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Budongo Forest Reserve
PORT EVERGLADES, FLORIDA (Mongabay.com) - Forest fragments along riversides in Uganda may make good habitats for chimpanzees but remain unprotected, according to a new study in mongabay.com's open access journal Tropical Conservation Society (TCS). Researchers surveyed a riverine forest known as Bulindi in Uganda, in-between Budongo and Bugoma Forest Reserves, to determine if it was suitable for the long-term survival of eastern chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) populations.
"A survey of tree composition was undertaken as part of an 18-month ecological study of chimpanzees inhabiting riverine fragments in Bulindi [...]. Though exact numbers are unknown, recent surveys revealed the widespread occurrence of chimpanzees in small forest patches throughout the human-dominated landscape separating Budongo and Bugoma, as well as forest raptors and medium-sized carnivores, confirming this region’s corridor potential," the researchers write.
In their survey they identified 98 species of trees in Bulindi, ten of which are considered important for chimpanzees. In addition, the density of fruit trees in the river forest was three times higher than the density found in Budongo Forest Reserve, even though overall the forest had less tree diversity.
"Our data indicate that the riverine forests offer a relatively food-dense habitat for frugivores [fruit-eating animals]," the authors write noting that this "may explain the unexpected widespread occurrence of chimpanzees in forest patches regionally."
While documenting tree species, the researchers also found ample evidence of unregulated commercial logging. Loggers targeted a number of trees that are considered important for chimpanzee survival. In addition, once a forest is logged, it is quickly converted into agriculture.
"Unless [conservation] projects are successful in reversing present trends most riverine fragments will be severely depleted if not cleared completely in the near-future, negating their value as corridors for endangered wildlife," the authors note. "Currently, the feasibility of using carbon funds, among other alternative income-generating projects, as incentive for private forest owners in the Budongo–Bugoma landscape to maintain forest on their land is being explored."
The eastern chimpanzee is listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List, and are imperiled by habitat loss, poaching for bushmeat, and disease. Five thousand chimpanzees are thought to inhabit Uganda.
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Updated 430 days ago Article ID# 1508571
Budongo Forest Reserve
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