxygen were within the WHO limits but turbidity, 12.02±0.39NTU was above the limit of 5.0NTU. Therefore, there is need for management intervention to control further contamination of rivers with heavy metals and controlled use of water bodies as washing bays
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, James
Monitoring 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 coli
Impact of Water Harvesting on Kabiranyuma Swamp, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Southwest Uganda
(2003) Bitariho, Robert; Babaasa, Dennis; Kasangaki, Aventino
Kabiranyuma 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 study
Land use and the ecology of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages of high-altitude rainforest streams in Uganda
(Freshwater biology, 2008) Kasangaki, Aventino; Balirwa, John; Chapman, Lauren J.
In sub-Saharan Africa, tropical forests are increasingly threatened by accelerating rates of forest conversion and degradation. In East Africa, the larger tracts of intact rainforest lie largely in protected areas surrounded by converted landscape. Thus, there is critical need to understand the functional links between large-scale land use and changes in river conditions, and the implications of park boundaries on catchment integrity. The objective of this study was to use the mosaic of heavily converted land and pristine forest created by the protection of the high-altitude rainforest in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda to explore effects of deforestation on aquatic systems and the value of forest in buffering effects of adjacent land conversion. A set of 16 sites was selected over four drainages to include four categories of deforestation: agricultural land, deforested upstream (of the park boundary), forest edge (park boundary) and forest. We predicted that forest buffer (downstream or on the edge) would moderate effects of deforestation. To address this prediction, we quantified relationships between disturbance level and both physicochemical characters and traits of the macroinvertebrate assemblages during six sampling periods (February 2003 and June 2004). Results of both principal components analysis and cluster analyses indicated differences in limnological variables among deforestation categories. PC1 described a gradient from deforested sites with poor water quality to pristine forested sites with relatively good water quality. Agricultural sites and deforested upstream sites generally had the highest turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and conductivity values and low transparency values. Forest sites and boundary site groups generally exhibited low turbidity, TDS, and conductivity values and high water transparency values. Sites also clustered according to deforestation categories; forest and forested edge sites formed a cluster independent of both agricultural land and deforested-upstream.
Links between anthropogenic perturbations and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in Afromontane forest streams in Uganda
(Hydrobiologia, 2006) Kasangaki, Aventino; Babaasa, Dennis; Efitre, Jackson; McNeilage, Alastair
Relationships between environmental variables and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages were investigated among several sites that varied in disturbance history in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, an Afromontane site in East Africa. Environmental variables were correlated with the level of past catchment disturbance – logging, agricultural encroachment, and present tourism activity. For example, sites in medium and high disturbance categories had higher values of specific conductance and lower water transparency than low disturbance category sites, these environmental variables may therefore act indicators of ecological quality of rivers. Environmental variables such as conductivity and water transparency were found to be good predictors of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages, with anthropogenically stressed sites having lower diversity than the reference sites. Impacted sites were dominated by tolerant taxa such as chironomid and leeches, while ‘clean water’ taxa such as Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera dominated at minimally impacted sites. Comparison of sites with different disturbance histories provided evidence for differences in benthic macroinvertebrate communities that reflect the state of forest restoration and recovery. We recommend quarterly monitoring of water quality to act as an early warning system of deterioration and tracking ecological recovery of previously impacted sites.
New International Efforts for Freshwater Research, Education, and Conservation: A report from the Society for Conservation Biology’s Freshwater Working Group
(2007) Kasangaki, Aventino; Hitt, Nathaniel P.; Ogada, Mordecai
Freshwater ecosystems are vital for human well-being and ecological integrity but are increasingly jeopardized by habitat loss and degradation, fragmentation, water abstraction, and climate change. These threats are diverse and pervasive and thus require new thinking about conservation problems and solutions. Here, we describe the Society for Conservation Biology’s Freshwater Working Group (FWWG) and invite ICOET members to join this initiative. First, we review the origins of the FWWG and briefly describe previous accomplishments. Second, we describe the international composition of the FWWG and current activities. Third, we propose new research questions regarding the effects of transportation networks on freshwater ecosystems. We explain that the landscape structure of freshwater ecosystems is distinct from terrestrial environments and that localized, direct effects of roads must be understood in the context of regional, indirect effects of landscape connectivity and other factors. We conclude that freshwater conservation requires new research across ecological scales and new collaborations across political boundaries
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, Ghad
Fire 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.
Water Quality Assessments in the Opeta Bisina and Mburonakivale Wetland Systems
(2009) Kasangaki, Aventino
Wetlands are among the most important ecosystems on earth. They have been described as the kidneys of the landscape because they function as the downstream receivers of water and waste from both natural and human sources (Mitsch & Gosselink, 2007). They stabilize water supplies, thus ameliorating both floods and drought. They serve as sources, sinks, and transformers of nutrients; and they are among the most productive ecosystems on the planet when compared to adjacent terrestrial and deep water aquatic systems. A detailed account of wetland functions is presented in Keddy (2000). Factors such as temperature, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen; turbidity and pH interact to influence the abundance and distribution of biodiversity in wetland ecosystems. Variation in these parameters is influenced by the underlying geology, climatic factors, and land-use practices within the landscape. For example conductivity may increase in wetlands draining intensively cultivated watersheds and urban areas. An assessment was carried out on the above parameters in order to establish their baseline condition and explore possible human impacts on the wetlands.
Weather Patterns At Ruhija, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, South West Uganda
(2000) Bitariho, Robert; Babaasa, Dennis; Kasangaki, Aventino

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