Pub Date : 2022-02-10DOI: 10.52589/ajensr-jpcc0gff
I. A., AbdulRahman A.A., K. S., Muhammad S.D.
This work was designed to assess the phytoremediation ability of Spinach (Amarantus spinosa) grown on two different soils (contaminated soil obtained from Chalawa Industrial Estate, Kano, and control soil obtained from Biological Garden of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina). Concentrations (mg/Kg) of Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Biological concentration factors (BCFs) and translocation factors (TFs) were calculated. The mean levels of metals obtained ranged widely from 0.23 mg/kg Ni to 1971.37 mg/kg Fe. Highest mean levels of Cr (97.74 mg/kg), Fe (1971.37 mg/kg), Mn (78.22 mg/kg), Zn (170.60 mg/kg) were contained in the leaf of the spinach samples, whereas Ni (1.98 mg/kg) and Pb (14.24 mg/kg) were contained in the root of the spinach samples. The results showed a significant level (p<0.05) of all the metals analysed in the spinach samples grown on the polluted soil compared with those grown on the control soils. Amongst the metals, Ni and Pb were found to have the lowest (0.50) and highest (7.57) BCF values respectively. The lowest and highest TF values were found to be on Cr (0.32) and Zn (1.17) respectively. Consequently, Higher BCF and TF values were found for Pb and Zn and this resulted in greater extraction ability of Pb and Zn. The spinach ability to extract Fe and Ni was found to be poor.
{"title":"Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals Using Spinach (Amarantus spinosa) Grown on Contaminated Soils","authors":"I. A., AbdulRahman A.A., K. S., Muhammad S.D.","doi":"10.52589/ajensr-jpcc0gff","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.52589/ajensr-jpcc0gff","url":null,"abstract":"This work was designed to assess the phytoremediation ability of Spinach (Amarantus spinosa) grown on two different soils (contaminated soil obtained from Chalawa Industrial Estate, Kano, and control soil obtained from Biological Garden of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina). Concentrations (mg/Kg) of Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Biological concentration factors (BCFs) and translocation factors (TFs) were calculated. The mean levels of metals obtained ranged widely from 0.23 mg/kg Ni to 1971.37 mg/kg Fe. Highest mean levels of Cr (97.74 mg/kg), Fe (1971.37 mg/kg), Mn (78.22 mg/kg), Zn (170.60 mg/kg) were contained in the leaf of the spinach samples, whereas Ni (1.98 mg/kg) and Pb (14.24 mg/kg) were contained in the root of the spinach samples. The results showed a significant level (p<0.05) of all the metals analysed in the spinach samples grown on the polluted soil compared with those grown on the control soils. Amongst the metals, Ni and Pb were found to have the lowest (0.50) and highest (7.57) BCF values respectively. The lowest and highest TF values were found to be on Cr (0.32) and Zn (1.17) respectively. Consequently, Higher BCF and TF values were found for Pb and Zn and this resulted in greater extraction ability of Pb and Zn. The spinach ability to extract Fe and Ni was found to be poor.","PeriodicalId":404388,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Environment and Natural Science Research","volume":"12 5 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134559189","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-04DOI: 10.52589/ajensr-jp7jscdn
Mahakata I., Bishi T.M.
Protected area (PA) downsizing has been documented worldwide, but associated challenges on biodiversity and large mammal conservation in Chirisa Safari Area (CSA) are poorly understood. This study assesses the challenges associated with CSA downsizing on large mammals and biodiversity conservation. Field observations and face-to-face interviews were done with park management of CSA and SWRI from the 28th May 2021 to 10th June 2021. Analysis of station records on illegal activities, human-wildlife conflict (HWC) reports and land cover changes from 2010 to 2020 was also done. Poaching, encroachment by local people and veld fires, habitat fragmentation and HWC were sighted as major threats to large mammal biodiversity conservation in CSA. Analysed land cover and land use changes show evidence of the expansion of cultivation land and human settlements into areas that previously served as wildlife habitats. These changes have implications on large mammal and biodiversity conservation in CSA related to species migration, population decline, habitat loss and conflicts. We recommend that further research be undertaken in other areas affected by downsizing in Zimbabwe to aid knowledge in explaining its effect on large mammals and biodiversity conservation in adjacent PAs.
{"title":"Protected Area Downsizing; Challenges and Ecological Implications on Large Mammal and Biodiversity Conservation in Chirisa Safari Area (CSA)","authors":"Mahakata I., Bishi T.M.","doi":"10.52589/ajensr-jp7jscdn","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.52589/ajensr-jp7jscdn","url":null,"abstract":"Protected area (PA) downsizing has been documented worldwide, but associated challenges on biodiversity and large mammal conservation in Chirisa Safari Area (CSA) are poorly understood. This study assesses the challenges associated with CSA downsizing on large mammals and biodiversity conservation. Field observations and face-to-face interviews were done with park management of CSA and SWRI from the 28th May 2021 to 10th June 2021. Analysis of station records on illegal activities, human-wildlife conflict (HWC) reports and land cover changes from 2010 to 2020 was also done. Poaching, encroachment by local people and veld fires, habitat fragmentation and HWC were sighted as major threats to large mammal biodiversity conservation in CSA. Analysed land cover and land use changes show evidence of the expansion of cultivation land and human settlements into areas that previously served as wildlife habitats. These changes have implications on large mammal and biodiversity conservation in CSA related to species migration, population decline, habitat loss and conflicts. We recommend that further research be undertaken in other areas affected by downsizing in Zimbabwe to aid knowledge in explaining its effect on large mammals and biodiversity conservation in adjacent PAs.","PeriodicalId":404388,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Environment and Natural Science Research","volume":"94 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122388035","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-11-27DOI: 10.52589/ajensr-i3y1brcv
Elebe M.A, Samir K., Chlaida M., E. E.
Morocco has been experiencing significant climatic disturbances in recent decades. The climate change issue arises mainly in terms of water deficits induced by the decrease in rainfall received and the increase in temperature. The objective of this study is to characterize the drought temporal and spatial distribution and severity within local agro-climatic zones of Settat Province. The study area extends over a distance of 85 km from North to South and concerns three agro-climatic zones. The Standardized Precipitation Index was used for drought analysis and characterization in the three zones for 107 years of rainfall data. Results show that numbers of normal average years are declining, dry years are increasing and humid years are declining in three zones. However, the SPI changes over time are not similar for the three zones, that is, the rainfall deficit is taking place more in the “Favorable Rain-fed” zone and to a low degree in the “Intermediate Rain-fed” but not in the ‘Less Favorable” zone.
{"title":"Characterization of Drought Evolution using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) in Three Agro-Climatic Zones of Settat Province, Morocco","authors":"Elebe M.A, Samir K., Chlaida M., E. E.","doi":"10.52589/ajensr-i3y1brcv","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.52589/ajensr-i3y1brcv","url":null,"abstract":"Morocco has been experiencing significant climatic disturbances in recent decades. The climate change issue arises mainly in terms of water deficits induced by the decrease in rainfall received and the increase in temperature. The objective of this study is to characterize the drought temporal and spatial distribution and severity within local agro-climatic zones of Settat Province. The study area extends over a distance of 85 km from North to South and concerns three agro-climatic zones. The Standardized Precipitation Index was used for drought analysis and characterization in the three zones for 107 years of rainfall data. Results show that numbers of normal average years are declining, dry years are increasing and humid years are declining in three zones. However, the SPI changes over time are not similar for the three zones, that is, the rainfall deficit is taking place more in the “Favorable Rain-fed” zone and to a low degree in the “Intermediate Rain-fed” but not in the ‘Less Favorable” zone.","PeriodicalId":404388,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Environment and Natural Science Research","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130527103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-11-27DOI: 10.52589/ajensr-abxte95x
Bosede A.A., O. O.
The microflora of smoked catfish (Clarias gariepinus) sold in some abattoirs in Bayelsa and Rivers States were investigated. Smoked catfish samples were purchased within abattoirs and aseptically transported in ice-packed coolers to the laboratory. The total heterotrophic bacteria, total coliform, total hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria, total fungi and hydrocarbon utilizing fungal counts and identification of isolates from samples were analyzed using standard microbiological methods. Mean values of counts obtained showed that total heterotrophic bacteria ranged from 5.4 × 106CFU/g to 4.0 × 105CFU/g, total hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria ranged from 1.5 × 104 to 1.0 × 103CFU/g, total coliform ranged from 1.7 × 106CFU/g to 0, total fungi ranged from 4.3 × 104 CFU/g to 1.2 × 104CFU/g and total hydrocarbon utilizing fungi ranged from 3.5 × 103CFU/g to 1.1 × 103CFU/g. Kruskal Walis H test showed no significant differences (P≤0.05) in the total heterotrophic bacterial load nor in the total fungal load in the locations. Bacteria identified are Bacillus sp, Enterobacter sp, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus sp, Pseudomonas sp, Salmonella sp., and Shigella species. Bacillus sp, Pseudomonas sp and Micrococcus sp., were isolated in all the samples. Salmonella sp and Shigella sp occurred in Igbogene and Swale samples. Bacillus sp recorded the highest occurrence (34%) while Enterobacter sp. and Micrococcus sp recorded the least (7%). Bacteria with hydrocarbon utilizing potentials with percentage occurrence were Bacillus sp (70%) and Pseudomonas sp (30%). Fungi isolated were Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium sp, Fusarium sp., and Rhizopus sp. Aspergillus species recorded the highest frequency (36.0%) while Rhizopus sp recorded the least (9.83%). Aspergillus niger, Fusarium sp and Penicillium sp were isolated from all the samples. Penicillium sp recorded hydrocarbon utilizing the potential and the highest percentage of occurrence (35.89%). The presence of a high microbial load of pathogenic bacteria and known mycotoxin producing fungi in the smoke-dried catfish are of great public health significance.
{"title":"Microbial Flora of Smoke-Dried Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus) Processed and Sold in Some Abattoirs in Bayelsa and Rivers States","authors":"Bosede A.A., O. O.","doi":"10.52589/ajensr-abxte95x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.52589/ajensr-abxte95x","url":null,"abstract":"The microflora of smoked catfish (Clarias gariepinus) sold in some abattoirs in Bayelsa and Rivers States were investigated. Smoked catfish samples were purchased within abattoirs and aseptically transported in ice-packed coolers to the laboratory. The total heterotrophic bacteria, total coliform, total hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria, total fungi and hydrocarbon utilizing fungal counts and identification of isolates from samples were analyzed using standard microbiological methods. Mean values of counts obtained showed that total heterotrophic bacteria ranged from 5.4 × 106CFU/g to 4.0 × 105CFU/g, total hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria ranged from 1.5 × 104 to 1.0 × 103CFU/g, total coliform ranged from 1.7 × 106CFU/g to 0, total fungi ranged from 4.3 × 104 CFU/g to 1.2 × 104CFU/g and total hydrocarbon utilizing fungi ranged from 3.5 × 103CFU/g to 1.1 × 103CFU/g. Kruskal Walis H test showed no significant differences (P≤0.05) in the total heterotrophic bacterial load nor in the total fungal load in the locations. Bacteria identified are Bacillus sp, Enterobacter sp, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus sp, Pseudomonas sp, Salmonella sp., and Shigella species. Bacillus sp, Pseudomonas sp and Micrococcus sp., were isolated in all the samples. Salmonella sp and Shigella sp occurred in Igbogene and Swale samples. Bacillus sp recorded the highest occurrence (34%) while Enterobacter sp. and Micrococcus sp recorded the least (7%). Bacteria with hydrocarbon utilizing potentials with percentage occurrence were Bacillus sp (70%) and Pseudomonas sp (30%). Fungi isolated were Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium sp, Fusarium sp., and Rhizopus sp. Aspergillus species recorded the highest frequency (36.0%) while Rhizopus sp recorded the least (9.83%). Aspergillus niger, Fusarium sp and Penicillium sp were isolated from all the samples. Penicillium sp recorded hydrocarbon utilizing the potential and the highest percentage of occurrence (35.89%). The presence of a high microbial load of pathogenic bacteria and known mycotoxin producing fungi in the smoke-dried catfish are of great public health significance.","PeriodicalId":404388,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Environment and Natural Science Research","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129602842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-28DOI: 10.52589/ajensr-mwguyd8q
Ngodhe S.O., Kerich E., K. K.
The general objective of this study was to assess the effects of parasitism on the production and productivity of caged Oreochromis niloticus in Winam Gulf of L. Victoria. With the need to increase food production through fish products amid overfishing and pollution stress in the lake, cage farming is seen to have the potential to bridge the fish supply and demand gap continues to widen. Cage culture is a new technology in the offing that needs to be explored to justify its potential. Fish parasites are always a threat in an enclosed culture system and because of this, it is necessary to assess their effects on fish condition factors before recommendation. It is because of this reason that a total of 480 caged Oreochromis niloticus were purchased and examined for parasites using the recommended procedures for parasitological analysis. The class Trematoda which included seven taxa were found to be the most common and prevalent parasites in cages of the Winam Gulf. This was attributed to the presence of piscivorous birds which are definitive hosts seen more often around the culture systems and also overstocking observed and reported during the study period which increases the spread and transmission of parasites from one fish to another. Despite the prevalence, infestation did not affect the fish condition factor in all the study areas as the majority of infected fish recorded between good and excellent body condition factors. This was due to low mean intensities recorded and a shorter period of exposure to parasitic infestation as most farmers were barely 3 years into the system. In conclusion, for the government to explore the blue economy and achieve the Vision 2030 and SDGs on food security and poverty reduction by 2030, efforts to promote commercial cage culture enterprises in the Winam Gulf must be bolstered, provided that cages are located in deep waters with low concentrations in specific areas and low stocking densities to avoid compromising the environment.
{"title":"Effects of Parasitism on the Production and Productivity of caged Oreochromis niloticus in Winam Gulf of L. Victoria","authors":"Ngodhe S.O., Kerich E., K. K.","doi":"10.52589/ajensr-mwguyd8q","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.52589/ajensr-mwguyd8q","url":null,"abstract":"The general objective of this study was to assess the effects of parasitism on the production and productivity of caged Oreochromis niloticus in Winam Gulf of L. Victoria. With the need to increase food production through fish products amid overfishing and pollution stress in the lake, cage farming is seen to have the potential to bridge the fish supply and demand gap continues to widen. Cage culture is a new technology in the offing that needs to be explored to justify its potential. Fish parasites are always a threat in an enclosed culture system and because of this, it is necessary to assess their effects on fish condition factors before recommendation. It is because of this reason that a total of 480 caged Oreochromis niloticus were purchased and examined for parasites using the recommended procedures for parasitological analysis. The class Trematoda which included seven taxa were found to be the most common and prevalent parasites in cages of the Winam Gulf. This was attributed to the presence of piscivorous birds which are definitive hosts seen more often around the culture systems and also overstocking observed and reported during the study period which increases the spread and transmission of parasites from one fish to another. Despite the prevalence, infestation did not affect the fish condition factor in all the study areas as the majority of infected fish recorded between good and excellent body condition factors. This was due to low mean intensities recorded and a shorter period of exposure to parasitic infestation as most farmers were barely 3 years into the system. In conclusion, for the government to explore the blue economy and achieve the Vision 2030 and SDGs on food security and poverty reduction by 2030, efforts to promote commercial cage culture enterprises in the Winam Gulf must be bolstered, provided that cages are located in deep waters with low concentrations in specific areas and low stocking densities to avoid compromising the environment.","PeriodicalId":404388,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Environment and Natural Science Research","volume":"136 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116719446","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-19DOI: 10.52589/ajensr-uxmakzdp
Wanyera F., Mutugi C.R., Nadjima D., G. N.
The study was set out to investigate how encroachment on ecosystem tangible goods improves the host community well-being. The problem was that over harvesting of the tangible goods resulted in the degradation of the ecosystem and thus affected the quality and quantity of the tangible goods harvested and thus negatively affected the host community's wellbeing. The study had threefold objectives and these were; to describe the ecosystem destruction trends; to determine the driving forces behind the encroachment of the park ecosystems and, to ascertain the different ecosystem tangible goods harvested from the park. The literature of the study focused on local community wellbeing and encroachment as well as the causes of rampant encroachment of the ecosystems both in unprotected areas and in protected areas. The methodology of this study was majorly descriptive and considered the population of 40 households and a sample of 32 households as well the household used as a sampling unit. The results indicated that encroachment on ecosystems occurred and as a result the ecosystem size dwindled over the past three decades. Also, the results revealed that the major cause of this encroachment was scarcity of land and poverty. Whereas the most demanded ecosystem resources were timber and fuel wood. It was concluded that because there was no wellbeing amongst the host community due to poverty and scarcity of land, they were forced to encroach on the ecosystem resources. It was therefore recommended that the park and host community should find mechanisms to empower the host community in order to minimize encroachment rates.
{"title":"Influence of Tangible Ecosystem Goods Encroachment on Host Community Well-being: A Case of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park","authors":"Wanyera F., Mutugi C.R., Nadjima D., G. N.","doi":"10.52589/ajensr-uxmakzdp","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.52589/ajensr-uxmakzdp","url":null,"abstract":"The study was set out to investigate how encroachment on ecosystem tangible goods improves the host community well-being. The problem was that over harvesting of the tangible goods resulted in the degradation of the ecosystem and thus affected the quality and quantity of the tangible goods harvested and thus negatively affected the host community's wellbeing. The study had threefold objectives and these were; to describe the ecosystem destruction trends; to determine the driving forces behind the encroachment of the park ecosystems and, to ascertain the different ecosystem tangible goods harvested from the park. The literature of the study focused on local community wellbeing and encroachment as well as the causes of rampant encroachment of the ecosystems both in unprotected areas and in protected areas. The methodology of this study was majorly descriptive and considered the population of 40 households and a sample of 32 households as well the household used as a sampling unit. The results indicated that encroachment on ecosystems occurred and as a result the ecosystem size dwindled over the past three decades. Also, the results revealed that the major cause of this encroachment was scarcity of land and poverty. Whereas the most demanded ecosystem resources were timber and fuel wood. It was concluded that because there was no wellbeing amongst the host community due to poverty and scarcity of land, they were forced to encroach on the ecosystem resources. It was therefore recommended that the park and host community should find mechanisms to empower the host community in order to minimize encroachment rates.","PeriodicalId":404388,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Environment and Natural Science Research","volume":"5 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"117138765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-03DOI: 10.52589/ajensr-b82vm7bp
Mahakata I., Mapaure I.
This study aimed at examining local ranger-based knowledge and perceptions on explaining contributing factors to variations on elephant fluctuations seasonally and over a long period in Sengwa Wildlife Research Area following a massive decline of elephants by nearly 76% after the 2014 National Aerial Survey done in Sebungwe Region, Zimbabwe. Data were collected between 1st and 20th August 2020 using a purposive sampling approach administered to questionnaire to resident SWRA rangers (n = 25). Our results show that rangers considered a combination of factors that may have affected elephant fluctuations in SWRA including poaching, migration, settlement and impact of climate change. However, our results suggest that rangers had inadequate knowledge about elephant migration destinations. Moreover, mixed perceptions about the impact of trophy hunting, poaching and climate change-induced factors were recorded from the participants. The results contribute to a growing understanding of poaching, climate change, trophy hunting and human settlement on elephant behaviour. The study recommends improvement in elephant monitoring through investments in elephant collars and radio tracking to better understand elephant daily and seasonal dispersal movements.
{"title":"An Analysis of the Factors Contributing to Elephant Population Fluctuations in SWRA using Ranger-based Knowledge and Perceptions","authors":"Mahakata I., Mapaure I.","doi":"10.52589/ajensr-b82vm7bp","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.52589/ajensr-b82vm7bp","url":null,"abstract":"This study aimed at examining local ranger-based knowledge and perceptions on explaining contributing factors to variations on elephant fluctuations seasonally and over a long period in Sengwa Wildlife Research Area following a massive decline of elephants by nearly 76% after the 2014 National Aerial Survey done in Sebungwe Region, Zimbabwe. Data were collected between 1st and 20th August 2020 using a purposive sampling approach administered to questionnaire to resident SWRA rangers (n = 25). Our results show that rangers considered a combination of factors that may have affected elephant fluctuations in SWRA including poaching, migration, settlement and impact of climate change. However, our results suggest that rangers had inadequate knowledge about elephant migration destinations. Moreover, mixed perceptions about the impact of trophy hunting, poaching and climate change-induced factors were recorded from the participants. The results contribute to a growing understanding of poaching, climate change, trophy hunting and human settlement on elephant behaviour. The study recommends improvement in elephant monitoring through investments in elephant collars and radio tracking to better understand elephant daily and seasonal dispersal movements.","PeriodicalId":404388,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Environment and Natural Science Research","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125909362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-10-03DOI: 10.52589/ajensr-iymvchc9
I. Mahakata
Large carnivores are considered key species and their presence signify health of the ecosystem. Mostly used methods to establish big cats abundance and spatial distribution in SWRA consist of spoor survey, individual observations, analysis of patrol data and interviews with safari operators. In this study, four methods were used to establish current abundance and distribution of big cats in Sengwa and to find advantages and disadvantage for each method used. To do this, spoor survey along twelve transects were done between 13th to 20th April 2020. Oral interviews with local professional hunters and park managers was done between 1st and 10th April 2020, whilst analysis of patrol reports from January 2018 to December 2019 were also done. Descriptive statistics was used for analysis of interview data. For other three methods, data were summarised in excel and quantitatively analysed. Mapping of spatial distribution of big cats from secondary data and spoor surveys were done in QGIS software. Five lion spoors and twenty-one leopard spoors were recorded during spoor survey. Two individual leopards and zero lions were also recorded. Lion spoors were mostly recorded along river valleys while leopard spoors were recorded in different habitats and terrain. Future related studies should focus on use of other survey design and combination of methods such as radio calls and camera traps as well as use of GPS enabled collars for monitoring and estimating abundance.
{"title":"Assessment of Big Cats Abundance and Distribution in Sengwa Wildlife Research Area (SWRA): An Analysis of Multiple Methods","authors":"I. Mahakata","doi":"10.52589/ajensr-iymvchc9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.52589/ajensr-iymvchc9","url":null,"abstract":"Large carnivores are considered key species and their presence signify health of the ecosystem. Mostly used methods to establish big cats abundance and spatial distribution in SWRA consist of spoor survey, individual observations, analysis of patrol data and interviews with safari operators. In this study, four methods were used to establish current abundance and distribution of big cats in Sengwa and to find advantages and disadvantage for each method used. To do this, spoor survey along twelve transects were done between 13th to 20th April 2020. Oral interviews with local professional hunters and park managers was done between 1st and 10th April 2020, whilst analysis of patrol reports from January 2018 to December 2019 were also done. Descriptive statistics was used for analysis of interview data. For other three methods, data were summarised in excel and quantitatively analysed. Mapping of spatial distribution of big cats from secondary data and spoor surveys were done in QGIS software. Five lion spoors and twenty-one leopard spoors were recorded during spoor survey. Two individual leopards and zero lions were also recorded. Lion spoors were mostly recorded along river valleys while leopard spoors were recorded in different habitats and terrain. Future related studies should focus on use of other survey design and combination of methods such as radio calls and camera traps as well as use of GPS enabled collars for monitoring and estimating abundance.","PeriodicalId":404388,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Environment and Natural Science Research","volume":"2 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127459428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-23DOI: 10.52589/ajensr-bjggacsv
A Omoogun, T. Olayemi, T Ogungbade
Petroleum exploration has brought a lot of revenue to the Nigerian government as most of the country’s investments and expenditures depend on the profits from oil. However, the processes of petroleum exploitation over the past 60 years have also come with negative consequences most notably the environmental pollution of the Niger Delta ecosystem. Many empirical studies have been funded by partnering organizations to assess the impacts of these exploration activities on the ecosystem. This study is significant because research clearly shows that the impacts of environmental degradation affect local residents and can be felt across time and space. Our goal in this study is to synthesize the findings of those studies. Primarily, we aim to answer the following questions; 1) What are the impacts of pollution on the Niger Delta ecosystem in water, soil and air” what are the effects of oil spillage on the socio-economic activities of the people and the environment in some communities in the Niger Delta” and what are the possible processes and avenues through which these impacts can be mitigated?” Over 60 articles were systematically reviewed in this study. We reported our findings under three broad categories, focusing on the three aspects of the environment – soil, air, and water as well as the actors responsible for these acts of pollution. Our review revealed that several operating oil companies are responsible for oil spills because of mismanaged pipelines coupled with environmentally unsustainable practices of gas flaring; Conversely, illegal refining and pipeline vandalism perpetrated by militant groups of the host communities have resulted in a more polluted environment; Government negligence in regulating oil operations in the region and failure to ensure that polluted sites are adequately remediated have further compounded the crisis and environmental degradation in the region. It goes without saying that all stakeholders in the business of petroleum exploration should accept the responsibility of protecting the environment. Our review pushes this conversation further by stressing the need to involve local communities in the maintenance and monitoring of pipelines. At the end of the day, the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life of members of rural communities serves not only them but all other stakeholders.
{"title":"Environmental Pollution and Its Ecological Consequences on the Niger Delta: A Review of the Literature","authors":"A Omoogun, T. Olayemi, T Ogungbade","doi":"10.52589/ajensr-bjggacsv","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.52589/ajensr-bjggacsv","url":null,"abstract":"Petroleum exploration has brought a lot of revenue to the Nigerian government as most of the country’s investments and expenditures depend on the profits from oil. However, the processes of petroleum exploitation over the past 60 years have also come with negative consequences most notably the environmental pollution of the Niger Delta ecosystem. Many empirical studies have been funded by partnering organizations to assess the impacts of these exploration activities on the ecosystem. This study is significant because research clearly shows that the impacts of environmental degradation affect local residents and can be felt across time and space. Our goal in this study is to synthesize the findings of those studies. Primarily, we aim to answer the following questions; 1) What are the impacts of pollution on the Niger Delta ecosystem in water, soil and air” what are the effects of oil spillage on the socio-economic activities of the people and the environment in some communities in the Niger Delta” and what are the possible processes and avenues through which these impacts can be mitigated?” Over 60 articles were systematically reviewed in this study. We reported our findings under three broad categories, focusing on the three aspects of the environment – soil, air, and water as well as the actors responsible for these acts of pollution. Our review revealed that several operating oil companies are responsible for oil spills because of mismanaged pipelines coupled with environmentally unsustainable practices of gas flaring; Conversely, illegal refining and pipeline vandalism perpetrated by militant groups of the host communities have resulted in a more polluted environment; Government negligence in regulating oil operations in the region and failure to ensure that polluted sites are adequately remediated have further compounded the crisis and environmental degradation in the region. It goes without saying that all stakeholders in the business of petroleum exploration should accept the responsibility of protecting the environment. Our review pushes this conversation further by stressing the need to involve local communities in the maintenance and monitoring of pipelines. At the end of the day, the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life of members of rural communities serves not only them but all other stakeholders.","PeriodicalId":404388,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Environment and Natural Science Research","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128471468","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-21DOI: 10.52589/ajensr-ifsp0f7d
A. Ezekiel, M. Dahiru, S. Abdullahi
Proper solid waste generation and disposal are key components of effective management of municipal solid waste. This study examined households’ perception of the generation and disposal of solid waste in the Lafia metropolis. A systematic random sampling method was adopted in selecting respondents. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to 240 selected households heads within the Lafia metropolis which includes four electoral wards (Chiroma, Gayam, Makama and Zanwa). Each of the four electoral wards was divided into three units (totalling 12 units) and administered 20 samples of the questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings showed the dominance of males over females in the study area. Ages 30 to 59 constitutes over 70% of the sampled population. About half (49.58%) of the respondents were civil servants. More than half of the respondents (51.25%) reported that the waste they generate is food waste. 46.25% of the respondents use plastic containers as their waste storage facilities. 51.67% of the respondents indicated getting infected by malaria parasites as a result of the improper location of dumpsites (which serves as breeding sites for disease vectors) within their vicinity. On the basis of the findings, it is recommended that relevant government agencies should provide adequate enlightenment on proper waste generation and disposal, adequate designated dumpsites and collection points, and the need to improve the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in the metropolis.
{"title":"Households Perception on the Generation and Disposal of Solid Waste in Lafia Metropolis of Nasarawa State, Nigeria","authors":"A. Ezekiel, M. Dahiru, S. Abdullahi","doi":"10.52589/ajensr-ifsp0f7d","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.52589/ajensr-ifsp0f7d","url":null,"abstract":"Proper solid waste generation and disposal are key components of effective management of municipal solid waste. This study examined households’ perception of the generation and disposal of solid waste in the Lafia metropolis. A systematic random sampling method was adopted in selecting respondents. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to 240 selected households heads within the Lafia metropolis which includes four electoral wards (Chiroma, Gayam, Makama and Zanwa). Each of the four electoral wards was divided into three units (totalling 12 units) and administered 20 samples of the questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings showed the dominance of males over females in the study area. Ages 30 to 59 constitutes over 70% of the sampled population. About half (49.58%) of the respondents were civil servants. More than half of the respondents (51.25%) reported that the waste they generate is food waste. 46.25% of the respondents use plastic containers as their waste storage facilities. 51.67% of the respondents indicated getting infected by malaria parasites as a result of the improper location of dumpsites (which serves as breeding sites for disease vectors) within their vicinity. On the basis of the findings, it is recommended that relevant government agencies should provide adequate enlightenment on proper waste generation and disposal, adequate designated dumpsites and collection points, and the need to improve the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in the metropolis.","PeriodicalId":404388,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Environment and Natural Science Research","volume":"83 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121220655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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