A substantial body of research has been conducted with the objective of enhancing the understanding of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) in Central Africa. A significant proportion of the studies focus on medicinal pl...A substantial body of research has been conducted with the objective of enhancing the understanding of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) in Central Africa. A significant proportion of the studies focus on medicinal plants, in contrast to those that examine food products. Nevertheless, studies on edible wild mushrooms as NTFPs and cultivated mushrooms, on their economic potential and value chains in the Great Lakes Region, remain scarce and largely absent for some NTFPs. In light of the aforementioned considerations, the present study aims to examine the economic potential and value chain of the production sector of wild edible mushrooms (WEM) and cultivated mushrooms (CM) within the Virunga National Park (PNVi) and its surrounding areas in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). To this end, a sample of 432 respondents was selected, distributed equitably among the actors of the Goma-Kitshanga-Mweso value chain, the Goma-Rutshuru chain, the Beni-Mutwanga chain, and the Beni-Mangina chain. A digital questionnaire consisting of open and closed questions was administered, and observations were carried out concurrently. The quantities of mushrooms sold were weighed and photographed. The results demonstrated that, when the eight-month fruiting period of wild and cultivated mushrooms was considered as a single year for all actors within the value chain, a picker could sell 6.1 kg at $2 and earn $12. A seller could sell 16 kg at $4 and earn $64, while a grower could sell 502 kg at $3 and earn $1506. Consequently, the CM grower generates a significantly higher profit than other participants in the value chain, despite the expenses he incurs. Ultimately, the domestication of WEM, highly prized by the local population of the Virunga National Park, has the potential to enhance their household incomes, as evidenced by the findings of this study.展开更多
A systematic study has been carried out to assess the water quality in and around Lake Edward basin in D.R. Congo Side. Fifty four water samples were collected and analyzed for physicochemical parameters, including: t...A systematic study has been carried out to assess the water quality in and around Lake Edward basin in D.R. Congo Side. Fifty four water samples were collected and analyzed for physicochemical parameters, including: temperature, discharge, pH, electrical conductivity, transparency, dissolved oxygen, COD, BOD, Carbonate, Bicarbonate, alkalinity, total hardness, turbidity, calcium hardness, calcium, magnesium hardness, magnesium, total nitrogen, ammonium, nitrate, total phosphorus, soluble reactive phosphorus, chloride, sulphate and total suspended solids. For bacteriological parameters: fecal bacteria, enterococcus bacteria, vibrio and salmonella shigella bacteria were considered. For macroinvertebrates assemblages all taxa using standards methods for each parameter. A comparison of data from dry (June to August) and wet (September to May) season was done in and around Lake Eduard watershed. The analytical data of various physicochemical parameters indicates that water characteristics in the watershed were in the limit of WHO standards for drinking water and aquatic life. Bacteriological water quality of some ecosystems in the watershed revealed the infestation of water with bacteria which make the water unusable for drinking by the surrounding population near and within Lake Eduard watershed. Longtime period sampling in the watershed is needed to understand the variation and composition of water quality and aquatic macroinvertebrate environment of the watershed.展开更多
Monitoring of environmental parameters is one of the highest priorities in the evaluation of environmental status of water resources and in environmental protection policy. The main objectives are to understand and ev...Monitoring of environmental parameters is one of the highest priorities in the evaluation of environmental status of water resources and in environmental protection policy. The main objectives are to understand and evaluate the water quantity and quality in order to provide water of appropriate quality to various water users. The water quantity was assessed by the measurement of runoff or discharge at specific river cross sections using floating method for surface water and bucket and stopwatch method for springs and boreholes. The quality of river water and spring was identified in terms of its physical, chemical, and biological parameters. The analyzed data were compared with standard values recommended by WHO. Macroinvertebrates were collected in the rivers using a plankton nets and 10 minutes of sampling. Identification was made at the laboratory of Malacology. Results revealed that the quality of water obtained from sampling points is generally good to use for different domestic purposes except the Idanta River and Rwembwe borehole, which need an appropriate treatment before use. All sampling points are located far from houses and latrines, which can contribute to fecal contamination. On the different sampling points, bathing and washing clothes were observed and could constitute the source of pollution of drinking water. In Idanta and Kamira Rivers animals used water for drinking while also people use this water for domestic and drinking. In the two sampling points high values of Escherichia coli were found. No pollutant-taxa tolerant were found in the two monitored rivers for macroinvertebrates. Since water quality and quantity remain a major challenge in rural areas, the government should provide safe water to the population around Mikeno sector after treatment using suitable techniques.展开更多
Wetlands have been noted to be beneficial worldwide. Despite wetlands being a natural asset that is of great significance to the human community, they are threatened by human and natural events. In Virunga National Pa...Wetlands have been noted to be beneficial worldwide. Despite wetlands being a natural asset that is of great significance to the human community, they are threatened by human and natural events. In Virunga National Park (VNP) wetlands are the habitat of Hippopotamus (<em>Hippopotamus amphibius</em>) which are among the animal species threatened by extinction in VNP since the past few decades. As shown by the last studies the number of Hippos population declined for 96% for the period of less than 40 years. This study evaluated landscape fragmentation status and its implication on the decline of the hippos population in VNP wetland for the period from 1990 to 2018. This study’s land cover data was obtained using remote sensing techniques with the help of software package ERDAS IMAGINE v16.6 and ArcGIS v10.3. It was mapped and classified using the maximum likelihood supervised classification technique. The landscape was classified into seven classes, which included Cropland, Forest, grassland, wetland, scrubland, bare area, and water. Satellite data (Landsat) was used to evaluate NDVI and NDWI and finally the landscape patterns in the study were analyzed using Fragstats 4.2, which was also used to calculate landscape indices for the respective periods. The results obtained from the LULC, NDVI, NDWI and the landscape metrics showed that during the period of our study the VNP wetland was fragmented. A strong negative correlation between the number of hippos and the wetland’s LFI (Landscape Fragmentation Index) values showed that wetland fragmentation was one of the reasons of the decline of Hippos in the park.展开更多
文摘A substantial body of research has been conducted with the objective of enhancing the understanding of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) in Central Africa. A significant proportion of the studies focus on medicinal plants, in contrast to those that examine food products. Nevertheless, studies on edible wild mushrooms as NTFPs and cultivated mushrooms, on their economic potential and value chains in the Great Lakes Region, remain scarce and largely absent for some NTFPs. In light of the aforementioned considerations, the present study aims to examine the economic potential and value chain of the production sector of wild edible mushrooms (WEM) and cultivated mushrooms (CM) within the Virunga National Park (PNVi) and its surrounding areas in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). To this end, a sample of 432 respondents was selected, distributed equitably among the actors of the Goma-Kitshanga-Mweso value chain, the Goma-Rutshuru chain, the Beni-Mutwanga chain, and the Beni-Mangina chain. A digital questionnaire consisting of open and closed questions was administered, and observations were carried out concurrently. The quantities of mushrooms sold were weighed and photographed. The results demonstrated that, when the eight-month fruiting period of wild and cultivated mushrooms was considered as a single year for all actors within the value chain, a picker could sell 6.1 kg at $2 and earn $12. A seller could sell 16 kg at $4 and earn $64, while a grower could sell 502 kg at $3 and earn $1506. Consequently, the CM grower generates a significantly higher profit than other participants in the value chain, despite the expenses he incurs. Ultimately, the domestication of WEM, highly prized by the local population of the Virunga National Park, has the potential to enhance their household incomes, as evidenced by the findings of this study.
文摘A systematic study has been carried out to assess the water quality in and around Lake Edward basin in D.R. Congo Side. Fifty four water samples were collected and analyzed for physicochemical parameters, including: temperature, discharge, pH, electrical conductivity, transparency, dissolved oxygen, COD, BOD, Carbonate, Bicarbonate, alkalinity, total hardness, turbidity, calcium hardness, calcium, magnesium hardness, magnesium, total nitrogen, ammonium, nitrate, total phosphorus, soluble reactive phosphorus, chloride, sulphate and total suspended solids. For bacteriological parameters: fecal bacteria, enterococcus bacteria, vibrio and salmonella shigella bacteria were considered. For macroinvertebrates assemblages all taxa using standards methods for each parameter. A comparison of data from dry (June to August) and wet (September to May) season was done in and around Lake Eduard watershed. The analytical data of various physicochemical parameters indicates that water characteristics in the watershed were in the limit of WHO standards for drinking water and aquatic life. Bacteriological water quality of some ecosystems in the watershed revealed the infestation of water with bacteria which make the water unusable for drinking by the surrounding population near and within Lake Eduard watershed. Longtime period sampling in the watershed is needed to understand the variation and composition of water quality and aquatic macroinvertebrate environment of the watershed.
文摘Monitoring of environmental parameters is one of the highest priorities in the evaluation of environmental status of water resources and in environmental protection policy. The main objectives are to understand and evaluate the water quantity and quality in order to provide water of appropriate quality to various water users. The water quantity was assessed by the measurement of runoff or discharge at specific river cross sections using floating method for surface water and bucket and stopwatch method for springs and boreholes. The quality of river water and spring was identified in terms of its physical, chemical, and biological parameters. The analyzed data were compared with standard values recommended by WHO. Macroinvertebrates were collected in the rivers using a plankton nets and 10 minutes of sampling. Identification was made at the laboratory of Malacology. Results revealed that the quality of water obtained from sampling points is generally good to use for different domestic purposes except the Idanta River and Rwembwe borehole, which need an appropriate treatment before use. All sampling points are located far from houses and latrines, which can contribute to fecal contamination. On the different sampling points, bathing and washing clothes were observed and could constitute the source of pollution of drinking water. In Idanta and Kamira Rivers animals used water for drinking while also people use this water for domestic and drinking. In the two sampling points high values of Escherichia coli were found. No pollutant-taxa tolerant were found in the two monitored rivers for macroinvertebrates. Since water quality and quantity remain a major challenge in rural areas, the government should provide safe water to the population around Mikeno sector after treatment using suitable techniques.
文摘Wetlands have been noted to be beneficial worldwide. Despite wetlands being a natural asset that is of great significance to the human community, they are threatened by human and natural events. In Virunga National Park (VNP) wetlands are the habitat of Hippopotamus (<em>Hippopotamus amphibius</em>) which are among the animal species threatened by extinction in VNP since the past few decades. As shown by the last studies the number of Hippos population declined for 96% for the period of less than 40 years. This study evaluated landscape fragmentation status and its implication on the decline of the hippos population in VNP wetland for the period from 1990 to 2018. This study’s land cover data was obtained using remote sensing techniques with the help of software package ERDAS IMAGINE v16.6 and ArcGIS v10.3. It was mapped and classified using the maximum likelihood supervised classification technique. The landscape was classified into seven classes, which included Cropland, Forest, grassland, wetland, scrubland, bare area, and water. Satellite data (Landsat) was used to evaluate NDVI and NDWI and finally the landscape patterns in the study were analyzed using Fragstats 4.2, which was also used to calculate landscape indices for the respective periods. The results obtained from the LULC, NDVI, NDWI and the landscape metrics showed that during the period of our study the VNP wetland was fragmented. A strong negative correlation between the number of hippos and the wetland’s LFI (Landscape Fragmentation Index) values showed that wetland fragmentation was one of the reasons of the decline of Hippos in the park.
