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The Center for Tropical Conservation & Ecology

Influence of forest edges and human activities

• n the ranging patterns of chimpanzees in

Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda

By: Enathe Hasabwamariya Master of science, Conservation Biology Antioch University New England, USA

Nyungwe National Park

………………………….

Surface area: 1,015 sqkm

Rich Biodiversity

• 13 species of Primates
• 280 species of birds
• 100 species Reptile
• Small mammals
• Source of Nile River (70%of Rwanda’s water comes from Nyungwe)

Why Chimpanzees?

• Closest-relatives
• Endangered

species( IUCN)

• Economic

importance through ecotourism.

• Ecologic

importance through seed dispersal capacity and forest regeneration

The conservation challenge

Why forest edges?

Attractions: Diversity of food species, nutritious food, food from from agriculture (agroforestry, beekeeping, etc..). Threats: Disease transmission, illegal activities, human and wildlife conflicts.

Abiotic factors: Temperature, Wind penetration, soil moisture, fire frequency and intensity. Biotic factors: species composition, invasive species, etc..

Edge effect?

Changes or disturbances at the boundary between two habitats.

Type of edges around Nyungwe 1.Soft edges

Eucalyptus Plantations Pine Plantations

• 2. Hard edges

Tea Plantation

Previous Research: Mapping edge effect around Nyungwe

Research Objectives

• Assess chimpanzee use of forest edges.
• Document ecological factors influencing

chimpanzee ranging patterns.

• Document the influence of human activities on

the ranging patterns of chimpanzees.

Study site

Map by JGI

Methods – Inside the forest Edge to Interior

Systematically walked 5 1-km transects perpendicular to the forest edge (edge to interior) for 3 consecutive months. Signs of chimpanzee recorded and located with GPS along transects 0-1km (i.e. observations of

chimpanzee, chimpanzee vocalizations, feeding signs, feces, nests).

Methods – Outside of the forest along human activities

Systematically walked 5-1 km transects parallel to the forest edge for 3 consecutive months. Recorded all signs of chimpanzees and type of matrix and human activity.

0 m 1000m 50 m 950m

circular sample plots

30 m

Vegetation Sampling

• Edges were defined at 0-50 meters inside the

forest just along the edge.

• Ten circular plots of 5meters radius were

randomly located at forest edges and interior between 0-50 m, where I recorded tree species, diameter at breast height (DBH) and basal area at forest edges in the plots to compare vegetation.

Results

Chimpanzee distribution in relation to distance from edge

50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 Edge Interior

Frequency of Distribution

Location Distance (m) Frequency Mean Distance Edge 0-500 371 199.03 Interior 500-1000 59 692.8

(binom. test (100, 0.6, p=0.01))

Beehives destroyed by chimpanzees

Conclusion

• Chimpanzees were mostly found using forest edges compared to

forest interior

• I found a significant positive relationship between fruits

availability and chimpanzee's distribution at the forest edges

• Beekeeping was the main attraction of chimpanzees outside the

park

More research are needed to better understand the socio-ecological behaviors of chimpanzees and their interactions with humans. Collaboration between researchers, local communities, and policy makers is needed to reduce human- chimpanzee conflicts. Modern beekeeping practices are needed to support communities in Gisovu and reduce human-chimpanzee conflicts

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THANK YOU!!