Mawi, Frank Alexander (2006) The Response of Raptors to Land use Changes in Kwakuchinja Wildlife Corridor, Northern Tanzania. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.
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PDF (The Response of Raptors to Land use Changes in Kwakuchinja Wildlife Corridor, Northern Tanzania)
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Abstract
The focus of this study was population status and diversity of raptors and linking the two with land use changes in Kwakuchinja wildlife corridor. This corridor connects Manyara and Tarangire National Parks in Northern Tanzania. The vegetation consisted of mainly short grassland, wooded grassland and riverine woodland but highly altered by human activities. Raptors are good indicators of the change of an ecosystem as their population and diversity are expected to vary with the type of land-use. Road count technique was used to obtain data on diversity and abundance of raptors. Tree density and ground cover in the area were obtained from random spaced quadrats. Seventeen species of raptors were observed in Kwakuchinja wildlife corridor. No difference was found in the abundance of raptors in VNRMAs during the dry (p=0.9649) and wet (p=0.9175) seasons. There was also no difference in the abundance of raptors in Manyara Ranch during the dry (p=0.8237) and wet (p=0.7683) seasons. No difference was found in the abundance of raptors between VNRMAs and Manyara Ranch during the dry season (p=0.4778) and wet season (p=0.5872). There was no significant increase in the abundance of raptors with increase in tree density in VNRMAs (p=0.291) and in Manyara Ranch (p=0.171). The abundance of raptors increased insignificantly with ground cover in VNRMAs (p=0.6615) while there was insignificant decrease in Manyara Ranch (p=0.416). No difference was found in the diversity of raptors between the two sites (p= 0.2207). There was also insignificant difference in the diversity of raptors between dry and wet seasons in VNRMAs (p= 0.8819) as well as in Manyara Ranch (p= 0.6492). The Raptors utilized wooded grassland more than other habitats both in VNRMAs and Manyara Ranch with more utilization of this habitat during the dry season. Grasshopper Buzzard (Butastur rufipennis) was found only in VNRMAs while Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) was confined in Manyara Ranch. The findings imply the current difference in land uses between VNRMAs and Manyara Ranch has not strongly influenced the diversity and abundance in the area. The exclusion of fire in Manyara Ranch appears to influence raptors habitat utilization as evidenced by exclusion of Grasshopper Buzzard (Butastur rufipennis) and attraction of Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis). Long term studies and involvement of different stakeholder in the conservation of raptors in the area are recommended.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | Q Science > Q Science (General) Q Science > QE Geology Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Selom Ghislain |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Nov 2018 09:07 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Nov 2018 09:07 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/7236 |
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