Weather data
A large number of automatic weather stations has been implemented in the frame of the BIOTA AFRICA project by the Namibian National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and the Group "Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology" (BEE) of the University of Hamburg. The website offers hourly updates of data and graphs of a large number of weather parameters.


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BIOTA East Africa - Cross-cutting themes


Overview

CCT - Theme 4

Recommendations and measures for sustainable use of biodiversity
CCT Description Measures for sustainable use include the implementation of management plans for an existing tree nursery, implementation of planting strategies of indigenous trees on farmlands and enrich planting. The use of medicinal plants and of timber trees requires ex-situ conservation of endangered forest plants in Maseno Botanical Garden. Sites for seed collections to maintain genetic potential of tree species will be identified.
A simulation and prediction tool to model rain forest regeneration potential via seed dispersal processes between forest fragments will be prepared. In connection with GIS tools and time series as well as evaluation of socio-economic components, area-specific differences and political priorities, we intend to modify developed management plans according to the area-specific requirements and run equivalent test procedures.
Based on a multi-criteria analysis it is intended to describe how the interests of various stakeholders can be reconciled for sustainable use of forest biodiversity, how local communities' capacity can be enhanced to understand the economic value of forest resources and how in-built incentives for sustainable management can be created. Replicable participatory methods in protection and management of biodiversity will be developed involving communities around protected areas.
National and regional management authorities and stakeholders will take part in joint planning of respective actions and their implementation. The process will be accompanied by monitoring of the effectiveness of selected applications and the subsequent interchange of feedback information between stakeholders, local communities, management authorities and biodiversity researchers.


E01 - Conservation and sustainable use of East African rain forest ecosystems
Details WP2 Recommendations for participatory forest management planning

E02 - GIS and Remote Sensing in Support of Biodiversity Management at the Landscape Scale for Rainforests in Eastern Africa
Details WP2 Spatial extrapolation of BIOTA-East findings on biodiversity and ecosystem function predominantly over Kakamega Forest, plus interdisciplinary analyses considering spatial information
Details WP3 Identifying structural parameters and modelling socio-economic scenarios for the farmland surrounding Kakamega Forest as well as deriving a detailed up-to-date vegetation map for Kaka-mega Forest as a contribution to forest management
Details WP4 Applying spatial information in participatory forest management and landuse planning for Kakamega Forest and surroundings

E03 - Regeneration of tropical trees - implications for forest conservation
Details WP1 Experiments on germination and seedling establishment and application in the KEEP Tree Nursery
Details WP3 Experimental restoration and rehabilitation of degraded forest sites and threatened tree species
Details WP4 Modelling of tree stand and forest growth

E04 - Flora and vegetation of rainforests in East Africa - conservation and sustainable use
Details WP1 GIS-based vegetation mapping of Kakamega and Budongo Forest - Monitoring and assessment of biodiversity
Details WP2 Distribution and abundance of plant species originating from Kakamega Forest in farms and agricultural landscape elements
Details WP4 Ex-situ conservation of forest plants in Maseno Botanical Garden
Details WP7 Economic, ecological and agronomic evaluation of the on-farm cultivation of valuable forest species

E10 - Towards conservation and sustainable use of pollinators
Details WP1 Measures of pollinator conservation and long-term monitoring of bees
Details WP4 The potential of stingless bees and solitary bees as manageable crop pollinators
Details WP5 Raising public awareness to mainstream pollination into policy decisions and strategies

E11 - Human impact on avian diversity, seed dispersal and regeneration processes of East African rainforests: management tools and recommendations
Details WP1 Ficus-diversity as indicator for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning at different spatial scales
Details WP2 Management for high genetic diversity in Prunus africana: seed dispersers vs. pollinators
Details WP3 Multi-disciplinary analysis of data on biodiversity and ecosystem functions
Details WP4 Tropical farmland – linking socio-economy, land use and bird diversity

E13 - Conservation and Management of Biodiversity for Rural Livelihoods: Developing Sustainable Strategies for Reconciling Stakeholders' Interests in Kakamega Forest
Details WP1 Development of collaborative or multi-stakeholder management strategies
Details WP4 Model-based scenario analysis of agricultural options to increase on-farm biodiversity

E14b - Sustainable use and management of biodiversity for rural livelihood
Details WP1 Development of instruments to reconcile biodiversity with changing human needs

E16 - Ant and termite communities along a habitat degradation gradient: patterns and consequences for ecosystem function
Details WP2 Diversity and abundance of ants and termites along a habitat degradation gradient
Details WP3 Trophic ecology of ants and termites
Details WP4 Ant predation and herbivore-control: from rainforest to intensively used farmland
Details WP5 Use of farmland habitat, temperature tolerance and the survival of ant species in forest fragments
Details WP6 Effects of termite diversity on decomposition rates