CEF to study killer Chytrid disease among Bwindi forest amphibians

Amphibians are at the verge of extinction despite being key indicator species. Their populations are declining at an alarming rate yet remain among the least studied taxa especially in tropical Africa. About one third (1,895) of the 6,285 amphibian species are classified as threatened and have recently been included on the IUCN 2009 red list of threatened species. The decline is attributed to Chytridiomycosis a killer disease caused by class of pathogens fungi Chytridiomycetes first discovered and named in the late 1990's (Kiesecker et al. 2001). The fungus is known to spread faster under warmer conditions associated with global warming. CEF is looking out for funding to assess the prevalence of the desease among amphibians of the biodiversity rich albertine rift. Findings shall be very helful in formulation and implimentation of policies to ensure conservation of amphibians in tropical Africa.

CEF represented at DRECA

CEF was represented by Robert at DRECA, a high profile specialists workshop organized by the Tropical Biology Association (TBA) and a number of regional Universities.  DRECA is a three year project funded by the EU's ACP Science and Technology Programme intended to improve Africa's contribution to the body of science. This time participants were sharpened in skills particularly; proposal writing and fundraising for science related projects. The workshop started on 22nd June and ended on 25th June 2010 at Royal Suits in Kampala Uganda. Robert shall also participate in the next workshop specifically on writing research papers for leading science Journals.  Big thanks for the full sponsorship.

FUN AT THE ZOO

A few days ago we had a nice time at the Uganda wild life Education Centre (formerly known as Zoo) at Entebbe. Lots of good changes have already been made. In my view, the happiest animals were the two beautiful lionesses and the majestic lion. Chimpanzees were not as charming as usual. The buffalos looked so healthy just as did the Zebra and as usual the proud Peacock and the elegant Crane. I can't comment on the snakes... Bravo to management.

It was evident that the camels at the center are over worked. One of them cried for all the time we spent there yet the steward kept beating it up to move. This is perhaps because many people want to climb and enjoy the camel ride. Can they try to double or triple the charge per person on peak days? I think this would let management to continue fetching the money but save the animal from being over worked. We later attended the public talk about climate change and potential impacts on biodiversity and livelihood organised by Nature Uganda.    

Creature of the month

A few months ago I received two visitors who later constructed their house in my back yard. The two are a pair of Hamerkop birds known for setting up the biggest nest among birds. The guys set up the huge nest (mansion) on one of the mature Ficus without asking for permission. In addition to counting Egrets that fly over our roof twice everyday, I’ve now got an extra morning task of monitoring the interesting activities of the new visitors which include dancing, singing and rigorous collection of building materials for their tree mansion. The nest is so far about half a meter in diameter and could exceed a meter in a few weeks time. However, some colleagues still associate the bird to misfortune hence giving it some unintended scare protection. We are now expecting more of such visitors in the backyard especially as Lubigi wetland slowly but surely gets degraded. Don’t say I am biased but I vote for the Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) to be our creature of the month. Please send in nominations for creature of the month of June, it could be an insect, bird, water body, animal name it.

REDD is here, Is Uganda prepared?

REDD is most likely to be included in the post 2012 climate agreement yet many information gaps exist. Over 150 participants from various stakeholders participated in the recently  concluded (March 31st) REDD inception workshop in Malaysia. Participants gave valuable comments on the proposed activities and stakeholder involvement in the implementation of UN-REDD. UK is still debating about the Robin Hood tax where many are positive to contribute 0.05% of their earning to suuport developing countries in addressing climate climate change.
 In this countdown to distribution of benefits from carbon trading, how is Uganda and developing coutries prepared. Its thus becoming of more urgency first to quantify out carbon stoocks, put in place monitoring mechanisms and sensitising the players to include local communities and academic institutions among others.

Need to quantify carbon stocks in Uganda

Climate change and associated effects to human wellbeing and biodiversity conservation are attracting global attention. International conventions including the Rio earth summit (1992), Kyoto Protocol and the recently concluded Cop 15 in Copenhagen (2009) highlight the need to come up with practical mitigation measures to address the negative effects of climate change. Suggested mitigation measures include cutting greenhouse emissions, carbon trading and ensuring adaptation among most vulnerable communities.

Recent studies in carbon cycle reveal that soil and vegetation in terrestrial ecosystems act as carbon sinks.  They thus avail a great opportunity for carbon trading as a means to address climate change. In order to achieve the same, owners of forested and or agricultural land shall have to be motivated with funds mainly from the developed countries. However, without quantifying the carbon content under such land uses and mean annual carbon sequestation per unit area of vegetation cover, distribution of carbon credits may be difficult. CEF Uganda is therefore devoted to conducting related research around the country particularly in the Albertine rift. We have already conducted a related study in Fort Portal municipality and results are yet to be published. Plans are under way to obtain research funding.

Electrical wastes a threat to tropical habitats

Second hand and cheap or less durable products from developing countries have for long been considered a blessing. However, handling and management of these products at the end of their serving span is a steadily challenging conservation of natural habitats. Most common e-waste in Uganda include; phased out computers monitors and accessories, pvc insulators, refrigilators, sockets, compact florescent bulbs, argon bulbs and mobile phones.

Effect of landuse change on carbon stocks in Uganda

Greenhouse gases such as CO2 are known causes of global warming and climate change. Soils and plants have been identified as sinks for significant amounts of carbon. Plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and keep it in their tissues for a long time. When these plants are felled, some decompose to sink carbon into the soil yet others release it back to the atmosphere when burnt as fuel wood and during the slash and burn farming practices. Using landsat series, overlaid maps and techniques according to Okalebo 2002 and Majaliwa 2009, a study about the effect of landuse change on carbon stocks was conducted in FortPortal Municipality, Kabarole district of Uganda. Results revealed that built up area had increased exponentially especially between 1986 to 2000 and forest cover was reducing steadily. A larger percentage of the land was under small scale farming. oil carbon stocks are higher than woody carbon stocks. However, areas under woodlot forest still had more carbon stocks compared to other landcovers in the Municipality. Similar but more detailed studies can be conducted in other areas around the country as a basis for carbon trading.

People Park conflicts: A night in Kibale national park

Ever heard about people park conflicts? This seems to be the order of the day for the communities neighbouring Kibale national park in the Albertine rift of Western Uganda.

It was at around 10pm of a cold night after a busy day in Kibale national park when I heard several gun shots at a stone throw from where I was camping. The gun shots went again casting me into trembling. As I thought about which side of the thick forest to run to, then alarms of many people this time including the drums. I got further got mixed up wondering if this were Kony rebels brutalizing people perhaps found on a party. Then a friend came to my rescue by telling me that game rangers were only scaring away a heard of elephants that usually raid people's crops. The drumming and shouting came for about three hours in because the rangers' guns had run out of bullets. These were the peasants who own the crops that usually attract the elephants and other animals out of the fence less national park. I got re leaved to relax again to sleep on my single bed.

At around 2pm, the other guys started making noise jumping from one tree to another. I had to wake up again so that these 'thieves' find me ready to confront them as a man once and for all. Baboons were playing in the compound adjacent to my sleeping place. I couldn't say good morning to any of them but only to acknowledge their right according to scripture. "Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord". The same were the guys that gave me a sleepless night mistaken as thieves.

I took a walk around only to find a few villagers up and ready to go to dig again despite the sleepless night with elephants. One later disclosed that a carnivore perhaps a lion had eaten up all her piglets. I concluded that this place is only very good to visitors and never to the residents.

Practical green ideas from CEF Uganda

You could be among the many people who would want to take part in conserving the natural environment but limited by practical tips/ ideas. Below are some of them.

1. Switch off electrical appliances and engines when not in use

2. Use energy saving technologies such as stoves, low capacity engines and LED appliances

3. Support environmentally friendly bussinesses and organisations.

4. Sort garbage ie. plastics alone and peelings alone

5. Carry or sell recyclable wastes to recycling companies or their agents

6. Monitor to reduce the amount of garbage generated in your premices

7. Donate your used products such as clothes to others as a way of promoting re-use. This delays potential garbage from reaching the natural ecosystems.