Central Forest Reserve Research Articles

Restoration of stand on the site of burnt spruce forest in the Central Forest reserve

With the warming of the climate, the intensification of droughts and the drying up of coniferous forests, the number of forest fires is also increasing. Therefore, the study of the post-fire dynamics of stands and prospects for reforestation on burnt areas is especially relevant. The research was carried out in the Central Forest State Natural Biosphere Reserve (southern taiga) on the burnt area formed in 1999 as a result of a thunderstorm. The purpose of the work was: to describe the state of vegetation 22 years after burnout; to find out the characteristics of the stand formed on the burnt area and the possibility of their use for reconstructing the history of disturbancies in old spruce forests. The objectives of the study included: monitoring vegetation changes in the 1999 burnt area; studying the growth of spruce undergrowth in the burnt area; finding out the number and ratio of preliminary and subsequent renewal of tree species; analyzing the distribution and amount of coals in the sample plots (depending on the intensity of burnout and the state of the pre-fire stand). To study the state of vegetation after the burnout of the blueberry-wood sorrel and wood sorrel – nemoral-herb spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) forests, 14 sample plots (100 m2 each) were laid in the northwestern part of the burnt area. The sample plots covered 1.5 hectares. 22 years after the fire, a mixed small-leaved forest with a predominance of birch and a significant participation of spruce has been forming on the site of burnt spruce forests. Spruce is represented mainly by post-fire renewal. In the undergrowth, the ratio of pre- and post-renewal spruce is about 1 : 3. In the ground cover, a small number of nemoral herb species is recorded, and in the stand and undergrowth – almost complete absence of broad-leaved species. A lot of coals were found in soil digs in 4 sample plots (30%); there were no coals in 3 (20%) sample plots, and small coals in small amount were found in 7 (50%) sample plots. Assessing the possibilities of identifying the first post-fire generation of spruce in old stands, it must be said that none of the characteristics of a post-fire spruce stand is universal for its recognition. Only a set of features allows to identify the history of the stand. Distinctive features of the first post-old generation: the presence of coals in 30% of samples or more; a large admixture of birch and aspen; a large diversity of the aspen part of the stand; if there are broad-leaved species, they will be much younger than the spruce; the presence of a sharp decline, and then a rise in growths in a significant part of the oldest spruce trees; the main generation of spruce has initial radial growths on an average of 2.1 mm/year, and the absence of synchronous sharp rises of the growths at the beginning of life. The age of aspen most accurately corresponds to the year of the fire.

The Influence of Conservation Education on Pro-wildlife Sustainability Behaviour at the Eco-centric Zone of Budongo Central Forest Reserve in Buliisa District, Uganda

Human-wildlife coexistence has become increasingly pressing in sub-Saharan Africa, especially Uganda, highlighting the need for an effective conservation education programme. The relationship between Conservation education and Human-wildlife coexistence in Uganda remains an open question. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the influence of conservation education on pro-wildlife sustainability behaviour at the eco-centric zone of Budongo Central Forest Reserve (CFR) in Uganda. Two specific objectives guided the research which include to: document the existing conservation education programs involved in enhancing human-wildlife coexistence around Budongo CFR; and to determine the influence of conservation education programs towards enhancing human-wildlife coexistence around Budongo CFR. The study employed a descriptive survey design where mixed-methods approach, including quantitative and qualitative surveys were carried out. Key informant interviews were carried out to elicit information from some community leaders and teachers. In addition, field observations were done to gauge the success of these programs towards fostering human-wildlife co-existence. The study revealed various conservation education programs in place, including environmental education in schools, community outreach programs, ecotourism, sustainable agriculture, and forest restoration. Notably, conservation education in schools played a significant role, contributing 59.1% to the variance in human-wildlife co-existence. A Pearson Correlation Coefficient analysis indicated a strong positive significant relationship between conservation education programs and improvements in human-wildlife co-existence (r=0.973, Sig=0.000). The findings showed that well-designed conservation education programs have the potential to enhance community awareness, reduce conflict incidents, and encourage sustainable co-habitation practices. However, challenges such as cultural nuances and resource limitations pose significant hurdles to program effectiveness. In conclusion, this research demonstrates the effectiveness of conservation education programs in enhancing human-wildlife coexistence around Budongo CFR. These programs have not only increased knowledge and positive attitudes but also fostered local capacity to conservation. There should be a continued investment in these programs by the government, NGOs, CBOs, and industry experts aimed at promoting sustainable coexistence and conservation in the Budongo CFR and similar areas in the country.

Effectiveness of Selected Preservatives in Protecting Bamboo Against Termite Attack

Bamboo is highly susceptible to insect attacks. To promote its use as an alternative to wood, it is crucial to assess its preservation methods to increase its service life. This study investigated the effectiveness of preservatives in protecting bamboo against termite attack. Three bamboo species were extracted, air-dried, and pressure-treated with different concentrations of crude-lake salt, borax-boric acid, and tanalith. Preserved and unpreserved samples for each treatment were weighed and exposed to Macrotermes bellicosus termites in Kasagala Central Forest Reserve. After 21 days, durability classes and mass loss were determined following European standards. The results showed that termite resistance depends on the type of preservative. All the untreated and crude lake salt-treated bamboo samples were attacked and classified into the not-durable class. Samples treated with Tanalith were classified under the durable class. Borax-boric acid provided moderate resistance to bamboo samples and belonged to the moderately durable class. Crude lake salt did not provide sufficient protection against termites. The difference in species did not influence termite resistance. Untreated B. vulgaris had the highest mass loss and O. alpina the lowest. The findings from the study will contribute to improved utilisation of bamboo by proper preservation

“Biodiversity Offsetting” in Uganda’s Protected Areas: A Pathway to Restoration of Forest Biodiversity?

With limited national financing for conservation, there is an increasing interest in using biodiversity offset funds to strengthen protected area management. Offsetting measures can potentially be used in the restoration of degraded protected areas. However, there are concerns related to the uncertainty of restoration outcomes and time-lags before the expected benefits can be observed. Using a case of the Gangu Central Forest Reserve in central Uganda, we contribute empirical findings showing the potential and limitations of biodiversity offsetting by means of the restoration of a degraded forest reserve. We use forest cover change analysis and community surveys to determine forest changes after eight years of offset implementation, and forest inventories to analyse the current forest structure and composition to ascertain taxonomic diversity recovery. The results revealed that biodiversity offsetting led to a 21% increase in Tropical High Forest cover, and enhanced restoration of forest species composition and diversity. However, attaining permanence of the restoration benefits requires the regulation of community forest resource access and use. Strengthening forest management capacity to monitor the offset sites and compensating impacted communities for foregone forest resource benefits are crucial for the successful implementation of biodiversity offsets.

Collaboration or Contravention? Ramifications For Effective Participatory Decision-Making in Collaborative Forest Management at Echuya Central Forest Reserve, South Western Uganda

Participatory decision-making has been extensively adopted worldwide as an essential mechanism and a good governance principle to reach a consensus in natural resource management. However, in most communities, local people who depend on forests are not involved in the decision-making process regarding conserving protected areas. This research assesses the ramifications of collaboration or contravention on effective participatory decision-making in collaborative forest management in Echuya Central Forest Reserve. It provides insights into how community consultations and participation of forest-adjacent communities in planning meetings influence the conservation of protected areas. We collected data from a total of 639 respondents, including Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) group members and non-CFM community members, government institutions, conservation organizations, and local community leaders, using semi-structured questionnaires, interview guides, and Focus Group Discussion guides. Results indicate that community consultations allow CFM stakeholders, particularly community members, to give ideas on how such projects can be implemented without destroying forest resources, promoting the goal of conserving the forest reserve. Community members’ participation in planning meetings allows them to contribute ideas about relevant and appropriate forest conservation approaches. However, the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and other non-community actor groups dominate the decision-making process mainly because the NFA has the legal mandate to manage the forest reserve on behalf of the Government. We concluded that the connivance of government forestry officials with unauthorized forest resource users undermines the spirit of participatory decision-making. Dishonesty and lack of accountability hampered effective participatory decision-making, and low attendance at meetings undermines effective participation in decision-making. Thus, community members’ consistent attendance of meetings is paramount for positive outcomes of participatory decision-making for the conservation of forests

The Role of Remote Sensing in Forest Cover Changes in Butambala District, Central Uganda

Natural forests in Uganda have experienced changes which must be quantified to inform future forest resource management and avoid the danger of reduced ecosystem service benefits. The primary purpose of this study was to assess forest changes in Butambala District by employing remote sensing techniques and GIS tehniques. The original contribution is the capacity to detect Central Forest Reserve cover decline using remote sensing in the study area for a 27-year period (1995-2020). Landsat 5 and Sentinel 2 images were processed using a supervised image classification approach to identify and quantify land use/cover changes. The study results indicated that the district has undergone land cover/use changes over the last 27 years. The prevailing changes in the district from 1995 to 2022 were expansions of built-up areas from (0.54% to 4.22%), agriculture from (42.38% to 79%), and decreases in grassland from (29.9% to 0%), natural forest cover from (14.07% to 5.9%), wetland from (8.24% to 7.9%), tree plantation from (4.87% to 3.3%). The changes threaten the environment and quality of life of people. Therefore, there is need to take critical and practical measures to regulate land use and landcover changes and conserve natural resources in Butambala District

Pediatric Respiratory Pathogens Circulate in Children and Adults in Communities Near Susceptible Wild Great Ape Populations in Uganda

Respiratory infections are a leading cause of death in developing countries. Infants and young children are especially susceptible to disease because they lack immunity, whereas adults who have acquired immunity can be infected asymptomatically. Great ape species, all of which are endangered, are similarly susceptible to respiratory illnesses caused by human respiratory pathogens. We obtained 432 nasopharyngeal swab samples (127 from adults and 305 from children) in a cross‐sectional study that took place between February and October 2022 at four sites in Western Uganda (Budongo Central Forest Reserve, Bulindi Town Council, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Kibale National Park) where the participants live in communities where interaction with apes is frequent. Prior research at Kibale has shown that locally circulating human respiratory pathogens have led to multiple lethal outbreaks in wild eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii). We used a multiplex PCR panel to characterize respiratory pathogens, with the goal of assessing whether respiratory illnesses in the chimpanzees of Budongo and Bulindi and the mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) of Bwindi might have originated in local children and been introduced to the apes via asymptomatic adult carriers. The prevalence of respiratory pathogens was twice as high in Bwindi (44.0%) as it was in Budongo (24.0%) and Bulindi (20.8%), while the prevalence was intermediate at Kibale (34.4%). Rates of respiratory pathogen detection were higher but statistically indistinguishable in children compared to adults at Budongo and Bulindi, and children were 15.0 times more likely than adults to have positive detections at Kibale. At Bwindi, however, the pattern was reversed, with adults 2.6 times more likely than children to have positive detections. Rhinovirus, metapneumovirus, human parainfluenza virus 3, respiratory syncytial virus, and coronavirus OC43, all of which have been identified as causative agents of respiratory disease outbreaks in great ape populations across sub‐Saharan Africa, accounted for three quarters (73.6%) of detected pathogens. Our data support the idea that human respiratory pathogens that can infect great apes occur at high frequencies in human populations in Western Uganda that live close to and interact with wild apes that have suffered from lethal outbreaks caused by these same pathogens. Reducing respiratory infections in local children, thereby reducing both carriage of those infections into the forest by people and ape exposure to these pathogens when they enter human spaces, should decrease the risk of respiratory disease outbreaks in apes.

Representation of the Properties of the Southern Taiga Forest Soils of the Central Forest Reserve by Remote Hyperspectral Measurements

Representation of the Properties of the Southern Taiga Forest Soils of the Central Forest Reserve by Remote Hyperspectral Measurements

Habitual ground nesting in the Bugoma Forest chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii), Uganda.

We report the presence of habitual ground nesting in a newly studied East African chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) population in the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve, Uganda. Across a 2-year period, we encountered 891 night nests, 189 of which were classified as ground nests, a rate of ~21%. We find no preliminary evidence of socio-ecological factors that would promote its use and highlight local factors, such as high incidence of forest disturbance due to poaching and logging, which appear to make its use disadvantageous. While further study is required to establish whether this behavior meets the strict criteria for nonhuman animal culture, we support the argument that the wider use of population and group-specific behavioral repertoires in flagship species, such as chimpanzees, offers a tool to promote the urgent conservation action needed to protect threatened ecosystems, including the Bugoma forest.

Ectoparasite Fauna of Rodents and Shrews with Their Spatial, Temporal, and Dispersal along a Degradation Gradient in Mabira Central Forest Reserve.

Ectoparasites like fleas, mites, and ticks that are key carriers of harmful pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, cestodes, and nematodes live on rodents and shrews. It should be noted that rodents' ecological adaptability makes them suitable as parasite hosts. The main objective of the study was to determine the ectoparasite assemblages in rodents and shrews along a degradation gradient, while comparing infestation levels in different habitats with varying levels of degradation. The study was conducted in Mabira Central Forest Reserve. Ectoparasites were collected following rodent and shrew removal trapping which was done using Sherman's traps set along transects of 200 meters in three habitat strata that included adjacent forest habitats, degraded forest edge, and regenerating forest interior. Data was collected intermittently with a break every two months for one year from November 2018 to December 2019. A total of 1411 rodents and shrews were collected, yielding a total of 5692 ectoparasites from 22 host species (17 rodents and 5 shrews). The most prevalent group of ectoparasites was mites followed by fleas, lice, ticks, and earwig. Ectoparasite prevalence significantly differed depending on hosts species (P = 0.001) and host age (P = 0.022), but not host sex (P = 0.78), while mean infestation significantly varied basing on host species (P = 0.001), host sex (P = 0.001), season (P = 0.001), and habitat (P = 0.001). Prevalence (P = 0.001) and mean infestation (P = 0.001) significantly varied across studied habitats. The study has emphasized the significance of Praomys jacksoni and Hylomyscus stella as significant hosts for mites and S. congicus as a significant host for fleas. Additionally, environment and host characteristics have a bearing on prevalence and infestation of ectoparasites with habitat degradation playing a significant role in the occurrence of ectoparasites, thereby emphasizing its contribution to zoonotic outbreaks.

Loss of Forest Ecosystem due to Refugee Settlement: An Analysis of Underlying Causes at Bugoma Central Forest Reserve in Kyangwali Sub-Country, Kikuube District, Western Uganda

Refugees who are settled around Bugoma Central Forest Reserve in Kyangwali Sub-County, Kikuube District have influenced the conservation and protection of the forest ecosystem. Adopting a cross-section research design, 265 respondents from Kyangwali Sub-County, Kikuube District were involved in the study using a questionnaire survey. Findings revealed an increase in charcoal burning by 26.4% and an increase in the cultivation of crops in Bugoma Central Forest Reserve by 19.6%. These activities are responsible for increasing vegetation cover within Bugoma CFR. There is increasing stone quarrying at 38.5% and agricultural intensification in some catchment areas (41.8%) within the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve. There is increasing forest degradation in Bugoma Central Forest Reserve by refugees. The Government of Uganda should enforce strict rules when resettling refugees to ensure that they don’t encroach on the forest reserves near their settlement.

Spatio-temporal home range of the dominant rodent species in Mabira central forest reserve, Uganda

BackgroundRodents form the largest order among mammals in terms of species diversity, and home range is the area where an individual normally moves during its normal daily activities. Information about rodent home ranges is paramount in the development of effective conservation and management strategies. This is because rodent home range varies within species and different habitats. In Uganda, tropical high altitude forests such as the Mabira Central Forest Reserve are experiencing continuous disturbance. However, information on rodent home range is lacking. Therefore, a two year Capture-Mark-Release (CMR) of rodents was conducted in the intact forest habitat: Wakisi, regenerating forest habitat: Namananga, and the depleted forest habitat: Namawanyi of Mabira Central Forest Reserve in order to determine the dominant rodent species, their home ranges, and factors affecting these home ranges. The home ranges were determined by calculating a minimum convex polygon with an added boundary strip of 5 m.ResultsOverall, the most dominant rodent species were: Lophuromys stanleyi, Hylomyscus stella, Praomys jacksoni Mastomys natalensis, Lophuromys ansorgei, and Lemniscomys striatus. H. stella dominated the intact forest habitat, while L. stanleyi was the most dominant both in the regenerating and the depleted forest habitats. L. stanleyi had a larger home range in the depleted forest, and the regenerating forest habitats, respectively. In the regenerating forest habitat, M. natalensis had a larger home range size, followed by L. stanleyi, and L. striatus. While in the intact forest habitat, H. stella had the largest home range followed by P. jacksoni. H. stella, L. striatus, L. stanleyi, M. natalensis, and P. jacksoni were most dominant during the wet season while L. ansorgei was relatively more dominant during the dry season. L. ansorgei, and P. jacksoni had a larger home range in the dry season, and a lower home range in the wet season. H. stella, L. stanleyi, M. natalansis and L.striatus had larger home ranges in the wet season, and lower home ranges in the dry season. The home ranges of the dominant rodent species varied across the three habitats in Mabira central forest reserve ({F}_{(2, 15)}= 6.41, p = 0.000).ConclusionThe significant variation in home ranges of the dominant rodent species in Mabira Central Forest Reserve depending on the type of habitat presupposes that the rodent management strategies in disturbed forest reserves should focus on the type of habitat.

Decay rates of arboreal and terrestrial nests of Easternchimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve, Uganda: Implications for population size estimates.

Chimpanzees were once thought to sleep primarily in the trees, but recent studies indicate that some populations also construct terrestrial night nests. This behavior has relevance not only to understanding the behavioral diversity of Pan troglodytes, but also to the conservation of the species, given that nest encounter rates are often used to estimate great ape population densities. A proper estimate of decay rates for ground nests is necessary for converting the encounter rate of nests to the density of weaned chimpanzees. Here we present the results of the first systematic comparative study between the decay rates of arboreal and terrestrial chimpanzee nests, from the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve in western Uganda. We followed the decay of 56 ground and 51 tree nests in eight nest groups between April 2020 and October 2021. For 15 of the ground and 19 of the tree nests, we collected detailed information on the condition of the nests every two weeks; we checked the remaining 73 nests only twice. On average, ground nests lasted 238days versus 276 days for tree nests (p = 0.05). Of the 107 total nests surveyed, 51% of tree and 64% of ground nests had disappeared after six months. Based on our results, we propose a modification of the formula used to convert nest density into chimpanzee density. Our results highlight the importance of taking into account potential differences in decay rates between ground versus tree nests, which will likely influence our understanding of the distribution of ground nesting behavior in chimpanzee across tropical Africa, as well as our estimations of the densities of ground nesting populations.

Access to provisioning services by local communities from Mpanga central forest reserve in central Uganda

IntroductionForest resources are an important source of products on which rural communities depend for survival. Mpanga Central Forest Reserve (CFR) is a valuable resource to adjacent communities through provision of different goods and serves for subsistence and income generation. It also serves as an important eco-tourist site. However, there is scanty information regarding the products obtained from Mpanga CFR and their contribution to livelihoods of adjacent communities.MethodsThe study explored the provisioning services obtained from the CFR, assessed the contribution of the CFR to the surrounding communities and explored the challenges faced while obtaining these services from the forest reserve. Provisioning services are the material benefits supplied by the ecosystem. A total of 118 respondents were randomly selected from 11 villages in Kamengo sub-county Mpigi District and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires.Results and discussionThe residents obtained wild foods, medicinal herbs, fuelwood, construction and carving materials. Most of the respondents used obtained products for subsistence (51%) while the rest sold them. Regression analysis revealed that 76.5% of the variability in cash income from the CFR is significantly explained by age of respondents, period of stay and education level. Increase in age and educational level of respondents reduced ability to obtain cash income from the forest by (β = −0.19) and (β = −0.625), respectively but increase in period of stay acted in the reverse (β = 0.22). Despite the importance of provisioning services in improving the livelihood of communities adjacent the forest, some challenges in accessing the forest were reported. The quantities of some extracted species had declined over a 5-year period resulting in reduction of household income. This negatively impacts on the livelihoods of the young and uneducated that depend on forest activities for income generation. It is pertinent that alternative livelihood options are sought to address this trend. Also, forest management strategies should provide a win-win situation to forest managers and communities adjacent to the forest. This will not only preserve the forest resource but will also ensure a sustainable livelihood to forest dependent communities.

Changes in floristic composition, diversity and anthropogenic perturbations in an east African tropical forest

AbstractWe assessed changes in floristic composition, diversity and anthropogenic activities in an East African forest; Echuya Central Forest Reserve (ECFR). Using 272 permanent sample plots, comparisons between 2015 and 2021 were made. Twenty‐two tree species were recorded with Macaranga capensis being the most dominant. Tree species density increased significantly from 152 stems/ha in 2015 to 306 stems/ha in 2021. Similarly, trees basal area increased significantly from 19 m2/ha in 2015 to 38 m2/ha in 2021. The bamboo stem density decreased significantly from 11,931 stems/ha in 2015 to 1807 stems/ha in 2021. Shrubs, lianas, vines and herbs' densities did not show significant differences between 2015 and 2021. Furthermore, a number of human activities significantly increased from 22 activities per hectare in 2015 to 83 per hectare in 2021. The Non‐Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) ordination shows that the human activities with the strongest impact on tree species composition and basal areas were fuelwood collection, human trails, livestock grazing and pole cutting. In conclusion, ECFR is floristically poor; secondary forest tree species are replacing the bamboo forest and human activities could be negatively affecting the ECFR flora. We recommend interventions of increasing people's livelihood incomes to decrease their dependence on forest resources.

Community-based forest management promotes survival-led livelihood diversification among forest-fringe communities in Uganda

Livelihood diversification is a prominent feature of rural households in developing countries. It is a strategy commonly pursued by households to enhance their resilience to shocks and/or risks that affect their livelihood. While a common characteristic of Uganda’s community-based forest management (CBFM) is the promotion of alternative livelihood activities to reduce household reliance on natural forest resources from gazetted forests, it is unclear how livelihood diversification has been embraced by households engaged in CBFM. We explore livelihood diversification using cross-sectional survey data collected from 423 households in villages adjacent to Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) compartments and non-CFM compartments of Budongo Central Forest Reserve as well as two Community Forests (CF) in mid-western Uganda. We quantified the levels of diversification and fitted a Gini-Simpson Diversity Index as the response variable in two Tobit regression models to examine the determinants of livelihood diversification among forest-fringe communities in CFM and CF sites. Our results reveal high levels of survival-led household livelihood diversification in the area, with an average household engaging in five livelihood activities that were predominantly on-farm or involved the extraction of forest products for subsistence. In the CFM sites, livelihood diversification levels significantly increased with household heads’ duration of residence in the village and membership in other social groups in the village. In villages adjacent to the community forests, only the household dependency ratio positively influenced household livelihood diversification. Membership in forest conservation groups did not significantly predict the level of household livelihood diversification. Given the current survival-led diversification that these communities pursue, we recommended that development and conservation agencies in the area and other similar sites of CBFM deliberately enhance household access to high-return on-farm and non-farm livelihood activities to achieve meaningful transformations in rural livelihoods.

Carbon stock of Agoro Agu Central Forest reserve, in Lamwo district, Northern Uganda

Terrestrial ecosystems such as forest landscapes provide critical ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, fundamental to people, society and the global climate change discourse. Just like moist forest, dry Afromontane forests too present a high carbon sequestration potential. However, Uganda has since not undertaken carbon stock inventories for these conservation areas, especially with dry Afromontane forests like Agoro-agu central forest reserve (CFR). So, their potential to capture and store carbon is yet to be understood in Uganda. This study was carried out to estimate carbon stock of Agoro-agu CFR, for its potential in climate change mitigation. A stratified sampling design was used, where 65 sample plots were established. Nested, fixed area circular sample plots with sub-plots of varying radii for tree height, diameter measurements and soil sampling, were used. The mean total carbon stock of Agoro-agu CFR was estimated at 606.7 Mg C ha−1, for which 409, 72, 124 and 0.24 Mg C ha−1 was stored as above ground carbon, below ground carbon, soil organic carbon and carbon in litter herbs and grass respectively. The study illustrates the carbon sequestration potential of the forest reserve for any results-based payment projects for climate change mitigation. This is mainly due to the interventions through collaborative forest management arrangements and the pro-poor reducing emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) pilot project in the landscape. This however, calls for more multi-stakeholders’ collaboration from direct resource users to national level to enhance forest conservation and reduce forest degradation for sustainable resource benefits and other ecosystem services.

Is Fair Benefit Sharing a Reality or A Fallacy? Implications for Effective Collaborative Forest Management at Echuya Central Forest Reserve, S. W. Uganda

It is generally accepted that equitable benefits sharing from protected areas (PAs) is a probable technique for both sustainable management and PA conservation. Evidence however, suggests that this might not be entirely true since such benefits might not be equitably shared among local communities as they would have wished. This research compares benefits received by Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) community members with those of non-CFM community members adjacent to Echuya Central Forest Reserve (ECFR). The study further assesses the most preferred benefits by local community members around ECFR and the perceived barriers to equitable benefit sharing. It provides insight into how benefit sharing under CFM influences the conservation of protected areas. We conducted 458 household interviews, 26 key informant interviews and 4 focus group discussions to obtain data from CFM and non-CFM community members, government institutions, conservation organisations and local community leaders around ECFR. Benefits received by community members include access to firewood, grass, medicinal plants, materials to make ropes, honey and bamboo rhizomes, livelihood project support, cash benefits and training. The preferred benefits in their descending order include agricultural support, financial support, ecotourism, and livestock farming. The failure to monitor the implementation of CFM activities and corruption hinder equitable benefit sharing and promote overexploitation of forest resources. This study recommends that the National Forestry Authority (NFA) should include forest-adjacent communities in budget frameworks in order to provide financial support for CFM activities. The NFA and conservation organisations working around ECFR need to enhance the monitoring of CFM activities to ensure transparency and equitable sharing of forest resources

Amphibian communities along a forest degradation gradient in an East African forest reserve

The amphibian communities in Africa's tropical forests are of global conservation importance, but disturbances derived from anthropological activities threaten to dismantle this irreplaceable diversity. We explored the impacts of forest degradation on the amphibian community in Mabira Central Forest Reserve, Uganda. We sampled amphibians from March to July of 2015 in plots that were positioned along a gradient of forest degradation. We conducted visual encounter surveys across three categories of forest degradation with six 300-m transects in each (four surveys per transect). From 216 h of surveyor effort, we detected 3563 individual frogs representing 30 species from eight families and 13 genera. Hyperoliidae was the most diverse family represented by 13 species in four genera. Hyperolius had the highest number of species (nine) followed by four genera each represented by three species (Phrynobatrachus, Pytchadena, Leptopelis, and Sclerophrys). Comparisons among plots along a gradient of forest degradation revealed differences in species richness, composition, and frequency of encounters. The regenerating and degraded forest plots were similar in species composition to each other and were dominated by mostly widespread, open-canopy species. Several forest-dependent species were recorded in both the regenerating and mature forest plots but were absent from the degraded plots. In the regenerating and mature forests, species presence was significantly associated with high canopy cover, high relative humidity, and dense leaf litter, whereas the microhabitat variables of high grass cover and high temperature were most influential in the degraded forests. Our study provides important data on an Afrotropical amphibian community and suggests that forest degradation has dramatically altered the habitat to the detriment of forest specialist species.

The impact of bushfires on animal abundance and diversity across land tenures in Miombo woodlands, Tanzania

Abstract. Matimbwi L, Madoffe SS. 2022. The impact of bushfires on animal abundance and diversity across land tenures in Miombo woodlands, Tanzania. Asian J For 6: 43-51. Southern Africa is dominated by Miombo forests (woodlands), the world's largest savanna. The purpose of this research was to examine how bushfires affect mammalian populations in Miombo woodlands under various forest tenure systems. The data was gathered through household questionnaires, a probing question checklist for key informants, participant observation, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods, and a field inventory. We enlisted the aid of the local communities in our analysis of the PRA data we collected. Quantitative and qualitative data and information were subjected to content and structural-functional analysis. Quantitative data was examined using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Microsoft Excel was used to examine inventory data on animal stocks. The average number of mammals collected from each forest tenure system was compared using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to see if there were statistically significant variations. The variety of mammal species in various forest tenure systems was measured using the Shannon-Wiener Index (H). Based on the findings, agricultural activities (44.5%), charcoal production (21.1%), and wildlife hunting (18.9%) accounted for the vast majority of bushfires in Miombo woods. It was thought that illegal logging and honey collection were the only contributing factors. Mammal populations tend to be most significant in Central Governmental Forest Reserves, then in those of the Local Government, and finally in those of the Village Government. Mildly burned sections in the Central Governmental Forest Reserve had a diversity index of 3.2. In contrast, those in the Local Government Forest Reserve and the Village Forest Reserve had indices of 2.0. There was little difference in the diversity index values of the Central Governmental Forest Reserve (2.0) and the Village Forest Reserve (2.0) for moderately burned blocks and the Local Government Forest Reserve (1.6) for unburned blocks. The Central Governmental Forest Reserve had a diversity value of 1.5 for the severely burned blocks, the Village Governmental Forest Reserve had a value of 1.4, and the Local Government Forest Reserve had a value of 1.2. Like other mammals with a low fire escape rate, bushfires hit the rock hyrax particularly hard. As a result, it is suggested that the current management regimes of Local Government Authorities be strengthened to ensure enhanced local community participation with more effective law enforcement measures to save the woods from deterioration. Similarly, communities should be given access to financing and encouragement to pursue income-generating activities to lessen their reliance on Miombo woodlands.