Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science (DABCS)
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Item The Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site(Biodiversity and Conservation, 2000-04) Gordon, C.; Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y.; Ryan, J.M.The Coastal Wetlands Management Project (CWMP), funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the Ghana Wildlife Department, seeks to preserve the ecological integrity of coastal lagoons that serve as important sites for migratory waterbirds. This report describes the geomorphology, hydrology, soils, water chemistry, and vegetation of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site. Muni lagoon is a saline, shallow water lagoon separated from the sea by a sand bar which may be breached occasionally. The bulk of the rainfall in the catchment evaporates or flows as surface runoff into three streams that empty into Muni lagoon. Open water in the lagoon varies seasonally from 100 ha in the dry season to over 1000 ha in the wet season. The natural flora of the site can be divided into four main types; flood plain (including mangrove and wetland vegetation), dune vegetation, riverine vegetation, and terrestrial vegetation on elevated ground. The latter consists of a combination of grasslands, thickets, and Eucalyptus plantations. Fifty-three percent of the site is classified as natural vegetation. An additional 32.5% is agricultural land and 12.6% is residential area for the 11 communities within the site. The main source of employment are farming or fishing. The area surrounding Muni lagoon is used extensively for bushmeat hunting and as the tribal hunting grounds of the Efutu people. Apart from the global importance of the Muni-Pomadze site for biodiversity, management of the site is further justified by its considerable potential for development as an income-generating and educational nature reserve with an eco-cultural theme, managed by the local communities in partnership with the governmental and non-governmental conservation agencies.Item Mammal fauna of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site, Ghana(Biodiversity and Conservation, 2000-04) Ryan, J.M.; Attuquayefio, D.A survey of the terrestrial mammal fauna of Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site along the Ghana coastline recorded 13 species, with 9 additional species reported by local villagers. Small mammal communities are most diverse in the grassland-thicket habitats surrounding the lagoons. Less diverse communities were present in and around managed Ecalyptus plantations or near villages. Duikers, antelope, bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), and cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus) are hunted (or trapped) for bushmeat. Bushbuck, in particular, play an important role in certain cultural ceremonies at Muni-Pomadze. Conservation efforts at these localities should focus on the management of bushmeat species and the establishment of a long-term monitoring program using small mammal communities as bioindicators of the health of the terrestrial habitats bordering Muni Lagoon.Item Insects of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site(Biodiversity and Conservation, 2000-01) Gordon, I.; Cobblah, M.A variety of collection methods were used to inventory the insect diversity of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site along the Ghana coastline. A total of 75 butterfly species in five families were collected and identified. Twenty-six percent of the butterfly species were open country species. The butterflies were all typical of the coastal zone and no endangered or narrowly endemic species were recorded. The Muni-Pomadze site was also rich in other insect species (67 insect species belonging to 15 orders) as a result of the diverse terrestrial habitats surrounding the lagoon. Butterfly species composition changed with habitat indicating a fine-grained response by the butterfly communities to habitat changes. Data from long-term monitoring of butterfly communities at Muni-Pomadze could prove useful as indicators of habitat quality.Item Natural resources of Okyeman-An overview(West African Journal of Applied Ecology, 2012-01) Owusu, E.H.Biodiversity in all its forms sustains tremendous socio-economic and cultural interests of millions of people all over the world. Increasing human population has resulted in proportional increase in the demand for natural resources for the sustenance of human development needs. Unsustainable pattern of utilization of biodiversity in most parts of the world has necessitated the need for new thinking in the management of biodiversity. One key approach to managing these resources is through community-based approaches as opposed the classic approach to managing natural resources. The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area (Okyeman) in the Eastern Region of Ghana offers some lessons on community approaches in managing natural resources. Okyeman is one of the ecologically endowed areas in Ghana. The Traditional Area boasts of rich biodiversity including endemic, rare and globally threatened fauna and flora as well as diverse landscape of aesthetic value. Atewa Range Forest Reserve, one of the ecologically unique sites in Ghana is a prominent feature in the traditional area which is a home to many of the fauna and flora resources of the traditional area. However, these have in recent times come under intense pressure from illegal and unsustainable exploitation. This situation has compromised the ecological and biological integrity of Okyeman. Recognizing the need to reverse the situation, the traditional council has in recent times taken the initiative to use the existing traditional structures to enhance natural resource governance in the area. This chapter gives an overview of the current status of natural resource of the traditional area, highlighting on their importance to local people and the need for sustainable exploitation of these resources.