Identification of iron-manganese oxidising bacteria from urban wetland water in Kigali, Rwanda

This work was supported by SIDA grant to University of Rwanda, 2016

Genetic diversity of carotenoid-rich bananas evaluated by Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the carotenoid content and genetic variability of banana accessions from the Musa germplasm collection held at Embrapa Cassava and Tropical Fruits, Brazil. Forty-two samples were analyzed, including 21 diploids, 19 triploids and two tetraploids. The carotenoid content was analyzed spectrophotometrically and genetic variability was estimated using 653 DArT markers. The average carotenoid content was 4.73 μg.g -1 , and ranged from 1.06 μg.g -1 for the triploid Nanica (Cavendish group) to 19.24 μg.g -1 for the triploid Saney. The diploids Modok Gier and NBA-14 and the triploid Saney had a carotenoid content that was, respectively, 7-fold, 6-fold and 9-fold greater than that of cultivars from the Cavendish group (2.19 μg.g -1). The mean similarity among the 42 accessions was 0.63 (range: 0.24 to 1.00). DArT analysis revealed extensive genetic variability in accessions from the Embrapa Musa germplasm bank

Soil Respiration in Relation to Photosynthesis of Quercus mongolica Trees at Elevated CO2

Knowledge of soil respiration and photosynthesis under elevated CO2 is crucial for exactly understanding and predicting the carbon balance in forest ecosystems in a rapid CO2-enriched world. Quercus mongolica Fischer ex Ledebour seedlings were planted in open-top chambers exposed to elevated CO2 (EC = 500 µmol mol−1) and ambient CO2 (AC = 370 µmol mol−1) from 2005 to 2008. Daily, seasonal and inter-annual variations in soil respiration and photosynthetic assimilation were measured during 2007 and 2008 growing seasons. EC significantly stimulated the daytime soil respiration by 24.5% (322.4 at EC vs. 259.0 mg CO2 m−2 hr−1 at AC) in 2007 and 21.0% (281.2 at EC vs. 232.6 mg CO2 m−2 hr−1 at AC) in 2008, and increased the daytime CO2 assimilation by 28.8% (624.1 at EC vs. 484.6 mg CO2 m−2 hr−1 at AC) across the two growing seasons. The temporal variation in soil respiration was positively correlated with the aboveground photosynthesis, soil temperature, and soil water content at both EC and AC. EC did not affect the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration. The increased daytime soil respiration at EC resulted mainly from the increased aboveground photosynthesis. The present study indicates that increases in CO2 fixation of plants in a CO2-rich world will rapidly return to the atmosphere by increased soil respiration

Historical perspectives of community involvement in tourism and conservation activities in Eastern Rwanda: A study at the Akagera National Park in the fifteen years following the 1994 genocide

This article investigated the Eastern Rwanda community's involvement in tourism and conservation activities in and around Akagera National Park. The study aimed at exploring the extent of community involvement in tourism development and conservation activities in Eastern Rwanda in 2009, following the 1994 devastating genocide. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information from local communities, while interviews were conducted with key participants from the RDB (Rwanda Development Board) Tourism and Conservation Department, and other local government officials. The study found that local communities adjacent to the Akagera National Park have been marginalised by RDB-TC and that they are not happy with the treatment received from RDB-TC. The article argues that for RDB and the Government of Rwanda to better manage the natural resources within the Akagera National Park in order to promote tourism and community development, a participatory approach must be adopted to provide adequate powers to local communities in the decision making process.Keywords: Akagera National Park, community conservation, community involvement, Eastern Rwanda, Rwanda, tourism, tourism developmen

The potential for eco-tourism in the Gishwati forest Reserve: An alternative use of the forest for economic upliftment of local communities

This study was conducted in late 2010 for the Gishwati Area Conservation Programme (GACP), a conservation agency that was tasked to restore and conserve the Forest, since 2007. The agency thought that eco-tourism in the Forest would be a good practice for reducing poverty in poor communities and boost eco-conservation efforts. The study proposed a number of tourism products, including a guided four to five hour hike in the Forest, and several community-based activities. The aim of the study was to establish the potential of eco-tourism in the Gishwati Forest reserve as an alternative use of the Forest for local communities. The study had three main objectives: establishing whether people were likely to visit Gishwati; determining how much they would be willing to pay for the products, and indicating which factors were important criteria for visits to the Gishwati Forest. A literature study preceded a structured questionnaire which was developed and distributed to 230 conveniently selected respondents at various target locations, including Kigali City, Gisenyi Town and Ruhengeri Town, because large number of tourists frequented these towns. The 201 usable responses were analysed using the SPSS 11.5 programme, which indicated that the majority of respondents were willing to pay for a guided Forest hike, that a high percentage of revenue should be returned to local communities, and that they should assist in conserving the natural areas. The report was accepted by the GACP but not fully implemented