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Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper is based on an on-going 3-year study in the wetland communities of Kampala. The study uses participatory methods and aims to contribute to (i) the development of low-income wetland communities, (ii) to prepare these communities to become less dependent on wetlands without receding into poverty, and (iii) the better management of the wetlands. The communities in direct dependence and intimate interaction with Nakivubo wetlands are mainly poor, live and work under hazardous conditions, and their activities pose a threat to the ecological function of the wetlands. Yet these wetlands are important for filtering the city’s waste and storm water before it flows into Lake Victoria’s Murchison Bay, which is Kampala’s source of piped water. Government approaches to the problem of wetland encroachment have largely failed because they are confrontational, and are not consistent or participatory. The study has in the first year conducted a series of activities including stakeholder analysis, resource analysis, livelihood analysis, a questionnaire survey and action planning. Preliminary data show that wetland dependency is very high among the poor nearby communities. They practice cultivation, brick-making and harvesting of wetland vegetation. However, these activities are under threat because wetland resources are dwindling due to increasing population and over-use. Livelihoods are threatened not only by the decreasing productivity of the wetland, but also by the ever-present government threat to evict wetland encroachers to restore its ecology. The study therefore works with communities to prepare for less dependence on wetlands so that they do not suddenly recede into worse poverty if they are evicted. They formulate strategies to enhance alternative livelihood, and for management of the wetland. Action plans have been formulated to address the situation through a newly created association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article presents a study on the use of history, particularly the early travel descriptions, in determining the ecological processes in Africa. It mentions three travel descriptions that helped in understanding the environment which include the dama gazelle in Niger and Chad, the elephants in Cameroon, and the liana in Rwanda. Furthermore, it notes that careful interpretation of travel documents should be done and should be used with other travel descriptions and information sources.

Presents an index of the authors of papers published in Volume 40 of the 'African Journal of Ecology.'

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article focuses the roundtable discussion related to ecology in Africa. During the discussion, attendees suggested that the term "Capacity Building" for biodiversity conservation be rephrased as "Capacity Enhancement" because there is knowledge already vested in people. The event also presented ecology research, including topics on the importance of monitoring mammals and birds in Eastern Africa and the significance of scientific and reference collections of animals and plants for biodiversity identification and research.

The Madagascar spider tortoise Pyxis arachnoides is facing pressure from habitat destruction, hunting for food and collection for the exotic pet-trade. Very little is known of the biology and ecology of P. arachnoides. This study centres on a subspecies population of P. arachnoides arachnoides, within the southern dry forests of the Anakao region of southwest Madagascar . Surveys were carried out across 83, one hectare, quadrants over 12 months, during both the wet and dry seasons, with respective seasonal mean population densities recorded at 4.63 and 2.08 individuals per ha. This significant variation was accompanied by a variation in micro habitat preference between the seasons, with P. a. arachnoides moving to areas of greater vegetation cover during the warmer wet season. P. a. arachnoides was only recorded as feeding during the wet months, a period of increased activity. The subspecies became less active during the dry season, with some individuals entering a dormant phase. There was generally a greater abundance of females encountered throughout the year, usually weighing less than males. Juvenile abundance peaked during February and March. Six-year-old specimens were the most regularly encountered individuals and a mean age throughout the survey was recorded at 11.25 years. Résumé La Pyxide arachnoïde de Madagascar, Pyxis arachnoides, subit des pressions comprenant la destruction de son habitat, la chasse alimentaire et le prélèvement destiné au commerce d’animaux exotiques. On connaît très peu de la biologie et de l’écologie de P. arachnoides. Cette étude se focalise sur une population de la sous-espèce P. arachnoides arachnoides vivant dans la forêt sèche du sud, dans la région de l’Anakao au sud ouest de Madagascar. Des reconnaissances ont été menées dans 83 quadrats d’un hectare, durant 12 mois au cours des saisons sèche et humide, où l’on a relevé des densités moyennes saisonnières de respectivement 4,63 et 2,08 individus à l’hectare. Cette variation significative était assortie d’une variation dans la préférence de micro habitat entre les saisons, où P. a. arachnoides se déplace vers des zones à couvert végétal plus étendu durant la saison humide plus chaude. On n’a observé P. a. arachnoides s’alimenter que durant les mois humides durant laquelle son activité est plus importante. Cette sous-espèce devient moins active au cours de la saison sèche, où certains individus entrent en phase dormante. On a généralement constaté tout au long de l’année une plus grande abondance de femelles, qui pèsent habituellement moins que les mâles. L’abondance maximale de juvéniles se situe en février et mars. Les individus rencontrés le plus régulièrement étaient des spécimens âgés de six ans, et l’âge moyen enregistré tout au long de l’étude était de 11,25 ans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two woody Hypericum species ( H. roeparianum and H. revolutum) often coexist in forest edge and stream mantle communities in the Bamenda-Banoso Highlands, Cameroon. Morphologically nonspecialized flowers of both species are visited by specific eye-catching visitors. Nectarless flowers of H. roeparianum are visited by a large carpenter bee Xylocopa sp. ( Hymenoptera) and nectar-producing flowers of H. revolutum are the main source of nectar for sunbirds ( Cyanomitra oritis, Cinnyris reichenowi and C. bouvieri). Using a manipulative experiment, we showed that the carpenter bee plays an important role in the reproduction success of H. roeparianum, whereas sunbirds affect seed production of H. revolutum only little. We suggest that a clear differentiation of pollination niches enables the coexistence of both Hypericum species. The study showed that the pollination system of H. roeparianum with morphologically nonspecialized flowers can be ecologically specialized. Sunbirds are not decisive for the reproductive success of H. revolutum and thus have only little selection pressure on its floral traits. The results indicate the importance of reproduction success assessment in pollination studies. Résumé Deux espèces ligneuses d’ Hypericum (H. roeparianum et H. revolutum) coexistent souvent à la lisière des forêts et sont présentes dans les communautés qui recouvrent les Bamenda-Banoso Highlands, au Cameroun. Non spécialisées morphologiquement, les fleurs des deux espèces sont visitées par des hôtes spécifiques spectaculaires. Les fleurs sans nectar de H. roeparianum sont visitées par une grande abeille charpentière Xylocopa sp. (Hyménoptère), et les fleurs à nectar de H. revolutum sont la principale source de nectar pour les Souimangas ( Cyanomitra oritis, Cinniris reichenowi et C. bouvieri. Par une expérience de manipulation, nous avons montré que l'abeille charpentière joue un rôle important dans la réussite de la reproduction de H. roeparianum, alors que les Souimangas n'ont que peu d'effet sur la production de graines de H. revolutum. Nous suggérons qu'une nette différenciation des niches de pollinisation permet la coexistence des deux espèces d’ Hypericum. L’étude a montré que le système de pollinisation de H. roeparianum, qui a des fleurs qui ne sont pas morphologiquement spécialisées, peut être écologiquement spécialisé. Les Souimangas ne sont pas déterminants dans le succès de la reproduction de H. revolutum et n'exercent donc qu'une pression limitée sur la sélection de ses traits floraux. Les résultats indiquent l'importance de l’évaluation des succès de la reproduction dans les études de la pollinisation.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Provides a corrected reprint of an article that was previously published in the 'African Journal of Ecology.'

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article focuses on Kyoga lake ecosystem in Uganda. Macrophytes are aquatic vascular plants either entirely or partly depends on the presence of water for their life-span. Macrophytes are part and parcel of lakes and river ecosystems. They provide anchorage for microorganisms, both algae and animals, provide shelter for the breeding fish, and are hiding places for fishes, improve on oxygen conditions in waterand provide fodder for other aquatic life like Hippos and Sitatunga. Some macrophytes also provide industrial products and medicines and control flood and pollution.

This investigation records the folk conceptualization of the living world with special reference to classification of plants. Six life form categories are described along with characters of typical instances. Below the major folk taxonomic life forms, categories occur that in some cases correspond to botanical rank of genus. The meaning of 43 local names are given, of which the base meaning of 23 species is utility, 12 is morphology, seven is ecology and five is chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews the impact of invasive alien plants in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park in South Africa. Invasive alien species pose a real and significant threat to many of Africa's conservation areas. Trade and travel are well-recognized pathways for the accidental introduction of invasive alien plants and this article discusses the techniques for controlling them. The article concludes that early detection and monitoring coupled with regular surveys need to be conducted and emphasizes the importance of adopting biological control programs.

The article presents the possibility of using the marginal parenchyma bands to estimate the age of two South African acacia species. The process was calibrated using radiocarbon dating. The procedure adopted for determining the date is detailed. It was discovered that accurate age was difficult to determine by adopting a ring count since some years showed double bands. The article concludes that while this method may not be as accurate as radiocarbon dating, the information obtained through the analysis of growth rings has a great deal of ecological value.

The article offers information on indigenous knowledge (IK) with respect to the conservation of valuable resources like wild yams-Dioscorea species in Bwindi forest, south-western Uganda. It reports that these ecosystems need great attention to survive the natural and anthropogenic destructive agents. Their high biodiversity status can survive with better forest management strategy.

The article reports that the values which are placed on ecosystem goods and services in some form or another, are not represented in policy, resulting in degradation of natural systems. As reported, degradation of natural systems can be stopped or minimized by creating a market so that payments are made in proportion to the provision of goods and services. It also says that there is much discussion of markets and direct payments for conservation among policy makers and these approaches are now well embedded in the policy process.

A foreword to the "African Journal of Ecology," is presented.

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)