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Assessing The Effects Of Human Activities On Wildlife Within Rimoi National Reserve, Kenya

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Category Geography, Environment
Subcategory Africa, Tourist Attractions, Environmental Protection
Topic Kenya, National Parks, Wildlife Conservation

Words 2640
Pages 6

Abstract

Humans are liable for causing most of the environmental changes that harm animals and plant species existence. They take up more space on earth for settlements and urbanization thus polluting habitats for wildlife. Illegal hunting and killing animals and bringing in exotic species into these habitats are too involved. These activities results to loss of biodiversity, habitat loss and fragmentation, climate changes, and changes in animal foraging, communication behavior and its ability to escape predators thus affecting their survival and reproduction success. Studies have confirmed that land use activities within reserves could cause greater harm to wildlife to the end and therefore there is need to protect wildlife from these effects. The main aim of this study is to assess the effects of human activities on wildlife within Rimoi national reserve. Two sources of data to be applied will be primary and secondary data sources. Primary sources of data will include; direct observations, questionnaires and in-depth interviews, while secondary data sources will include; information from publications, relevant books and theses. The data will be summarized into themes and sub-themes. Analyzed using descriptive statistics using frequencies and percentages and results presented in pie charts and graphs.

1.0 Introduction

Human activities can affect wildlife positively or negatively, and these effects manifest at all ecological balances (Pimm et al. 1995; Chapin et al. 2000). Human activities cause major changes in biological communities worldwide which harm biodiversity and ecosystem function. Some of the main threats to global biodiversity includes; fragmentation, habitat destruction and degradation and reduced reproduction and survival rates through pollution, exploitation and introduction of invasive species. The species respond differently to these threats. Declines of species always show strong ecological and phylogenetic patterns (Natural History museum1990).

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Globally, wildlife populations of species such as mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds and fish have reduced by 60% from 1970 due to human activities (WWF Living Planet Report, 2018). In Africa Wildlife species such as mountain gorillas, Grevy’s zebra and Ethiopian wolf are facing Extinction due to human activities such as wildlife trafficking, poaching illegal trading and elephants remain the most poached wildlife species in Africa (AWF, 2018). Excessive hunting, trapping and Poaching is the main challenge in all reserves in countries such as Nigeria(Anadu, 2005). Habitat change and poor use of land activities lead to a decrease of the wildlife population and ecological variations of various species, particularly species appreciated for trophies and food (Happold, 1978).

Recreation and tourist pressure are the main challenges affecting conservation reserves. These activities disturb wildlife, pollutes water, increase fire frequency and noise (Lichstein et al., 2002). The wildlife population in Rimoi national reserve is declining due to human activities. Farmed animals include cattle, sheep, goats and donkeys that browse on virtually any vegetation, leaving the ground bare hence making the reserve unsuitable especially for elephants and other wildlife browsers (Rimoi 2018). Human settlements, mining of fluorspar in Kerio valley charcoal

burning and logging within the reserve has resulted to habitat loss and fragmentation, drying of Kerio River and its tributaries leading to human-wildlife conflict due to marauding elephants and hyenas invading homes and farms in search of water. These human activities have also interfered with wildlife migratory routes thus limiting the movement of wildlife between Rimoi national reserve and Nasolot National reserve during dry seasons. Hunting and poaching within the reserve have also resulted to decline of wildlife species. The animals are mainly poached for meat and ivory(Elgeyo Marakwet CIDP, 2013). The total land area affected by human activities is expected to increase to 50-90% worldwide by 2050 with human development having an effect on the ecosystem(UNEP 2001). This will continue to be a challenge to wildlife management (Johnson and St-Laurent, 2011). The study, therefore, supports the need of understanding the effects of anthropogenic activities on wildlife, the need of coming up with different strategies to reduce these effects and develop reliable approaches to help assess and monitor the effects of these activities on natural resources for successive wildlife conservation (Powel and Steidl 2006).

2.0 Literature Review

2.1 Biodiversity loss

Biodiversity in tropical regions tends not to survive without the concrete and proper protection (Bruner et al.,2001; Myers et al.,2000; Baillie and Groombridge, 1996). The root causes are mainly; overharvesting, habitat destruction and fragmentation, pollution connected with absence or failure of management and structures of governance and the processes to manage the developments (Pimm & Raven, 2000; Myers & Knoll, 2001; Novacek & Cleland, 2001; Brooks et al., 2002; Singh 2002).A research was conducted at Muni-Pomadze wetland in Ghana which serves as an important wildlife habitat . The study investigated the effects of farming, hunting, fuelwood harvesting on biodiversity and the environment. The results showed that harvesting of fuelwood, setting of bushfires, hunting and farming contributed to the greatest loss of biodiversity through deprivation of the wetland over the years (Western African Journal of Applied Ecology, 2009). Ol Gonyo Sabuk national park is currently facing conservation threats, which includes; logging illegally, burning of charcoal, forest encroachment, firewood collection, alien species and unsustainable utilization of forest resources which greatly affects wildlife biodiversity (Research project, 2012).

Biodiversity is altered at higher rates with undesirable implications for human livelihood development (Turner et al., 1990). Biodiversity faces great decline and may lead to great extinction in the near future (Wilson, 1992).

2.2 Habitat loss and fragmentation

The effects of human activities on ecosystems and wildlife are significant and approximately 2,000 mammals worldwide are affected by the loss of habitat hence the main threat facing 85% species population on IUCN Red List of species (IUCN report, 2018). The growth of the human population in nearby protected areas causes the destruction of wildlife habitats and thus leads to biodiversity loss (Nahonyo, 2001). Humans alter the landscape matrix in ways that influence the spatial density, diversity, and quality of wildlife habitat, as habitat patches become smaller and more isolated, this affects the ability of wildlife to disperse (Krausman, & Morrison, 1997). The loss of wetlands, plains and lakes due to urbanization and industrialization and tourism in coastal areas have caused a greater impact on the marine zones and ocean since they place major strains on wetlands and ocean habitats(WWF,2017).

2.3 Climate change

Humans have greatly affected the earth’s climate and with radically changing weather patterns there has been a problem of the spread of wild habitats(WWF, 2017). Fauna, flora and the entire ecosystems are changing as temperature rise forces them to look for cooler climate and this has also caused tree deaths, spread and establishment of alien species, extinction of wildlife species especially amphibians, warmer, rising seas( IPCC report, 2014).

2.4 Change in wildlife behavior

Human disturbance influences wildlife behavior as wildlife becomes more vigilant near human disturbance, thus affecting their foraging behavior, their ability to escape predators, their communication behavior and reduces their reproductive success as wildlife perceives humans as potential predators and elicit different ant predator responses(Beale&Monaghan,2004). To support this a research on the effects of human activities on behavior of mammals was conducted ( Gaylor, 2018) and these were the findings on average; mammals always become 1.36 times more nocturnal around areas of human activity Coyote for instance, usually divide their activity evenly between the night and day, but in areas with hiking they move to 70% nocturnally and therefore, more wildlife animals over the world are changing nocturnal in response to human activity ( BBC Wildlife Magazine,2018). Research also was conducted by measuring the human activities effects compared to predators and those of other environmental factors on the elk in landscape of human activity in Alberta Canada and the results showed that human trigger and activities such as hiking and hunting effects on elk behavior exceed habitat loss and natural predators effects ( Ciutis et al., 2012 & Pitt et al., 2012).

3.0 Research Objectives

3.1General objective

Assessing the effects of human activities on wildlife within Rimoi national reserve

3.2Specific objectives

To investigate human activities affecting wildlife within Rimoi national reserve
To determine how human activities have affected wildlife within Rimoi national reserve

3.3 Research questions

The study will seek to address the following reseach questions;

What are the human activities affecting wildlife conservation within Rimoi national reserve?
In what ways do human activities affects wildlife conservation within Rimoi national reserve?

4.0 Problem statement

Anthropogenic activities which affect wildlife and their habitats are persistent and increasing (Steidl and Powel, 2006). The ideal situation is having an environment where both humans and animals live together comfortably and in harmony. The current situation shows that the human population is rapidly increasing and as a result, animals are disappearing 1000 times faster. They take up more space on earth for settlements and urbanization thus polluting habitats for wildlife, Illegally hunting and kill animals and bring in exotic species into these habitats. These activities take away plants and animals resources and their habitats (Mwangi and Akinyi, 2016).

4.1 Justification

Wildlife plays an important role in the balance of the ecosystem; it acts as one of the sources of employment opportunities, earns revenue through tourism, but can be rendered useless or harmful if its quality and quantity is altered by human activities. Therefore, understanding the increasing effects of human activities on wildlife within Rimoi national reserve a home of large herds of African elephants, small mammals, various reptiles and a bird haven reserve as they cause general loss of biodiversity which result to habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change and change in animals normal behavior leading to reduction of wildlife population(Elgeyo Marakwet CIDP, 2013).

5.0 Methodology

5.1 Study area

This study will be conducted in Rimoi national reserve, an animal conservation reserve located in Elgeiyo Marakwet County in Kenya. It lies between longitude 35o 31’0’’E; 35o32’20’’E and latitude 0o39’0’’N; 0o41’0’’N (Fig 4.1) and managed by the Kenya wildlife service. The reserve neighbors the Kalenjin community who practice agriculture and pastoralism (Elgeyo Marakwet CIDP, 2013).

Figure1: Map showing the location of Rimoi Game Reserve.

The reserve is a home of large herds of African Elephant, (Loxodonta), Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), Dik Dik (madoquaImpala), and Impala (Aepyceros melampus)

Bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus), Monkeys (Cercopithecidae), Plains Zebra (Equus quagga),

Agama (Lacerta agama), Tortoise (Testudinidae), Snakes (serpents), and Lizards (Lacertilia).

It is also a bird haven with birds that are abundant and various, with weavers( Ploceidae), sunbirds (nectariniidae), honeyguides ( indicatoridae), pigeons (Columbidae), hornbills(Bucerotidae) and turacos( musophagidae) particularly prevalent. The reserve is characterized by sub-tropical vegetation on the slopes leading down to dry thorn bush vegetation (Rimoi 2018).

5.2Data collection

The data collection will be collected using direct observations in-depth interviews and questionnaires in order to cater for all objectives.

Data on human activities

To investigate human activities affecting wildlife within Rimoi national reserve, the local people within the reserve will be issued both structured and unstructured questionnaires (Appendix 4). In areas where local people are sparsely distributed, the questionnaires will be given to three consecutive households, skip three households then issue questionnaires to the next three consecutive households. In densely populated areas, the questionnaires will be given to two consecutive households on the left side of the road and after 1.5km questionnaires will be given to two households from the right side of the road within the reserve, and the same trend will continue for the period of this data collection. The study targets 25-35 households within the reserve in duration of one week. Observations will also be made while administering questionnaires and photographs taken to support the data.

Data on effects of human activities on animals

The data will be collected through administration of open-ended questions interviews (appendix 5) to key reserve management informants which include the reserve warden, rangers, field officers, veterinary officers and any other personnel who work closely with the animals within the reserve. Individuals will be randomly selected based on their availability during their free times of the day. The interview data will be recorded in audio form and notes taken for data analysis. The survey will cover three days targeting 10-15 respondents.

5.3 Sampling techniques

Simple random sampling will be used to interview the reserve warden, rangers, field officers, veterinarians, and any other person who work closely with the animals within the reserve. Systematic sampling will be used to administer questionnaires to the local people living on the right and left sides of the roads within the reserve.

5.4Research design

The purposeful design will be used to interview the key informants within the reserve and randomized design will be used to administer questionnaires to the local people within the reserve.

5.5 Data analysis

Data from Interview and questionnaires will be subjected to statistical analysis using statistical software for social science (SPSS 20). Descriptive statistics will be used for describing relative frequencies and percentages for the data collected.

6.0 References

Bolen, Eric G., Robinson, William. (1999). Wildlife Ecology and Management. Prentice-Hall.
Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough
Groom, M.J., Meffe, G.K. and Carroll, C.R. (2006). Principles of Conservation Biology (3rd ed.) Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA. ISBN 0-87893-518-5
Hunter, M. L. (1996). Fundamentals of Conservation Biology. Blackwell Science Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts. ISBN 0-86542-371-7.
NHPT (2010). Natural and Human Impacts on Wildlife. Nature Works: New Hampshire Public Television, 268 Mast Road, Durham, NH 03824
Hunter, M. L. (1996). Fundamentals of Conservation Biology. Blackwell Science Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts. ISBN 0-86542-371-7.
Kerr, J. (2007). Human population dynamics in protected areas, Ecuador, The nature conservancy http://www.parks in peril.org/files/population
Leopold, A. Starker, et al., 1963. ‘The Goal of Park Management in the United States’. Wildlife Management in the National Parks. National Park Service. Retrieved on September 19, 2009.
Potter, Dale R.; Kathryn M. Sharpe; John C. Hendee (1973). Human Behavior Aspects Of Fish And Wildlife Conservation – An Annotated Bibliography (PDF). U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. p. 290.
Steidl, R. J. (2007). Effects of Human Activities on Wildlife Populations in Forested and Desert Landscapes. Natural Resources University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 85721
Potter, Dale R.; Kathryn M. Sharpe; John C. Hendee (1973). Human Behavior Aspects Of Fish And Wildlife Conservation – An Annotated Bibliography (PDF). U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. p. 290.
Van Dyke, Fred (2008). Conservation Biology: Foundations, Concepts, Applications, 2nd ed. Springer Verlag. p. 478. ISBN 978-1-4020-6890-4.

7.0 Work Plan

Activity

Duration

Start day

End day

Pre-visit and printing of questionnaires 1 day
Administering questionnaires to local households 4 days
Conducting interviews within the reserve 3 days
Data organization and analysis 1 day
Writing of project report 1 day

Table 1

8.0 Budget

Item( description)

Stationeries :1 exercise book ,1pen ,1pencil and a rubber

150

Ream of photocopying paper

650

Photocopy

400

Printing

600

Binding

150

Transport

1500

Contingency

3000

Total

6450

Table 2

9.0 Appendices

Appendix 1: fig 1(map showing location of Rimoi national reserve)

Appendix 2: Table 1(work plan)

Appendix 3: Table 2(Research budget)

Appendix 4: questionnaires

Appendix 5: interview question

Questionnaire number…………………………………..Date of filling……………………..

Section A: Personal Details (Tick As Appropriate)

Sex: Male Female

Age: 20-3031-4041 -50Over 50

Level of education: primary Secondary College University others

Section B: Human Activities Within Rimoi National Reserve

1) Which materials do you use to build your houses? Timber Stones Concrete

2) Where do you get these materials?………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3) Do you buy or grow your crops? If you grow ,what crops do you grow?…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

4) At your home what do use to light fire and keep your homes warm…………………………………………………………..

5) Which livestock do you keep? How many? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

6) Which trees were there within the reserve two years ago? Cypress Wattle trees Acacia

7) Do you still see them now? If No, why? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

8) What do you do for a living? …………………………………………………………………………………………..

9) Which wild animals were you seeing within the reserve 5 years ago? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

10) Do you still see them now? If No give possible reason

Yes No

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

11) Which wild animals disturb you and destroy your crops? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Why? ………………………………………………………………………………………..

12) What do you do to them when they destroy your crops or attack you? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

13) Do you benefit from wildlife within the reserve? If yes explain?