Canada-South Africa trilateral Research Chair in climate change and human-wildlife interactions
Decreasing food availability for wildlife is likely to exacerbate the impacts of climate change on communities living near national parks. People living next to national parks and areas designed to protect biodiversity may argue that wild animals trespass on their lands, while conservation biologists stress that the ever-growing human population encroaches upon wild animal habitat, threatening their very existence and undermining the original purpose of the parks. Crop damage by park-protected animals is a significant risk for farms that are close to the parks. This conflict often leads to communities retaliating by killing animals or aiding poachers, which is a problem for at-risk and declining species such as elephants.
This project focuses on human-wildlife interactions, notably involving the rural poor of tropical countries, and how they will be affected by climate change. Using research based at Makerere University’s biological field station near Kibale National Park in Uganda, this project will aim to predict how climate change will exacerbate such conflicts, and design and test measures to mitigate climate change impacts on the rural poor and wildlife. The project involves a trilateral partnership between lead researchers at McGill University, the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, and Makerere University. The project will rely on existing collaborations and on both shared and complementary expertise of the three principal investigators across many areas such as ecology, conservation, and human-wildlife interaction.
This project is expected to strengthen the biological field station’s research capabilities, and to train graduate students from the three countries, who will benefit from mobility and exposure to a wide variety of ideas and perspectives. The genesis of the project is a collaborative effort to pilot a first set of trilateral partnerships between Canada, South Africa, and another country in sub-Saharan Africa, building on existing research chairs in Canada and South Africa, and supporting the role of South Africa to contribute to world-class research on the continent. The modalities were co-developed by IDRC and the National Research Foundation of South Africa.
Project ID
108570
Project Status
Completed
End Date
Duration
60 months
IDRC Officer
Ann Weston
Total Funding
CA$ 748,936.00
Location
Uganda
Programs
Institution Country
Canada
Project Leader
Colin Chapman
Institution
The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/McGill University
Institution Website
Institution Country
Canada
Institution
The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/McGill University
Institution Website
Institution Country
Uganda
Project Leader
Patrick Omeja
Institution
Makerere University
Institution Website
Outputs
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A 40-year evaluation of drivers of African rainforest change Article
Background: Tropical forests are repositories of much of the world’s biodiversity and are critical for mitigation of climate change. Yet, the drivers of forest dynamics are poorly understood. This is in large part due to the lack of long-term data on forest change and changes in drivers. Methodology: We quantify changes in tree abundance, diversity, and stand structure along transects first enumerated in 1978 and resampled 2019 in Kibale National Park, Uganda. We tested five predictions. First, based on the purported role of seed dispersal and herbivory and our quantification of changes in the abundance of frugivores and herbivores, we tested two predictions of how faunal change could have influenced forest composition. Second, based on an evaluation of life history strategies, we tested two predictions concerning how the forest could have changed following disturbance that happened prior to written history. Finally, based on a 50-year climate record, we evaluate the possible influence of climate change on forest dynamics. Results: More trees were present on the assessed transects in 2019 (508) than in 1978 (436), species richness remained similar, but diversity declined as the number of dominant species increased. Rainfall increased by only 3 mm over the 50 years but this had not significant effect on forest changes measured here. Annual average monthly maximum temperature increased significantly by 1.05 °C over 50 years. The abundance of frugivorous and folivorous primates and elephants increased over the 50 years of monitoring. Neither the prediction that an increase in abundance of seed dispersing frugivores increases the abundance of their preferred fruiting tree species, nor that as an increase in folivore abundance causes a decline in their preferred species were supported. As predicted, light-demanding species decreased in abundance while shade-tolerant species increased as expected from Kibale being disturbed prior to historical records. Finally, while temperature increased over the 50 years, we found no means to predict a priori how individual species would respond. Conclusions: Our study revealed subtle changes in the tree community over 40 years, sizable increases in primate numbers, a substantial increase in the elephant population and an increase in local temperature. Yet, a clear picture of what set of interactions impact the change in the tree community remains elusive. Our data on tree life-history strategies and frugivore/herbivore foraging preferences suggest that trees species are under opposing pressures. Author(s): Chapman, Colin A., Galán-Acedo, Carmen, Gogarten, Jan F., Gogarten, Jan F., Hou, Rong, Lawes, Michael J. Language: English |
Can I afford to publish? : a dilemma for African scholars Article
With open-access publishing authors often pay an article processing charge and subsequently their article is freely available online. These charges are beyond the reach of most African academics. Thus, the trend towards open-access publishing will shift the business model from a pay-wall model, where access to literature is limited, to a pay-to-publish one, where African scholars cannot afford to publish. We explore the costs of publishing and the ability of African scholars to afford to publish via open access in top journals. Three-quarters of the 40 top ecology journals required payment for open-access publishing (average cost $3150). Paying such fees is a hardship for African scholars as grant funding is not available and it is not feasible to pay the fees themselves as salaries are low. We encourage funders and publishers to facilitate an equitable publishing model that allows African scholars to make their research available through open-access publishing. Author(s): Mekonnen, Addisu, Downs, Colleen, Effiom, Edu O., Kibaja, Mohamed, Lawes, Michael J. Language: English |
Exploring multiple dimensions of conservation success : long-term wildlife trends, anti-poaching efforts and revenue sharing in Kibale National Park, Uganda Article
Parks are essential for protecting biodiversity and finding ways to improve park effectiveness is an important topic. We contributed to this debate by examining spatial and temporal changes in illegal activities in Kibale National Park, Uganda between 2006 and 2016 and used existing data to evaluate how the changes were correlated with the living conditions of people in neighboring communities, as well as patrolling effort. We explore the effectiveness of conservation strategies implemented in Kibale, by quantifying changes in the abundance of nine animal species over two to five decades. While uncertainty in such animal survey data are inherently large and it is hard to generalize across a 795-km2 area that encompasses diverse habitat types, data suggest an increase in animal abundance in the National Park. An increase in patrolling effort by park guards over the decade was correlated with a decline in the number of traps and snares found, which suggests patrolling helped limit resource extraction from the park. The park’s edge was extensively used for illegal forest product extraction, while the setting of snares occurred more often deeper in the forest. Perhaps counter-intuitively, increased community wealth or park-related employment in a village next to the park were positively correlated with increased illegal forest product extraction. Overall, our results suggest that the portfolio of conservation strategies used over the last two to five decades were effective for protecting the park and its animals, although understanding the impact of these efforts on local human populations and how to mitigate any losses and suffering they sustain remains an important area of research and action. It is evident that complex social, political and economic drivers impact conservation success and more interdisciplinary studies are required to quantify and qualify these dimensions. Author(s): Sarkar, Dipto, Gogarten, Jan Frederik, Sarah, Bortolamiol, Hartter, Joel Language: English |
The future of sub-Saharan Africa’s biodiversity in the face of climate and societal change Article
Many of the world’s most biodiverse regions are found in the poorest and second most populous continent of Africa; a continent facing exceptional challenges. Africa is projected to quadruple its population by 2100 and experience increasingly severe climate change and environmental conflict—all of which will ravage biodiversity. Here we assess conservation threats facing Africa and consider how these threats will be affected by human population growth, economic expansion, and climate change. We then evaluate the current capacity and infrastructure available to conserve the continent’s biodiversity. We consider four key questions essential for the future of African conservation: (1) how to build societal support for conservation efforts within Africa; (2) how to build Africa’s education, research, and management capacity; (3) how to finance conservation efforts; and (4) is conservation through development the appropriate approach for Africa? While the challenges are great, ways forward are clear, and we present ideas on how progress can be made. Given Africa’s current modest capacity to address its biodiversity crisis, additional international funding is required, but estimates of the cost of conserving Africa’s biodiversity are within reach. The will to act must build on the sympathy for conservation that is evident in Africa, but this will require building the education capacity within the continent. Considering Africa’s rapidly growing population and the associated huge economic needs, options other than conservation through development need to be more effectively explored. Despite the gravity of the situation, we believe that concerted effort in the coming decades can successfully curb the loss of biodiversity in Africa. Author(s): Chapman, Colin A., Abernathy, Katherine, Chapman, Lauren J., Downs, Colleen, Effiom, Edu O., Gogarten, Jan F. Language: English |
Final report for IDRC project number : 108570-001 trilateral research chairs initiative Report
The rural poor of tropical countries are being strongly impacted by climate change, as they live in direct contact with the land and depend on their immediate environment for food, water, medicines, and fuel. This close contact results in these communities being severely affected by wildlife that raid their crops, which often causes significant economic hardships. However, our research demonstrates that some wildlife also experience decreased food availability as a result of climate change. Thus, climate change may be increasing human-wildlife conflict. The objective of our project was to establish a team that could build a graduate research and training network between Uganda, Canada, and South Africa to address the critical issue of how climate change affects crop production and crop raiding by wildlife. Author(s): Omeja, Patrick, Chapman, Colin, Downs, Colleen, Chapman, Lauren Language: English |
Annual cycles dominate reproductive phenology of African tropical trees Article
Phenological complementarity between plants and animals is crucial for ecosystem organisation. The paper presents the first cross continental comparison of the flowering and fruiting phenology of tropical forests across Africa. The research validates the 12-months flowering and fruiting frequencies of Afro-tropical forests. It reveals Afro-tropical forest trees show annual cycles, found in both temperate and other tropical forests in Central and South America, as well as South East Asia. The timing of cyclical biological events (phenophases) such as leafing, flowering and fruiting, is essential for the reproductive efforts of plants, and equally important for animals that rely on plant resources to survive and reproduce. Author(s): Adamescu, Gabriela S., Plumptre, Andrew J., Abernethy, Katharine A., Polansky, Leo, Bush, Emma R., Chapman. Colin A., Shoo, Luke P., Fayolle, Adeline, Janmaat, Karline R. L., Robbins, Martha M., Ndangalasi, Henry J., Cordeiro, Norbert J., Gilby, Ian C., Wittig, Roman M., Breuer, Thomas, Breuer-Ndoundou Hockemba, Mireille, Sanz, Crickette M., Morgan, David B., Pusey, Anne E., Mugerwa, Badru, Gilagiza, Baraka, Tutin, Caroline, Ewango, Corneille E.N., Sheil, Douglas, Dimoto, Edmond, Bujo, Flortl, Ssali, Fredrick, Dikangadissi, Jean-Thoussaint, Jeffery, Kathryn, Valenta, Kim, White, Lee, Masozera, Michel, Wilson, Michael L., Bitariho, Robert, Ndolo Ebika, Sydney T., Gourlet-Fleury, Sylvie, Beale, Colin M. Language: English |
Research stations as conservation instruments provide long-term community benefits through social connections Article
The paper considers the benefits accruing from field research stations and how they might promote community-park relationships. In Kibale National Park (Uganda), study findings show that the presence of the research station provides long-term direct employment for 52 people, and indirect, cascading benefits for up to 720 people several kilometers away. While benefits of the research station do not eliminate community-park conflict, the long-term presence of researchers and the gains to local people associated with them is an underappreciated and important means for integrating the goals of biodiversity protection and local community investment. Benefits such as healthcare and education are also linked. Author(s): Sarkar, Dipto, Chapman, Colin A., Valenta, Kim, Angom, Scarlet C., Kagoro, Wilson, Sengupta, Raja Language: English |
Colobine forestomach anatomy and diet Article
The study supports the notion that a large gut capacity is an important characteristic by which herbivores survive on a high fibre diet, and that this large gut capacity may not be necessary for some species if there are seasonal peaks in fruit availability. The research collates literature on diet and compares tripartite and quadripartite species, focusing on Colobine monkeys and the praesaccus chamber where a commensal microbiome digests plant cell walls and possibly detoxifies defensive plant chemicals. Colobine monkeys are known for the anatomical complexity of their stomachs, making them distinct within the primate order. Author(s): Matsuda, Ikki, Chapman, Colin A., Clauss, Marcus Language: English |
Primates create seedling growth hotspots through pattern of dung deposition Article
Primates may play important roles in accelerating ecosystem nutrient cycling, seed dispersal and herbivory. They comprise a large part of the biomass of forest communities and tend to have clumped patterns of defecations at favored food trees or sleeping sites. The paper reports on a controlled growth experiment to quantify the effect of primate dung on the growth of both light-demanding and shade tolerant seedlings in Kibale National Park (Uganda). Analysis reveals that light-demanding species were affected by the natural dung treatment and plants with small initial size had accelerated growth. There was no effect on (the often slower) plant growth for shade tolerant plants over the year long study. Author(s): Kalbitzer, Urs, McInnis, Victoria, Chapman, Colin A. Language: English |
Does the presence of elephant dung create hotspots of growth for existing seedlings? Article
In general, the addition of elephant dung did not increase seedling growth, and only increased the number of leaves in shade-tolerant plants with a large initial number of leaves. Researchers have speculated that the loss of elephants would shift the composition of African forests to slow-growing tree species. However, findings in this study show some slow-growing shade-tolerant plants grew more new leaves with additional nutrient input from elephant dung, a condition that would occur if elephant numbers increase. Forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) populations declined by 62% between 2002 and 2011. The population is now only 10% of what it was historically, and occupies less than 25% of its original range. Author(s): Kalbitzer, Urs, McInnis, Victoria, Omeja, Patrick A., Bortolamiol, Sarah, Chapman, Colin A. Language: English |
Solar radiation and ENSO predict fruiting phenology patterns in a 15-year record from Kibale National Park, Uganda Article
The paper evaluates a 16-year dataset of tree phenology in Kibale National Park (Uganda) to identify abiotic predictors of fruit phenological patterns, including climate change. Solar radiance over a two-year period was the strongest predictor of fruiting. The projected increase in rainfall associated with climate change, and coincident increase in cloud cover suggest that climate change will lead to a decrease in fruiting. El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the prior 24-month period was also significantly associated with annual ripe fruit production. Phenology examines changes in the timing of seasonal events such as budburst, flowering, dormancy, migration and hibernation. Author(s): Chapman, Colin A., Valenta, Kim, Bonnell, Tyler R., Brown, Kevin A., Chapman, Lauren J. Language: English |
Primate population dynamics : variation in abundance over space and time Article
The paper presents longitudinal data documenting changes in primate abundance over 45 years at eight sites in Kibale National Park, Uganda. Findings present a positive conservation message and indicate that the Uganda Wildlife Authority is being effective in managing its biodiversity. However, monitoring of deforestation and continued monitoring and modification of conservation plans are essential. The rapid disappearance of tropical forests, potential impacts of climate change, and increasing threats to wildlife such as bushmeat hunting, make it imperative to understand wildlife population dynamics. With long-lived animals this requires extensive, long-term data, but such data is often lacking. Author(s): Chapman, Colin A., Bortolamiol, Sarah, Matsuda, Ikki, Omeja, Patrick A., Paim, Fernanda R. Language: English |
Signal and reward in wild fleshy fruits : does fruit scent predict nutrient content? Article
The study examines the relationship between olfactory signals and nutrient rewards in 28 fruiting plant species in Madagascar. Previous work has shown that lemurs are the main seed dispersers in the ecosystem, relying on fruit scent to identify ripe fruits. The relative amounts of four chemical classes in fruit scent are measured using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, as well as the relative amounts of sugar and protein in fruit pulp. The project tests the phylogenetic signal to examine whether closely related taxa tend to be similar, and compares the nutritional content of lemur‐ and bird‐dispersed fruits. The relationships reported here are across species, not within them. Author(s): Nevo, Omer, Razafimandimby, Diary, Valenta, Kim, Antonio, Juan, Jeffrey, James, Reissdorf, Christoph, Chapman, Colin A., Ganzhorn, Jörg U, Ayasse, Manfred Language: English |
Restoration provides hope for faunal recovery : changes in primate abundance over 45 years in Kibale national park, Uganda Article
This research demonstrates the potential for the management of regenerating forests as an effective conservation tool, and illustrates the importance of conducting and funding long-term monitoring. It is estimated that secondary forests now represent 35% of all remaining tropical forests and the only viable populations of some species are found in degraded forest areas. The Chapman et al. studies (2000; 2010; 2013; 2018) have documented primate population dynamics in old-growth forest, lightly and heavily logged forests, regenerating forests in former pine plantations, and forests planted on abandoned agricultural land. The current study analyzes findings from over 20 years of observations. Author(s): Chapman, Colin A., Omeja, Patrick A., Kalbitzer, Urs, Fan, Penglai, Lawes, Michael J. Language: English |
Frugivores and the evolution of fruit colour Article
The study used a comparative community approach, and tested whether distributions of fruit colours are consistent with the hypothesis that colour is an evolved signal to seed dispersers. The contrast between ripe fruits and leaf backgrounds are compared at two sites, one in Madagascar where seed dispersers are primarily night-active (red–green colour-blind lemurs), and the other in Uganda, where most vertebrate seed dispersers are day-active primates and birds with greater capacity for colour vision. Results indicate that fruit colour has evolved to contrast against background leaves in response to the visual capabilities of local seed disperser communities. Author(s): Nevo, Omer, Valenta, Kim, Razafimandimby, Diary, Melin, Amanda D., Ayasse, Manfred, Chapman, Colin A. Language: English |
Risk factors for respiratory illness in a community of wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) Article
The paper reports mortality from respiratory illness over 31 years in the Kanyawara community of wild East African chimpanzees living in the Kibale National Park, Uganda. Although the aetiologies of these outbreaks of respiratory illness often remain unknown, metapneumovirus (MPV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and rhinovirus-C (RV-C) have been detected in affected individuals. Molecular analyses indicate that these are reverse zoonoses (“anthroponoses” originating from humans), although it is unclear whether successive outbreaks arise from re-infections by local human populations or single introduction events followed by chimpanzee-to-chimpanzee transmission. While much effort has been given to identifying the responsible pathogens, little is known about disease transmission or individual susceptibility. Author(s): Emery Thompson, Melissa, Machanda, Zatin P., Scully, Erik J., Enigk, Drew K., Otali, Emily, Muller, Martin N., Goldberg, Tony L., Chapman, Colin A., Wrangham, Richard W. Language: English |
The evolution of fruit colour : phylogeny, abiotic factors and the role of mutualists Article
The study employs an integrative multivariate approach which successfully examines what drives variation in fruit colour. It used phylogenetically controlled models to estimate the roles of phylogeny, abiotic factors, and dispersal mode on fruit colour variation. The effects of animal selection on fruit colour are often difficult to identify. However, the study findings demonstrate that fruit colour is affected by both animal sensory ecology and abiotic factors. Fruit reflection in the ultraviolet area of the spectrum is strongly correlated with leaf reflectance, but it does not correlate with leaf colour in the visible spectrum, thus emphasizing the role of abiotic factors in determining fruit colour. Author(s): Valenta, Kim, Kalbitzer, Urs, Razafimandimby, Diary, Omeja, Patrick, Ayasse, Manfred, Chapman, Colin A., Nevo, Omer Language: English |
Build science in Africa Article
Drawing on their experiences as young African researchers, the authors describe the challenges of obtaining training in the biological and environmental sciences at home and abroad. Many African universities lack well equipped laboratories, libraries and other basic infrastructure, such as reliable electricity or Internet connection. Three steps to changing this environment are proposed: 1) incentivize faculty members in higher income countries to provide mentorship; 2) support MSc and PhD students; 3) support scientists in Africa. Funding schemes to support African students trained overseas should be developed so they can contribute to scientific development in their country of origin. Author(s): Soteras, Eduardo Language: English |
Games academics play and their consequences: how authorship, h-index and journal impact factors are shaping the future of academia Article
Being a researcher is a highly competitive profession. The paper examines how authorship, h-index of individuals and journal impact factors are being used and abused, speculating on the consequences of the continued use of these metrics. Even though an extensive body of literature criticizes their use, the indices are widely used in important and career-determining ways. A recent analysis suggests that post-publication peer review is prone to error, biased by the reviewer’s perception of journal impact factor. The h-index is defined as the maximum value of h such that the given author/journal has published ‘h’ papers that have each been cited at least h times. Author(s): Chapman, Colin A., Bicca-Marques, Julio Cesar, Calvignac-Spencer, Sebastien, Fan, Pengfei, Fashing, Peter J., Gogarten, Jan, Guo, Songtao, Hemingway, Claire A., Leendertz, Fabian, Li, Baoguo, Matsuda, Ikki, Hou, Rong, Serio-Silva, Juan Carlos, Stenseth, Nils Chr. Language: English |
Wildlife and spiritual knowledge at the edge of protected areas : raising another voice in conservation Article
A better integration of local wildlife-friendly knowledge into management plans may revive communities’ connectedness to nature, motivate conservation behaviors, and promote biodiversity conservation. The paper focuses on Kibale National Park, Uganda where local communities’ perception of the park became negative. Study respondents are clan members. Each clan has a totem, with a duty to protect its totem; eight out of 13 totems are wild animals. Although local populations were largely excluded from biodiversity management around Kibale, wildlife related knowledge remains in the Sebitoli area through animal and plant knowledge, culture, and spiritual beliefs. Traditional societies often have extensive biodiversity and ecological knowledge. Author(s): Bortolamiol, Sarah, Krief, Sabrina, Chapman, Colin A., Kagoro, Wilson, Seguya, Andres, Cohen, Marianne Language: English |