Ronald Mulwa - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Ronald Mulwa

Tropical Conservation Science, 2008

The Lower Tana River forests in coastal Kenya represent lowland evergreen riverine tropical fores... more The Lower Tana River forests in coastal Kenya represent lowland evergreen riverine tropical forest types that are rare in Kenya and probably in Africa. We assessed the bird species composition and forest conditions of 14 forest patches within the Lower Tana River valley each February and October between 1999 and 2004. Vegetation structures showed variations of different strengths in individual forest patches, but only canopy height differed significantly across sites. Overall, canopy cover was correlated directly with canopy height but inversely with bare ground. A total of 155 bird species of 43 families comprising 9 forest specialists (FF), 27 forest generalists (F), 42 forest visitors (f) and 77 species associated with savannah/woodland ecosystems were recorded from the 14 forest patches. The overall bird species composition did not differ significantly across these forest patches, but similarities in species composition of different strengths were evident across the sites.

The Eastern Afromontane cloud forests occur as geographically distinct mountain exclaves. The con... more The Eastern Afromontane cloud forests occur as geographically distinct mountain exclaves. The conditions of these forests range from large to small and from fairly intact to strongly degraded. For this study, we sampled individuals of the forest bird species, the Montane White-eye Zosterops poliogaster from 16 sites and four mountain archipelagos. We analysed 12 polymorphic microsatellites and three phenotypic traits, and calculated Species Distribution Models (SDMs) to project past distributions and predict potential future range shifts under a scenario of climate warming. We found well-supported genetic and morphologic clusters corresponding to the mountain ranges where populations were sampled, with 43% of all alleles being restricted to single mountains. Our data suggest that large-scale and long-term geographic isolation on mountain islands caused genetically and morphologically distinct population clusters in Z. poliogaster. However, major genetic and biometric splits were not correlated to the geographic distances among populations. This heterogeneous pattern can be explained by past climatic shifts, as highlighted by our SDM projections. Anthropogenically fragmented populations showed lower genetic diversity and a lower mean body mass, possibly in response to suboptimal habitat conditions. On the basis of these findings and the results from our SDM analysis we predict further loss of genotypic and phenotypic uniqueness in the wake of climate change, due to the contraction of the species’ climatic niche and subsequent decline in population size

Bulletin of the African Bird Club, 2003

This is a record of bird species recorded in Arabuko – Sokoke Forest. The data was collected usin... more This is a record of bird species recorded in Arabuko – Sokoke Forest. The data was collected using point count method of data collection for a number of days from 18 – 24 June 2017. Point count data in birds is mostly used for estimating population sizes and for detecting changes in population sizes of birds. At times this method is used to determine species diversity and prepare checklists. This data is also made up of a small list of owl species recorded in the forest specifically in Cyanometra Forest of the Arabuko – Sokoke Forest.

We conducted an extensive avifaunal survey in the poorly known dryland hilltop forests of Kitui a... more We conducted an extensive avifaunal survey in the poorly known dryland hilltop forests of Kitui and Mwingi Districts to provide an inventory of the birds species. The survey covered five dryland hilltop masses namely: Mutha, Endau, Nuu, Mutito and Mumoni between October 2004 and June 2005 covering wet and dry seasons. A combination of Timed Species Counts, Mist-netting and general observations were employed to sample birds at different micro-habitat types and altitude levels. A total of 149 species within 44 families were encountered during the entire study period. A total of 363 individuals of 35 bird species were ringed through the standard mist-netting procedures. Some four Afro-Tropical and 14 Palaearctic migrants were recorded. There was a total of 14 new species records for this area which included five globally threatened species, namely: African Crowned Eagle (confirmed breeding), Martial Eagle, Ayers's Hawk Eagle, Lesser Kestrel and Hinde's Babbler. Other species of conservation concern include the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia). These Hills are clearly important sites for raptors both Afrotropical and palaearctic migrants. These sites have high potential for bird-watching and Avi-tourism due to the high diversity and abundance of beautiful birds and sceneries. The baseline data reported here suggest that these forests are of exceptional conservation important for birds and we recommend that these sites be considered for inclusion in the Kenya's Important Bird Areas (IBA) network.

Bonn zoological Bulletin, 2014

Biodiversity and Conservation, 2020

The success of nature conservation strongly depends on the attitudes and awareness of people, as ... more The success of nature conservation strongly depends on the attitudes and awareness of people, as well as on the level of poverty, land scarcity, communication gaps, and governance structures. In this commentary we elaborate potential effects of inter-community differences on peoples´ attitudes towards nature conservation and the role of land management, communication and governance in nature conservation for three forest regions in south-eastern Kenya. We considered the following areas: the riparian forests in the semi-arid Kitui county, the Arabuko Sokoke coastal forest, and the cloud forests of the Taita Hills. In all three areas, the remaining forests are strongly fragmented and forest habitat quality is degraded, yet still supports outstanding diversity of plant and animal species richness. Despite current efforts to conserve these ecosystems, its degradation continues due to various reasons: (1) Population and economic pressure; (2) Limited land availability and insecure land tenure systems; (3) Inconsistencies between the legislation and governance; and, (4) Communication gaps and a lack of information flow among stakeholders from the national to the local level. Here we identify and present common and diverging coherences among the three study regions. We found that people´s awareness and willingness play a rather marginal role to turn nature conservation into successful management, but shortcomings in policies and governance are the main drivers.

Bird Conservation International, 2010

SummaryImportant Bird Areas (IBAs) form a network of priority sites that are critical for the con... more SummaryImportant Bird Areas (IBAs) form a network of priority sites that are critical for the conservation of birds and biodiversity. A standard framework for monitoring IBAs is being implemented by the BirdLife Partnership globally. Scores are assigned on a simple ranked scale for state (condition), pressure (threats) and response (conservation action) at each site, from which IBA indices can be calculated. In Kenya, this scoring system was applied retrospectively using information in the national IBA directory (1999) and subsequent status reports (2004 and 2005). IBA indices for 36 IBAs show that their average condition deteriorated between 1999 and 2005, with the mean state score being between ‘unfavourable’ and ‘near favourable’. Pressures on IBAs showed a slight decline in intensity, especially from 2004 to 2005, coincident with an improvement in management that was reflected in increasing response scores. Compared to unprotected IBAs, officially protected sites had substantial...

Biodiversity and Conservation, 2005

The need for effective global monitoring of biodiversity is clearer than ever, but our measuremen... more The need for effective global monitoring of biodiversity is clearer than ever, but our measurements remain patchy and inadequate. In the biodiversity-rich tropics, a central problem is the sustainability of monitoring schemes. Locally-based, participatory approaches show promise in overcoming this problem, but may not contribute effectively to monitoring at larger scales. BirdLife International's framework for monitoring Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Africa is designed to be simple, robust and locally-grounded, but to produce scaleable results that can be compiled into national or regional indices. Focusing on key sites for bird conservation, identified according to standard criteria, the framework institutionalises monitoring in site management authorities and Site Support Groups (community-based organisations of local people working for conservation and sustainable development). A small, central monitoring unit coordinates the programme nationally, compiles, analyses and manages data, and provides feedback. 'Basic' monitoring (taking place at all sites) involves scoring of state, pressure and response trends using site information submitted on simple forms. 'Detailed' monitoring (taking place at a selected subset of sites) involves more intensive measurement of particular variables that relate to site management targets. IBA monitoring is now underway in at least 10 African countries, with implementation of the framework most advanced (thanks to a pilot project) in Kenya. The 2004 IBA monitoring report for Kenya provides extensive information on individual IBAs, plus indices for national trends in state, pressure and response, based on data from 49 out of 60 sites. The experience in Kenya shows that institutionalisation is vital, but takes considerable time and effort; that adequate coordination (including timely feedback) is key; and that participatory monitoring has many valuable benefits beyond the data collected. Further work is being undertaken to refine the process, improve its scientific underpinning, and strengthen the feedback loop from data and analysis to action on the ground.

Biodiversity and Conservation, 2014

Research collaboration between developed countries from the northern hemisphere and developing co... more Research collaboration between developed countries from the northern hemisphere and developing countries in the southern hemisphere is essential for the understanding and protection of the major proportion of biodiversity located in the tropics. Focusing on the case of sub-Saharan Africa, we here assess the real involvement of northern versus southern contributors, and caution against unequal academic benefit sharing arising from non-commercial biodiversity research that may ultimately hamper sustainable knowledge transfer and long-term biodiversity conservation. We discuss possible drivers that may have led to a business of raw biodiversity data. While we fully support the current efforts to stamp out biopiracy through international biodiversity policies and agreements, we illustrate that such legislative frameworks may further constrain biodiversity research, especially in countries where regulations are poorly streamlined and

Biodiversity and Conservation