scholarly journals Impact of Protected Areas and Land Use on Regeneration of Acacia Woodland’s in Eastern Burkina Faso

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 17-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salifou Traoré ◽  
Jeanne Millogo Rasolodimby ◽  
Lamourdia Thiombiano ◽  
Sita Guinko
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Human Impact ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Regeneration Rate ◽  
Woodland Regeneration ◽  
Persistence Strategies

Regeneration success, persistence strategies (seedlings vs. coppicing), and population trend of Acacia spp. were tested under two land-use regimes in eastern Burkina Faso: (i) protected areas shielded to livestock grazing pressure, to logging, and using early annual fire as a management system; (ii) areas with high human impact (heavily and extensive livestock grazing, harvesting for wood and for medicinal plants). Generally, a good regeneration rate of Acacia species was observed in protected areas and a poor regeneration rate in areas with high human impact. Nevertheless, some species affiliated to the subgenus Aculeiferum as A. dudgeoni and A. polyacantha showed a good regeneration under both land use regimes. Juvenile plants less than 25 cm height of A. dudgeoni and A. gourmaensis increased by 116 to 50 % in areas with human impact as compared to their populations in protected areas. With SCD slopes varying from –0.40 to -0.70, the protected Acacia woodland displayed a stable population structure due to abundance of recruitment, and coppicing persistence (more common in the subgenus Aculeiferum) favoured by early annual fire. Consequently, the protected areas are favourable for Acacia woodland regeneration. Conversely, SCD slopes are positive or close to zero in areas of anthropogenic regime and showed a declining population, especially more marked with the subgenus Acacia due to permanent seed and seedling removal by livestock grazing. Nevertheless, the number of seedlings of some species was higher in areas under human pressure than in protected areas, especially for the subgenus Aculeiferum, improving the genetic variability and thus the long-term maintenance of the population

The influence of plant diversity on the resilience of harvester termites to fire

1995 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max Abensperg-Traun ◽  
Dion Steven ◽  
Lyn Atkins
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Floristic Diversity ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Burnt Area ◽  
Food Species

The harvester termites in floristically rich mallee-heath of southern Western Australia appear resilient to high-intensity fire. This contrasts with the temporary extinction of harvesters occupying a narrow food niche in floristically simple, intensely burnt spinifex Triodia angusta grassland in tropical Western Australia. The present study examines the effects of high-intensity fire on harvester termites Drepanotermes tamminensis in vegetation of intermediate floristic diversity and compares its findings with these earlier studies. We sampled 20 mounds (termitaria) in both an unburnt and (adjacent) burnt stand of Allocasuarina campestris shrubland. Although partially regenerated three years after the fire, 40% of mounds in the burnt area were abandoned, contrasting with 10% in the unburnt stand. No harvested chaff was found in any of the abandoned mounds. The extent of mound occupation by D. tamminensis was considerably lower, and ant invasion higher, in the burnt stand. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that high floristic diversity enhances the resilience of harvester termites to fire. The most likely mechanism is the availability of a range of plant (food) species with different regenerative responses to high-intensity fire. The death of spinifex and the associated harvester termites after fire may be atypical. We argue, however, that temporary extinction of harvester populations in arid Australia may not be exceptional, particularly where fire coincides with drought and high livestock grazing pressure. Rigorous experimental studies are necessary to enhance our understanding of the long-term effects of fire on harvester termite populations in different vegetation types and climatic zones.

scholarly journals Identifying challenges to enforcement in protected areas: empirical insights from 15 Colombian parks

Oryx ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 317-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Nolte
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Land Tenure ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Regulatory Enforcement ◽  
Empirical Field

AbstractProtected areas are intended to conserve biodiversity by restricting human activities within their boundaries. However, such restrictions are difficult to enforce fully in many tropical parks. Improving regulatory enforcement requires an understanding of prevailing challenges to detection and sanctioning activities. Drawing from empirical field research in 15 Colombian parks, I show that current enforcement efforts may be insufficient to deter most priority threats. For long-term infractions, such as agriculture, livestock grazing, and construction, sanctioning violators is challenging, whereas for furtive infractions, such as logging and hunting, it may be difficult to detect violators. Investment in staff, equipment and infrastructure may fail to increase enforcement capacity and yield positive conservation outcomes unless accompanied by resolution of land tenure, clarification of use rights, improved patrolling strategies and protection of park guards.

Meta-analysis reveals declines in terrestrial but increases in freshwater insect abundances

Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 368 (6489) ◽  
pp. 417-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roel van Klink ◽  
Diana E. Bowler ◽  
Konstantin B. Gongalsky ◽  
Ann B. Swengel ◽  
Alessandro Gentile ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
North America ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Spatiotemporal Patterns ◽  
European Regions ◽  
Insect Abundance ◽  
Abundance Trends ◽  
Over Time

Recent case studies showing substantial declines of insect abundances have raised alarm, but how widespread such patterns are remains unclear. We compiled data from 166 long-term surveys of insect assemblages across 1676 sites to investigate trends in insect abundances over time. Overall, we found considerable variation in trends even among adjacent sites but an average decline of terrestrial insect abundance by ~9% per decade and an increase of freshwater insect abundance by ~11% per decade. Both patterns were largely driven by strong trends in North America and some European regions. We found some associations with potential drivers (e.g., land-use drivers), and trends in protected areas tended to be weaker. Our findings provide a more nuanced view of spatiotemporal patterns of insect abundance trends than previously suggested.

scholarly journals Response of endemic afroalpine rodents to the removal of livestock grazing pressure

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 741-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavie Vial ◽  
David W. Macdonald ◽  
Daniel T. Haydon
Keyword(s):  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Apparent Lack ◽  
Mole Rat ◽  
Domestic Livestock ◽  
Animal Communities ◽  
Rodent Populations

Abstract The Bale Mountains of Ethiopia represent the world’s largest continuous extent of afroalpine habitat. With a peak combined density of over 8000 individuals/km2, the endemic giant mole rat Tachyoryctes macrocephalus, Blick’s grass rat Arvicanthis blicki and the brush-furred mouse Lophuromys melanonyx are the dominant wild herbivores within this ecosystem and may be affected by the presence of high densities of domestic livestock. The purpose of this study was to establish whether these endemic rodent populations could respond to the removal of grazing pressure inside three 0.25 hectare livestock exclosures (paired with grazed control plots) and to determine whether such response was mediated through concomitant changes in the vegetation structure. We hypothesised that livestock grazing negatively affects endemic rodent populations through competition or increased predation risk and we predicted an increase in rodent biomass following the removal of grazing pressure. We found no evidence of rodent populations responding to the removal of livestock after fourteen months. The short-term nature of the experimental design, environmental fluctuations and the ecosystem’s inherent stochasticity may explain the apparent lack of a significant response. However, while this study is inconclusive, it emphasises the need for more long-term experimental investigations to assess the effects of domestic grazers on vegetation and on dependent communities. The effects of rapidly increasing livestock numbers in the Bale Mountains will require continued close monitoring of vegetation and endemic animal communities as the afroalpine is altered by external biotic and abiotic forces.

scholarly journals Evaluation of human impact on valley bottom sedimentation in Highlands: case study from Česká Bělá, Czechia

Geografie ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenka Vejrostová ◽  
Lenka Lisá ◽  
Aleš Bajer ◽  
Jan Pacina
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Human Impact ◽  
Information Value ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Valley Bottom ◽  
Ore Processing ◽  
River Bottom ◽  
Small Valley

The formation processes of small valleys and long-term anthropogenic impact on its sedimentary archives may be studied by GIS, sedimentology and investigation into spatial and vertical geochemical characteristics in the context of mining activities. The case study from the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands with well documented medieval mining activities demonstrates the typical dynamics of a small valley during the last centuries and also the possible rate of human impact. The information value of the floodplain record as well as the development of the landscape geomorphology is discussed. The infilling of the river bottom is comprised of two main lithological units keeping information about medieval mining and ore processing as well as about past and recent agricultural activities. The most recent land use influenced the aggradation of the valley bottom less than land use during the Medieval times.

scholarly journals Efficacy of land use designation in protecting habitat in the miombo woodlands: Insights from Tanzania

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex L. Lobora ◽  
Cuthbert L. Nahonyo ◽  
Linus K. Munishi ◽  
Tim Caro ◽  
Charles Foley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Miombo Woodlands ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
The Past ◽  
Natural Landscapes ◽  
Landsat Satellite

AbstractLoss of natural landscapes surrounding major conservation areas compromise their future and threaten long-term conservation. We evaluate the effectiveness of fully and lesser protected areas within Katavi-Rukwa and Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystems in south-western Tanzania to protecting natural landscapes within their boundaries over the past four decades. Using a time series of Landsat satellite imageries of September 1972, July 1990 and September 2015, we assess the extent to which natural habitat has been lost within and around these areas mainly through anthropogenic activities. We also test the viability of the remaining natural habitat to provide connectivity between the two ecosystems. Our analysis reveals that while fully protected areas remained intact over the past four decades, lesser protected areas lost a combined total area of about 5,984 km2 during that period which is about 17.5% of habitat available in 1972. We also find that about 3,380 km2 of natural habitat is still available for connectivity between the two ecosystems through Piti East and Rungwa South Open Areas. We recommend relevant authorities to establish conservation friendly village land use plans in all villages surrounding and between the two ecosystems to ensure long-term conservation of these ecosystems.

Austral Yungas under future climate and land-use changes scenarios: the importance of protected areas for long-term amphibian conservation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Soledad Andrade-Díaz ◽  
Alejandro R. Giraudo ◽  
Gustavo A. Marás ◽  
Karl Didier ◽  
Juan Andrés Sarquis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Future Climate ◽  
Amphibian Conservation

scholarly journals Benefits Beyond Borders: Assessing Landowner Willingness-to-Accept Incentives for Conservation Outside Protected Areas

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dincy Mariyam ◽  
Mahi Puri ◽  
Abishek Harihar ◽  
Krithi K. Karanth
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Marginalized Communities ◽  
History Of

Unplanned land-use change surrounding protected areas (PAs) can lead to degradation and fragmentation of wildlife habitats, thereby placing tremendous pressure on PAs especially in tropical countries. Incentivizing the expansion of habitats beyond PAs will not only benefit wildlife but also has the potential to create livelihood opportunities for marginalized communities living adjacent to PAs. Our study explored landowners’ willingness to participate in an incentive-based, wildlife-friendly land-use program using a discrete choice modeling approach. We surveyed 699 landowners living in 287 villages within a five-kilometer buffer around Nagarahole and Bandipur National Parks in India. We found that landowners preferred wildlife-friendly land-use over their ongoing farming practices. Landowners preferred short-term programs, requiring enrolling smaller parcels of land for wildlife-friendly land-use, and offering higher payment amounts. Landowners with larger landholdings, a longer history of living next to the PA, and growing fewer commercial crops were more likely to prefer enrolling large parcels of land. Landowners who grew more commercial crops were likely to prefer long term programs. We also estimated the average monetary incentive to be INR 64,000 (US$ 914) per acre per year. Wildlife-friendly land use, in developing economies like India with shrinking wildlife habitats and expanding infrastructural developments, could supplement rural incomes and potentially expand habitat for wildlife, thereby being a promising conservation strategy.

Mining as a catalyst of overgrazing resulting in risk of forest retreat, Erdenet Mongolia

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 184-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Juřička ◽  
Václav Pecina ◽  
Martin Brtnický ◽  
Jindřich Kynický
Keyword(s):  
Forest Regeneration ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Forest Edge ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Risk Of Mortality

This paper provides information on long-term suppression of natural forest regeneration due to the livestock grazing in the vicinity of one of the world largest open-pit ore mine close the city of Erdenet in Mongolia. The area is characterized by high concentration of herder’s households where the 52% were found only up to 1 km distance from the forest edge. Forest grazing causes extensive damage to seedlings and significant reduction of their growth. Within the 30–99 cm height category, up to 61% Larix sibirica, 90% Betula platyphylla and 68% Populus tremula individuals are grazingdamaged. L. sibirica and P. tremula seedlings with heights over 99 cm were absent, and no individuals of any species were found within 136–200 cm height category. In addition to the seedlings, only 7 or more meters high L. sibirica individuals are found in the forest structure, which means the absence of successfully growing forest regeneration for at least 40 years. In 2017, the defoliation of L. sibirica, reaching locally up to 100%, occurred in the stands east of the mine. Total defoliation represents a high risk of mortality of affected individuals. The stands cannot be successfully regenerated under the conditions of current intensive grazing. Mine metal stocks are calculated to provide for at least another 25 years of mining. Over that time, neither significant population decline nor decreasing grazing pressure on forests can be expected. If effective protection measures are not implemented, there is a risk of transforming threatened forest into steppe.

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