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Inventory Of Major Saline Areas Of Dzanga-Sangha, Dzanga-Ndoki Reserve/Park

Introduction
Objective
Study Area
Methods
Results
Poaching
Discussion
Conclusion
References

Kenneth Otto, WWF-Bayantga, B.P. 1053, Bangui, Central African Republic


INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this paper is to give a brief description of the study carried out to inventory the major saline areas in Dzanga-Sangha, Dzanga-Ndoki reserve/park, within the tropical rain forest of southwestern CAR.

These herbaceous marshy clearing and saline areas locally called bais, are scattered and well distributed within the forests. They are rich in mineral salts and most are situated along permanent streams or water courses giving animals and birds abundant water throughout the year. Others are inundated in the rainy season and are mostly dry in the dry season. They are characterized by aquatic plants (Marantaceae and Cyperaceae), which are important food items for many animals. Besides mineral, water and food, these areas are important for the following reasons:


OBJECTIVE

Estimating the number of animals in these tropical rain forests requires the participation of countries involved within the Tri-National project area to standardize methods. Inventory of saline areas offers a good opportunity for surveys and monitoring of forest animals as well as collection of biological and other data that can serve as indicators of ecological conditions. Due to their importance to the distribution of forest wildlife, saline areas deserve a special managerial consideration.

STUDY AREA

The study area comprised the two sectors of the reserve/park:

a. Dzanga Sector.

The forest in the study area can be described as secondary, having selectively been exploited of commercial valuable tree species in the early 1970, by Slovenia-Bois, a Yugoslavanian logging company. They have relatively few mature trees and are generally characterized by an abundance of fast growing tree species and a thick understory of saplings, and herbaceous plants. It is a dense humid tropical evergreen forest. Some for the common species found here are:

A network for logging roads and elephant trails give access to most of the clearings.

b. Ndoki Sector

This zone consists of a primary forest with an ecosystem characterized by an abundance of mature trees. It has low level of disturbances by human factor and selective cutting of few tree species. Pure stand of trees of Gilbertiodendron dewevreii, dominates these areas on flat or slopping terrain near streams. The terrain is much more difficult consisting of muddy steams and thick overgrown shrubs covering old elephant trails, sign of flooding can be seen in some areas. The Ndoki stream is a vast swamp that is difficult or nearly impossible to cross.

METHODS

During the period (March-September 1994), a team of 1 researcher and 2 assistants carried out surveys and monitoring in the two sectors mentioned above. With the aid of a decameter, tape measures, compass, binocular and pedometer, we measured lengths and widths of salines. This includes identification of name and location, streams, and date of visits. Description of vegetation within and around salines. Observation of sign of animals and birds (sightings, droppings or footmarks) and human activities, etc. Our field trips were scheduled on a 2 week - 1 month period. We covered as much areas as possible to minimize errors.

RESULTS

A total of 24 salines were recorded, 15 in the Dzanga sector and 8 in the Ndoki sector (Table 1).

According to Carroll (1986a) and Wertern (1986a) the Dzanga sector contains the highest known population density of elephants Loxodonta africana cyclotis, remaining in the dense forest zone of Africa. Sightings, droppings and footmarks are common in most areas of the forest. Buffaloes Sytherus caffer nunus, form the second largest group. A herd of 5-10 or more were observed in most saline areas. The forest is also a home to western lowland gorilla Gorilla gorilla gorilla, other primates include chimpanzee Pan troglodytes, black and white Colobus monkeys, Colobus guereza, red Colobus monkeys C. badius and many other species, other mammals include bongo Tragelaphus euryceros, which are elusive. Sightings are during very early hours of morning. Sitatunga T. sipekei, giant forest hog Hylochoerus meinertzhageni, bush pig Potamochoerus porous, Peter's Duikers Chephalophus callypguus, Blue Duikers C. monticolor, etc.

Most animals observed at Ndoki sector were the same species found in Dzanga sector, with variation in density or distribution. Elephant Loxodonta africana cyclotis, are rare. Old footmarks and droppings were recorded in all the salines covered but no sighting or trumpeting heard. Footmarks were of either young or female elephants judged by the sizes observed. Gorillas are more numerous here than at Dzanga sector. Four encounters with a group of 2-3 were recorded compared to 1 at Dzanga. Nests and activities on forest floors and ant-mounts are common. Tortoise Kinixy spp., are common and are found in the forests of Gilbertiodendron, where they are camouflaged by the broad leaves of these trees.

POACHING

We recorded 12 abandoned poachers' camps at Ndoki sector as compared to 1 at Dzanga. Most of the camps were within 1-2 Km. of the salines. We retrieved several empty cartridges and heard gunshots at several different locations. Poachers active at Ndoki sector are from the villages of Lindjombo and Salcapa. Cameroonians and Congolese also enter the park sometimes carrying automatic weapons. Pygmies are also used as elephant hunters by muslim traders for little reward of cash and meat.

DISCUSSION

On the basis of inventory, management needs to identify its specific objectives for the area in question, that is, to specify the permissible limits to change for the area and hence the types and amounts of consumptive and non-consumptive uses and types of ecological change compatible with those limits.

Because monitoring consists of keeping tract of the components of a system, it should be an on-going process. However, monitoring is laborious and expensive as well as misleading if not properly carried out. It should be confined only to areas essential for management.

Table 1. The Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve and the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park. Inventory of Important Saline Areas in the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park.

Name
Length
Width
Sectors
Zone
Mossokpo

Bakouloungou

144 M

204 M

75 M

81 M

Dzanga
Kongana
Metimbo

Ngoubounga

Hokou 1

Hokou 2

Dibwe

Mongole

850 M

400 M

300 M

500 M

300 M

300 M

75 M

144 M

96 M

81 M

168 M

90 M

Dzanga
Bai-Hokou
Dzanga

Mongambe 1

Mongambe 2

Bakombo 1

Bakombo 2

Bakombo 3

Bakombo 4

500 M

650 M

500 M

180 M

150 M

120 M

120 M

256 M

212 M

200 M

61 M

90 M

60 M

90 M

Dzanga
Dzanga
Obonga

Mindika

Ndjebe

Libale 1

Libale 2

Leko

Mosse

Mondende

90 M

120 M

180 M

800 M

500 M

1200 M

500 M

70 M

30 M

55 M

60 M

600 M

300 M

800 M

300 M

40 M

Ndoki
Ndoki


CONCLUSION

  1. Because of their importance for animals within tropical forests, the bais deserve special attention. Constant monitoring of these areas should be a priority. Also areas of animal densities other than elephants should be identified for tourist guides and for researchers interested to study particular animals.

  2. The Park covers an areas of approximately 1,222 sq. km. This is a very large area to protect relative to the number of guards currently employed by the project. To minimize poaching, permanent camps with guards should be stationed at some locations around Ndoki sector.

REFERENCES

Windrock International (1987) Ecological development in the humid tropics.

Carroll, R. (1986b) The Status, Distribution and Density of Lowland Gorilla, Gorilla gorilla gorilla.

Wildlife Techniques Manual Committee (1971) Wildlife Management Techniques.

Kortlan, A. (1984) Vegetative Research and the Bulldozer Herbivores in Tropical Africa.

Carroll, R. (1986) The Development, Protection and Management of Dzanga-Sangha Dense Forest.


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