A Risky Climate for Southern African Hydro

This in-depth study of the hydrological risks to hydropower dams on the Zambezi River gives an early warning about what Southern Africa could be facing as it contemplates plans for more large hydropower dams in a time of climate change.Currently, 13,000 megawatts of new large-dam hydro is proposed for the Zambezi and its tributaries. The report finds that existing and proposed hydropower dams are not being properly evaluated for the risks from natural hydrological variability (which is extremely high in the Zambezi), much less the risks posed by climate change.Overall, Africa's fourth-largest river will experience worse droughts and more extreme floods. Dams being proposed and built now will be negatively affected, yet energy planning in the basin is not taking serious steps to address these huge hydrological uncertainties. The result could be dams that are uneconomic, disruptive to the energy sector, and possibly even dangerous.The report recommends a series of steps to address the coming storm of hydrological changes, including changes to how dams are planned and operated

Zoogeographic regionalisation of terrestrial vertebrates of Mozambique

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : Raw data and R code are available upon request from the Maputo Natural History Museum, Mozambique.During the formative years of science-based biodiversity conservation and planning, Mozambique was undergoing a prolonged post-colonial liberation struggle (1964–1974) and subsequent civil war (1976–1992), resulting in a profound gap in biodiversity knowledge and conservation planning relative to other countries in the region. This study represents Mozambique's first post-war (1992 to the present) zoogeographic regionalisation at a fine scale, using 20 years of terrestrial vertebrate data comprising 54 species and 27,199 records that cover 53% of the 0.5° grid cells of the country, with 35% of cells having sufficient data for subsequent quantitative analysis. Cluster and Indicator species (IndVal) analysis were used to delimit zooregions and to identify their characteristic species, respectively, while Redundancy analysis was used to relate environmental variables to vertebrate groups. These analyses divided Mozambique into six zooregions (Niassa, Tete, Gilé, Marromeu-Gorongosa, Limpopo-Zinave-Banhine and Maputo). Our study reveals that the zooregions identified are not adequately protected by the current network of protected areas. An expanded network of protected areas is needed to ensure biodiversity conservation in Mozambique.Eduardo Mondlane University through its Biological and Oceanographic Research Programme and Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).http://www.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/ajehj2024Mammal Research InstituteZoology and EntomologySDG-15:Life on lan

Biological Case Against Downlisting the Whooping Crane and for Improving Implementation under the Endangered Species Act

The Whooping Crane (Grus americana; WHCR) is a large, long-lived bird endemic to North America. The remnant population migrates between Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, USA, and Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada (AWBP), and has recovered from a nadir of 15-16 birds in 1941 to ~540 birds in 2022. Two ongoing reintroduction efforts in Louisiana and the Eastern Flyway together total ~150 birds. Evidence indicates the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is strongly considering downlisting the species from an endangered to a threatened status under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We examined the current status of the WHCR through the lens of ESA threat factors, the USFWS’s Species Status Assessment (SSA) framework, and other avian downlisting actions to determine if the action is biologically warranted. Our research indicates that WHCRs are facing an intensification of most threat drivers across populations and important ranges. The AWBP is still relatively small compared to other crane species and most birds of conservation concern. To date, only one avian species has been downlisted from an endangered status with an estimated population of \u3c3,000 individuals. Representation in terms of WHCRs historic genetic, geographic, and life history variation remains limited. Also, the lack of spatial connectivity among populations, reliance of the reintroduced populations on supplementation, and continued habitat loss suggest that WHCR populations may not be resilient to large stochastic disturbances. Given that reintroduced populations are not self-sustaining, neither supplies true redundancy for the AWBP. Proposed downlisting before recovery plan population criteria have been met is objectively unwarranted 3 and reflects USFWS inconsistency across ESA actions. Only by incorporating basic quantitative criteria and added oversight into ESA listing decisions can we avoid an action as misguided as downlisting the Whooping Crane without consideration of its recovery plan criteria or ostensibly its population ecology

The status of cranes in Africa in 2005

Of the six species of cranes occurring in Africa, the Black Crowned Crane (Balearica pavonina) is Near-threatened, the Wattled Crane (Grus carunculatus) and Blue Crane (Anthropoides paradiseus) are Vulnerable, the Grey Crowned Crane (B. regulorum) is rapidly declining, and the Atlas Mountain population of Demoiselle Crane (A. virgo) may be Extinct. Over the past decade, intensive coordinated surveys have resulted in significant revisions to the population estimates for Africa's cranes. The total population of Wattled Crane, previously estimated at 13 000–15 000 birds, now numbers less than 8 000 individuals and the species is in decline in as many as nine of 11 countries in its range. The B. p. pavonina population is highly fragmented and has been reduced to approximately 15 000 birds, whilst it is likely that the B. p. ceciliae population is also in decline. The East African population of Grey Crowned Crane (B. r. gibbericeps) has been reduced to 43 000–55 000 birds, an almost 50% decline in the past 20 years. The estimated population of Blue Cranes (>25 580) reflects a slight increase over previous estimates but is substantially lower than historical levels. Crane numbers are seriously affected by degradation and disturbance of breeding grounds and capture for domestication and trade. Ostrich 2007, 78(2): 175–18

The impact of capture, domestication and trade on Black Crowned Cranes in the Inner Niger Delta, Mali

The inland delta of the Niger, a vast floodplain, is the only refuge of Black Crowned Cranes in Mali. This study, centred on the regions of Mopti, Tenenkou and Youwarou, aimed to: (1) census the number of cranes in the delta and in captivity in the towns of Mopti and Bamako; (2) examine exploitation at different levels (local and national) to estimate the number of birds captured and traded, and the sums of money involved; and (3) to set up a plan for the conservation of the species. From April to August 2001 a survey was conducted amongst the hunters, buyers, sellers and those holding cranes in the towns of Mopti and Bamako. In these towns 55 people, most of whom had kept and raised cranes for more than 15 years, had 129 Black Crowned Cranes in captivity. Dealing in cranes is an activity restricted to men (farmers, aviculturalists, fishermen and traders). Over the period 1998–2000, 165 birds were bought and sold, while 70 had been exported to other countries. The average purchase price from a hunter was €24. In the delta the selling price was on average 36 278FCFA (francs of the African Financial Community) (€55), whereas in the towns the price was 104 778FCFA (€159) over the same time period. All trophies from the hunt were also sold. Clearly, the survival of this species is threatened both by habitat destruction and by hunting. Under captive conditions the birds do not breed and continued captures could lead to the extinction of cranes in Mali. A plan for the protection of the species has been drawn up and financial support is now being sought. Le Delta Intérieur du Niger (DIN), vaste plaine d'inondation est le seul sanctuaire des Grues couronnées au Mali. C'est dans cette zone de refuge, que l'étude sur «le statut de la Grue couronnée et surexploitation au Mali» a été menée, principalement dans les cercles de Mopti, Tenenkou et Youwarou. Le District de Bamako (capitale du Mali), considérée comme la plaque tournante de toutes les transactions commerciales (achat, vente, et exportation) a été aussi enquêtée. L'étude avait les objectifs suivants: Inventorier les effectifs de Grue couronnée dans le DIN et en captivité dans les villes de Mopti et Bamako en vue de déterminer son statut de protection;Etudier la filière d'exploitation à différentes échelles (local et national) en vue d'une estimation des effectifs capturés, achetés et vendus et des revenus monétaires obtenus;Proposer un plan d'action et sa mise en oeuvre en faveur de la Grue couronnée. Pendant la période d'Avril–Août 2001, une enquête a été menée dans les cercles ci-dessus cités auprès des chasseurs, acheteurs et vendeurs. La même enquête a été menée dans les villes de Mopti et Bamako auprès des éleveurs à domicile et des commerçants. Dans les villes de Mopti et Bamako, 55 éleveurs détiennent en captivité 129 Grues couronnées et se sont les hommes qui élèvent ses oiseaux dans leur basse-cour. La plupart d'entre eux ont plus d'une quinzaine d'années dans cet élevage. La commercialisation de la Grue couronnée est une activité pratiquée seulement par les hommes (agriculteurs, éleveurs, pêcheurs, commerçants). 165 individus vivants ont faits de transactions commerciales (achat/vente) pendant la période 1998-2000 et 70 individus ont été enregistrés à l'exploitation vers les pays Africains, Arabes et Européens. Le prix moyen à l'achat est €24/individu entre les mains des chasseurs. Les prix moyens à la vente sont respectivement de 36278FCFA (€55)/individu, sur le DIN (période 1998–2000), Mopti, Tenenkou et Youwarou contre 104 778FCFA (€159) en villes, communes II, III et IV, pour la même période. Toutes les trophées de l'oiseau sont aussi vendues. Il est apparu les contraintes suivantes à la survie de cette espèce: la disparition et la dégradation de son habitat et la chasse. Dans les conditions actuelles de captivité l'oiseau ne se reproduit pas et la conséquence pourrait être son extinction au Mali. Wetlands International, la DRCN/Mopti et d'autres ONGs ont élaborés un plan d'action en faveur de la protection de l'espèce dont la mise en oeuvre est présentement l'objet de recherche des financements. Ostrich 2007, 78(2): 195–20