Browsing by Author "Turyahabwe, Remigio"

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    Ecological Responses of Macroinvertebrates to an In-Stream Ecosystem Restoration Technique in a Tropical Stream in Eastern Uganda.
    (East African Journal of Environment and Natural Resources, 2021) Turyahabwe, Remigio; Mulabbi, Andrew; Asaba, Joyfred; Olowo, Moses
    Afield experiment was conducted to examine the ecological responses of macroinvertebrates to an in-stream ecosystem restoration technique called woody debris introduced in a stream in different arrangements to show how they (woody debris) affected the macroinvertebrate ecology, specifically assemblage composition and biometrics in River Nabongo. The experiment was carried out in two heterogeneous stream environments i.e., i) in a riffle found in the middle reaches of the river at a higher altitude and ii) a pool in the lower altitude and reaches of the river. Each of these two treatments had a control plot for comparison purposes. Four macroinvertebrate sampling campaigns were launched in experimental sites from September 2019 to April 2021. All restoration structures had more macroinvertebrates than control and pre-treatment sites. The introduction of simple structures at the riffle site led to an increase in collector-filterers from 9-128 individuals, while at the pool site all the structures increased macroinvertebrates by 1151 individuals. Taxon richness was highest in the complex plot with 14±0.41 which significantly differed from the rest of the sampling plots at P<0.05. The relative abundance of taxa at the pool site varied significantly from one sampling plot to another at P<0.05 with the highest mean abundance registered in complex and simple structures having 61.3±0.10 and 23.5±0.11 respectively. It was concluded that complex woody debris structures increase the diversity, abundance and richness of aquatic macroinvertebrates by providing hard substrates for colonization by algae and microorganisms on which macroinvertebrates feed. We recommended that other researchers should study the impact of other in-stream ecosystem restoration techniques such as floating islands, constructed wetlands, D-deflectors, a comparison of which with restored woody debris will enable ecologists to choose the most suitable technique to apply at different stream points.
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    Environmental and Socio-economic Impact Assessment of Stone Quarrying in Tororo District, Eastern Uganda
    (East African Journal of Environment and Natural Resources, 2021) Turyahabwe, Remigio; Asaba, Joyfred; Mulabbi, Andrew; Osuna, Christopher
    The study aimed at assessing the environmental and socio-economic impact of stone quarrying in Tororo district. To achieve this, we used questionnaires, interviews and focused group discussions, where the information obtained was confirmed by field observations. The data was analysed using simple descriptive statistics like percentages, tables and graphs. Results indicated that, stone quarrying did more harm than good on the biophysical environment as it came with terrestrial ecosystem degradation as reported by 65%, water quality deterioration as reported by 34% as well as deafening noise and air pollution as indicated by 100% of the total respondents. Socio-economic analysis indicated that benefits of stone quarrying outweighed costs. For example, 100% of respondents indicated that employment arose from stone quarrying and 79% stated that, standards of living have been elevated by the activity. The district local government realizes local revenue from the activity. The activity is however associated with accidents and subsequent loss of lives and physical body damages due to collapsing caves of quarries. It was therefore concluded that, Tororo district environment office should monitor the quarrying activities to avoid leaving open pits and caves that are dangerous to lives of people at quarry sites.
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    Relationships between Anthropogenic Activities and Distribution of Medium to Large Mammal Species Assemblage in Madi Wildlife Corridor: Implication for Biodiversity Conservation in Uganda
    (East African Nature and Science Organization, 2024-05-04) Andama, Edward; Bemigisha, Jane; Turyahabwe, Remigio
    Wildlife corridors between protected areas increase connectivity by integrating populations into single demographic units, thereby increasing gene flows within populations and thus probability of survival. This study assessed the relationship between anthropogenic activities and mammal species assemblage within and around Madi wildlife corridor. The study adopted recce walks along a zig-zag line transect and straight line transect methods of game tracking. Global Position System (GPS) was used to map locations of direct mammal sightings, vocalizations, tracks, dung/droppings, diggings, carcasses, and skeletal remains of mammal species. Similarly, anthropogenic activities such as hunting using bow and arrows, rifles, trapping, tree cutting, charcoal burning, bush burning, cultivation, and settlements that seemed to influence assemblage of the mammals in the area of study were mapped. The result showed that the Madi wildlife corridor still contained diverse mammal species including but not limited to; the African Elephants (Loxodonta Africana sp.), Buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) Leopards (Panthera pardus), Spotted Hyena (Crocuta Crocuta), Northern Giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis), Uganda kob (Kobus kob thomasi), Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus) and Reedbuck (Redunca arundinum), which were comparable to that of the adjacent Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP). The relationship between anthropogenic activities and species assemblage showed a negatively skewed distribution of some of the large mammal species specifically Elephants, Giraffes, and Hippopotamus. The study recommends gazettement of a wildlife corridor between MFNP and East Madi Wildlife Reserve to promote wildlife connectivity between two adjacent ecosystem-protected areas in northern Uganda. As a long-term strategy for wildlife conservation, it is crucial to undertake a systematic assessment and prioritization and demarcation of wildlife corridors and development of a comprehensive action plan for securing them. We further recommend development of a national Wildlife Corridor Regulations to provide a framework for the sustainable conservation of biodiversity
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    Sustainable Human-Wildlife Conflict Management Strategies Around Busitema Central Forest Reserve, Eastern Uganda
    (East African Nature and Science Organization, 2021-10-04) Turyahabwe, Remigio; Asaba, Joyfred; Mulabbi, Andrew; Makoba, Gudoyi Paul
    The study aimed at establishing sustainable Human-wildlife co-existence strategies to help settle the conflicts existing between humans and wildlife living around Busitema Central Forest Reserve. To achieve this, we first examined the nature of the existing conflicts which helped us to come up with conflict-specific co-existence strategies. We used questionnaires, interviews and focused group discussions, where the information obtained was confirmed by field observations. The data was then analysed using simple descriptive statistics like percentages, means and standard deviations. Results indicated that primates (baboons and monkeys) dominated the conflicting list of wildlife with humans followed by rodents while carnivores were the least reported. Crop raiding (100%), livestock and poultry predation (36%) were the most dominant conflicts reported posed to man while habitat destruction (40%) and road accidents (26%) were the biggest conflict man has posed on wildlife. Equitable compensation (10±0.0) and community involvement in conservation (8±1.4) dominated the sustainable Human-Wildlife co-existence strategies suggested by local communities. It was concluded that, involvement of local communities in wildlife conservation should be prioritized and areas surrounding the protected forest area should be planted with crops such as tea and trees such as eucalyptus (woodlots) that are not affected by wildlife but rather are enhancers of wildlife habitats
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    Understanding the Drivers of Adoption of Organic Banana Farming Technologies in Kajara County, South-western Uganda
    (East African Nature and Science Organization, 2022-03-10) Atwijukye, Dunstan; Turyahabwe, Remigio; Nabalegwa, Muhamud Wambede; Asaba, Joyfred
    This study aimed at identifying and characterising the major organic banana farming technologies used and assessing the drivers of adoption of the same in Kajara County. A total of 360 respondents were used to obtain primary data. As the study adopted a cross-sectional design, we used questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations to collect the required data. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and the non-parametric (Chi-square) tests. Results indicate that the major organic banana farming technologies adopted in the study area were mulching, cover cropping, farmyard manure application, pest and weed management. The chi-square test revealed that the marital status, gender, and level of education of the farmers had significant positive effects on the adoption of organic banana farming technologies among the farmers. We concluded that, generally, the rate of adoption of organic farming technologies in Kajara County was low, and therefore, there is a need for emphasising the training of the farmers at local levels so as to equip them with information on the organic farming technologies for sustainable banana farming. We recommend that stakeholders who work on agricultural programs use model farmers in the area to educate and demonstrate the importance of organic banana farming technologies