We conducted an attitudinal study on the socio-economic implications of human-carnivore conflict ... more We conducted an attitudinal study on the socio-economic implications of human-carnivore conflict in an East African pastoralist landscape through a semi-structured questionnaire survey complemented by a locally organised community carnivore conservation workshop. We compared actual livestock predation rates by the large carnivores from a nine-year livestock predation dataset for Samburu County to perceived predation rates from our respondents. Our study revealed that perceived rates of livestock predation vis-à-vis actual rates of livestock predation by large carnivores in a modern pastoralist community setting are dissimilar. Even though community goodwill to embrace coexistence with wildlife persists, the perceived lack of equitable sharing of benefits from wildlife earnings nationally with local communities inadvertently reinforces negative views towards wildlife in general and carnivores specifically. Therefore, an increased participatory community approach in the management and conservation of wildlife needs to be addressed appropriately by policy makers for the benefit of the communities and wildlife.
Journal of East African Natural History 111(2), 49-68, 2023
We conducted an attitudinal study on the socio-economic implications of human-carnivore conflict ... more We conducted an attitudinal study on the socio-economic implications of human-carnivore conflict in an East African pastoralist landscape through a semi-structured questionnaire survey complemented by a locally organised community carnivore conservation workshop. We compared actual livestock predation rates by the large carnivores from a nine-year livestock predation dataset for Samburu County to perceived predation rates from our respondents. Our study revealed that perceived rates of livestock predation vis-à-vis actual rates of livestock predation by large carnivores in a modern pastoralist community setting are dissimilar. Even though community goodwill to embrace coexistence with wildlife persists, the perceived lack of equitable sharing of benefits from wildlife earnings nationally with local communities inadvertently reinforces negative views towards wildlife in general and carnivores specifically. Therefore, an increased participatory community approach in the management and conservation of wildlife needs to be addressed appropriately by policy makers for the benefit of the communities and wildlife.
A central premise of conservation biology is that small populations suffer reduced viability thro... more A central premise of conservation biology is that small populations suffer reduced viability through loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding. However, there is little evidence that variation in inbreeding impacts individual reproductive success within remnant populations of threatened taxa, largely due to problems associated with obtaining comprehensive pedigree information to estimate inbreeding. In the critically endangered black rhinoceros, a species that experienced severe demographic reductions, we used model selection to identify factors associated with variation in reproductive success (number of offspring). Factors examined as predictors of reproductive success were age, home range size, number of nearby mates, reserve location, and multilocus heterozygosity (a proxy for inbreeding). Multilocus heterozygosity predicted male reproductive success (p < 0.001, explained deviance >58%) and correlated with male home range size (p < 0.01, r 2 > 44%). Such effects were not apparent in females, where reproductive success was determined by age (p < 0.01, explained deviance 34%) as females raise calves alone and choose between, rather than compete for, mates. This first report of a 3-way association between an individual male's heterozygosity, reproductive output, and territory size in a large vertebrate is consistent with an asymmetry in the level of intrasexual competition and highlights the relevance of sex-biased inbreeding for the management of many conservationpriority species. Our results contrast with the idea that wild populations of threatened taxa may possess some inherent difference from most nonthreatened populations that necessitates the use of detailed pedigrees to study inbreeding effects. Despite substantial variance in male reproductive success, the increased fitness of more heterozygous males limits the loss of heterozygosity. Understanding how individual differences in genetic diversity mediate the outcome of intrasexual competition will be essential for effective management, particularly in enclosed populations, where individuals have restricted choice about home range location and where the reproductive impact of translocated animals will depend upon the background distribution in individual heterozygosity.
Conservation Genetics Research 2013 5 655 657, 2013
We describe an accurate, single-step 5 0 exonuclease assay for gender determination of black rhin... more We describe an accurate, single-step 5 0 exonuclease assay for gender determination of black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis, which targets a single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 4 of the sex-linked zinc finger homologues in this species. This simple, high-throughput method facilitates the multiple-tubes approach that is necessary when using genetic material derived from non-invasive samples such as faecal material. Keywords Black rhinoceros Á Gender determination Á Non-invasive sampling Á 5 0 exonuclease assay Á ZFX/ZFY
We describe an accurate, single-step 5 0 exonuclease assay for gender determination of black rhin... more We describe an accurate, single-step 5 0 exonuclease assay for gender determination of black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis, which targets a single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 4 of the sex-linked zinc finger homologues in this species. This simple, high-throughput method facilitates the multiple-tubes approach that is necessary when using genetic material derived from non-invasive samples such as faecal material. Keywords Black rhinoceros Á Gender determination Á Non-invasive sampling Á 5 0 exonuclease assay Á ZFX/ZFY
A central premise of conservation biology is that small populations suffer reduced viability thro... more A central premise of conservation biology is that small populations suffer reduced viability through loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding. However, there is little evidence that variation in inbreeding impacts individual reproductive success within remnant populations of threatened taxa, largely due to problems associated with obtaining comprehensive pedigree information to estimate inbreeding. In the critically endangered black rhinoceros, a species that experienced severe demographic reductions, we used model selection to identify factors associated with variation in reproductive success (number of offspring). Factors examined as predictors of reproductive success were age, home range size, number of nearby mates, reserve location, and multilocus heterozygosity (a proxy for inbreeding). Multilocus heterozygosity predicted male reproductive success (p< 0.001, explained deviance >58%) and correlated with male home range size (p < 0.01, r(2) > 44%). Such effects were ...
Abstract We describe an accurate, single-step 50exonuclease assay for gender determination of bla... more Abstract We describe an accurate, single-step 50exonuclease assay for gender determination of black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis, which targets a single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 4 of the sex-linked zinc finger homologues in this species. This simple, high-throughput method facilitates the multiple-tubes approach that is necessary when using genetic material derived from non-invasive samples such as faecal material.
A central premise of conservation biology is that small populations suffer reduced viability thro... more A central premise of conservation biology is that small populations suffer reduced viability through loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding. However, there is little evidence that variation in inbreeding impacts individual reproductive success within remnant populations of threatened taxa, largely due to problems associated with obtaining comprehensive pedigree information to estimate inbreeding. In the critically endangered black rhinoceros, a species that experienced severe demographic reductions, we used model selection to identify factors associated with variation in reproductive success (number of offspring). Factors examined as predictors of reproductive success were age, home range size, number of nearby mates, reserve location, and multilocus heterozygosity (a proxy for inbreeding). Multilocus heterozygosity predictedmale reproductive success (p < 0.001, explained deviance >58%) and correlated with male home range size (p < 0.01, r2 > 44%). Such effects were no...
&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;Land degradation is one of the main causes of loss of pr... more &amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;Land degradation is one of the main causes of loss of productivity and ecosystem services worldwide. According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), sub-Saharan Africa is on a path to experiencing some of the strongest increases in pressures on land and land-based resources than any other continent. Assessing the sensitivity of sub-Saharan African countries to land degradation is, therefore, important for identifying areas of concern, setting a baseline for national land degradation neutrality targets, and for the prioritisation of mitigation measures. The widely used MEDALUS-ESA framework is employed here to assess the sensitivity of Kenya to land degradation using the year 2010 as a baseline. We modify the MEDALUS-ESA approach by adding two important variables that are closely linked with observed land degradation in Kenya: soil erosion and livestock density. Altogether, 16 indicators are estimated from existing global-to-national-scale land cover, vegetation (MCD12Q1, MOD44B), soil (ISRIC African SoilGrids), elevation (SRTM), population and livestock density data, divided into 4 main environmental quality indices (vegetation, soil, climate and management). In order to address the dynamic nature of the land degradation process, we incorporate two additional vegetation indicators: the statistically significant (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;#8804; 0.05) trend over the last three decades in the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Rain Use Efficiency (RUE; estimated using the GIMMS3g dense NDVI dense time-series and precipitation from CHIRPS). Our results show that ~40% of the country is in critical and ~48% in fragile condition, with respect to environmental sensitivity. Our approach is successful in identifying areas of known long-term degradation, for example the rangelands South and East of Nairobi (e.g. Machacos and Kitengela) and the parts of the northern rangelands (e.g. Yamicha and eastern parts of Isiolo District). It is also successful in mapping the areas of least concern, including some of the major protected areas(e.g. Tsavo National Parks, Meru National Park and the Masai Mara National Reserve) and forested areas (Mt Kenya and the Aberdares). Our modification of the MEDALUS-ESA is an important tool that can be employed at the national scale using free and open-access data to assess environmental sensitivity and assist in the UNCCD efforts to successfully define land degradation neutrality targets.&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;
We conducted an attitudinal study on the socio-economic implications of human-carnivore conflict ... more We conducted an attitudinal study on the socio-economic implications of human-carnivore conflict in an East African pastoralist landscape through a semi-structured questionnaire survey complemented by a locally organised community carnivore conservation workshop. We compared actual livestock predation rates by the large carnivores from a nine-year livestock predation dataset for Samburu County to perceived predation rates from our respondents. Our study revealed that perceived rates of livestock predation vis-à-vis actual rates of livestock predation by large carnivores in a modern pastoralist community setting are dissimilar. Even though community goodwill to embrace coexistence with wildlife persists, the perceived lack of equitable sharing of benefits from wildlife earnings nationally with local communities inadvertently reinforces negative views towards wildlife in general and carnivores specifically. Therefore, an increased participatory community approach in the management and conservation of wildlife needs to be addressed appropriately by policy makers for the benefit of the communities and wildlife.
Journal of East African Natural History 111(2), 49-68, 2023
We conducted an attitudinal study on the socio-economic implications of human-carnivore conflict ... more We conducted an attitudinal study on the socio-economic implications of human-carnivore conflict in an East African pastoralist landscape through a semi-structured questionnaire survey complemented by a locally organised community carnivore conservation workshop. We compared actual livestock predation rates by the large carnivores from a nine-year livestock predation dataset for Samburu County to perceived predation rates from our respondents. Our study revealed that perceived rates of livestock predation vis-à-vis actual rates of livestock predation by large carnivores in a modern pastoralist community setting are dissimilar. Even though community goodwill to embrace coexistence with wildlife persists, the perceived lack of equitable sharing of benefits from wildlife earnings nationally with local communities inadvertently reinforces negative views towards wildlife in general and carnivores specifically. Therefore, an increased participatory community approach in the management and conservation of wildlife needs to be addressed appropriately by policy makers for the benefit of the communities and wildlife.
A central premise of conservation biology is that small populations suffer reduced viability thro... more A central premise of conservation biology is that small populations suffer reduced viability through loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding. However, there is little evidence that variation in inbreeding impacts individual reproductive success within remnant populations of threatened taxa, largely due to problems associated with obtaining comprehensive pedigree information to estimate inbreeding. In the critically endangered black rhinoceros, a species that experienced severe demographic reductions, we used model selection to identify factors associated with variation in reproductive success (number of offspring). Factors examined as predictors of reproductive success were age, home range size, number of nearby mates, reserve location, and multilocus heterozygosity (a proxy for inbreeding). Multilocus heterozygosity predicted male reproductive success (p < 0.001, explained deviance >58%) and correlated with male home range size (p < 0.01, r 2 > 44%). Such effects were not apparent in females, where reproductive success was determined by age (p < 0.01, explained deviance 34%) as females raise calves alone and choose between, rather than compete for, mates. This first report of a 3-way association between an individual male's heterozygosity, reproductive output, and territory size in a large vertebrate is consistent with an asymmetry in the level of intrasexual competition and highlights the relevance of sex-biased inbreeding for the management of many conservationpriority species. Our results contrast with the idea that wild populations of threatened taxa may possess some inherent difference from most nonthreatened populations that necessitates the use of detailed pedigrees to study inbreeding effects. Despite substantial variance in male reproductive success, the increased fitness of more heterozygous males limits the loss of heterozygosity. Understanding how individual differences in genetic diversity mediate the outcome of intrasexual competition will be essential for effective management, particularly in enclosed populations, where individuals have restricted choice about home range location and where the reproductive impact of translocated animals will depend upon the background distribution in individual heterozygosity.
Conservation Genetics Research 2013 5 655 657, 2013
We describe an accurate, single-step 5 0 exonuclease assay for gender determination of black rhin... more We describe an accurate, single-step 5 0 exonuclease assay for gender determination of black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis, which targets a single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 4 of the sex-linked zinc finger homologues in this species. This simple, high-throughput method facilitates the multiple-tubes approach that is necessary when using genetic material derived from non-invasive samples such as faecal material. Keywords Black rhinoceros Á Gender determination Á Non-invasive sampling Á 5 0 exonuclease assay Á ZFX/ZFY
We describe an accurate, single-step 5 0 exonuclease assay for gender determination of black rhin... more We describe an accurate, single-step 5 0 exonuclease assay for gender determination of black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis, which targets a single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 4 of the sex-linked zinc finger homologues in this species. This simple, high-throughput method facilitates the multiple-tubes approach that is necessary when using genetic material derived from non-invasive samples such as faecal material. Keywords Black rhinoceros Á Gender determination Á Non-invasive sampling Á 5 0 exonuclease assay Á ZFX/ZFY
A central premise of conservation biology is that small populations suffer reduced viability thro... more A central premise of conservation biology is that small populations suffer reduced viability through loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding. However, there is little evidence that variation in inbreeding impacts individual reproductive success within remnant populations of threatened taxa, largely due to problems associated with obtaining comprehensive pedigree information to estimate inbreeding. In the critically endangered black rhinoceros, a species that experienced severe demographic reductions, we used model selection to identify factors associated with variation in reproductive success (number of offspring). Factors examined as predictors of reproductive success were age, home range size, number of nearby mates, reserve location, and multilocus heterozygosity (a proxy for inbreeding). Multilocus heterozygosity predicted male reproductive success (p< 0.001, explained deviance >58%) and correlated with male home range size (p < 0.01, r(2) > 44%). Such effects were ...
Abstract We describe an accurate, single-step 50exonuclease assay for gender determination of bla... more Abstract We describe an accurate, single-step 50exonuclease assay for gender determination of black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis, which targets a single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 4 of the sex-linked zinc finger homologues in this species. This simple, high-throughput method facilitates the multiple-tubes approach that is necessary when using genetic material derived from non-invasive samples such as faecal material.
A central premise of conservation biology is that small populations suffer reduced viability thro... more A central premise of conservation biology is that small populations suffer reduced viability through loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding. However, there is little evidence that variation in inbreeding impacts individual reproductive success within remnant populations of threatened taxa, largely due to problems associated with obtaining comprehensive pedigree information to estimate inbreeding. In the critically endangered black rhinoceros, a species that experienced severe demographic reductions, we used model selection to identify factors associated with variation in reproductive success (number of offspring). Factors examined as predictors of reproductive success were age, home range size, number of nearby mates, reserve location, and multilocus heterozygosity (a proxy for inbreeding). Multilocus heterozygosity predictedmale reproductive success (p < 0.001, explained deviance >58%) and correlated with male home range size (p < 0.01, r2 > 44%). Such effects were no...
&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;Land degradation is one of the main causes of loss of pr... more &amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;Land degradation is one of the main causes of loss of productivity and ecosystem services worldwide. According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), sub-Saharan Africa is on a path to experiencing some of the strongest increases in pressures on land and land-based resources than any other continent. Assessing the sensitivity of sub-Saharan African countries to land degradation is, therefore, important for identifying areas of concern, setting a baseline for national land degradation neutrality targets, and for the prioritisation of mitigation measures. The widely used MEDALUS-ESA framework is employed here to assess the sensitivity of Kenya to land degradation using the year 2010 as a baseline. We modify the MEDALUS-ESA approach by adding two important variables that are closely linked with observed land degradation in Kenya: soil erosion and livestock density. Altogether, 16 indicators are estimated from existing global-to-national-scale land cover, vegetation (MCD12Q1, MOD44B), soil (ISRIC African SoilGrids), elevation (SRTM), population and livestock density data, divided into 4 main environmental quality indices (vegetation, soil, climate and management). In order to address the dynamic nature of the land degradation process, we incorporate two additional vegetation indicators: the statistically significant (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;#8804; 0.05) trend over the last three decades in the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Rain Use Efficiency (RUE; estimated using the GIMMS3g dense NDVI dense time-series and precipitation from CHIRPS). Our results show that ~40% of the country is in critical and ~48% in fragile condition, with respect to environmental sensitivity. Our approach is successful in identifying areas of known long-term degradation, for example the rangelands South and East of Nairobi (e.g. Machacos and Kitengela) and the parts of the northern rangelands (e.g. Yamicha and eastern parts of Isiolo District). It is also successful in mapping the areas of least concern, including some of the major protected areas(e.g. Tsavo National Parks, Meru National Park and the Masai Mara National Reserve) and forested areas (Mt Kenya and the Aberdares). Our modification of the MEDALUS-ESA is an important tool that can be employed at the national scale using free and open-access data to assess environmental sensitivity and assist in the UNCCD efforts to successfully define land degradation neutrality targets.&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;
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