Ecological Society for Eastern Africa

C/o National Museums of Kenya, Natural Science Building, Mammalogy Section,

P.O. Box 40658 00100 Nairobi, Kenya

Tel: + 254 020 250 4665, Website: www.ecsea.org, E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

2ND ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE - MAKERERE UNIVERSITY, 

KAMPALA, UGANDA

CONFERENCE REPORT: 18TH -19TH JUNE 2009

SUMMARY

 

In June 2009, ESEA facilitated a two day scientific conference aimed at addressing “The Challenges of Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in Eastern Africa”. This was made possible through the generous support of the British Ecological Society - BES and the National Forestry Authority -NFA. The conference was held in Makerere University in Kampala Uganda. Participants were drawn from all over Africa; Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda. Key-note addresses, paper presentations and student competitions characterized the plenary sessions. The students had a chance to present their findings and were awarded prizes on the best presenter. The curtains fell on the conference with the Annual General Meeting, where members elected new officials.

 

INTRODUCTIONS

The introductory remarks were made by Hillary Bakamwesiga, the Chairman of the Local Organizing committee. Mr. Bakamwesiga welcomed the participants and the guest of honor the Honorable Isaac Musumba, the Ugandan minister for regional affairs, who was representing His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda. Dr. Nicholas Oguge, founding President ESEA, gave his welcoming speech. In his speech entitled “Challenges in the Sustainable use of Natural Resources” Dr. Oguge highlighted the loss of ecosystems due to high population that has led to decline in environmental quality. His speech also stressed on the Millennium Development Goal no 7 that focuses on Environmental Sustainability; he highlighted the importance of integrating the principles of sustainable development in country policies and programmes. Dr. Oguge drew the attention of the participants to the ecosystem services and values and the challenges faced in the eastern Africa region. He concluded his speech by emphasizing ESEA’s goal: - Providing a forum for generation and sharing of ecological information to influence policy decisions through evidence-based advice, technical back-stopping, public outreach services, capacity building, awareness creation and resource mobilization for sustainable development. With this he invited the guest of honor to deliver his speech. 

 

In his speech, His Excellency Yoweri Museveni, welcomed the participants to Uganda. He highlighted the environmental and socio-economic problems faced by East Africa as a result of negligence on the environment and natural resources. He stressed that for Africa to achieve the development goals; heavy reliance on natural resources is inevitable. He emphasized the need for proactive and committed environmental conservation bodies both governmental and non- governmental organizations in addressing environmental issues; he stressed on the need for environmental management to be re-packaged to reflect African values and the use of resources in a more sustainable way. In conclusion, he pointed out that social transformation would be key in contributing to the salvation of the environment.

 

KEY-NOTE ADDRESSES

Chaired by Mr. Moges Worku, the conference shifted focus on the key-note addresses that touched on four main sub-themes: Role of civil society and private sector in natural resource conservation, Management of protected areas system in eastern Africa, Urbanization, industrialization and environment and Climate change and its impact on biological resources and humans.

Mr. Aggrey Rwetsiba, Monitoring Officer - Uganda Wildlife Authority, was the first to give his key-note address. He focused on the sub-theme; Management of protected areas systems in eastern Africa with a bias on governance and management. Rwetsiba highlighted the need to build capacity in management of protected areas. He also stressed on the integration of protected areas into the overall national development framework. “Integration of trans-boundary programmes will help reduce poaching, encroachment and illegal trade in wildlife” said Rwetsiba. He added that there needs to be mechanisms for equitable sharing of costs and benefits. He concluded by saying there is need for urgent planning and implementation of appropriate and effective wildlife management approaches for the survival of wildlife in East Africa. He added that partnership between researchers, managers and policy makers can not be underestimated. 

 

Mr. Alex Muhweezi, Country Coordinator - IUCN, spoke on the role of civil society and private sector in natural resources conservation. He defined sustainable in terms of commercial use, consumptive use, economic returns, and alternatives to protected areas and community resource management. Convening or mobilizing conservation and sustainable development action, training and skills development, innovations and demonstrations, advocacy and lobbing, creating a knowledge base and offering financial and technical resources are some of the roles played by civil societies, Muhweezi said. He pointed out that civil societies face numerous challenges key among them is the disputable definition of sustainable use, inadequate policy and legal frameworks and their enforcement or compliance, inadequate capacity to understand dynamics of sustainable use and mitigation and dynamics and requirements for trans-boundary resources management. The civil society and private sector have made positive contributions towards conservation and sustainable use of natural resources although they may have contribute to undermining sustainable use by promoting practices that undermine conservation efforts, Muhweezi concluded. 

 

Dr. Mary Namaganda - Makerere University gave her talk entitled “Urbanization, Industrialization and Environment”. Dr. Namaganda touched on the causes and effects of urbanization and industrialization, economic growth and environmental quality, current environmental problems and why environmental protection is necessary. She also stressed on the effects of rural urban migration in relation to urbanization, industrialization and environment. She added that unwise use of natural resources reduces the environment’s capacity to generate material production in the future. Economic development and sound environmental management are complementary and inseparable challenges, without adequate environmental management, development will be impaired, similarly, without sufficient development, environmental management will not be possible said Dr. Namaganda.

 

The final key-note address entitled Climate change and Conservation Challenges in eastern Africa was delivered by Dr. Nicholas Oguge – President, ESEA. His talk focused on environmental status in eastern Africa, climate change science and predictions and the interaction of climate change and human drivers that affect natural systems in eastern Africa. Dr. Oguge highlighted that sustaining a reasonably high economic growth rate to match the human population growth rate coupled with ensuring the environmental and natural resources integrity, posses a key challenge. He went further to compare Africa’s increasing population growth with its shrinking land base in relation to its enormous biodiversity. Land degradation and desertification, water stress, declining biodiversity, deforestation, rising pollution, and rapid urbanisation is the current environmental statuses in eastern Africa. He mentioned that climate change is likely to intensify these conditions and alter the environment even further. “Changes in a variety of ecosystems are already being detected, particularly in southern African ecosystems, at a faster rate than anticipated. Climate changes, interacting with human drivers such as deforestation and forest fires, are a threat to Africa’s forest ecosystems.” Dr. Oguge said. In his conclusion he warned that climate change may become a contributing factor to conflicts in the future, particularly those concerning resource scarcity. 

 

The key-note addresses came to an end with Dr. Oguge’s presentation and gave way to the mid-morning session which was characterized by participant discussions, interactions and questions regarding the presentations. The conclusion of the discussions gave way to lunch break and was followed by the afternoon session. The session was divided into two general presentation and student presentations all in different rooms. 

 

GENERAL PRESENTATIONS

 

The afternoon session was chaired by Dr. Eunice Kairu. 

Dr. Nixson Sifuna from Moi University was the first to present his paper on promoting the use of formal methods of wildlife depredation mitigation among local communities in regions adjoin wildlife protected areas: A case study of Laikipa, Kenya. In his presentation he highlighted that depredation has led to negative public attitudes towards wildlife and inflamed the human-wildlife conflict. He also mentioned that there is no compensation for loss to livestock, crops and property, only for human injury and death. This frustration has resulted into the communities using cruel methods such as poisoning to control depredation. Dr. Sifuna stressed that introducing community-oriented wildlife management and establishing mechanisms for wildlife benefits & revenue sharing and expanding the depredation control & alleviation methods adopted in legislation will help solve the problem.

 

The next presentation was delivered by Wilson Okaka from Kyambongo University in Uganda. He focused on Communicating Sustainable Natural Resources Conservation Management Policy for Sustainable Development in Eastern Africa. “Despite the vital role natural resources  play in most socio-cultural, economic, environmental and political activities of the eastern African population and despite some of the well crafted laws and policies governments have put in place to protect them, the region’s natural resources  are today facing the most unprecedented rapid and severe  resource depletion” said Okaka. He stressed that It is imperative that all eastern Africa member states develop and implement an effective communication strategy for sustainable nature conservation management policy that will create, raise, develop and sustain, the desired awareness, knowledge, attitudes and behaviour (action) for sustainable development in eastern Africa. He concluded by saying effective ICT use eliminates burden, costs, embarrassments of duplications and re-inventing the wheel  in natural resource conservation policy objectives, plans, projects, and research.

 

Miss. Joan Otengo of East African Wildlife Society delivered her talk on Natural Resource Management, Conserving the Wetlands of Tana Delta. In her introductory remarks Otengo stressed that many large scale agricultural developments only put into consideration the economic gains leaving out the social and environmental gains. Rich and diverse wetland resources are jeopardized by these developments hence a need seek to alternative approaches to developing wetland resources in ways that will benefit the local communities and bring sustainable and wide spread development to the region. The Tana delta wetland which is Kenyan’s largest deltaic zone is facing serious challenges. The issues in Tana Delta include lack of consideration of minority groups in projects such as the proposed oil exploration around Kipini area, proposed titanium mining horticultural farming proposed by the Qatar government and the sugar and biofuel project meant to convert 20,000 hectares of the delta to land. The impacts of the proposed development projects include the displacement of locals especially the minority groups, violation of human rights, loss of livelihoods and of biodiversity especially endemic species. There is need for urgent measures to be taken up to mitigate the effects of the proposed development said Otengo.

 

Dr. Hellen Ipara of Moi University reviewed the management of protected areas in terms of the issues, challenges and opportunities. The study areas in Kenya included five Protected Areas; Nairobi National Park, Hell’s Gate Park, The Maasai Mara, Tsavo National Park and Kakamega national Reserve. The critical issues and challenges in Protected Area Management include, changing land tenure and land use practices, reconciling community needs and conservation goals, existence of different management regimes and institutions, local access to Protected Area resources, policy and institutional issues such as integration of indigenous knowledge systems in to management of wildlife conservation. In her concluding remarks, Ipara stressed that there is need to critically analyse the role and implications of governance issues on PASs and natural resource conservation as well as management in general with a  view to adopting innovative strategies that can enhance better management.

 

Dr. Emmanuel Kasimbazi, Makerere University made a presentation on Emerging Legal Regime for the Biodiversity Management East Africa Community. He highlighted that there are several regional and international laws that govern management of biodiversity. “The Legal regime on biodiversity management is still developing in the East Africa region; the main challenge is how to strengthen it and enforce the existing legal framework; the other challenge is how to quantify biodiversity resources in economic terms to make the legal regime of biodiversity enforceable” Kasimbazi said.

 

DAY TWO

 

On the second day, the conference was chaired by Perpetra Akite.

 

Mr. Mathias Behangana of BIONET/EAFRINET started off the presentations. His presentation focused on the making of taxonomy information relevant to the economic and environmental well being using the BIONET/EAFRINET experience in the UVIMA project. UVIMA is a Swahili acronym for Uchambuzi wa Viumbe kwa Maendeleo. It is administered by BIONET/EAFRINET which is the global network for taxonomy. BIONET was founded in 1993 and there are various loops that coordinate activities, working with other partners worldwide. UVIMA is a project under EAFRINET- the East African loop. The project which runs from 2007 to 2011 focuses on management of pollinators, of pests and invasive species. It aims at improving livelihoods, food security and ecosystem resilience in East Africa. It also aims at identifying partners that would assist in dissemination of knowledge/ information.

 

Mr. Maurice Ogilo of Kenya Forest Service presented a paper on the biological status and management options of Kakamega forest Ecosystem, Kenya. The forest covers an area of about 240km² and was gazette as a trust forest in 1933. It is a water catchment area with Yala and Isiukhu rivers flowing through it. It is managed jointly by the Kenya Forest Service and Kenya Wildlife Service. The forest is highly threatened arising from the great pressure of harvesting put on it by the large growing human population. Its biodiversity and ecotourism potential need to be enhanced for socioeconomic development. There is need to maintain the balance between utilization of the biodiversity resources for socio-economic gain and conservation of biodiversity for posterity which presents a challenge in the ecosystem management said Ogilo. In his concluding remarks Ogilo mentioned that Participatory Forest Management (PFM) which is the deliberate involvement of communities and other stakeholders in the planning, management and utilization of forest resources in gazetted, private and trust lands, with the aim of improving livelihood, ecosystem health and equity in resources distribution. It is therefore a system of forest management where key stakeholders have either formal or informal agreement that is mutually enforceable; define their respective roles, responsibilities, benefits and authority in the management of defined forests. Thus PFM is an approach suitable to be adopted to achieve the main goal of sustainable management and conservation of forest resources in Kakamega forest ecosystem.

 

Mr. Cassim Ochibah, a GIS/ Geologist in Kenya presented a paper on the impact of urbanization and industrialization on environment and mitigation measures used. He focused on the urban environment and analysed the drastic environmental changes occurring such as urban heat island, changes in precipitation patterns, pollutants run off. He further went ahead to compare the urban environment versus the rural environment and the changes that are significant. He highlighted the following mitigation measures: expansion of protected areas, counteracting the heat by use of white reflective materials, increase of well watered vegetation, increased surveillance, promotion of sustainable use of space forests and industrial wastes as well as the promotion of ecotourism. 

 

Dr. Aventino Kasangaki of Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation (ITFC), Uganda reviewed the assessment of land use effects on water quality in and around Kibale National Park, Uganda. The study area, Kibale Forest is 795km² and was gazetted as a crown forest in 1982. The aim of the study was to investigate patterns of stream invertebrates. Water quality in streams outside Kibale forest was not to standard thus affecting availability of freshwater supply for local communities. The bio indicators included Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Tricoptera. The water quality variables include oxygen, temperature, conductivity, and pH. It was noted that human activities outside the park include agriculture. The study revealed that invertebrate richness is higher at forest sites compared to sites outside the forest.

 

Dr. Hellen Ipara of Moi University discussed the implications for research and management of the indigenous ecological knowledge of human -elephant interactions in Trans- Mara Kenya. She started by noting that the elephant is classified as threatened by the IUCN Red List. They face three major threats: Poaching, habitat loss and human- elephant conflict which threatens elephant conservation and people’s livelihood. The study results indicated that there is preference for mature, dry maize. Majority of the people killed or injured were those that stay out late majority of whom are men. The seasonal wildebeest migration drives elephants out of the Mara reserve into the adjacent community land. School children are affected by the presence of elephants and thus report to school late or have to leave early to avoid elephants on the way therefore affecting students’ performance in national examinations. The study demonstrated that the Maasai community has detailed knowledge of elephants and their ecology, management and interaction with people. In his conclusion he highlighted: The congruence between Maasai and scientific knowledge of elephants suggests that local experts may be consulted for rapid & reliable human elephant conflict assessments. Indeed, these experts often recognize unique elephant characters better than external scientists. The understanding of the cause of human elephant conflict shows that there is great potential for combining elephant conservation & mitigating of conflict & improving local livelihoods. Local concepts and understanding of ecological processes may provide valuable inputs to ecological research. Locally-rooted knowledge based on long-time observations may be crucial, especially in the absence of a scientific base. The Maasai elephant related taboos, beliefs and benefits provide a sound institutional basis for sustainable elephant conservation. There is need for a critical re-examination of the experience and knowledge of local people with elephants for policy and planning. 

 

The last session was chaired by Dr. Aventino Kasangaki. 

 

Mr. Nickson E. Otieno of the National Museums of Kenya discussed variation in bird density with tree density available, hedge and forest proximity. The study area was undertaken in Kakamega forest. Founded on the eco-agriculture concept, the study focused on the question, “Can farmland surrounding disturbed forests provide significant habitat for affected forest birds?”  The results indicated that a majority of the birds were insectivores, followed by granivores. High bird density corresponded with tall indigenous trees and close proximity to the forest. Farmland offered limited alternative opportunities for forest birds affected by disturbance.

 

Mr. Ambrose Oroda of the Earthwatch institute, Samburu reviewed remote sensing as a component of an integrated approach the case study being the Lake Victoria basin. The availability of accurate information is vital for the development of sound policies said Oroda. Periodic spatial land cover and land use assessments are important for assessment of the conditions. Three study areas that were targeted are; Lake Basin, Mwingi and the Coastal areas of Kwale and Kilifi. The lake basin is one of the most densely populated areas of the world with about 300 people per square kilometer. It also has one of the poorest rural populations. The study results indicated a decrease in woody vegetation and wetlands. Remote Sensing technique and methodology and the subsequent integration of the resultant databases into a GIS are very important in rapid assessment, monitoring and mapping of natural resources through land cover and land use assessments. He concluded be saying, there is need for greater integration of remote sensing information with field data in order to produce more precise thematic maps necessary for decision making and long term planning. 

 

Mr. Robert Bitariho of the Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation (ITFC) discussed the rapid assessment of plant resources for local community use in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Bwindi is home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Forest fires were common between 1991 and 1992. In 1994, Bwindi was designated as a world heritage site. The key results indicated that the local communities had requested 37 plants for harvesting.

Dr. Thadeo Tarimo discussed the effects of edge effect distance to forest plants composition abundance and diversity in Mount Meru Game Reserve, Tanzania. Mount Meru is about 25 km from Mt. Kilimanjaro. The plant species composition differed significantly in the glades. He noted that the changes in plant composition and structure at edges will thus influence plant and animal distributions, and density because these parameters integrate microhabitat diversity. He concluded by saying the use of environmental indicator species is the solution for management as it can detect possible occurrence of problems and hence rectify it before it is too late. 

 

The final presentation was delivered by miss. Marieke Sassen of Wageningen University/ ICRAF discussed forest cover change in Mount Elgon between the period of 1973 and 2009. This was part of her PHD study on forest cover change, institutions and land use. She noted that there are high population densities on the forest edge and numerous demarcation exercises. Mount Elgon is the fourth highest mountain in Africa, reaching high altitude levels of 4321 meters above sea level. Most of the unprotected area or land is under small scale farming. More than 25% of forest cover loss happened between 1973 and 2009. The reasons for forest cover change include bad management of the area cleared for plantations which never occurred, land reforms in Kenya which led to resettlement, corruption, non residential cultivation, and the change in management regime in the Ugandan side from forest reserve to national park in 1993. 

 

STUDENT PRESENTATIONS

 

The session was chaired by Mrs. Rebecca Karanja and Hilary Bakamwesiga and assessed by Dr. Van Heist Miriam, Dr. Douglas Sheil, mr. Moges Worku and Mr. Wondemagegne Daniel

 

The student’s presentation was held concurrent with the general presentation. Students from different levels that is undergraduate, masters and PhD students presented their research findings. They were assessed on key factors such as methodology used, mode of presentation, and relativity of research objectives among others.

 

The following are the presentations that were made: -

Vanessa Ndoo: Supporting livelihoods, enhancing nature conservation: A case study of Lake Olobosat

 

Scola Ndegwa: The impacts of tourism activities on the environment of Samburu National Reserve.

 

Ananstancia Mwaura: Local knowledge on birds and their habitats: a study in Ruvu North forest Reserve, Bagamoyo, Tanzania.

 

Margaret Nduku Kyalo: Debunking the myth; alternative food resources for the lesser flamingoes.

 

Mwaura Ann: Some environmental factors influencing distribution of the endangered and endemic Guilella taitansis in Taita Hills, Kenya.

 

John Wambura: Statuses of the mammals of the Arusha National park, North Eastern Tanzania.

 

Omonge Paul: The effects of increased human activities on the abundance and distribution of Papyrus yellow Warbler in Dunga wetland, Kisumu.

 

Fely Tusiime Mugizi: Heavy metal uptake by animals grazing in the pyrite trail of Queen Elizabeth National park – 

 

Sowedi Masaba: Economic implications of wetlands loss in Uganda

 

Julius B. Lejju: Vegetation dynamics in western Uganda during the last 1000 years: climate change or human induced environmental degradation.

 

Moreen Uwembabazi: Avian frugivore assemblages on Celtis gomphophylla Baker in Budongo forest reserve, Uganda. The effects of time since logging

 

Kyalibona Andrew: Information dissemination and long term monitoring as tools to the sustainable utilization of Kiko wetland fishery. - 

 

Mercy Odhiambo: Challenges in Sustainable use of Natural resources in Eastern Africa: Climate change and its impact on biological resources and humans 

Thirteen participants took part in the student presentation/ competition. The three best students in this category were:-

1st place: Ms. Anne Mwaura from Kenya

2nd place: Ms. Margaret Nduku Kyalo from Kenya

3rd place: Ms. Felly Mugizi from Uganda

 

The prizes awarded at the ceremony were courtesy of the Department of Geography, University of Florida.

 

This ended the presentation session. It was followed by the Annual General Meeting of the Society. This session was conducted by Mr. David Nangoma from Malawi. Members elected new officials.

 

The following members were elected to serve for the 2009/2010:

Dr. Nicholas Oguge – (EarthWatch Institute Kenya) – President

Mr. Moges Worku – (REO), US Embassy, Ethiopia) -Vice president

Mr. Hillary Bakamwesiga (Makerere University) – Secretary

Dr. Eunice Kairu (Kenyatta University) – Deputy Secretary

Prof. Pantaleo Munishi (Sokoine University of Agriculture) – Treasurer

Mr. Zalalem Abate (Wolaita Sodu University) - GC Member Ethiopia

Mr. Daniel Wondmagenge (Makelle University) – GC Member Ethiopia

Mrs. Rebecca Karanja (Jomo Kenyatta University) – GC Member Kenya

Mr. Bernard Agwanda (National Museums of Kenya) – GC Member Kenya

Mr. John Wambura (Sokoine University) – GC Member Tanzania

Dr. Thadeo Tarimo (Sokoine University) – GC Member Tanzania

Ms. Perpetra Akite (Makerere University) – GC Member Uganda

Prof. Jonathan Baranga (Mbarara University) – GC Member Uganda

 

OUTCOMES OF THE CONFERENCE / RECOMMENDATIONS

The following were the general outcomes of the conference: -

ESEA was able to effective organize the conference. However more representation from the eastern Africa region should be seen in the next conference.

There is a need to fund raise to enhance ESEA

There is urgent need to have all ESEA chapters registered by 2010.

The next conference will be held in Nairobi, Kenya.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

British Ecological Society for supporting the conference

National Forestry Authority –NFA for sponsoring production of the banners

Makerere University for hosting the conference

Members of the organizing committee for coordinating the conference

Governing council members for steering forth ESEA

Mrs. Rebecca Karanja, Caroline Njoki and Leah Gichohi for taking the minutes

ESEA Secretariat – Caroline Lumosi and Rhoda Mwihaki for developing conference materials, following up on the logistics and consolidating the conference report

APPENDIX A

Organizing committee

1. Mr. Hilary Bakamwesiga – Chair

2. Ms. Perpetra Akite – Secretary

3. Prof. Jonathan Baranga

4. Mr. Ramond Katebaka