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Research Article

Parks, people and pixels: evaluating landscape effects of an East African national park on its surroundings [ 122-142 ]

Jane Southworth, Joel Hartter, Michael W. Binford, Abraham Goldman, Colin A. Chapman, Lauren J. Chapman, Patrick Omeja, and Elizabeth Binford

Abstract
Landscapes surrounding protected areas, while still containing considerable biodiversity, have rapidly growing human populations and associated agricultural development in most of the developing world that tend to isolate them, potentially reducing their conservation value. Using field studies and multi-temporal Landsat imagery, we examine a forest park, Kibale National Park in western Uganda, its changes over time, and related land cover change in the surrounding landscape. We find Kibale has successfully defended its borders and prevents within-park deforestation and other land incursions, and has maintained tree cover throughout the time period of the study. Outside the park there was a significant increase in tea plantations and continued forest fragmentation and wetland loss. The question of whether the park is a conservation success because of the network of forest fragments and wetlands or in spite of them remains unanswered.


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General interest summaries (when available)
    English: Tropical forests worldwide are disappearing rapidly, and without adequate protection much of the world’s tropical biological diversity may not survive. Parks are important mechanisms to protect and maintain threatened or endangered flora and fauna. However, most forest parks have become ecosystem remnants. These same areas that are rich in biological diversity also represent reservoirs of land, resources, and economic opportunity for people. Kibale National Park, a moist tropical forest along the equator in western Uganda is particularly important for conservation because it contains 12 species of primates, including the endangered chimpanzee, the highest known concentration of butterflies in the world, and many fish and bird species, some of which found only in Kibale. Kibale’s setting is an example of rapid population growth, high population density, and heavy reliance on subsistence agriculture, and land shortage that has led to park isolation. Therefore, it is particularly valuable to conservationists, park managers, and scientists to understand how Kibale has fared over time and whether the park has remained intact despite heavy land conversion outside its borders. To do this, we used satellite imagery to assess vegetation change inside and outside the park. Satellite imagery allows us to efficiently observe and monitor the changes that have occurred over time, over a large area. We find Kibale’s borders have been maintained and that there is no large-scale encroachment and loss for forest in the park. Outside the park there was a significant increase in tea plantations and farmland, causing further forest and wetland conversion.

    Español: En este trabajo, Southworth and coautores argumentan que aun cuando los parques nacionales son un mecanismo importante para proteger y mantener flora y fauna amenazadas, muchos de estos se han convertido en remanentes de selva rodeados de campos agrícolas. Un buen ejemplo de esta es el Parque Nacional Kibale (PNK) en Uganda, Africa. El PNK se ubica en la línea ecuatorial en el oeste de Uganda y aloja una alta riqueza biológica, la cual incluye un número alto de especies de primates, la concentración más alta de mariposas en el mundo y muchas aves y peces endémicas a la región de Kibale. Los autores reportan que el contexto humano en el cual el PNK existe se caracteriza por un rápido crecimiento de la población, una alta densidad de esta y una dependencia muy fuerte de la agricultura de subsistencia y escases de tierras. Esto ha resultado en el aislamiento del parque. A través del uso de imágenes de satélite los autores evaluaron el impacto de estas presiones dentro y fuera del parque y encontraron que los bordes del PNK han sido respetados y no hay evidencia de pérdida de la selva en su seno. Sin embargo, fuera del parque la evaluación detecto un incremento significativo en plantaciones de té y otros campos agrícolas., resultando en pérdidas importantes de selvas y humedales.

    Português: As florestas tropicais estão desaparecendo rapidamente ao redor do mundo, e sem proteção adequada muito da diversidade biológica tropical mundial pode não sobreviver. Parques são mecanismos importantes para proteger e manter flora e fauna ameaçada ou em perigo. Entretanto, muitos parques florestais se tornaram ecossistemas remanescentes. Essas mesmas áreas que são ricas em diversidade biológica também representam reservas de terra, recursos, e oportunidade econômica para pessoas. O Parque Nacional de Kibale, uma floresta tropical úmida ao longo do equador no oeste da Uganda é particularmente importante para a conservação porque contém 12 espécies de primatas, incluindo os chimpanzés em perigo, a mais alta concentração conhecida de borboletas no mundo, e muitas espécies de peixes e aves, alguns dos quais encontrados apenas em Kibale. A configuração de Kibale é um exemplo de rápido crescimento populacional, alta densidade populacional, e forte dependência da agricultura de subsistência, e escassez de terra, o que levou ao isolamento do parque. Entretanto, é particularmente valioso aos conservacionistas, gestores do parque, e cientistas entender como Kibale tem ido ao longo do tempo e se o parque tem permanecido intacto apesar da elevada conversão do solo fora de suas divisas. Para isso, nós usamos imagens de satélite para acessar a mudança da vegetação dentro e fora do parque. Imagens de satélite nos permitem eficientemente observar e monitorar as mudanças que tem ocorrido ao longo do tempo, sobre uma grande área. Encontramos que as bordas de Kibale tem sido mantidas e que não há invasão em larga-escala e perda de floresta no parque. Fora do parque há um aumento significativo nas plantações de chá e terra, adicionando floresta e conversão em zonas úmidas.

    Français: Dans le monde entier, les forêts tropicales disparaissent rapidement, et, sans la protection adéquate, la plupart de la diversité biologique tropicale mondiale ne survivra pas. Les parcs sont des systèmes importants pour protéger et maintenir la faune et la flore menacées. Cependant, la plupart des parcs forestiers sont devenus des écosystèmes vestiges. Ce même espace, riche en diversité biologique, représente aussi un réservoir de terrains, de ressources, et des opportunités économiques pour les populations. Le Parc National de Kibale une forêt tropicale humide située le long de l’équateur dans l’ouest ougandais, est particulièrement important en terme de conservation puisqu’il abrite 12 espèces de primates dont les chimpanzés, considérés comme en danger d’extinction, la plus forte concentration connue de papillon au monde, et beaucoup d’espèces de poissons et d’oiseaux, dont certains trouvés uniquement à Kibale. L’établissement du Parc de Kibale est un exemple de croissance rapide de la population, de haute densité de population, où leur subsistance est fortement basé sur l’agriculture, et où la partage des terres à mené à l’isolement du parc. Par conséquent, il est particulièrement important pour les conservateurs, les managers du parc et les scientifiques de comprendre comment Kibale s’en est tiré au cours du temps et si le parc est resté intact malgré la lourde conversion des terres en dehors de ses limites. Pour cela, nous avons utilisé la technique de l’imagerie satellite pour évaluer les changements de végétation à l’intérieur et à l’extérieur du parc. L’imagerie satellite nous permet d’observer et d’enregistrer efficacement les changements survenus au cours du temps sur une large surface. Nous avons mis en évidence que les limites du parc de Kibale se sont maintenues et qu’il n’y a pas eu d’empiètement ni de perte de forêt à grande échelle. En dehors du parc, il y a eut une augmentation significative des plantations de thé et des surfaces cultivées, provocant d’autres conversions de forêt et de zones humides.
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   Tropical Conservation Science is an open-access e-journal that publishes research relating to conservation of tropical forests and other tropical ecosystems.

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