Browsing by Author "Kiwia, Humphrey Yared Dawson"
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Item The behaviour and ecology of the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis L.) in Ngorongoro creater(University of Dar es Salaam, 1983) Kiwia, Humphrey Yared DawsonThis study on the behaviour and ecology of the black rhinoceros was conducted in Ngorongoro Creator from December 1980 to Hay, 1982, almost twenty years after the studies by Kligel and Klingel (1963-1965) and Goddard (1964-1966) on the same population. One aim of this project was to update their findings after the population went into decline. Objectives of the study were to investigate activity patterns, feeding ecology, present population size and structure, home ranges and finally to reach conclusions on conservation strategies. Diurnal activity patterns showed no difference from previous studies. Rhinos were most active in the early morning and late afternoons resting in the middle of the day. Data on sex/age and seasonal activity differences are given. The rhinos fed on a variety of food plant species, feeding in open grasslands during the west season, in the swamps during the early dry season and in Lerai Porest, where they obtained the bulk of their food, largely at night. Using fecal analysis techniques, adult rhinos were found to browse more than the calves all the year around, while both age classes tended to graze more in the wet season and browse in the dry season, when green grass was no longer available. This study showed grass to be an important constituent of diet, contrary to what Goddard (1968) reported. During the study, a total of 25 rhinos were identified in the creator, but at the termination of the study, 4 rhinos had been killed. This giving a population decline of 80.6% since 1966. Information on the mean group size and sex and age structures is presented and the the results are in accord with black rhino populations elsewhere. Individual associations between rhinoceros have been analysed quantitatively by association indices. Both sexes occupied home ranges, with the female home ranges overlapping extensively (26%-72%) as compared to the male to male home range overlaps of 0%-43%. Territoriality in the text. Using Leuthold’s (1977) terminology, the black rhinoceros could be classified as follows: Adult males were solitary with parts of their home ranges being exclusive while adult females occupied non-exclusive home ranges with social units consisting of mother-calf, solitary or open groups of two animals (larger groups were rare). Black rhinoceros populations have declined by over 70% in most parks and Reserves of East Africa in the past 10 years due to poaching for the horn , whose wholesale price rose by twenty fold between 1975-1979. The conservation of the rhino depends on how fast international trade in rhino products can be arrested. Tanzania has recently become a member of the CITES, a conservation in Tanzania.Item Floristic characteristics, abundance and distribution of mammals in Zaraninge forest, coast region, Tanzania,Master dissertation, University of Dar es salaam, Dar es Salaam(University of Dar es Salaam, 2005) Kiwia, Humphrey Yared DawsonFloristic characteristics, abundance and distribution of mammals were assessed in Zaraninge Forest between 1994 and 2001. The Modified-Whittaker Nested Quadrat Method revealed the presence of 25 tree species (>10 cm DBH) from a 1.5 ha plot Coastal forest endemic tree species were eighteen. Tree species diversity was low (H'=0.804) and Simpson's index was also low (D=0.296). Species-area curve stabilized at 1.1 ha with 24 species. Tree density was 328 trees ha-1 and basal area 19.9 m2 ha-1. The population structure showed a negative exponential curve, suggesting the forest to be healthy and in good condition. In temps of IVI values, Scorodophloeus fischeri dominate in the forest; therefore the forest was classified as a Scorodophloeus dry evergreen coastal forest. Using the Line transect method 15 large mammal species were counted. For anthropoid species, blue monkey density was highest (125tSE 28.8 individuals km2) and for the antelopes, the sum (23.4J:8.7). Sixteen small mammal species were recorded using the Trap line method; three were near endemic, six threatened and eight in CITES list. From four selected habitats, trap success was highest in the Farmland and the Woodland was most species rich. The highest similarity of species was observed between the Woodland and Farmland and lowest between the Forest and Swamp. The forest is due to be part of the Proposed Saadani National Pack, thus threat due to anthropogenic activities will be minimal. The study concludes with recommendations for the Park authority to improve protection of the forest and educate the local communities on how to carry out afforestation and livestock rearing projects in order not to rely on the forest products.