Science_Seminar

On September 13th we were invited to attend the science seminar presented by group of students led by Professor Joseph Oyugi from the Department of Biology. They shared their experience during research field trip to the forest preservation located on eastern coast of Kenya. The seminar coincided with viewing of the documentary movie segment “Planet in peril” later that day In our Biology class. It might happened accidentally, but these two events have important common idea of focusing the attention of the public on the very disturbing fact: the increasingly negative impact of human activities on the surrounding natural environment. The presentation quickly brought the audience to the Arabuko Sokoke national forest. The forest is the most valuable resource in the area in regard of income, food ,clean air for the local communities. The increasingly popular eco- tourism,in which Kenya has leading place, rises concerns for its damaging effect to the nature. Uncontrolled logging also alters the forest structure and affects its biodiversity. Poaching is the illegal taking of wild plants or animals contrary to local and international conservation and wildlife management laws. It reduces and threatens rare species. The group of students worked with help from local naturalists on the thesis to examine the effect of habitat modification on bird communities which consist of more than 270 species. As the presentation progressed we reinforced our knowledge from chapter one for the steps of the scientific method. Observations and data were gathered and recorded using specific for this project methods: time species count, fixed mist points count- making comparison with habitat variables around each point, mist netting-four points in disturbed habitat areas and four points in undisturbed habitat areas, feeding observation. The specific terminology came to the attention of the participants: disturbed or undisturbed habitat areas,depending on the proximity to the roads, forest trails and human activity. We learned for some bird species classified as forest specialist,able to survive only in this particular forest,like black headed Apalis; others are called forest generalist, who have large area of suitable habitat,like pale Batis. The most endangered bird in the forest is the little yellow Flycatcher. The interpretation of collected data and results were presented in various charts and graphs, as well as the methods used for comparison,like Shannon -Weiner diversity index by point counts. The conclusions from the project were as following: need for greater understanding of forest dynamics, habitat risks must be assessed,early action is the best method for conservation. We learned about many conservation projects in Kenya:Watamu turtle watch,Kipepeo-butterfly farming, Rocha Kenya -conservation efforts run by christian organization. For the fun part of the seminar we got information for the life in local village,historical archeological sites,danced with local people. We experienced boardwalk as the main tourist attraction. This is an elevated wooden walkway build among nine different types of mangroves tree,long 260m, leading to the bird hide where tourists can photograph rare birds. The Q&A session at the end gave the audience opportunity to discuss with the presenters various topics from their working experience as field researchers. In overall, the seminar was very well organized, adequately balanced in colorful power point presentation and personal interaction with the audience.