Title: Community-based conservation in East Africa: a case study of Ndarakwai ranch, Tanzania

Authors: Melissa Elander, Augusta Blackstone, Chad Cleary, Heather Clogston, Michael Hallworth, Heidi Jardin, Zachary Johnson, Jeannie Kornfeld, Kyle Parent, Katherine Donahue, Len Reitsma

Addresses: Plymouth State University, Plymouth, New Hampshire, USA. ' Plymouth State University, Plymouth, New Hampshire, USA. ' Plymouth State University, Plymouth, New Hampshire, USA. ' Plymouth State University, Plymouth, New Hampshire, USA. ' Plymouth State University, Plymouth, New Hampshire, USA. ' Plymouth State University, Plymouth, New Hampshire, USA. ' Plymouth State University, Plymouth, New Hampshire, USA. ' Plymouth State University, Plymouth, New Hampshire, USA. ' Plymouth State University, Plymouth, New Hampshire, USA. ' Plymouth State University, Plymouth, New Hampshire, USA. ' Plymouth State University, Plymouth, New Hampshire, USA

Abstract: In East Africa, areas of interspersed savanna and woodland between large preserves, such as National Parks, act as important corridors for migrating wildlife. Ndarakwai ranch serves as a wildlife corridor, in particular for the African elephant (Loxodonta africana). We compared browsing intensity on two species of Acacia by measuring elephant damage in 2002 and 2004, especially as it relates to the proximity of individual trees to a permanent water hole. We found a significant negative correlation between damage to both A. tortilis and A. mellifera and their distance from the water hole, as well as significantly greater damage on A. mellifera. The use of this wooded site appears to have declined, as measured by the significantly lower abundance of elephant scat on the site in 2004 compared to 2002.

Keywords: community-based conservation; local communities; East Africa; Tanzania; wildlife corridors; water holes; tree damage; elephants; browsing intensity; elephant damage.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2006.053949

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2006 Vol.8 No.1, pp.89 - 95

Published online: 13 May 2013 *

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