The Rufford Small Grants Foundation s5

The Rufford Small Grants Foundation

Final Report ------

Congratulations on the completion of your project that was supported by The Rufford Small Grants Foundation.

We ask all grant recipients to complete a Final Report Form that helps us to gauge the success of our grant giving. We understand that projects often do not follow the predicted course but knowledge of your experiences is valuable to us and others who may be undertaking similar work. Please be as honest as you can in answering the questions – remember that negative experiences are just as valuable as positive ones if they help others to learn from them.

Please complete the form in English and be as clear and concise as you can. We will ask for further information if required. If you have any other materials produced by the project, particularly a few relevant photographs, please send these to us separately.

Please submit your final report to [email protected].

Thank you for your help.

Josh Cole

Grants Director

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Grant Recipient Details

Your name Lexa Nalikata

The First Ever Biodiversity Survey (fauna and flora) of Likoma Island on Project title Lake Malawi: A Sustainable Tool for Effective Biodiversity Conservation Management in Malawi

RSG reference 05.01.08

Reporting period March 2007-December 2008

Amount of grant £4,965.00

Your email address [email protected]

Date of this report 04.12.08

1 1. Please indicate the level of achievement of the project’s original objectives and include any relevant comments on factors affecting this.

Not Partially Fully achieved achieved achieved Objective Comments

(1) Identification Identification At the end of the survey, 339 plant and of both fauna species, and 98 plant species of socio- documentation and flora of economic importance (i.e. species that of plant and the island on provide different community groups on animal species Lake Malawi the island with traditional medicine, food, that are found in was firewood, timber, construction materials, forest and rivers undertaken livestock fodder, thatch grass, art and of the island and craft materials) were identified and significant documented; 21 species of medium to results were large sized mammals were identified and achieved as documented; 43 species of birds were outlined in the identified and documented; 27 reptiles comments and 16 amphibians were identified and section. documented and 179 species of insects were identified and further 106 specimens of insects are yet to be identified by insect experts as they have not yet been identified because of their taxonomic difficulties.

Based on the calculation estimates that were made, it has been found that 85% of these biodiversity are found along the costal areas of lake Malawi and few species are found on the highlands.

This is an important milestone as the Malawi Government and other research organisations involved in natural resources management will have required information which will assist them to know areas of the island which can be given special attention in terms of biodiversity conservation. This information will help the Government and research organisations to be more focussed than before in conservation.

(2) Compilation This objective Threatened species are those species of Red Data was fully whose future survival in nature hangs in Lists of plant and achieved balance because they are in danger of animal species using as of becoming extinct due to human activities now plant and and/or natural catastrophes. animal On the island of Likoma, the following

2 species that species of plants and animals were are identified to be threatened, rare and/or threatened endemic. based on the IUCN are now Table 1: Number of species of plants, known as and endemics found on Likoma Island indicated in ======the comments IUCN Category(2004) # Plant species section. ======Listed on the RDL 7 Endemic 2 Extinct 1 Critically endangered (CR) 6 Endangered 5 Vulnerable 3

It was mentioned during the socio- economic survey that one of the plant species that had become extinct on the island is Khaya anthotheca (m’bawa) as the plant is highly sought for timber and construction. Critically and Endangered species include Croton megalobotrys, Ficus thonningii, Ficus sur, Afzelia quanzensis, Combretum imberbe, Aloe spp. and Tricalysia coriacea among others (Fig.1).

Table 2: Number of species of mammals and endemics found on Likoma Island ======IUCN Category # Mammals species ======Listed on the RDL 10 Endemic 0 Extinct 2 Critically endangered (CR) 3 Endangered 5 Vulnerable 7

Mammal species that have become extinct on the island include Lycaon pictus (wild dog), and Panthera leo (Lion) as their skins are valuable for traditional medicine and dances. Critically and endangered mammals include Loxodonto africana,Rhynchocyon cirneri, Paraxerus palliates, Lutra amculicollis, Mus musculus, Crocuta crocuta, Cryptomys

3 hottentotus, and Potamochoerus porcus. (Fig.2)

Table 3: Number of species of Birds and endemics found on Likoma Island ======IUCN Category # Birds species ======Listed on the RDL 12 Endemic 4

Extinct 0 Critically endangered (CR) 2 Endangered 7

Vulnerable 3

Some of the threatened bird species that were identified on Likoma Island include Burgeranus carunculatus, Alethe choloensis, Zoothera guttata, Hirundo atrocaerulea, Acrocephalus griseldis, Apalis flavigularis and Ardeola idea. Endemic species were francolinus levaillantii, Nectarinia afra whytei, Ploceus baglafetch, and Mirafra Africana among others.

Table 4: Number of species of Herptofauna (reptiles and amphibians) and endemics found on Likoma Island ======IUCN Category # Herptofauna species

======Listed on the RDL 8 Endemic 3

Extinct 0 Critically endangered (CR) 6 Endangered 4

Vulnerable 7

Some of the reptiles on Likoma Island that are critically and endangered include Crocodylus niloticus, Chamaeleo mlanjensis and Melanoseps ater while some of the amphibians that are critically and endangered include Bufo nyikae,

4 Afrana johnstoni, Scolecomorphus kirkii, Hyperolius pictus and Hyperolius spinigularis. Endenic species were Nothophryne broadleyi, Ptychadena broadleyi and Phynobatrachus ukingensis (Fig.3).

Table 5: Number of species of Fish and endemics found on Likoma Island ======IUCN Category # Fish species ======Listed on the RDL 11 Endemic 13

Extinct 0 Critically endangered (CR) 6 Endangered 5 Vulnerable 10

Threatened fish species that were identified in rivers and shores of lake Malawi on the Likoma Island include Corematodus taenatius, Cytocara moori, Docimodus johnstoniii, laabeo mespos, Opsaridium microlepis, Opsaridium microcephalum, Oreochromis karonge, Oreochromis shiranus chirwae, Oreochromis lidole and Oreochromis squamipinnis.

Table 6: Number of species of Insects and endemics found on Likoma Island ======IUCN Category # Fish species ======Listed on the RDL 0 Endemic 0

Extinct 0 Critically endangered (CR) 0 Endangered 0 Vulnerable 0

The information collected will help policy makers and other stakeholders to become more focussed on biodiversity conservation of the island. Threatened and endemic biodiversity will be systematically monitored and protected against further over-exploitation and the

5 Government will come up with sound strategies and action plans for conservation and sustainable management and use if biodiversity of the Likoma Island. It is also believed that conservation of biodiversity and protection of the environment will improve through increased knowledge and understanding of the biodiversity and ecology of the Likoma Island.

(3) Collection of This objective One hundred and twenty-three (123) plant and animal was fully plant specimens that were poorly specimens undertaken represented in the herbarium were as specimens collected and deposited in the National of threatened Herbarium for research and reference species of material (Fig.4). Ten thousand of both plants threatened, rare and endemic seed plant and animals species were collected and deposited at were the Gene Centre where domesticated collected and crop seeds are also stored for future use deposited at (Fig.5). Further, 49 specimens of the National animals and 84 specimens of insects Herbarium (Fig.6 ) were collected and deposited at and Botanic the museum of Malawi where they will gardens, be stored for research, environmental Gene banks education by students and reference and Museums material in future. of Malawi.

(4) Conducting This objective Twenty sensitization meetings, drama environmental was fully and dances were conducted in education and undertaken 30 villages on the Likoma Island (Fig.7). awareness as Ten public lectures and ten environmental environmental talks were conducted 11 education and primary schools and 1 Government and awareness 4 private secondary schools. In total, were about 4,600 people living on the island conducted in benefited from these environmental all villages on sensitization meetings, public lectures the Likoma and talks. Island. Through this The results of implementation of this objective, objective have significantly helped 10,000 indigenous and local communities posters and including stakeholders to be more aware 15,000 of the environment issues than before leaflets and have developed keen interest in carrying management and conservation of messages on biodiversity and environment protection. the Further, school pupils have also

6 importance benefited from this project as 95% of all and pupils sensitised have fully understood sustainable the importance of protecting nature and management hence are taking active role in and use of environmental awareness and protection biodiversity activities. Because of these and interventions, 12 wildlife clubs consist of environment school children and teachers have been protection established on the island whose were printed objective is to fight against loss of and biodiversity and protect the environment distributed to for their own benefit and for the benefit local of the future generations. communities, school pupils, government offices and NGOs found on Likoma Island. In addition,

2. Please explain any unforeseen difficulties that arose during the project and how these were tackled (if relevant).

One of the unforeseen difficulties that arose during the project was communication barrier (language) between the project team and local communities. This problem was tackled by engaging a local interpreter who was taken from the local communities. This interpreter helped the project team to effectively communicate with local communities as he was very good at English, Chichewa and Nkhonde language which is the mother tongue language for indigenous and local communities living on the island. The second unforeseen difficult that arose during the project was inadequate funds for fuel. This problem arose due to the sky rocketing of fuel on the international and local market. This problem was tacked by asking the University Research Council to assist with extra funds for the purchasing of fuel in order to accomplish the work as it was of national importance.

3. Briefly describe the three most important outcomes of your project.

 Collection of data on biodiversity of the Likoma Island is an important outcome of this project. The data will help the Malawi Government to come up with sound conservation measures for the protection and management of biodiversity at the island. The data will also enrich the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) which is a Policy Document for conservation and management of biodiversity in Malawi.

 Collection of Red Data Lists of biodiversity of the island. This data is very important as it will help the Malawi Government and other stakeholders involved in biodiversity and nature conservation to come up with effective monitoring and management measures for the

7 threatened species of biodiversity identified. Further, stakeholders will now be in a position to know species of animals and plants which need urgent protection and conservation and this will help to promote the survival of species in their wild habitats and the data will also be cost effective as species to be protected are now known.

 Collection of herbarium, gene bank and museum specimens will help to promote further research in biodiversity and enhance re-introduction of threatened species of plants in their natural habitats in future through in-and ex-situ conservation.

 Formation of wildlife clubs in the project area will ensure protection of biodiversity and environmental degradation. This will have a long time impact on the conservation of nature in the area.

4. Briefly describe the involvement of local communities and how they have benefitted from the project (if relevant).

The involvement of local communities was very good as many people participated in environmental education, awareness campaigns and meetings. The project team received massive support from local communities, traditional chiefs and the departments of National Parks and Wildlife, Forestry and Ministry of Education. With such commitments, the project team believes that local communities, including school children and their teachers who have formed formal wildlife clubs will continue to take active role in conservation of nature in the project area and this will make pragmatic and long lasting solution to nature conservation in the country.

5. Are there any plans to continue this work?

The project team is currently developing new strategies which will assist the formed wildlife clubs to come up with sustainable livelihood programmes so that they can generate funds for conservation of nature and environmental protection in the project area. The new strategies will also see various Government Departments to allocate in their annual funds a budget which can be used for the management and conservation of nature on Likoma Island. These initiatives will promote a culture of nature loving and hence contribute to conservation.

6. How do you plan to share the results of your work with others?

The project team is currently looking for funds to organise workshop with Policy-Makers, Politicians from the area, Academicians, Research Institutions, NGOS and CBOs involved in nature conservation, government officials from the Department of Forestry, Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Forestry Research Institute of Malawi, Malawi Environmental Endowment Trust, Ministry of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs Department and other interested stakeholders where the results of the project will be disseminated to wider group. The aim of this workshop will be to map out sound strategies on how best we can conserve the threatened species of biodiversity that are found on the Likoma Island for the benefit of the present and future generations. Further, technical reports produced will be distributed to various government departments, NGOs and CBOs involved in nature conservation in the country so that many people should get the information and the results contained in the report.

8 7. Timescale: Over what period was the RSG used? How does this compare to the anticipated or actual length of the project?

The work has been implemented in 21 months. This period seems to be longer than actual length of the project. This has been due to heavy rains over the past two years from the months of December to March which made it difficult for the project team to execute their activities. During that time, the mud roads were impassable at it was very difficult for the vehicle to pass through. Because of these break offs, the timescale of the project was somehow prolonged so that we could finish all the work that we planned to undertake and achieve the intended goals and expected results.

8. Budget: Please provide a breakdown of budgeted versus actual expenditure and the reasons for any differences. All figures should be in £ sterling, indicating the local exchange rate used.

The prevailing exchange rate of £1 to a local Malawi Kwacha was: £1 = MK180

Item Budgeted Actual Difference Comments Amount (£) Amount (£) (£)

(1) Stationery (assorted) 960.00 960.00 0.00 The budget was adequate

(2) Field equipment 920.00 920.00 0.00 The budget was adequate (camera, GPS & batteries)

(3) Transport (fuel and 1,364.30 2,570.00 1,206.00 The budgeted amount for lubricants) (shortfall) fuel and lubricants was not adequate and as a result we experienced acute shortfall in our budget. This was due to sharp rise in the cost of fuel at both local and international market and we had to seek extra funds to meet the shortfall from the University research Council.

(4) Environmental 2,750.00 2,870.00 120.00 This arose as a result of Education and (shortfall) increase in cost of paper Awareness for printing posters and leaflets as we had to seek extra funds from the University Research Council.

(5) Daily Subsistence 3,600.00 3,600.00 0.00 Funds allocated were Allowance (DSA)for adequate as DSA were project team not adjusted up despite of the rise in the cost of

9 living.

(6) DSA for local team 585.00 585.00 0.00 Funds were adequate members

(7) Transport vehicle 1,548.72 1,548.72 0.00 Funds were adequate hiring

(8) Communication 350.00 540.00 190.00 The difference was due to (shortfall) rise in prices of communication services and had to be meet from other sources.

(9) Reports 160.00 160.00 0.00 Funds allocated were adequate TOTAL 11,925.02 13,753.72 1,827.70

Amount Requested from Rufford 4,964.30 Maurice Laing Foundation

Amount of Grant Approved 4,965.00

Amount requested from University 6,960.72 Research Council and Approved

Additional Funds Requested from University Research Council to complete the project after meeting 1,827.70 budget shortfalls

9. Looking ahead, what do you feel are the important next steps?

 To lobby and mobilise traditional chiefs to acquire knowledge and skills on good governance and take active role in nature conservation as this will instil confidence in their subordinates.

 To establish more wildlife and environmental protection clubs in all schools on Likoma Island and lobby teachers to be chairpersons as to strengthen the clubs

 To lobby the department of environmental affairs in the district to continue with environmental education as this will help many local people to fully understand the importance of nature and why it is important to take care of it.

10. Did you use the RSGF logo in any materials produced in relation to this project? Did the RSGF receive any publicity during the course of your work?

Yes, I used the RSGF logo on the environmental education and awareness materials produced, printed and distributed to local communities, schools, government offices and other NGOs working

10 in the area. This has assisted the project team to publicise the role of the Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation in supporting nature conservation work throughout the world.

11. Any other comments?

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Management of Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation because of their financial support towards this work. I know that without their support this work would not have been and so the results achieved. Many thanks should also go to the University Research Council for the additional financial support and to my entire project team.

12. I agree to this report being published on the Rufford Small Grants website

Signed (or print name):