A field experiment was conducted to examine the ecological responses of macroinvertebrates to an in-stream ecosystem restoration technique called woody debris introduced in a stream in different arrangements to show how they (woody debris) affected the macroinvertebrate ecology, specifically assemblage composition and biometrics in River Nabongo. The experiment was carried out in two heterogeneous stream environments i.e., i) in a riffle found in the middle reaches of the river at a higher altitude and ii) a pool in the lower altitude and reaches of the river. Each of these two treatments had a control plot for comparison purposes. Four macroinvertebrate sampling campaigns were launched in experimental sites from September 2019 to April 2021. All restoration structures had more macroinvertebrates than control and pre-treatment sites. The introduction of simple structures at the riffle site led to an increase in collector-filterers from 9-128 individuals, while at the pool site all the structures increased macroinvertebrates by 1151 individuals. Taxon richness was highest in the complex plot with 14±0.41 which significantly differed from the rest of the sampling plots at P<0.05. The relative abundance of taxa at the pool site varied significantly from one sampling plot to another at P<0.05 with the highest mean abundance registered in complex and simple structures having 61.3±0.10 and 23.5±0.11 respectively. It was concluded that complex woody debris structures increase the diversity, abundance and richness of aquatic macroinvertebrates by providing hard substrates for colonization by algae and microorganisms on which macroinvertebrates feed. We recommended that other researchers should study the impact of other in-stream ecosystem restoration techniques such as floating islands, constructed wetlands, D-deflectors, a comparison of which with restored woody debris will enable ecologists to choose the most suitable technique to apply at different stream points.
Farmers in tropical rural areas are confronted with several challenges but outstanding among thesechallenges is soil degradation arising from soil erosion. This study involved identifying the dominant soil andwater conservation practices and assessing the factors affecting their adoption in the Muyembe sub-county,Eastern Uganda. A total of 500 respondents were used to obtain primary data. As the study adopted a crosssectionaldesign, we used questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions and field observations to collectthe required data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the non-parametric (Chi-square) test.The results indicated that the dominant soil and water conservation practices adopted in the study area were,contour cropping (77%), mixed cropping (59% and crop rotation (51%). The remaining five practices hadless than a 50% adoption rate. The chi-square test revealed that the age and gender of the farmers had asignificant association with the levels of the adoption of soil and water conservation practices among farmersat P<0.001. We concluded that the adoption of soil and water conservation practices was low, which left themajority of farmers vulnerable to soil erosion effects such as low yields and crop failure. We recommend thatstakeholders who work on soil and water conservation programs use model farmers in the area to educateand demonstrate the importance of soil and water conservation practices to other farmers.
In developing countries, little information is available about solid-waste characteristics, determinants for adoption and performance-evaluation of municipal-waste management systems in Municipals. This study aimed: to characterize the municipal solid-wastes, collection, dumping and evaluate the efficiency and reliability of Municipal solid-waste management system. A total of 200 households were randomly sampled and interviewed. Data was analysed using Binary-Logistic Regression model to determine factors influencing collection and dumping of solid wastes. Results showed that biodegradable/organic wastes comprise a major fraction of solid-wastes produced. Factors that influenced solid-waste collection and dumping included: household-age, unavailability of solid-waste containers, inadequate collection/dumping space and weak legal-enforcement against poor-dumping. The waste system is constrained by inadequate transport facilities, inadequate space for temporal dumping; and lack of legal enforcement in matters of solid-waste poor handling. These have made the systems ineffective and unreliable. This study recommends involvement of all stakeholders in innovative approaches to uphold sustainable municipal sanity.
The study was aimed at comparing the efficiency of three macroinvertebrate sampling tools used in lotic environmental impact assessment of River Sipi including Surber sampler, rock-filled basket and Kick net sampling tools. The efficiency of the sampling tools was based on the data collected by each sampling tool, which was in turn used to calculate the Relative variation (RV) (efficiency), diversity, richness, and relative abundance, time taken to sort macroinvertebrate per sample and taxa assemblage. Data was analysed using a two-way ANOVA that was performed under the R Development Core Team 2010. The results indicated that despite the fact that all the sampling tools were efficient in sampling macroinvertebrates with RV<25%, both kick net and rock-filled basket obtained closely comparable efficiency results with Relative Variation ranging between 0.54-2% for the kick net and 1.4-3.6% for rock filled basket. Of the three sampling tools, the kick net was the most efficient, collecting a greater diversity of macroinvertebrate taxa (1.81±0.04) and a greater number of specimens (1444), abundance (66.4±0.25%), greater taxa richness (11±0.41) but required the biggest amount of time to sort macroinvertebrates (26±0.71minutes). In conclusion, the rock-filled basket served as the next best alternative efficient sampling tool to kick net in sampling macroinvertebrates.
This study aimed at establishing the potential of fruit trees in carbon sequestration. The specific objectives were to establish the carbon stocks in fruit trees compare the potential of carbon stocks in citrus and mango trees and examine the relationship between the management practices and carbon stocks in fruit trees. At the farm level, plots were identified and transects established and individual fruit trees from sampled individual farms along the transect were selected. At the tree level, measurements of tree height and diameter at breast height were made. They were converted to biomass using allometric equations. Analysis of Variance was used to compare the differences in carbon stocks between the fruit trees and between the different management practices. Findings revealed higher biomass and carbon stocks in mango trees as compared to citrus (74.57 ± 14.95 and 13.52 ± 1.25 t/ha respectively). Significant differences are also reported in carbon stocks under different management practices (p < 0.05). Irrespective of the species type, above-ground carbon under different management practices followed the order (from highest to lowest): Inorganic fertilizer < Intercrop < Monocrop < organic fertilizer and irrigation < intercrop and inorganic fertilizer. The results also point out that mango fruits have a high potential to sequestrate carbon emissions hence mitigating global warming.
The study aimed at establishing sustainable Human-wildlife co-existence strategies to help settle the conflicts existing between humans and wildlife living around Busitema Central Forest Reserve. To achieve this, we first examined the nature of the existing conflicts which helped us to come up with conflict-specific co-existence strategies. We used questionnaires, interviews and focused group discussions, where the information obtained was confirmed by field observations. The data was then analysed using simple descriptive statistics like percentages, means and standard deviations. Results indicated that primates (baboons and monkeys) dominated the conflicting list of wildlife with humans followed by rodents while carnivores were the least reported. Crop raiding (100%), livestock and poultry predation (36%) were the most dominant conflicts reported posed to man while habitat destruction (40%) and road accidents (26%) were the biggest conflict man has posed on wildlife. Equitable compensation (10±0.0) and community involvement in conservation (8±1.4) dominated the sustainable Human-Wildlife co-existence strategies suggested by local communities. It was concluded that, involvement of local communities in wildlife conservation should be prioritized and areas surrounding the protected forest area should be planted with crops such as tea and trees such as eucalyptus (woodlots) that are not affected by wildlife but rather are enhancers of wildlife habitats
The study was the first in Uganda to assess the responses of fish community assemblages to introduced woody debris structures in a tropical river in Eastern Uganda. For comparison purposes, two different woody debris structures (simple and complex) were introduced in river Nabongo, and their effect on fish assemblage and feeding was established based on experiments conducted in two heterogeneous stream environments (a pool and a riffle). Results showed that sampling plots treated with restoration structures registered higher fish species richness, diversity, and abundance than sampling plots without restoration structures (control plots) at each site. The study (experiment) applied a stratified sampling design which used purposive identification of a pool and a riffle in River Nabongo Catchment. Fish were captured using a drift net, an electro-fishing gear, and a hand net. Data were analysed using a one-way ANOVA generated from STATA version 14. At the pool site, total fish density varied significantly from plot to plot (P<0.05) but was highest in the complex structures with 64±1.08 fishes/m2 and lowest with 24±0.82 fishes/m2 in untreated plots. K-factor did not vary significantly in untreated plots at the pool site but significantly differed from treated plots at P<0.05. The relative abundance of fish species at the pool site was highest in the complex structures with 40.7±0.66% and 21.5±0.42% before structures but was least in the control plot, varying significantly from plot to plot at P<0.05. It was concluded that woody debris restoration is an effective stream restoration technique. Fish individuals, trophic groups, and taxa more densely colonised sampling plots that had structures than those that did not have structures.
The study aimed at assessing the environmental and socio-economic impact of stone quarrying in Tororo district. To achieve this, we used questionnaires, interviews and focused group discussions, where the information obtained was confirmed by field observations. The data was analysed using simple descriptive statistics like percentages, tables and graphs. Results indicated that, stone quarrying did more harm than good on the biophysical environment as it came with terrestrial ecosystem degradation as reported by 65%, water quality deterioration as reported by 34% as well as deafening noise and air pollution as indicated by 100% of the total respondents. Socio-economic analysis indicated that benefits of stone quarrying outweighed costs. For example, 100% of respondents indicated that employment arose from stone quarrying and 79% stated that, standards of living have been elevated by the activity. The district local government realizes local revenue from the activity. The activity is however associated with accidents and subsequent loss of lives and physical body damages due to collapsing caves of quarries. It was therefore concluded that, Tororo district environment office should monitor the quarrying activities to avoid leaving open pits and caves that are dangerous to lives of people at quarry sites.
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