Community knowledge and utilization of mangroves in Panabo Mangrove Park, Panabo City, Davao del Norte, Philippines

Alimbon JA, Manseguiao MRS. 2021. Community knowledge and utilization of mangroves in Panabo Mangrove Park, Panabo City, Davao del Norte, Philippines. Intl J Bonorowo Wetlands 11: 51-57. Awareness of community knowledge and utilization patterns of mangrove ecosystems and their services is integral to conservation and management. However, this aspect remains to be less explored, especially in the Philippines. Hence, this study assessed the community knowledge and utilization of mangroves in Panabo Mangrove Park, Panabo City, Davao del Norte Philippines, using a survey research design. Through a simple random sampling procedure, 154 residents living near the area were surveyed using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency and percentages. Results revealed that the majority were knowledgeable of the existence and the services of mangroves except for their medicinal uses. It was also found out that many respondents have less to no knowledge of the different species of mangroves. Further, most respondents reported that they used the mangrove ecosystem as a food source on varying frequencies but never utilized it for other purposes such as fuelwood, medicine, dyeing agent, construction materials, fishing poles, household furniture, and other items.

Parasites prevalence which infecting freshwater fishes in Mulur Reservoir of Sukoharjo District, Indonesia

Iriansyah AH, Budiharjo A, Sugiyarto. 2020. Parasites prevalence infecting freshwater fishes in Mulur Reservoir of Sukoharjo District, Indonesia. Bonorowo Wetlands 10: 66-71. Mulur Reservoir is one of the natural fish habitats and consumption fish cultivation in Sukoharjo District, Indonesia. Excessive use of the reservoir area causes the decreasing of water quality which affects fish life sustainability, one of them can cause the fish susceptibility to infection by parasites. The purpose of this research was to identify the types of parasites which infect on consumption of fish in Mulur Reservoir and calculate the prevalence value. Samples were taken by purposive sampling for gourami (Osphronemus gouramy), tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), betutu fish (Oxyeleotris marmorata), catfish (Clarias batrachus), and jambal (Pangasius djambal) 10 fishes for each type. The parts of fish infected by ectoparasites such as body mucus, fin mucus, head mucus, and gills were taken by scrapping and observed under a microscope with magnification between 100-400x. The results showed that 5 types of ectoparasites were Epistylis sp., Ichthyophthirius multifilis, Trichodina sp., Dactylogyrus sp., and Gyrodactylus sp. with an average prevalence of more than 50%. There are more ectoparasites in domesticated fish than in wild fish.

Effect of climatic and non-climatic factors on fishing activities in Lake Victoria, Kisumu County, Kenya

Akoth AJ, Mahiri OS, Obiero K. 2019. Influence of climatic and non-climatic factors on fishing activities in Lake Victoria, Kisumu County, Kenya. Intl J Bonorowo Wetlands 11: 7-17. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of climatic factors like dry spells, rainfall, and wind strength, as well as non-climatic factors like overfishing, water hyacinth, and predators on fishing activities on the shores of Lake Victoria in Kisumu County. The research used a descriptive survey design. The study area comprised thirty-two beaches, of which eight were chosen to represent Kisumu County as a whole. The eight beaches were sampled using a systematic sampling technique. The data was collected using a sample size of 362 respondents. Fish landing data over the past ten years was collected at the beaches and at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KEMFRI), while climate data was received from the Kisumu Airport Regional Meteorological Department. Primary data was collected from the beaches using questionnaires and interviews, whereas secondary data was collected from KEMFRI using document analysis guidance, books, and publications. The results were processed and analyzed with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) application, which assisted in the calculation of frequencies, means, and percentages. The study discovered a linkage between climatic factors and fishing activity. Climatic factors and fishing activities have a substantial relationship, according to the study. The amount of rainfall had an effect on fish captures, albeit the effect differed by fish species; Orechromis (r =.260), Lates niloticus (r =.130), and Protopterus (r =.184) had positive correlations with rainfall, whereas Rastrinoebola argentea and Claras gariepinus had negative correlations. Overall, the findings showed a positive correlation coefficient (r =.079) between rainfall and total fish catch. Fish numbers in the lake have decreased due to a dry season accompanied by high temperatures. Strong wind had a negative impact on fishing activities, whereas mild to moderate wind favored fish catch. Non-climatic factors had a significant detrimental impact on fishing activity in Lake Victoria, according to the study. The researcher came to the following conclusions based on the findings: there was a relationship between climatic elements and fishing activities; non-climatic factors primarily influenced fishing activities negatively; however, fishermen implemented mitigation strategies to help address non-climatic factors. Policymakers should regulate fish harvesting as dictated by climatic and weather variations, assess the impact of non-climatic elements in fish production and recommend appropriate mitigation measures, and finally, regulations should be enhanced to save endangered fish species from extinction, according to the findings.

Challenges and opportunities of participatory management of Upland Wetland in Kiambu County, Kenya

Kinyariro MS, Njuguna SG, Macharia G. 2019. Challenges and opportunities of participatory management of Upland Wetland in kiambu county, Kenya. Bonorowo Wetlands 10: 52-65. Wetlands are continuously degraded through agricultural activities, pollution, and settlements. For example, in the Lari sub-district, increased population pressure decreased soil fertility, unreliable rainfall, and the search for food security forced farmers to encroach on the seemingly idle Upland Wetlands. Opportunities for wetland conservation lie in participatory approaches that can be applied at the local level to assist in conserving this vital natural resource. The main water of the Ruiru river comes from the Upland Wetlands harvested by the Nairobi Water and Waste Company in the Githunguri sub-district at the Ruiru dam. This research is critical because the water company does not have in-depth information about its catchment area, which leads to encroachment and ultimately rationing of water in the city of Nairobi. This study aims to document the causes of wetland degradation in the highlands, assess the level of community participation, and determine the level of awareness of the importance of wetlands and the possible contribution of farmer involvement in catchment management. The sampling method used to select the research unit was stratified and random sampling where farmers and Ruiru dam workers were given a questionnaire. Purposive sampling was used to determine the WARMA manager, WRUA officer, and six older people who were interviewed. 40 farmers from the Lari 107 settlement scheme where the wetlands are located and four workers of the Ruiru dam were given questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using the Chi-square package computer, T-test, and SPSS. Percentages for qualitative data are presented using tables, bar charts, and pie charts. The wetland mapping was carried out using GIS and Google Earth. The study results found that the total land cover of upland rice fields was 129.6 Ha after deducting 105.4. Ha for the last thirty years due to encroachment. The study revealed that 65% of respondents had lived in the area for more than 20 years. Farmers drain wetlands primarily for food supply (50%), generate income (25%), while 10% do so to control waterborne diseases. Participation rates are negligible, with only 2.5% of respondents ever participating in wetland conservation. Community-based conservation groups like WRUA still lack in this area. Environmental impacts include loss of biodiversity, destruction of ornithological habitat, and loss of hydro plant species. Social effects include outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as typhoid, water pollution, and weak community conservation infrastructure. However, there is a chance for community involvement, where the majority of the population is ready to carry out conservation (X2 = 0.127, p = 0.001). The formation of community-based conservation groups such as the Water Resources Users Association, the Association of Riverland Owners, and the Watershed Advisory Committee was proposed as the primary solution. Devolution of water resources is also proposed to ensure local people benefit from selling water to city residents. Such efforts would provide an adequate supply of water to Nairobi and the surrounding satellite cities.

Review: Economic impacts of the invasive species water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): Case study of Rawapening Lake, Central Java, Indonesia

Maulidyna A, Alicia F, Agustin HN, Dewi IR, Nurhidayah I, Dewangga A, Kusumaningrum L, Nugroho GD, Jumari, Setyawan AD. 2019. Review: Economic impacts of the invasive species water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): Case study of Rawapening Lake, Central Java, Indonesia. Intl J Bonorowo Wetlands 11: 18-31. Introduced species is defined as a conscious or unconscious effort to present a species of animal or plant into a new habitat. Introduced species have two pathways on their biogeographical distribution, namely becoming an invasive species or not becoming an invasive species. An introduced species which does not have a negative impact on the new habitat is not classified as an invasive species, while a species that is introduced and does have a negative impact on the new habitat is considered as invasive species. One of the problems that threaten freshwater ecosystems in Indonesia is the invasion of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). This introduced plant species can reproduce rapidly, both generatively and vegetatively, and form very dense masses in water bodies, such as swamps, lakes, rivers, and channels including in Rawapening Lake in Semarang District, Central Java, Indonesia. This study is aimed to review the economic impacts of the invasive water hyacinth species in Rawapening Lake from two perspectives: the negative and the positive impacts, so that feasible solutions can be developed. There are several negative impacts caused by water hyacinth in Rawapening Lake. The overgrown water hyacinth in the lake hinders the fishermen in maneuvering the boats and fishing gears, reducing the fish catches. The extensive coverage of water hyacinth causes the reduction in soluble oxygen and blocks sunlight into the water, leading to the decline of fish population. The rotten water hyacinth can obstruct the irrigation channels of the fields so that farmers cannot produce maximum rice harvests and eradicating them would incur financial costs. On the other hand, there are also positive impacts of water hyacinth in Rawapening Lake. This plant can be used as raw materials to produce a variety of handicrafts in the form of bags, sandals, baskets, wallets, and furniture such as chairs and tables. Water hyacinth can also be processed in biogas production and organic fertilizers. With careful management, water hyacinth can remediate polluted water caused by heavy metals contamination. In short, economically, the presence of water hyacinth in Rawapening can be both beneficial and detrimental. Proper management of this species is necessary to maintain the sustainability of this aquatic environment. r

Analysis of lead (Pb) levels in water, sediment and mollusks in secondary irrigation channels in Gorontalo Province, Indonesia

Tahir IA, Lamondo D, Baderan DWK. 2020. Analysis of lead (Pb) levels in water, sediment and mollusks in secondary irrigation channels in Gorontalo Province, Indonesia. Intl J Bonorowo Wetl 11: 1-6. This study was conducted in July-August 2020 in the secondary irrigation channels of Gorontalo Province, aimed to determine the lead content in the water, sediment and gastropods in the channels. The sampling points were located in four sub-districts, i.e., North Bulango Sub-district, Sipatana Sub-district, Central City Sub-district and Hulonthalangi Sub-district. The samples were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The data were analyzed qualitatively by comparing them with the contamination thresholds set by the government of Indonesia. The results showed that the levels of lead in water in the four stations were 0.37 mg/L, 1.30 mg/L, 1.69 mg/L and 0.38 mg/L, respectively, in the sediment 1.1268 ppm, 0.9719 ppm, 0.7602 ppm, and 0.5290 ppm, respectively, and in each mollusk species, i.e., Bellamnya sp. 0.2924 mg/kg, Pomacea canaliculata 0.2413 mg/kg and Pomacea canaliculata 0.1873 mg/kg. The lead levels in the water, sediment and gastropods in the study sites exceeded the contamination thresholds set by the Indonesian government.

Socio-economic influences of Pangani river basin on community’s livelihoods in Korogwe, Tanga Region, Tanzania

Komba E, Lusambo LP. 2019. Socio-economic influences of Pangani river basin on community’s livelihoods in Korogwe, Tanga Region, Tanzania. Bonorowo Wetlands 10: 41-51. River basin`s resources are vital to basic livelihoods improvement and to the economy growth of the world. Although river basins played a significant role to Tanzania`s economic growth, little information is known on the socio-economic effects of river basin in the urban areas. To address the information gap between urban and rural areas, this study was conducted to: identify socio-economic activities undertaken by urban community along Pangani river basin, analyse gross profit from identified socio-economic activities and analyse factors influencing urban community`s dependency on river basin. Purposive sampling was used to select three wards among seven wards crossed by river basin. A cross-sectional research design was employed involving 90 respondents were randomly selected and interviewed using household questionnaire. Key informant’s informations were collected and three focus group discussions comprising 6-10 people were carried out using a developed checklist. Data were analysed using statistical package for social science (SPSS), gross margin analysis and multiple regression model. The findings revealed that, 33.3% of the respondents were conducting gardening activities, 26.7% crop cultivation, 26.7% brick making, 8.9% sand mining and 4.4% car wash activity. The overall gross profit was found to be TZS 5 263 736.00 per household/year which is higher than that recorded in previous researches conducted in rural areas. Soil fertility, land availability, water availability, access to market, conducive climatic condition and vicinity to new construction area were found to be significant factors influencing urban community to depend on river basin. The result prevail that, there is high utilisation of river basin resources in urban than in rural areas. The study recommends strengthening of community participation and awareness in conserving the sustainable river resources and further study on investigating economic efficiency of socio-economic activities.

Microbial quality of fish along with the Tilapia, African catfish and Sardinella artisanal value chains in Kpong and James Town, Ghana

Aboagye E, Tano-Debrah K, Kunadu APH. 2018. Microbial quality of fish along with the Tilapia, African catfish and Sardinella artisanal value chains in Kpong and James Town, Ghana. Bonorowo Wetlands 10: 1-17. Fish from artisanal sources constitute the most critical animal protein in the Ghanaian diet. The availability and safety of fish on the Ghanaian market is, however now unpredictable owing to potential rapid microbial growth which results from high ambient temperatures and poor handling along the artisanal value chains. Little is know about the small-scale fish value chains as well as the food safety knowledge and processing practices of key stakeholders involved. This study aimed at mapping out the artisanal fish value chains of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and sardinellas (Sardinella aurita), and assessing the food safety knowledge and handling practices of key stakeholders along the selected value chains. A survey using semi-structured questionnaires and involving 93 fishers, 40 retailers, 40 processors, and 120 consumers was carried out to investigate stakeholders’ knowledge and practices of food safety along the value chain. Samples of the selected fish species were taken along their respective value chains to test for the presence of safety indicators (Salmonella, Vibrio, and Listeria species), hygiene indicators (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli), and spoilage organisms (Pseudomonas spp. and Proteus spp.). The mean scores for food safety of retailers, processors, and consumers were found to be generally insufficient at 55%, 43%, and 67.3% respectively. The stakeholders also scored poorly in their handling practices with mean scores of 41.2%, 63.0% and 58.6% for fishers, processors, and consumers, respectively. Estimated fish losses were highest at the retailer and consumer stages of the value chain with reported injuries as high as 35 to 100%. Pathogens such as Clostridium perfringens, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria spp. And Aeromonas sobria were isolated from fresh and on processed ready-to-eat fish samples. Salmonella spp. and Vibrio spp. not detected on any of the samples tested. Mesophilic counts in the range of 7.96 ± 0.68 to 2.95 ± 0.23 log cfu/g reported from fresh fish samples, with similarly high fecal coliform counts averaging 3.11 log cfu/g. Processed fish samples had average total counts, fecal coliform counts, and yeasts and mold counts of 3.11, 2.27, and 2.45 log cfu/g respectively. Proteus vulgaris and Proteus mirabilis were the predominant spoilage organisms present in almost all the fresh fish samples. This study provided much-needed insight into the unsatisfactory safety and quality of artisanal fish on the Ghanaian market and the specific microorganisms associated with them along the value chain. It also established the link between the food safety knowledge and handling practices of stakeholders within the value chain, and the actual quality and safety of fish on the market.

Current status, utilization, succession and zonation of mangrove ecosystem along Mida Creek, Kenya

Warui MW, Manohar S, Obade P. 2020. Current status, utilization, succession and zonation of mangrove ecosystem along Mida Creek, Coast Province, Kenya. Bonorowo Wetlands 10: 32-43. Human activities have resulted in the destruction of mangrove forests, posing a threat to the mangrove ecosystem and the living things that rely on it. From September 2009 through February 2010, researchers studied the current state, usage, succession, and zonation of the mangrove ecosystem along Mida Creek in Kenya's Coast Province. The goals were to assess changes in the floristic composition of the mangrove forest, identify the most preferred mangrove species, investigate whether accessibility determines utilization of mangrove species, investigate whether harvesting of mangroves affects their succession, and investigate the effectiveness of current mangrove forest management policies. The data was collected using the Point-Centered Quarter Method (PCQM) to see if access into the mangrove forest influences their use and if mangrove succession is affected by their use. To evaluate the efficiency of government policies/legislation governing mangrove exploitation and the most favored mangrove species by the local community and other users, questionnaires were circulated and interviews were conducted. Out of the 210 houses in Mida Creek, 136 respondents were interviewed, one from each household. To examine the temporal changes in the floristic composition of the mangrove forest, two sets of aerial images (1992 and 2006) were processed and interpreted. The data from the questionnaires were coded and entered into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to see if the accessibility of mangroves influences their use. To see if the utilization of mangroves affects their succession, researchers used regression analysis. To evaluate the forest structure, an importance value was derived. To summarize the present mangrove forest management policies and their effectiveness, descriptive statistics were used. Between 1992 and 2006, the floristic composition of the mangrove forest in Mida Creek changed; the area covered by mangroves decreased as follows: Rhizophora mucronata (Rm); 65.09-63.93ha; Avicennia marina (Am); 344.99-310.63ha; Ceriops tagal (Ct); 225.12-223.82ha; Rm and Ct; 52.87-50.22ha; Ct and Am; 143.69- 140.29ha; Rm and Am; 44.36-41.27ha; Rm and Bg; 212.75-199.75ha; Rm and Sonneratia alba (Sa); 47.64-46.32ha; Rm, Ct and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (Bg); 129.07-128.12ha; Rm, Am, Ct, and Bg; 472.44-428.46ha. The number of cut mangroves in the adjacent settlements, center, and shoreline revealed a significant difference (F=3.277; df=2; p=0.040) in the ANOVA test, indicating that accessibility determines consumption. The most favored mangrove species was Rhizophora mucronata, according to the findings. There was a correlation between the number of mangrove seedlings and the number of cut mangroves (F=8.529, df=1, R=0.198, P=0.004), according to regression analysis. The use of mangroves has an impact on their succession. Mangrove utilization policies and legislation have been less effective. The key species in Mida Creek were Rhizophora mucronata and Ceriops tagal. The extent of mangrove forests in Mida Creek has shrunk over time.

Structure and biomass accumulation of natural mangrove forest at Gazi Bay, Kenya

Githaiga MN, Kotut K, Kariuki F, Kairo JG. 2019. Structure and biomass accumulation of natural mangrove forest at Gazi Bay, Kenya. Bonorowo Wetlands 9: 18-32. The goal of this study was to determine the forest structure and estimate biomass accumulation above and below ground in the mangrove forest of Gazi Bay. The western, middle, and eastern forest blocks of the Gazi Bay mangrove forest were investigated for forest structure, whereas the western forest block was determined for biomass accumulation. To calculate below-ground biomass accumulation, in-growth cores of 80 cm long, 20 cm broad, and 60 cm deep were employed. Above-ground biomass accumulation was calculated using data on tree height and stem diameter at breast height (DBH-130). Leaf phenology was observed by tagging shoots. At the start, environmental variables were measured every four months for a year across four mangrove species zones. The linear regeneration sampling approach was used to determine the composition and distribution pattern of natural regeneration (LRS). Salinity revealed a strong negative connection with above-ground biomass accumulation among the soil environment characteristics studied. Sonneratia alba had the highest biomass accretion rate of 10.5 1.9 t ha-1 yr-1 among the four forest zones. Rhizophora mucronata (8.5 0.8 t ha-1 yr-1), Avicennia marina (5.2 1.8 t ha-1 yr-1), and Ceriops tagal (2.6 1.5 t ha-1 yr-1) were the next most abundant species. Above-ground and below-ground biomass accumulation differed significantly among zones (F (3, 8) = 5.42, p = 0.025) and (F (3, 8) = 16.03, p = 0 001), respectively. There was a significant difference in total biomass accumulation across zones (F (3, 8) =15.56, p = 0.001). For the entire forest, a root : shoot biomass accumulation ratio of 2 : 5 was calculated. This study's findings provide more accurate estimates of mangrove carbon capture and storage, which can be used in carbon credit discussions in the emerging carbon market.