Browsing by Author "Modest, R. B."

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

Composition and Functional Diversity in Bird Communities in a Protected Humid Coastal Savanna
(Hindawi Publishing Corperation, 2015-04) Rija, A. A.; Mgelwa, A. S.; Modest, R. B.; Shombe, H. N.
Our current understanding of the vertebrate communities of a newly gazetted Tanzanian coastal national park is limited and strongly taxonomically biased towards large mammals. We conducted bird assessments in three sites in Saadani National Park using species lists to analyze some parameters to inform biodiversity conservation in the area. We recorded 3112 individuals in 268 species falling in 66 families, including 2 endangered, 2 vulnerable, and 6 near threatened species. Both species richness and species diversity varied between sites. Species relative abundances were not different between the sites although some functional groups, especially granivores, were more abundant than others. Bird assemblages included 21 forest specialists (FF-species), 35 forest generalists (F-species), and 68 forest visitors (f-species) overlapping among bushland, wooded grassland, grassland, and thickets suggesting presence of important microhabitats for the forest-associated species in this ecosystem. Bird species richness in a feeding guild also showed marked overlap between habitats suggesting availability of rich food resources for the birds. This paper highlights the importance of maintaining a structurally heterogeneous landscape to sustain diverse bird communities in the area.
Population status and genetic characteristics of forest specialist and generalist birds in the Saadani-Pangani ecosystem, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2016) Modest, R. B.
The Saadani-Pangani ecosystem form part of the east Africa coastal forests ― and these forests, sitting along the coast of eastern Africa appears as small dotted patches but their biodiversity value is remarkably high. For example, they host about 4,050 species of vascular plants with 43% of them being endemic. The forests are either protected in forest reserves, or occurs in lands under private ownership. However, these forests have traditionally been impaired by suppression from human deleterious effects including forest clearing for subsistence agriculture and extensive livestock grazing. These disturbances cause habitat fragmentation which influence birds, including restricting dispersal of forest specialist species, for example. Therefore, this research was designed to assess the population status and genetic characteristics of forest dependant birds within fragmented forests in the Saadani-Pangani ecosystem, Tanzania. Two species, a forest specialist and a forest generalist were used as models. Specifically the research intended to: establish occurrence and population density; determine habitat preference; examine gene flow; and determine the effects of forest patch size and isolation on occurrence and abundance of the study species. Various techniques were used to collect data for achieving the objectives including line transects survey, mist netting, and laboratory analysis of molecular data to determine genetic makeup of individuals. Moreover, a number of methodologies were opted to analyse the data, including habitat modelling in Presence Program, density estimation using Distance Program, and forest patch size analysis using Quantum GIS software. Results showed that, the occurrence expressed as occupancy probability, and population density of the forest specialist species were higher in undisturbed habitat. On the other hand, the trend in occupancy probability, population density, and habitat preference of the forest generalist species opposed that of the forest specialist one. However, the genetic characteristics and gene flow of the forest specialist species did not differ among forest fragments. The findings under this research has provided useful information on statutes of forest specialist and generalist birds demonstrating their chance of persistence within fragmented habitat in the study system.
Wildlife-based domestic tourism in Tanzania: experiences from Northern Tourist Circuit
(Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management, 2011-12) Mariki, S. B.; Hassan, S. N.; Maganga, S. L. S.; Modest, R. B.; Salehe, F. S.
It is believed that for tourism industry to become successful, domestic, and international tourism should complement each other. But domestic tourism in many developing countries is nearly non-existent, with local residents mainly visiting friends and relatives. The study to examine characteristics and factors affecting domestic tourism was carried out in northern Tanzania tourist circuit. Specifically the study sought to determine the characteristics of Tanzanians who mostly visit the protected areas; to identify and assess factors affecting domestic tourism; and different factors that hinder growth of domestic tourism. A sample of 322 respondents was interviewed. Primary data was collected through questionnaires, focus group discussions, informal discussion; and secondary data was obtained from tourists visiting reports, and statistics. Data was analysed for descriptive statistics. The results obtained revealed that: More men visited wildlife protected areas than women. The age group of 26 – 37 was the most active group in visiting protected areas. Low financial income was indicated as the main constraint (77.0%) affecting the growth of domestic tourism, followed by means of communication and inadequate information (71.8%). It is recommended that, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism need more plans, efforts, and combination of approaches in promoting and marketing domestic tourism.