Objectives
 

In 1996, Project Elgon aimed to study the impact of humans on the biodiversity and ecology of Mount Elgon National Park. This was done by assessing the environmental impacts of human settlements adjacent to and within the park. In the montane forest zone of MENP, where most human impact has occurred, the impact on animal and plant communities was assessed. The effects of cultivation and grazing on the composition of natural plant communities were assessed. Small mammals were chosen as an indicator species for the impact of humans on the fauna of the area, as most other animal species had been reduced to relatively low numbers, and it was possible to collect data at a similar spatial scale to the floristic study (more comparable). In addition to this, an inventory of the lower canopy bird species was to be carried out. This study was not completed due to the sudden illness of the project co-ordinator and a lack of other sufficiently trained personnel, so it was not possible to draw any firm conclusions about the impact of humans on bird communities.

In order to do this, a multidisciplinary team of undergraduate students, post-graduate students and staff were assembled to achieve this goal through a number of complementary approaches. In addition to this aim, a number of secondary objectives were set in order to make the project as useful and as relevant as possible to a wide range of people. The objectives were set as follows:

 Investigate current land uses and population growth in human communities in and adjacent to the park, and assess attitudes towards family planning and a range of sustainable agricultural techniques, and assess implications for park management.

 Assess the effect of grazing and cultivation on plant community composition in  the upper montane forest zone of Mount Elgon National Park.

 Assess the effect of grazing and cultivation on small mammal comunity composition in the upper montane forest zone of Mount Elgon National Park.

 Compile an inventory of lower canopy bird species in forest areas with varying levels of grazing disturbance comparing bird species richness.

 Add to the existing plant, bird and mammal species list for Mount Elgon National Park.

 Record and report sightings of any Red Data Book (IUCN) species

 Provide reports based on our research for the appropriate organisations encompassing the needs of the ecosystem, the surrounding population, National Park staff, conservationists, and visitors to the park

 Supply the Director of Uganda National Parks with recommendations regarding the formation of rules/bye-laws for the increasing number of visitors to the park

 Form a working relationship in the field with students from Makerere University and exchange academic and practical knowledge. The expedition will also enable all group members to improve the practical and social skills essential in group co-operation and performance

 Walk to the summit (Wagagi Peak 4321m)

This work was followed up by Project Elgon '97 with studies extending the work on small mammals and birds, and studies into the effect of trampling on plant communities, community perceptions of the consequences of tourism and the characteristics of visitors to Mount Elgon National Park.

Mount Elgon provides a unique case of a montane ecosystem currently undergoing succession and recovery, as most other montane forests in East Africa are still experiencing degradation and encroachment from humans populations which is largely uncontrollable. Any study of Mount Elgon’s ecology can therefore provide useful information for conservation and rehabilitation projects in other montane National Parks.
 
 
 

Return to Project Elgon '96