Effectiveness of community conserved areas approach in biodiversity conservation in Uganda: comparative case study of Kacheera and Kijanebalola wetlands.

Abstract

Although Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) approach towards biodiversity conservation has been implemented in some areas of Uganda, little is known about its effectiveness towards conserving biological attributes. Different areas exhibit different cultures and these affect community members’ attitudes towards conserving an ecosystem. This study assessed the effectiveness of CCAs towards biodiversity conservation, stakeholders (community) perceptions towards CCAs and or Open Access Regime (OAR) and the influence of culture towards biodiversity conservation. Kacheera, a CCA wetland was compared with Kijanebalola an OAR wetland. To compare the biological attributes (plants and small mammals), transects measuring between 1 km were laid through different sections of each wetland, and quadrats measuring 20x20 m2 area established at 100 m interval on each transect to assess plants. Floral species were identified by their scientific names and the percentage cover of each species relative to the size of the plot estimated. Opportunistic recording of species that would not be encountered within the quadrats, would be made while walking along each transect. For small mammals, Sherman live traps were used. Thirty traps at a distance of 30 meters apart were set at each site (180 trap nights). Results from this study indicate that; the richest mammalian fauna was at the CCA wetland system which showed more species richness and diversity. Species at the CCA wetland were more evenly distributed; compared to the OAR wetland. CCA approach minimizes disturbance (plant species) that would encourage entry of non-wetland species as indicated by lower species richness (71) and diversity (3.03) for CCA wetland compared with 92 and 3.33 for OAR wetland. Findings indicate that the CCAs represent a significant advantage over OARs in terms of conservation effectiveness. At Kacheera wetland, independent variables such as gender, age, marital status, main occupation of the respondent, tribe of the respondent, born in the area, and their duration of residence had very significant influence on how the community perceived the effect of culture on biodiversity conservation. Only the period of residence in the area had a significant influence on conservation (p = 0.042) at Kijanebalola wetland.