Academic literature on the topic 'Ecology elephants maputo mozambique'

A floristic analysis of the grass species assemblages of the Licuati Forest and Maputo Elephant Reserves south of Maputo Bay, Mozambique, is presented. Sampling of grass data was undertaken in six previously described, major vegetation types. TWINSPAN divisions distinguished grass assemblages that are characteristic for these major vegetation types of the study area. The results were supported by an Indirect Gradient Analysis. Further TWINSPAN divisions of a larger Maputaland data set indicated a floristic relationship between grass assemblages of similar major vegetation types in the study area and South Africa. This relationship was supported by high similarity values ( 65%), obtained with Sorenson's Coefficient. The coefficient also indicated varying degrees of similarity between grass assemblages of different major vegetation types within the study area. A rich diversity of 115 grass species and infraspecific taxa was recorded for the study area. The Chloridoideae and Panicoideae dominate the grass diversity and the genera with the most species include Eragrostis, Panicum and Digitaria. Most grass species in the study area are perennials and have a tufted growth form, but this varies considerably between vegetation types.

Present paper contains the first comprehensive summary of the Cossidae of the Maputo Special Reserve (South Mozambique), including ten species. Two species are described as new to science: Afrikanetz smithi Yakovlev & László sp. n. and Brachylia maputo Yakovlev & László sp. n. Three species are reported from Mozambique for the first time. With 14 colour and 2 black and white figures.

A list of 74 species of the Sphingidae (Lepidoptera) recently sampled at sites in Maputo, Gorongosa, Manica, Cabo Delgado and Zambezia provinces of Mozambique is provided. All species are illustrated of which fourteen are recorded for the first time from Mozambique.

Participation by local communities in management is widely considered a means of sustaining protected areas. In parts of the world with a history of armed conflict, the chances of such an approach being successfully adopted might seem remote. One such area is the Maputo Elephant Reserve in southern Mozambique. The aim was to improve understanding of the local people's use of natural resources and perceptions of the Reserve's impact. Interviews and questionnaires distributed in four different villages were used to estimate the relative value of these resources in relation to the attitude of the local people towards the Reserve. The people gave a relative value rank for each specific use of each plant, animal and fish resource. On average 60% of the households exploited more than two different resource categories. The plant resources of the Reserve were used by 71% of the households and were valued more highly than animal and fish resources. Plants were used for many purposes; construction material, fuelwood and fruits had the highest relative values. Antelopes, hippopotamus and elephants were valued highest amongst a range of animal species which were hunted by 21% of households. Amongst uses of animals, consumption, use of the skins and commercial sale of the meat were especially important. When asked if they liked the Reserve, 88% of respondents answered positively. The attitude towards the Reserve was correlated with crop damage experiences; people with crop damage caused by elephants, hippos or bushpigs, were more negative. Attitude of respondents was inversely related to the number of species invading their agricultural fields. Resource use intensity, use purpose, resource value and attitude were different amongst sites and dependent on site-specific circumstances, different management strategies could be necessary for the four sites. A resource management plan should be drawn up, local people should be included in the management team and steps should be taken to improve the relationship between the Reserve's authorities and the local population generally.

AbstractHuman–wildlife conflicts are common across Africa. In Mozambique, official records show that wildlife killed 265 people during 27 months (July 2006 to September 2008). Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus, lion Panthera leo, elephant Loxodonta africana and hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius caused most deaths but crocodiles were responsible for 66%. Crocodile attacks occurred across Mozambique but 53% of deaths occurred in districts bordering Lake Cabora Bassa and the Zambezi River. Hippopotamus attacks were also concentrated here. Lion attacks occurred mainly in northern Mozambique and, while people were attacked by elephants across the country, 67% of deaths occurred in northern Mozambique. Attacks by lions, elephants or hippopotamuses were relatively rare but additional data will probably show that attacks by these species are more widespread than the preliminary records suggest. Buffalo Syncerus caffer, hyaena Crocuta crocuta and leopard Panthera pardus were minor conflict species. Good land-use planning, a long-term solution to many conflicts, is particularly relevant in Mozambique, where the crocodile and hippopotamus populations of protected areas are often in rivers that border these areas, and cause conflicts outside them, and where people commonly live within protected areas. Poverty may prompt fishermen to risk crocodile attack by entering rivers or lakes. The high incidence of conflicts near Limpopo and South Africa’s Kruger National Parks (both within the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area) highlights the problems created for people by facilitating the unrestricted movement of wildlife between protected areas across their land.

Thesis (MScConsEcol)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Mopane woodlands are some of the most economically and ecologically important vegetation types of southern Africa, providing an array of services and products for sustaining livelihood of local communities in dry and low lying areas. Although Mopane woodlands, like other African savannas, have received attention in the last decades, few studies were carried out using an integrated approach that combines socio-economic and environmental considerations. The aim of this study was to document the impact of harvesting woody resources in order to recommend ways of meeting ecological and economic objectives for sustainable use of communal resources in a rural community in the Mahel area, Mozambique. This was achieved by looking at the pattern of species composition, resource availability and dynamics of the woody vegetation and how the woodland is used. The study found that woodland resources in the area have a promising potential. Local communities who also recognised the crucial importance of these resources for their livelihood corroborated this. Thus, conservation measures are needed because the current unsustainable utilisation of the resources may lead to degradation of the woodland resource base. The species richness and diversity of the vegetation appeared to be influenced by a number of ecological and anthropogenic factors, but soil characteristics are the most important determinant of distribution and composition of the Mopane and Acacia woodlands in Mahel. The harsh environmental conditions on hard clay soils lead to dominance of over 80% of the Mahel area by Colophospermum mopane. There was evidence of high variation of species richness per plot at a distance from the villages. On the other hand species diversity near the villages was higher because of human activities. Colophospermum mopane formed mono-specific stands far from the villages. One of the most important aspects of the study is the invaluable contribution of baseline information for long-term studies for biodiversity assessment and monitoring of vegetation changes caused by impact of harvesting in the Mopane woodland. The availability of woody resources in the Mahel area was higher in Mopane woodland (937 stems ha-I) than in Acacia woodland (271 stems ha -1). The population structure of most tree species was shown to be stable in Mopane woodland. Therefore, sustainable harvesting in the woodland for firewood, construction material and poles, other than charcoal production could be encouraged. The preference across use types and species depended mostly on availability of resources in the woodland. Colophospermum mopane was the species with highest multiple use, including for firewood, charcoal, construction material, fencing poles and edible caterpillars. Local people perceived that crop production was a more important source of benefits for their livelihoods than cattle farming, woodland use and cash income. Application of strategic management planning is crucial in the Mahel area. This will require a suitable zoning scheme for appropriate use of the woodland resources and conservation of the vegetation as a guarantee for sustainable development of the local communities.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Mopanie bosveld is een van die mees ekonomies en ekologies belangrike plantegroei tipes en voorsien 'n reeks dienste en produkte wat bydrae tot die lewensonderhoud van plaaslike gemeenskappe in die droeë en laagliggende dele van Suider Afrika. Alhoewel Mopanie bosveld, soos ook ander savanna tipes in Afrika, in die afgelope dekades aandag geniet het, is daar 'n tekort aan studies wat sosio-ekonomiese, sowel as omgewingsaspekte, integreer en aanspreek. Die doel van die studie was om die impak van oes en benutting van houtagtige hulpbronne te dokumenteer en sodoende aanbevelings te maak aangaande die ekologiese en ekonomiese aspekte van die volhoudbare benutting van gemeenskaplike hulpbronne in die Mahel gebied, Mosambiek. Dit is gedoen deur ondersoek in te stel na die patroon van spesie samestelling, die beskikbaarheid en gebruik van bosveld hulpbronne en die dinamiese prosesse van die houtagtige plantegroei. In die studie is gevind dat daar belowende potensiaal in die gebruik van die houtagtige hulpbronne in die studiegebied, opgesluit is. Die bevinding is bevestig deur die plaaslike gemeenskappe wat die belangrikheid van die hulpbronne in hul lewensonderhoud herken. In die lig van die huidige onvolhoudbare verbruik van die hulpbron, is maatreëls vir die bewaring hiervan nodig om moontlike oorbenutting van houtagtige hulpbronne te voorkom. Dit wil voorkom asof die spesierykheid en diversiteit deur 'n aantal antropogeniese faktore beinvloed word, maar grondeienskappe is die belangrikste faktor wat die verspreiding en samestelling van Mopanie en Akasia bosveld in die Mahel, bepaal. Die ongunstige omgewingstoestande op harde, klei grond, lei daartoe dat tot 80 % van die Mahel gedomineer word deur Colosphospermum mopane. Daar was verder aanduidings van hoër spesierykheid per plot soos daar van plaaslike nedersettings wegbeweeg word. Daar was egter 'n hoër spesiediversiteit nader aan nedersettings, as gevolg van menslike aktiwiteite. Daar was 'n tendens vir Colosphospermum mopane om mono-spesifieke opstande met groter afstand van nedersettings te vorm. Een van die mees belangrike aspekte van die studie is die bydrae wat dit lewer tot grondbeginsels vir langtermyn studies, wat fokus op die impak van menslike gebruik van Mopanie bosveld op die biodiversiteit en plantegroeisamestelling van die hulpbron. Die beskikbaarheid van houtagtige hulpbronne was hoër in die Mahel Mopanie bosveld (937 stamme ha-I) as in Akasia bosveld (271 stamme ha-I). Daar is gevind dat die populasiestruktuur, sowel as regenerasie van die populasie, stabiel is in Mopanie bosveld. Derhalwe kan benutting van die bosveld vir vuurmaakhout (uitsluitende charcoal) en boumateriaal aangemoedig word. Die voorkeur van sekere spesies en aanwending vir sekere gebruike het meestal afgehang van die beskikbaarheid van die verkillende hulpbronne in die bosveld. Colosphospermum mopane is die spesie wat die meeste aangewend is vir gebruik vir onder andere, vuurmaakhout, charcoal, boumateriaal, heining pale en die voorsiening van eetbare ruspus. Daar is verder bevind dat die plaaslike inwoners gewasproduksie as 'n belangriker ondersteuningsfaktor vir lewensonderhoud sien as lewendehawe produksie, bosveld benutting en kontant inkomste. Die toepassing van strategiese bestuursbeplanning is van kardinale belang in die Mahel. Dit sluit die ontwikkeling van 'n sonerings skema in, om die toepaslike gebruik van bosveld hulpbronne en die bewaring van die plantegroei te verseker vir die toekomstige volhoudbare gebruik van die hulpbron deur plaaslike gemeenskappe.

The ecology and population biology of bottlenose and humpback dolphins inhabiting the Maputo Bay, Southern Mozambique were studied through boat based photoidentification surveys and behavioural methods between December 1995 and December 1997. Data from preliminary surveys carried out in 1992 are also included. Bottlenose dolphins occurred throughout the year in Maputo Bay, but were sighted infrequently (36% of surveys). Their occurrence and group size were significantly larger during winter. Group size of bottlenose dolphins not differ significantly between months, daylight hours, semi-lunar tidal cycles and depth. Most identifiable bottlenose dolphin individuals had low site fidelity, but nursing females had relatively high site fidelity, implying that Maputo Bay is a nursing area. The group dynamics of bottlenose dolphins suggests a fluid (fission-fusion) social organisation. Age and sex appears to influence the degree of association between individuals. An influx of bottlenose dolphins occurred during winter and influenced group size and occurrence. Bottlenose dolphins occurred in restricted areas of the Bay, preferring the north eastern area (the pass between the Bay and the Ocean), and along the 3 km strip from the east coast of Inhaca Island. Their distribution here did not vary with depth, although they did not occur in intertidal areas. Feeding dominated both frequency and proportion of time of bottlenose dolphin behaviour. Social behaviour accounted for a small proportion of time (10%) and was greater in open unsheltered areas. Neither season, nor depth, nor daylight, nor tides influenced the proportion of time allocated to the types of behaviours. Non directional movement occurred on most of the sightings of bottlenose dolphins, but smaller groups of dolphins moved inshore at high tide late in the afternoon. Few bottlenose dolphin births were observed and the numbers of animals born varied between years. Recruitment rates at six months and one year were low and mortality rates of calves appeared high, but were probably inaccurate because the fate of mother-calf pairs that left the area could not be established. Population estimates of the bottlenose dolphins varied between 170 and 526 individuals. The precision of these estimates was poor, because of high proportion of transient individuals which almost certainly violated some model assumptions. Humpback dolphins occurred throughout the year in Maputo Bay, but were sighted infrequently (21% of surveys). The occurrence and group size of humpback dolphins were not influenced by season, months, daylight, semi-lunar tidal cycles and depth. Groups of humpback dolphins in Maputo Bay were the largest observed along the east coast of Southern Africa. Most identified humpback dolphin individuals showed low site fidelity, but a relatively high proportion of individuals (including nursing females) had high site fidelity. Humpback dolphin groups had a fluid (fission- fusion) social organisation, but there was a large proportion of stable associations between resident individuals. Age and sex appears to influence the degree of association between individuals. An influx of humpback dolphin individuals occurred during summer but did not change group size or occurrence, suggesting the occurrence of an outflux of other individuals. Humpback dolphins in the Bay ranged between the deep north eastern Maputo Bay to the southern intertidal areas. Most sightings occurred within 1 km from shore along the eastern coast of Inhaca Island, at variable depth. Humpback dolphins spent more time feeding (57%) and travelling (30%) than socializing and resting, because of their movements between extensive intertidal areas and deep channels. Social behaviour contributed a small proportion of time (10%), but increased when humpback dolphins moved towards and within shallow sheltered areas. Neither season, nor depth, nor daylight, nor tides influenced the proportion of time allocated to the types of behaviours of this species. Non directional movement occurred on most of the sightings of humpback dolphins, thought this was significantly influenced by diurnal tides. Few humpback dolphin births were observed and their numbers varied between years. Recruitment rates at six months and one year were low and mortality rates appeared high, but were probably inaccurate because the fate of mother-calf pairs that left the area could not be established. Population estimates of humpback dolphins varied between 105 and 308 individuals, but their precision was poor, because of a high proportion of transient individuals which almost certainly violated some model assumptions. Maputo Bay is a feeding, breeding and nursing area for bottlenose and humpback dolphins. These species are threatened by intense fishing activity, habitat degradation, coastal development and disturbance by powerboats and other activities (tourism, port) carried out in and around Maputo Bay. Their low estimated growth rates imply the implementation of precautionary conservation measures. The actual distribution of these species may reflect the deterioration of the habitats in the western part of the Bay. A coastal zone management plan to address environmental problems affecting the dolphin species need to be formulated and implemented.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

Up until 1969 Nile Crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) were considered as vermin in South Africa and were actively persecuted throughout the country. In an effort to re-establish viable populations within protected areas in Zululand a restocking program was initiated in the late 1960‟s and early 1970‟s. Ndumo Game Reserve (NGR) in north eastern KwaZulu-Natal was one of the reserves involved in the restocking program and the Nile Crocodile population in the reserve increased from a minimum absolute abundance of 348 (SE ± 3.39; N = 3) in the early 1970‟s to a minimum absolute abundance of 992 (SE ± 58.70; N = 4) in the 1990‟s. However, in recent years there has been some concern that the NGR Nile Crocodile population may be on the decline, initiating the current investigation into the ecology and conservation of the NGR population. We examined changes in relative abundance using aerial survey data from 1971 – 2009. The precision and accuracy of population estimates was affected by water level, season, aircraft type and the use of different observers. A correction factor was applied to survey data and the current NGR Nile Crocodile population is estimated at an absolute abundance of 846 (± 263). Distribution data from the aerial surveys were also used to examine habitat use over the last 40 years and revealed that Nile Crocodiles were not evenly distributed in NGR and that crocodiles favoured the Phongola over the Usuthu floodplain systems. NGR is characterised by a floodplain mosaic landscape and crocodile distributions between the various habitat patches were influenced by landscape physiognomy and composition as well as connectivity and corridor quality. Anthropogenic disturbances influenced the functionality of the floodplain landscape negatively with impacts on habitat use and connectivity. To quantify the effects of environmental conditions on crocodile habitat use we conducted 40 diurnal counts at Lake Nyamithi between 2009 and 2012 and related changes in crocodile numbers here to temperature, rainfall and water level. Crocodile density in Lake Nyamithi was significantly and negatively related to average maximum ambient temperature and numbers increased in the lake over the cool, dry winter season. Water level and rainfall had strong but not significant (p >0.05) negative influence on crocodile density in Lake Nyamithi. Environmental variables influenced different size class of Nile Crocodiles differently and the density of crocodiles in the 1.5 – 2.5 m Total Length (TL) size class were significantly influenced by rainfall and average minimum monthly temperature. Movement patterns of 49 Nile Crocodiles between 202 – 472 cm total length (TL) were followed over 18 months using mark-resight (n = 36), radio (n = 10) and satellite (n = 3) telemetry. The duration of radio transmitter attachment (131 days, SE ± 11.35) was significantly related to TL and reproductive status. Satellite transmitters stopped functioning after 15 (SE ± 12.53) days and home range was calculated for 7 crocodiles ranging in size from 202 cm TL – 358 cm TL. Sub-adults (1.5 - 2.5 m TL) occupied smaller, more localized home ranges than adults (> 2.5 m TL). Home ranges overlapped extensively suggesting that territoriality, if present, did not cause Nile Crocodiles to maintain spatially discrete home ranges in NGR during the dry season. A single large scale migration event occurs every year between October and November whereby the majority of the NGR crocodile population leaves the reserve and enters the Rio Maputo floodplain in adjacent Mozambique and only return in April/May. Nesting effort (19 – 21 %) in NGR was comparable to other populations of Nile Crocodile in southern Africa. Nests are completely destroyed by floods once every 10 years and predation rates may range from 20 – 86 % per year. In addition to aerial surveys, nesting surveys and movement studies crocodiles (n = 103) were caught opportunistically to collect demographic data on population structure. The population structure of Nile Crocodiles in NGR is currently skewed towards sub-adults and adults suggesting an aging population that may decline naturally in the future. This could be due to low recruitment levels in NGR that are not able to sustain the artificially high population size created by the restocking program. Sex ratios were skewed towards females in the juvenile and sub-adult size classes and towards males in the adult size class while the overall sex ratio was even between males and females. It is predicted that the NGR Nile Crocodile population will decline in the future and that this decline should be considered as a natural process. However, the rate of decline will be accelerated at an unnatural speed and to an unnatural extent due to poaching, uncontrolled harvesting and destruction of nesting habitat within NGR. Based on the findings of the current study, management recommendations for the conservation of the combined NGR – Rio Maputo Nile Crocodile population were made. It is important that further research takes place in the Rio Maputo floodplain in Mozambique to better quantify the nesting ecology of the NGR Nile Crocodile population and to identify possible threats facing Nile Crocodiles in this region.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

While the savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana) is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as “vulnerable” because of declining abundance in some regions of Africa (Blanc 2008), populations in some protected areas of South Africa are growing rapidly (van Aarde and Jackson 2007). These populations can cause extensive modification of vegetation structure when their density increases (Owen-Smith 1996; Whyte et al. 2003; Guldemond and van Aarde 2007). Management methods such as culling, translocation, and birth control have not reduced density in some cases (van Aarde et al. 1999; Pimm and van Aarde 2001). Providing more space for elephants is one alternative management strategy, yet fundamental to this strategy is a clear understanding of habitat and landscape use by elephants. Harris et al. (2008) combined remotely sensed data with Global Positioning System (GPS) and traditional ethological observations to assess elephant habitat use across three areas that span the ecological gradient of historical elephant distribution. They explored influences on habitat use across arid savannahs (Etosha National Park in Namibia) and woodlands (Tembe Elephant Park in South Africa and Maputo Elephant Reserve in Mozambique). The researchers focused on three main variables—distance to human settlements, distance to water, and vegetation type. The authors used Landsat 7 ETMþ imagery to create vegetation maps for each location, employing supervised classification and maximum likelihood estimation. Across all sites, they recorded the coordinates of patches with different vegetation and of vegetation transitions to develop signatures for the maps. Elephants do not use all vegetation types, and it can be expedient to focus on presence rather than both presence and absence. Accordingly, the researchers used GPS to record the locations of elephants with the aim of identifying important land cover types for vegetation mapping. The authors mapped water locations in the wet and dry seasons using remotely sensed data and mapped human settlements using GPS, aerial surveys, and regional maps. They tracked elephants with radiotelemetry collars that communicated with the ARGOS satellite system, sending location data for most of the elephants over 24 h, and then remaining quiescent for the next 48 h to extend battery life.