Abstract: Cultural practices and beliefs are closely linked to biodiversity conservation. The paper presents an analysis of information collected from three indigenous communities (Ichamus/Njemps, Pokots and Tugen) living in Lake Baringo ecosystem, Kenya. We argue that community cultural practices and beliefs have an impact in the conservation of ecosystems such as that of Lake Baringo. Descriptive survey method where semi-structured questionnaires were administered to household heads was used to collect data. Qualitative, participant observation and recording of key informants were also used in data collection. The data collected was guided by the Ecosystem Services (ES) framework. Analysis was done using a combination of descriptive and content analysis. The analysis shows that cultural practices and beliefs have some positive and negative impacts in the conservation of an ecosystem. It is recommended that cultural practices and beliefs may be useful in the conservation of an ecosystem but care must be taken to ensure that those culture practices that are not compatible with ecosystem management are eliminated.Abstract: Cultural practices and beliefs are closely linked to biodiversity conservation. The paper presents an analysis of information collected from three indigenous communities (Ichamus/Njemps, Pokots and Tugen) living in Lake Baringo ecosystem, Kenya. We argue that community cultural practices and beliefs have an impact in the conservation of ecosystems ...Show More
Abstract: Colobus guereza gallarum is the subspecies of Colobus monkey (Colobus guereza) restricted to the Ethiopian highlands to the east of the Rift Valley. This study was carried out from February to June 2016 to provide data on Population status, distribution, and threats of C. g. gallarum in Bale Mountains National Park. Line transects with 5 km distance were made in all survey areas to estimate the whole population in the area. Field visits and questionnaire distribution were made to assess community perception and threats to the species. The major population of C. g. gallarum was observed in Rira. A total of 116 and 113 individuals were observed in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. There was no significant difference between wet and dry seasons (F= 0.072, df=1, p=0.795) of the population size of C. g. gallarum. Out of 229 individuals of guereza counted in both dry and wet seasons, 44 were adult males, 58 adult females, 42 sub-adult males, 43 sub-adult females and the remaining 42 were young individuals. However, as t-test indicated, here was no significant difference between wet and dry seasons in a number of in this sex and age categories (P>0.70). The male to female ratio was 1.00:1.1, while, the age ratio of young to all other individuals was 1.00:4.45. Here also, the ratio of young to an adult female was 1.00:1.40 and 1.00:1.36 during dry and wet seasons, respectively. The response of communities indicated the presence of positive perception towards the species due to its main importance for tourism and cultural aspect of the communities. Moreover, habitat destruction due to logging, farmland expansion and settlement were main observed threats to species in the area.Abstract: Colobus guereza gallarum is the subspecies of Colobus monkey (Colobus guereza) restricted to the Ethiopian highlands to the east of the Rift Valley. This study was carried out from February to June 2016 to provide data on Population status, distribution, and threats of C. g. gallarum in Bale Mountains National Park. Line transects with 5 km distanc...Show More
