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The increasing demand for ornamental, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products is driving exploitation of plant species globally. Sub-Saharan Africa harbours unique and valuable plant resources and is now a target of plant resource depletion. African Sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata), a multi-purpose and drought-tolerant species, has seen increased exploitation for the last thirty years and is now declared endangered. Initiatives to conserve O. lanceolata are not yet successful in Africa due to poor understanding of the species. This review surveys relevant research on the ecology, taxonomy, population dynamics, genetic diversity and ethnobotany of O. lanceolata, and highlights gaps in the literature for further research. A scoping review of grey literature, scholarly papers and reports was applied with pre-determined criteria to screen relevant information. Review findings indicate O. lanceolata is a globally distributed species with no identified center of origin. In Africa, it ranges from Algeria to Ethiopia and south to South Africa; in Europe it occurs in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands; in Asia from India to China, and also on Socotra. The species has a confusing taxonomy, with unresolved issues in nomenclature, country range distribution, extensive synonymisation and variation in growth form (shrub or tree). The species population is reported to be declining in Africa, but information on population dynamics across its entire range of distribution is anecdotal. Additionally, ecological factors influencing spatial distribution and survival of the species remain unknown. A variety of uses are reported for O. lanceolata globally, including: cultural; medicinal and food; dye; perfumery; timber; ethnoveterinary and phytoremediation. Key research areas and implications for conservation of O. lanceolata in Sub-Saharan Africa are proposed.
Ben Belden Mugula; Samuel Kuria Kiboi; James Ireri Kanya; Anthony Egeru; Paul Okullo; Manuel Curto; Harald Meimberg. Knowledge Gaps in Taxonomy, Ecology, Population Distribution Drivers and Genetic Diversity of African Sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata Hochst. & Steud.): A Scoping Review for Conservation. Plants 2021, 10, 1780 .
AMA StyleBen Belden Mugula, Samuel Kuria Kiboi, James Ireri Kanya, Anthony Egeru, Paul Okullo, Manuel Curto, Harald Meimberg. Knowledge Gaps in Taxonomy, Ecology, Population Distribution Drivers and Genetic Diversity of African Sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata Hochst. & Steud.): A Scoping Review for Conservation. Plants. 2021; 10 (9):1780.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBen Belden Mugula; Samuel Kuria Kiboi; James Ireri Kanya; Anthony Egeru; Paul Okullo; Manuel Curto; Harald Meimberg. 2021. "Knowledge Gaps in Taxonomy, Ecology, Population Distribution Drivers and Genetic Diversity of African Sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata Hochst. & Steud.): A Scoping Review for Conservation." Plants 10, no. 9: 1780.
Phenological properties are critical in understanding global environmental change patterns. This study analyzed phenological dynamics in a savannah dominated semi-arid environment of Uganda. We used moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer normalized difference vegetation index (MODIS NDVI) imagery. TIMESAT program was used to analyse the imagery to determine key phenological metrics; onset of greenness (OGT), onset of greenness value, end of greenness time (EGT), end of greenness value, maximum NDVI, time of maximum NDVI, duration of greenup (DOG) and range of normalized difference vegetation index (RNDVI). Results showed that thicket and shrubs had the earliest OGT on day 85 ± 14, EGT on day 244 ± 32 and a DOG of 158 ± 25 days. Woodland had the highest NDVI value for maximum NDVI, OGT, EGT, and RNDVI. In the bushland, OGT occurs on average around day 90 ± 11, EGT on day 255 ± 33 with a DOG of 163 ± 36 days. The grassland showed that OGT occurs on day 96 ± 13, EGT on day 252 ± 36 with a total DOG of 156 ± 33 days. Early photosynthesis activity was observed in central to eastern Karamoja in the districts of Moroto and Kotido. There was a positive relationship between rainfall and NDVI across all vegetation cover types as well as between phenological parameters and season dynamics. Vegetation senescence in the sub-region occurs around August to mid-September (day 244–253). The varied phenophases observed in the sub-region reveal an inherent landscape heterogeneity that is beneficial to extensive pastoral livestock production. Continuous monitoring of savannah phenological patterns in the sub-region is required to decipher landscape ecosystem processes and functioning.
Anthony Egeru; John Paul Magaya; Derick Ansyijar Kuule; Aggrey Siya; Anthony Gidudu; Bernard Barasa; Jjumba Justine Namaalwa. Savannah Phenological Dynamics Reveal Spatio-Temporal Landscape Heterogeneity in Karamoja Sub-region, Uganda. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 2020, 4, 1 .
AMA StyleAnthony Egeru, John Paul Magaya, Derick Ansyijar Kuule, Aggrey Siya, Anthony Gidudu, Bernard Barasa, Jjumba Justine Namaalwa. Savannah Phenological Dynamics Reveal Spatio-Temporal Landscape Heterogeneity in Karamoja Sub-region, Uganda. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 2020; 4 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnthony Egeru; John Paul Magaya; Derick Ansyijar Kuule; Aggrey Siya; Anthony Gidudu; Bernard Barasa; Jjumba Justine Namaalwa. 2020. "Savannah Phenological Dynamics Reveal Spatio-Temporal Landscape Heterogeneity in Karamoja Sub-region, Uganda." Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 4, no. : 1.
Ecosystems provide climate-change adaptation opportunities including ecosystem services, adaptation benefits and livelihood improvement especially for natural resource dependent communities. To contribute to the understanding of location specific adaptation processes of predominantly agro-pastoralists, a study was carried out in the central cattle corridor of Uganda to characterise ecosystem-based drought Adaptations. A cross sectional survey using semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were employed among 183 randomly selected households. The ecosystem-based adaptations (EbAs) to perceived drought impacts were characterised basing on ecosystem services, adaptation benefits to drought and livelihood improvement categories unveiling the different proportions of each EbA under each category. Water shortage and intense heat were the major perceived drought impacts. The use of drought resistant shade trees, water reservoirs and dams, and alternative ecosystem-based livelihoods were the majorly utilised EbAs. The alternative ecosystem-based livelihoods were the mostly used EbA dominating all the three categories. The utilisation of drought resistant shade trees dominated the ecosystem services and adaptation benefits categories, whereas the use of water reservoirs and dams were the mostly used EbA for livelihood improvement. These EbAs should be incorporated in climate-change adaptation policies and initiatives, while considering their subsequent dominating categories to enhance farmers’ resilience.
Susan Nanfuka; David Mfitumukiza; Anthony Egeru. Characterisation of ecosystem-based adaptations to drought in the central cattle corridor of Uganda. African Journal of Range & Forage Science 2020, 37, 257 -267.
AMA StyleSusan Nanfuka, David Mfitumukiza, Anthony Egeru. Characterisation of ecosystem-based adaptations to drought in the central cattle corridor of Uganda. African Journal of Range & Forage Science. 2020; 37 (4):257-267.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSusan Nanfuka; David Mfitumukiza; Anthony Egeru. 2020. "Characterisation of ecosystem-based adaptations to drought in the central cattle corridor of Uganda." African Journal of Range & Forage Science 37, no. 4: 257-267.
Many emerging and re-emerging zoonotic infectious diseases occur in Africa. These are projected to increase as human–animal host contact increases owing to increasing environmental degradation that shrinks nature habitats for wildlife over the continent. The current outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) responsible for causing coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) has reinvigorated discourse on the disruptiveness of the zoonotic emerging infectious diseases, owing to their transboundary character. Even as the world focuses on the COVID-19 sweeping pandemic, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS)-CoV re-emerged in Saudi Arabia infecting 18 people with five deaths; this has barely received any attention. This outbreak is particularly of concern to the pastoralists in the Horn of Africa, a region that has in recent past seen an increase in camel trade with the Gulf States, especially Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Emerging and re-emerging zoonotic infectious diseases are complex, depend on human–animal–environment interaction and pose a strain on public health systems. There is a need to address these diseases dynamically through a synergistic approach, drawing on expertise from diverse sectors. One Health approach has distinguished itself as an integrative action able to bring together multiple actors on a global, national and local scale to advance the attainment of optimal health outcomes for people, animals and the environment. One Health works by strengthening the preparedness, response, mitigation and monitoring of zoonotic infectious disease risks collaboratively. We opine that as zoonotic emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases continue to rise over pastoral Africa, comprehensive implementation of the One Health approach will be urgently required.
Anthony Egeru; Sintayehu W. Dejene; Aggrey Siya. Short report on implications of Covid-19 and emerging zoonotic infectious diseases for pastoralists and Africa. Pastoralism 2020, 10, 1 -10.
AMA StyleAnthony Egeru, Sintayehu W. Dejene, Aggrey Siya. Short report on implications of Covid-19 and emerging zoonotic infectious diseases for pastoralists and Africa. Pastoralism. 2020; 10 (1):1-10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnthony Egeru; Sintayehu W. Dejene; Aggrey Siya. 2020. "Short report on implications of Covid-19 and emerging zoonotic infectious diseases for pastoralists and Africa." Pastoralism 10, no. 1: 1-10.
Background: COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc in different countries across the world, claiming thousands of lives, increasing morbidity and disrupting lifestyles. The global scientific community is in urgent need of relevant evidence, to understand the challenges and knowledge gaps, as well as the opportunities to contain the spread of the virus. Considering the unique socio-economic, demographic, political, ecological and climatic contexts in Africa, the responses which may prove to be successful in other regions may not be appropriate on the continent. This paper aims to provide insight for scientists, policy makers and international agencies to contain the virus and to mitigate its impact at all levels. Methods: The Affiliates of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), came together to synthesize the current evidence, identify the challenges and opportunities to enhance the understanding of the disease. We assess the potential impact of this pandemic and the unique challenges of the disease on African nations. We examine the state of Africa’s preparedness and make recommendations for steps needed to win the war against this pandemic and combat potential resurgence. Results: We identified gaps and opportunities among cross-cutting issues which is recommended to be addressed or harnessed in this pandemic. Factors such as the nature of the virus and the opportunities for drug targeting, point of care diagnostics, health surveillance systems, food security, mental health, xenophobia and gender-based violence, shelter for the homeless, water and sanitation, telecommunications challenges, domestic regional coordination and financing. Conclusion: Based on our synthesis of the current evidence, while there are plans for preparedness in several African countries, there are significant limitations. Multi-sectoral efforts from the science, education, medical, technological, communication, business and industry sectors as well as local communities is required in order to win this fight.
Kingsley Badu; Jessica P.R. Thorn; Nowsheen Goonoo; Natisha Dukhi; Adeniyi Francis Fagbamigbe; Benard W. Kulohoma; Kolapo Oyebola; Sara I. Abdelsalam; Wesley Doorsamy; Olawale Awe; Augustina Angelina Sylverken; Anthony Egeru; Jesse Gitaka. Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic: A review of the nature of the virus, impacts and implications for preparedness. AAS Open Research 2020, 3, 19 .
AMA StyleKingsley Badu, Jessica P.R. Thorn, Nowsheen Goonoo, Natisha Dukhi, Adeniyi Francis Fagbamigbe, Benard W. Kulohoma, Kolapo Oyebola, Sara I. Abdelsalam, Wesley Doorsamy, Olawale Awe, Augustina Angelina Sylverken, Anthony Egeru, Jesse Gitaka. Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic: A review of the nature of the virus, impacts and implications for preparedness. AAS Open Research. 2020; 3 ():19.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKingsley Badu; Jessica P.R. Thorn; Nowsheen Goonoo; Natisha Dukhi; Adeniyi Francis Fagbamigbe; Benard W. Kulohoma; Kolapo Oyebola; Sara I. Abdelsalam; Wesley Doorsamy; Olawale Awe; Augustina Angelina Sylverken; Anthony Egeru; Jesse Gitaka. 2020. "Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic: A review of the nature of the virus, impacts and implications for preparedness." AAS Open Research 3, no. : 19.
Over 70% of Uganda is infested by the tsetse fly, which has negative effects on human and livestock health. From colonial to post-independent Uganda, the Government of Uganda has worked to eradicate the tsetse menace. Despite these efforts, recent veterinary reports from the Karamoja sub-region have indicated widespread tsetse invasion. This study investigated the potential impact of tsetse invasion on the socioecological resilience of pastoral communities in the Karamoja sub-region. Results indicated that tsetse invasion is spreading from north to south of Karamoja. The tsetse transmission route emerging from southern Karamoja is perceived to be a continuation of the tsetse belt from West Pokot, Kenya. Cases of livestock deaths, livestock abortions, decreased milk yields, restricted access to prime grazing lands, heightened human-wildlife conflicts and disruption on crop cultivation have been reported. A computed socioecological resilience index in the study area was positive but low. Owing to the transboundary characteristics of tsetse invasions and sources and the associated documented effects, an urgent, strategic and system-wide intervention should be undertaken to control the tsetse invasion in this sub-region.
Anthony Egeru; Joseph Opio; Aggrey Siya; Bernard Barasa; John Paul Magaya; Justine J. Namaalwa. Tsetse Invasion as an Emerging Threat to Socioecological Resilience of Pastoral Communities in Karamoja, Uganda. Sustainability 2020, 12, 1599 .
AMA StyleAnthony Egeru, Joseph Opio, Aggrey Siya, Bernard Barasa, John Paul Magaya, Justine J. Namaalwa. Tsetse Invasion as an Emerging Threat to Socioecological Resilience of Pastoral Communities in Karamoja, Uganda. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (4):1599.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnthony Egeru; Joseph Opio; Aggrey Siya; Bernard Barasa; John Paul Magaya; Justine J. Namaalwa. 2020. "Tsetse Invasion as an Emerging Threat to Socioecological Resilience of Pastoral Communities in Karamoja, Uganda." Sustainability 12, no. 4: 1599.
Soil properties contribute to the widely recognised resilience of semiarid areas. However, limited attention has been given in providing a scientific basis of how semiarid soil properties in the various land covers occur and how they influence forage quantity. This study investigated the influence of different soil properties and land cover types on herbaceous biomass quantity in the Karamoja subregion of Uganda. A completely randomized design in three land cover types (thickets and shrublands, woodlands, and savannah grasslands) was implemented. In each vegetation type, 50 × 40 m plots were demarcated with nested plots to facilitate clipping of the herbaceous layer. Composite soil samples at two depths (0–15 cm, 15–30 cm) were obtained from each plot. The results showed that soil properties varied across land cover types. Soil pH ranged between 6.9 and 8.1 and SOM, N, P, and K were generally low in all land cover types. Soil hydraulic properties revealed the existence of rapid to very rapid permeability in thickets/shrublands, grasslands, and woodlands. Percent change in soil properties (0–15 cm to 15–30 cm) was highest in P, Ca, Mg, Na, and SOM. In the grasslands, P positively (p≤0.01) influenced herbaceous biomass, whereas pH, K, Na, % sand, and % clay, N, and SOM had a negative relationship with herbaceous biomass (p≤0.05). Herbaceous biomass in the thickets/shrublands was negatively influenced by P, Ca, and Mg and % clay and positively by N and % silt (p≤0.05). Only N and SOM were significant determinants of herbaceous biomass in the woodlands (p≤0.05). The low level of soil nutrients observed in this study reveals the fragility of semiarid soils, indicating the need for sustainable landscape management.
Anthony Egeru; Oliver Wasonga; Geofrey Gabiri; Laban MacOpiyo; John Mburu; Jackson Gilbert Mwanjalolo Majaliwa. Land Cover and Soil Properties Influence on Forage Quantity in a Semiarid Region in East Africa. Applied and Environmental Soil Science 2019, 2019, 1 -15.
AMA StyleAnthony Egeru, Oliver Wasonga, Geofrey Gabiri, Laban MacOpiyo, John Mburu, Jackson Gilbert Mwanjalolo Majaliwa. Land Cover and Soil Properties Influence on Forage Quantity in a Semiarid Region in East Africa. Applied and Environmental Soil Science. 2019; 2019 ():1-15.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnthony Egeru; Oliver Wasonga; Geofrey Gabiri; Laban MacOpiyo; John Mburu; Jackson Gilbert Mwanjalolo Majaliwa. 2019. "Land Cover and Soil Properties Influence on Forage Quantity in a Semiarid Region in East Africa." Applied and Environmental Soil Science 2019, no. : 1-15.
Long-term trend analysis at local scale for rainfall and temperature is critical for detecting climate change patterns. This study analysed historical (1980–2009), near future (2010–2039), mid- (1940–2069) and end-century (2070–2099) rainfall and temperature over Karamoja sub-region. The Modern Era-Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) daily climate data provided by the Agricultural Model Inter-comparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP) was used. The AgMIP delta method analysis protocol was used for an ensemble of 20 models under two representative concentration pathways (RCPs 4.5 and 8.5). Historical mean rainfall was 920.1 ± 118.9 mm and minimum, maximum and mean temperature were 16.8 ± 0.5 °C, 30.6 ± 0.4 °C and 32.0 ± 0.7 °C, respectively. Minimum temperature over the historical period significantly rose between 2000 and 2008. Near future rainfall varied by scenario with 1012.9 ± 146.3 mm and 997.5 ± 144.7 mm for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 respectively; with a sharp rise predicted in 2017. In the mid-century, mean annual rainfall will be 1084.7 ± 137.4 mm and 1205.5 ± 164.9 mm under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 respectively. The districts of Kaabong and Kotido are projected to experience low rainfall total under RCP4.5 (mid-century) and RCP8.5 (end-century). The minimum temperature is projected to increase by 1.8 °C (RCP4.5) and 2.1 °C (RCP8.5) in mid-century, and by 2.2 °C (RCP4.5) and 4.0 °C (RCP8.5) in end-century.
Anthony Egeru; Bernard Barasa; Josephine Nampijja; Aggrey Siya; Moses Tenywa Makooma; Mwanjalolo Gilbert Jackson Majaliwa. Past, Present and Future Climate Trends Under Varied Representative Concentration Pathways for a Sub-Humid Region in Uganda. Climate 2019, 7, 35 .
AMA StyleAnthony Egeru, Bernard Barasa, Josephine Nampijja, Aggrey Siya, Moses Tenywa Makooma, Mwanjalolo Gilbert Jackson Majaliwa. Past, Present and Future Climate Trends Under Varied Representative Concentration Pathways for a Sub-Humid Region in Uganda. Climate. 2019; 7 (3):35.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnthony Egeru; Bernard Barasa; Josephine Nampijja; Aggrey Siya; Moses Tenywa Makooma; Mwanjalolo Gilbert Jackson Majaliwa. 2019. "Past, Present and Future Climate Trends Under Varied Representative Concentration Pathways for a Sub-Humid Region in Uganda." Climate 7, no. 3: 35.
Spices have always been used for their flavor-enhancement characteristics and for their medicinal properties. In Benin, scientific research on spices is scarce, despite their importance in the local population’s daily needs. This study investigated the diversity of wild spices and documented the associated traditional knowledge that can be used for their valuation, domestication, and sustainable management in the Sudano-Guinean Zone of Benin. Data were collected during field expeditions using semi-structured interviews in ten localities across the three phytodistricts of the zone. Species richness and Shannon’s diversity index were estimated using species accumulation curves. Use report (UR), cultural importance, use value (UV) index, and informant consensus factor (Fic) were used to assess traditional knowledge on wild species, their local importance, and informants’ agreement among sociolinguistic groups. Priority wild spices were finally identified using an approach combining eight criteria (native status, economic value, ethnobotanical value, global distribution, national distribution, in-situ and ex-situ conservation status, legislation, and threats assessment) in four prioritization methods (point scoring procedure, point scoring procedure with weighting, compound ranking system, and binomial ranking system). A total of 14 species, belonging to 12 genera and 9 families, were inventoried. The most prominent families were Zingiberaceae (21.43%), Annonaceae (21.43%), and Rutaceae (14.29%). More than 200 specific uses were reported, with the Tchabè people holding the greatest level of knowledge (70 uses; UR = 5.70 ± 0.33). The culturally most important spices differed among sociolinguistic groups. Most of the informants agree on the use of the species among (Fic = 0.72–0.98) and across the considered use categories (Fic = 0.88–0.99). The highest UV were registered for Aframomum alboviolaceum (UV = 0.93), Lippia multiflora (UV = 0.76), and Aframomum angustifolium (UV = 0.18). Overall, people perceived wild spices as declining due to agriculture, grazing, and drought. Five species, A. alboviolaceum, L. multiflora, Monodora tenuifolia, Xylopia aethiopica, and Z. zanthoxyloides, were the most prioritized for conservation. This study provides information relevant for the implementation of conservation and domestication actions of wild spices in Benin. Priority species could be integrated into traditional agroforestry systems (e.g., home gardens). However, for this to be effective, further research should be undertaken on morphological and genetic diversity and propagation methods of priority wild spices.
Konoutan Médard Kafoutchoni; Rodrigue Idohou; Anthony Egeru; Kolawolé Valère Salako; Clément Agbangla; Aristide Cossi Adomou; Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo. Species richness, cultural importance, and prioritization of wild spices for conservation in the Sudano-Guinean zone of Benin (West Africa). Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2018, 14, 1 -30.
AMA StyleKonoutan Médard Kafoutchoni, Rodrigue Idohou, Anthony Egeru, Kolawolé Valère Salako, Clément Agbangla, Aristide Cossi Adomou, Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo. Species richness, cultural importance, and prioritization of wild spices for conservation in the Sudano-Guinean zone of Benin (West Africa). Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 2018; 14 (1):1-30.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKonoutan Médard Kafoutchoni; Rodrigue Idohou; Anthony Egeru; Kolawolé Valère Salako; Clément Agbangla; Aristide Cossi Adomou; Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo. 2018. "Species richness, cultural importance, and prioritization of wild spices for conservation in the Sudano-Guinean zone of Benin (West Africa)." Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 14, no. 1: 1-30.
Africa remains an intensely agrarian continent, with two-thirds of its people directly or indirectly deriving their livelihood from agriculture. Higher agricultural education has thus emphasised production of graduates with the requisite skills to drive agricultural development. Despite these efforts, too few graduates in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have the employable skills necessary to transition to the labour market. A similar situation is observable among agricultural science graduates, who are vital to serving rural smallholder farmers. Most Colleges of Agriculture in Africa offer field attachment internships in agriculture and related fields but they are largely designed to cater for undergraduate students and are not part of the training programs at graduate level. To ameliorate this gap, the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), a network of 55 member universities in SSA, designed and rolled out an innovative field attachment program award (FAPA), launched in 2010, to serve graduate students. The FAPA is competitively based and designed to encourage students to follow through with the dissemination of their research and to enable them to link more closely with the communities and agencies working in the geographical area where the research was undertaken.During the period 2010–2015, five grant cycles were successfully implemented and 114 graduate students from 17 countries in SSA awarded. This article discusses the lessons learned during this period by examining two key areas: (1) the application process and implementation of the awards; and (2) the reported outcomes and challenges for grantees. Establishing the award has generated key technical and implementation lessons that the network and individual universities have been able to use to improve and institutionalise processes. Grantees have reported gaining a range of cross-cutting skills in personal mastery, initiative leadership and innovativeness, proactivity, flexibility, communication, analytical capacity, teamwork, networking and advocacy, and technical capacity, particularly in engaging with smallholder farmers. They have also noted significant challenges, in particular around establishing productive and sustainable engagement with smallholder farmers. These outcomes have influenced curricular reviews by member universities, with particular emphasis on these skills sets. Keywords: graduate employability, internships, sub-Saharan Africa, university
Anthony Egeru; Paul Nampala; Henry Massa-Makuma; Moses Osiru; Adipala Ekwamu. Innovating for skills enhancement in agricultural sciences in Africa: The centrality of field attachment programs. Gateways: International Journal of Community Research and Engagement 2016, 9, 159 .
AMA StyleAnthony Egeru, Paul Nampala, Henry Massa-Makuma, Moses Osiru, Adipala Ekwamu. Innovating for skills enhancement in agricultural sciences in Africa: The centrality of field attachment programs. Gateways: International Journal of Community Research and Engagement. 2016; 9 (1):159.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnthony Egeru; Paul Nampala; Henry Massa-Makuma; Moses Osiru; Adipala Ekwamu. 2016. "Innovating for skills enhancement in agricultural sciences in Africa: The centrality of field attachment programs." Gateways: International Journal of Community Research and Engagement 9, no. 1: 159.
Low-input pastoral production systems provide up to 90 % of livestock and livestock products consumed in Uganda. However, pastoral communities are increasingly faced with the challenge of meeting their livestock needs in terms of forage, a situation exacerbated by climatic variability. The study identified the patterns of forage availability and quality, compared perceived patterns of forage availability with normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and determined drivers of forage availability in Karamoja sub-region. Over a 12-month period, 75.3 % of the respondents perceived forage to be sufficiently available with differentiated availability in the livelihood zones and between livestock species (goats, sheep, cattle, donkeys and camels). A similar pattern was observed with regard to perceived forage quality. A significant relationship between perceived forage availability and long-term mean monthly NDVI dynamics was observed. A lag time of 2.9 months existed between rainfall and vegetation response peak periods. Mean monthly rainfall pattern was found to be correlated with perceived forage availability. The length of residence by a livestock keeper, frequency of grazing, number of kraals, presence of governing rules, and presence of conflicts and knowledge of pasture locations, restricted movement and ease of access to grazing areas significantly (P ≤ 0.05) were the major perceived drivers of forage availability. Therefore, we find that pastoral communities in Karamoja have detailed traditional ecological knowledge of forage status and their perceived determinants. There is a need to conduct nutritional analysis of key forage species available in the different livelihood zones. Finally, there is a need to constantly monitor socio-political conditions that have potential of creating ‘artificial’ forage shortage in the sub-region.
Anthony Egeru; Oliver Wasonga; John Mburu; Elhadi Yazan; Mwanjalolo G J Majaliwa; Laban MacOpiyo; Yazidhi Bamutaze. Drivers of forage availability: An integration of remote sensing and traditional ecological knowledge in Karamoja sub-region, Uganda. Pastoralism 2015, 5, 19 .
AMA StyleAnthony Egeru, Oliver Wasonga, John Mburu, Elhadi Yazan, Mwanjalolo G J Majaliwa, Laban MacOpiyo, Yazidhi Bamutaze. Drivers of forage availability: An integration of remote sensing and traditional ecological knowledge in Karamoja sub-region, Uganda. Pastoralism. 2015; 5 (1):19.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnthony Egeru; Oliver Wasonga; John Mburu; Elhadi Yazan; Mwanjalolo G J Majaliwa; Laban MacOpiyo; Yazidhi Bamutaze. 2015. "Drivers of forage availability: An integration of remote sensing and traditional ecological knowledge in Karamoja sub-region, Uganda." Pastoralism 5, no. 1: 19.
Piospheres in semi-arid areas are gradients of animal impacts around watering holes. Few studies have examined the impact dynamics of herbaceous and woody species composition and abundance in relation to piospheres in East Africa. In this study, we identified the trend in piosphere development, assessed piosphere use and change indicators, and identified herbaceous and woody plant structure in relation to piospheres in the Karamoja sub-region, Uganda. Results revealed that piosphere development has been reactionary to drought and/or insecurity events and increased rapidly in the last decade. A diversity of herbaceous and woody plants exists around the piospheres. Use and change indicators revealed high trampling and grazing intensity, high presence of erosion signs and low litter cover. Gradient distance had both positive and negative effects on trampling intensity, percent exposure and plant height, respectively. A negative and positive effect of gradient distance was also observed on different herbaceous and woody forage species leading to the identification of both increaser and decreaser species around the piospheres. Therefore, as concentrated use of the piospheres continues unabated, an outward ripple effect leading to loss and/or increase of undesirable herbaceous and woody species will be felt. This will have an impact on the composition and abundance dynamics of desirable forage species in the sub-region.
Anthony Egeru; Oliver Wasonga; Laban MacOpiyo; John Mburu; John R. S. Tabuti; Mwanjalolo G. J. Majaliwa. Piospheric influence on forage species composition and abundance in semi-arid Karamoja sub-region, Uganda. Pastoralism 2015, 5, 343 .
AMA StyleAnthony Egeru, Oliver Wasonga, Laban MacOpiyo, John Mburu, John R. S. Tabuti, Mwanjalolo G. J. Majaliwa. Piospheric influence on forage species composition and abundance in semi-arid Karamoja sub-region, Uganda. Pastoralism. 2015; 5 (1):343.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnthony Egeru; Oliver Wasonga; Laban MacOpiyo; John Mburu; John R. S. Tabuti; Mwanjalolo G. J. Majaliwa. 2015. "Piospheric influence on forage species composition and abundance in semi-arid Karamoja sub-region, Uganda." Pastoralism 5, no. 1: 343.
Spatio-temporal dynamics of pastoral grazing resources influences the pastoral production system. Obtaining timely and reliable information on the status of these resources will support planning and early response to climatic variability. This study in Karamoja pastoral sub-region of Uganda identified herbaceous and woody forage species in different grazing land cover types, quantified forage in different grazing land covers, analyzed long-term land use/cover change (from 1986 to 2013) and determined the relationship between Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and herbaceous biomass. Results showed that the sub-region has over 30 grass species that provide forage. During the wet season, woodlands, grasslands and thickets and shrublands recorded a wet weight of 1,342.5 ± 104.5 kg/ha, 857.5 ± 29.4 kg/ha and 501 ± 43.9 kg/ha, respectively. In the dry season, 542.5 ± 57.6 kg/ha, 273 ± 6.4 kg/ha and 140 ± 9.2 kg/ha were realized in the woodlands, grasslands and thickets and shrublands, respectively. However, in the transitionary season, 276, 512.5 and 529.2 kg/ha were obtained in the woodlands, grasslands and thickets and shrublands accordingly. Similar trends were observed in dry matter biomass in the respective land cover type. Seasonality, land cover type and location accounted for the variations in the observed forage quantities. Analysis of land cover and land use change revealed a tenfold increase in croplands in the last 13 years. The expansion of crop cultivation is attributed to interventions by the Government of Uganda and development partners to promote food security in the sub-region. Heightened bushland encroachment was similarly observed in the last 13 years. The study also found a significant positive relationship between NDVI and herbaceous biomass, indicating that remote sensing offers reliable resource assessment and monitoring options for informing planning and interventions in semi-arid areas.
Anthony Egeru; Oliver Wasonga; Joseph Kyagulanyi; Gj M Majaliwa; Laban MacOpiyo; John Mburu. Spatio-temporal dynamics of forage and land cover changes in Karamoja sub-region, Uganda. Pastoralism 2014, 4, 6 .
AMA StyleAnthony Egeru, Oliver Wasonga, Joseph Kyagulanyi, Gj M Majaliwa, Laban MacOpiyo, John Mburu. Spatio-temporal dynamics of forage and land cover changes in Karamoja sub-region, Uganda. Pastoralism. 2014; 4 (1):6.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnthony Egeru; Oliver Wasonga; Joseph Kyagulanyi; Gj M Majaliwa; Laban MacOpiyo; John Mburu. 2014. "Spatio-temporal dynamics of forage and land cover changes in Karamoja sub-region, Uganda." Pastoralism 4, no. 1: 6.