The Response of Raptors to Landuse Changes in Kwakuchinja Wildlife Corridor, Northern Tanzania
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Date
2006-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The focus of this study was population status and diversity of raptors and linking the two
with land use changes in Kwakuchinja wildlife corridor. This corridor connects Manyara
and Tarangire National Parks in Northern Tanzania. The vegetation consisted of mainly
short grassland, wooded grassland and riverine woodland but highly altered by human
activities. Raptors are good indicators of the change of an ecosystem as their population
and diversity are expected to vary with the type of land-use. Road count technique was
used to obtain data on diversity and abundance of raptors. Tree density and ground cover
in the area were obtained from random spaced quadrats. Seventeen species of raptors
were observed in Kwakuchinja wildlife corridor. No difference was found in the
abundance of raptors in VNRMAs during the dry (p=0.9649) and wet (p=0.9175)
seasons. There was also no difference in the abundance of raptors in Manyara Ranch
during the dry (p=0.8237) and wet (p=0.7683) seasons. No difference was found in the
abundance of raptors between VNRMAs and Manyara Ranch during the dry season
(p=0.4778) and wet season (p=0.5872). There was no significant increase in the
abundance of raptors with increase in tree density in VNRMAs (p=0.291) and in Manyara
Ranch (p=0.171). The abundance of raptors increased insignificantly with ground cover
in VNRMAs (p=0.6615) while there was insignificant decrease in Manyara Ranch
(p=0.416). No difference was found in the diversity of raptors between the two sites (p=
0.2207). There was also insignificant difference in the diversity of raptors between dry
and wet seasons in VNRMAs (p= 0.8819) as well as in Manyara Ranch (p= 0.6492). The
Raptors utilized wooded grassland more than other habitats both in VNRMAs and
Manyara Ranch with more utilization of this habitat during the dry season. Grasshopper
Buzzard (Butastur rufipennis) was found only in VNRMAs while Steppe Eagle (Aquila
nipalensis) was confined in Manyara Ranch. The findings imply the current difference in
land uses between VNRMAs and Manyara Ranch has not strongly influenced the
diversity and abundance in the area. The exclusion of fire in Manyara Ranch appears to
influence raptors habitat utilization as evidenced by exclusion of Grasshopper Buzzard
(Butastur rufipennis) and attraction of Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis). Long term
studies and involvement of different stakeholder in the conservation of raptors in the area
are recommended.
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Biology