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So far little research has happened on the reserve, and the research that has been done has focused mostly on sociological issues in the surrounding communities. This area (and many other parts of the world) has a dire need for long-term ecological monitoring programs, which we plan to initiate here. The aim of such programs is to document changes in important properties of biological communities. At the least, a long-term monitoring system should be designed to detect long-term trends; in Majete’s case, these trends include population changes and fluctuations among the various wildlife species. Our research focuses on the ecology and management of a number of different species. By ecology, we mean the science of the relationships between organisms and their environment. Some, like elephant and buffalo, are easier to observe than others, like the elusive rhino and leopard. Our specific projects include the following:
a) Assessing and modeling the short-term and longterm changes in the size and age composition of populations, and the biological and environmental processes influencing those changes (known as population dynamics) of some of the reintroduced herbivore species.
b) Monitoring the success of reintroduced predators (lion and leopard) and their impact on prey species.
c) Determining the impact of large herbivores (elephant, buffalo, and rhino) on the habitat.
d) Studying the population dynamics and distribution of the spotted hyena.
e) Studying the population performance and habitat use of the black rhinoceros—in other words, how the reintroduced population is faring in regard to birth rates and survival versus death rates.
f) Implementation of a best-practice fire-management strategy.
g) Building the capacity and implementing measures to lessen human–wildlife conflict.
This work is part of the larger project making Majete a model for how a reserve can successfully conserve biodiversity and manage natural resources sustainably for the benefit of the economy, the people of Malawi, and neighboring communities, while also being financially viable. |
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