Conservation and Ecology of Wetland Birds in Africa

Conservation and ecology of wetland birds in Africa Submitted by Lynda Donaldson to the University of Exeter as a thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences, October 2017. This thesis is available for Library use on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement. I certify that all material in this thesis which is not my own work has been identified and that no material has previously been submitted and approved for the award of a degree by this or any other University. Signature: ………………………………………………………….. Abstract Conservation managers worldwide are increasingly faced with the challenges of managing and protecting fragmented landscapes, largely as a consequence of human activities. Over recent decades, ecological theory has made a significant contribution to the development of landscape-scale conservation and practice. However, recommendations accounting for what is practically achievable in the modern-day landscape are currently lacking, while criteria for conservation planning and prioritisation continue to neglect the role of habitat networks at the required spatial scale for the long-term persistence of biodiversity. In this thesis, I test and apply ideas surrounding the complexities of managing and conserving species in a landscape context, using a suite of bird species endemic to papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) swamps in East and Central Africa as a model system. In the face of large-scale habitat loss and degradation, practical measures that account for the fragmented nature of this system, the needs of multiple specialist species, and the reliance on this habitat by local people, are urgently required. I first review the concepts originating from reserve design theory to provide a decision-making framework for those involved in landscape-scale conservation amid 21st century challenges to biodiversity, highlighting the key principles to be considered for informed choices to be made. Second, I show that the needs of local people can be compatible with conservation planning in the tropics, and may play an important part in maintaining habitat quality for species residing in historically disturbed landscapes. Third, I develop a novel framework to make an explicit link between metapopulation dynamics and conservation planning. Despite differences in the patch-level dynamics of individual species, areas of habitat where populations of multiple species are resistant to extinction, and resilient because of high chances of (re)colonization can be identified, highlighting where resources could be invested to ensure species have the capacity to respond to future change. Finally, I simulate the metapopulation dynamics of the papyrus- endemic birds to demonstrate that the optimal conservation strategy for the long- term persistence of all species residing in a network depends on the characteristics of individual species, and the total area that can be protected. Overall, this thesis develops and tests the ecological theory used in spatial conservation planning, emphasising the importance of habitat disturbance and interspecific ecological differences for the effective management of habitat 3 networks. The results increase the evidence base for the conservation of wetland birds in Africa, as well as for species residing in fragmented landscapes more generally. 4 Acknowledgements I would like to start by thanking my supervisory team: Ilya Maclean, Rob Wilson and Jon Bennie. I am very grateful to Ilya for believing in me to take on a challenging project, continuing from his own PhD research, and for providing guidance and direction throughout. Although Rob was based outside of Cornwall, he has always provided support, advice and general reassurance when I needed it most. Jon became a supervisor at a very critical time of my PhD, which most certainly got me through the last year. Thanks for always having a very open door, and for a series of incredibly useful meetings. I would also like to say a special thanks to Mike Cant who has been an invaluable mentor since my MSc, and continued to offer support throughout my PhD. I really appreciate how much of your own time you have spent helping me out with various things, even though you never had any obligation to. I am very thankful to the RSPB for being partners on this project. Chris Magin provided useful guidance on working in Africa, and it was a pleasure to share aspects of my work with Rob Field. I am also grateful to Mar Cabeza for hosting me during a very enjoyable visit to the University of Helsinki; welcoming me to her vibrant research group was a real drive for the latter stages of my PhD, and I thank the numerous researchers I met for stimulating discussions about my research. Undoubtedly, this work could not have been done without the incredible support I had in Uganda. Steven Katungi, Johnson Ruhakana and Hilary Mwakire were a critical part of both my field seasons and kept me safe throughout. It was a joy to spend so much time with them all; learning about their culture and sharing stories and laughs. Working with them intensively for so long made me appreciate all the small things we take for granted in our lives back in the UK. I was also blessed to have met Columban during my time at Nyamuriro, and thanks to Frank for driving us around some challenging terrain. All the staff at Crater Bay Cottages provided me with some light relief during incredibly long days. Special thanks to Claire and Cecil for welcoming me to Lake Bunyonyi and providing vital support and friendship during my stay. Thanks to all the staff at Nature Uganda, particularly Rogers and Henry, who were always willing to assist. I would also like to say a 5 huge thanks to Anna Woodhead, who I was fortunate to spend most of my first field season with. Thank you for understanding that I often had no idea about what was going on either, and for being able to laugh during some sticky situations! I was lucky to be surrounded by a number of people in the ESI who were always willing to assist with the demands of R, statistics, and GIS: Dan Padfield, James Duffy, Rich Inger, Matt Silk, Cecily Goodwin and Andy Suggitt, I can’t thank you enough! Sarah Crowley was also always on hand to assist with phrasing, and general positivity and support. I’m grateful to have met Faye Thompson and Naomi Stratton right at the start of my time in Cornwall, and am so glad you have both been here as great friends for the duration. I have also had a series of brilliant office buddies during my PhD, who shared the joy of working in a corridor, so thanks to Duffy, Marina, Maru, Lucy (S and S), Sally, and many more. Cornwall has been a great place to do my PhD and is full of wonderful people, so thanks to everyone who has made this time so special. I could not have come this far without the support of my Mum and Dad, who have always encouraged me to simply do what I like doing, and allowed me to venture far and wide to get to where I want to be. I also am fortunate to have support from a wider family network, who I know are always there when I need them. Thanks especially to Carol for providing useful advice throughout my PhD. Finally, I would like to thank Colin. The past few years have certainly not been easy, but you have consistently supported me throughout this whole journey, and it would have been incredibly difficult to get to this stage without you being here to share all those memories with. 6 Table of contents Abstract ............................................................................................................. 3 Acknowledgements .......................................................................................... 5 Table of contents .............................................................................................. 7 List of tables ..................................................................................................... 9 List of figures .................................................................................................. 11 Authors declaration ....................................................................................... 13 Publications .................................................................................................... 14 Chapter 1: General introduction .................................................................. 15 Conservation planning and prioritisation ....................................................... 16 Landscape-scale conservation ..................................................................... 16 Practical considerations for conserving landscapes ..................................... 18 Wetland conservation ................................................................................... 19 Papyrus swamps .......................................................................................... 21 Ugandan wetland policy ................................................................................ 27 Thesis aims and objectives ........................................................................... 28 Study system ................................................................................................ 29 Thesis structure ............................................................................................ 35 Chapter 2: Old concepts, new challenges: adapting landscape-scale conservation to the 21st century .................................................................. 37 Abstract ........................................................................................................

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