The Useful Plants of Uganda:Conserving Socio-economically Valuable Plant Species Using Important Plant Areas (IPAs)

Accelerating anthropogenic pressures threaten over two in five plant species globally with extinction, with an estimated 21% of threatened species on the IUCN Red List holding socio-economic value, imperiling species vital for global health. Important Plant Areas (IPAs) is an area-based conservation tool that recognizes the importance of useful species for human well-being and livelihoods. This study aims to identify hotspots of useful plants in Uganda using criterion B(iii) of the IPA framework. A comprehensive checklist of useful plants is presented, identifying 1,037 species with known human uses, equating to over one-fifth of vascular plant diversity in Uganda. A species richness analysis reveals a potential IPA network with 54 cells triggered using criterion B(iii). While Uganda’s current protected area network contains a significant percentage (55%) of species on the useful plant checklist, the top 15 cells capture a higher number of species (59%) in a quarter of the total land area of the protected area network. Concerningly, 56% of Uganda’s crop wild relatives are not recorded from the existing protected areas. Threatened and endemic species distribution correlates significantly with useful plant distribution, suggesting that countries with IPAs based upon threatened and endemic species could also capture useful plants

Nutritional value of selected wild edible plants in Teso-Karamoja Region, Uganda

The use of wild plants for food in the rural communities of Uganda is widespread. This is attributed to food scarcity, perceived nutritional value,  medicinal and health benefits and cultural preservation. However, the claims on the nutritional value of some wild edible plant species have not  been fully validated. In cognizance of this, the macroelement, beta-carotene and ascorbic acid profile of five wild plants commonly used for food in and around eight forest reserves of Teso-Karamoja region, Uganda, were analysed. The plants prioritized for analysis were Vigna kirkii (Baker) J.B. Gillett, Maerua angolensis D.C., Leptadenia hastata (Schumach. & Thonn.) Decne, Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby and Dioscorea sp.). The  macro-element, ascorbic acid and beta-carotene composition of these plants was analyzed in triplicate. The variance in parameter means was  analysed using one-way Analysis of Variance in SPSS ver. 16.0. The results showed that all the means of species were significantly different at the p=0.05 level. The highest macro-nutrient means were 80.74±0.34 %/100 g moisture content in V. kirkii, 3.95±0.23 g/100 g ash content in M.  angolensis, 19.04±0.37 Kcal gross energy in M. angolensis, 27.93±0.85 g/100 g dietary fibre in L. hastata, 3.40±0.13 g/100 g crude fat in L. hastata, 65.43±2.91 g/100 g carbohydrate in Dioscorea sp., 36.37±0.42 g/100 g crude protein in M. angolensis. The highest ascorbic acid mean was 14.71±3.56 mg/100 g in M. angolensis while beta-carotene was 1082.1±0.08 μg/100 g in S. obtusifolia. These results show that these wild edible plants have a significantly variable nutritional value. Some of the macro elements can sufficiently meet the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) and Adequate Intakes (AI) for certain life stages and groups if consumed in ideal quantities. This information is vital in enhancing food and nutrition security awareness in the community and uplifting the social appeal and acceptability of these plants. This can be enhanced by investigating the micro-nutrients of public health significance, anti-nutrient factors, and toxic compounds in these plants. Key words: Nutritional value, wild edible plants, macro-nutrient, ascorbic acid, betacarotene,Teso-Karamoja, Ugand

The Consumption of Wild Edible Plants

Wild edible plants are of great importance in both former and current human societies. Their use embodies evolutionary trends, continuing interactions between men and nature, relevant traditional knowledge, and cultural heritage. A conceptual approach to wild edible plants, including the contribution of such species to people's diets and daily lives, focusing on nutritional and cultural value, food sovereignty and security, as well as the huge legacy for future generations, leads to a general overview of new tendencies and availability of wild plant resources according to geographic regions. The potential benefits and the continual need for conservation strategies of plants, habitats, and associated knowledge are also discussed, enhancing biodiversity and biocultural patrimony. Finally, some examples of culturally significant edible wild plants are described, emphasizing the importance of knowledge transmission and sustainable uses in a changing world.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

From student academic to computer specialist: co-construction of student identity and a school computer-network

This study explores how student participation in the development of a school computer-network (SCN) motivated students to learn and promoted service and collegial relationships in the school. Students participated in a Technology Leadership (TL) community and engaged in activities that were central to the development of the SCN. The research examines the co-evolution of the SCN and student activities and the relationships between TL students and the school. In the study, data on students' experiences in the TL program came from non-participant observation, conversations, semi-structured interviews and document analyses. Using a sociocultural perspective of identity construction and informed by Lave and Wenger's notion of participation in a community-of-practice, with actor-network approaches, the analysis of the data showed that student level of engagement increased when the activities were relevant to their in-school and out-of-school technology experiences, or to their future career goals. Program participants provided technical support to the SCN and taught what teachers and students wanted to learn at a time when they needed to know it. In so doing, these leadership students moved towards greater technical expertise, improved interpersonal skills and increased leadership responsibilities as demonstrated by the availability of improved technical support services in the SCN. As newcomers to the TL community gradually advanced to full participation and old-timers became computer consultants to the school before they eventually graduated, the TL community was subjected to a continual process of renewal in terms of participants. With progressive student participation and with translations of diverse technology actors, the services the SCN provided to the school improved. Over time, the SCN's technical character changed and the relationships of service and collegiality between TL students and the school were enhanced. Thus, both participants and the school realized educational value. The implication for curriculum and pedagogy of discipline-based courses is that if students are to be attracted to school initiatives and retained, the curriculum and its delivery need to increase opportunities for students' changed relationships with the school community to take place, and for student participation in a relevant community-of-practice that is responsive to students' future aspirations.Education, Faculty ofCurriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department ofGraduat

Fuel value indices of fuelwood species and accuracy of K-nearest neighbour technique in woody biomass estimation in Masindi and Nebbi Districts, Uganda

A dissertation submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree of Master of Science in Botany of Makerere UniversityBiomass is still the major energy source in developing countries like Uganda. This implies that prioritizing high fuel potential fuelwood species and routine monitoring of stocks is paramount. This study identified ten commonly used fuelwood species, examined their Fuel Value Indices and assessed the accuracy of K-NN technique for estimating woody biomass in the savannahs of Uganda. The Fuel Value Indices were determined from percentage moisture content, density and gross calorific value. Systematic point sampling in TNTmips Software was used to locate 26 field plots. The coordinates of the points were extracted and recorded in a hand held Garmin Global Positioning System. Plots (50 x 50 m) were demarcated within each point and tree height, diameter at breast height and crown cover measured. The generic biomass equations for Uganda were used to determine the individual tree and plot biomass. A GeoEye satellite image (0.5 m) was used in the K-Nearest Neighbour analysis. The percentage moisture content and density varied significantly amongst species (F(df=9)=92.927, P=0.0001) while gross calorific value does not. The highest correlation coefficient between K-NN and field plot estimates was 14.8 % (Root Mean square Error=43 and K=1) using Euclidean Distance. The Fuel Value Indices ranged from 1.10 in Ficus natalensis to 13.09 in Albizia grandibracteata making the latter the most suitable fuelwood species. The use of GeoEye in the K-NN technique poorly estimates the woody biomass stocks. There is need to test it with other satellite datasets such as LiDAR, LANDSAT 5TM, LANDSAT 7 ETM+.DAA

Features of students’ responses to a socioscientific issue presented in print and on video

In recent years there has been increasing interest among science educators on the need to discuss science-related social issues in science classrooms. This study explores the features of students' responses to one science-related social issue (referred to as a socioscientific issue) presented in print and video formats. In the study, Grade 10 students either read a newspaper-type article or watched a video on the issue of the use of animals in scientific and biomedical research. Through semi-structured interviews, students were asked to abstract and frame the central issues in the story and to specifically identify the different points of view discussed in the story. Students were also asked to give their own points of view on the issues. And afterwards, a second, related story that attempted to make the issues more personally relevant was read to students. The features of students’ responses to this socioscientific issue across these areas were explored. Contemporary information processing theories on the comprehension and response to television and print material formed a theoretical perspective for analyzing the data. The findings of this study reveal interesting features of students’ responses by the presentation format of the story and by the gender of the respondents. Responses from students who watched the video story, when compared to those from students who read the print story tended to be rather superficial, more empathic to animals, and were sometimes framed more or less to describe a chronological sequence of events rather than an identification of the issues. More important, it was found that the influence of the presentation format of the story is pronounced in students’ ability to abstract the central issues in the story. The presentation format seemed to have little influence on the points of view students expressed and on the consistency of students’ views in a personally-oriented situation. As for the variation of these features by gender, females more than males tended to abstract the central issues in the story and to identify the different points of view presented on the issue. They also tended to give views that were geared toward caring and protecting animals, whereas males correspondingly seemed to give views that were utilitarian. When presented with a second, related story that attempted to make the issue more personally relevant, females, more than males, seemed to give views on this second story that were fairly consistent with the ways they expressed their points of view about this issue both at a personal and societal context, and continued to support views that were consistent with the caring and the protection of animals. Males mainly appear to support views that are utilitarian. Implications for curriculum and practise are discussed.Education, Faculty ofCurriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department ofGraduat

Comparative analysis of floristic richness and diversity in six central forest reserves of north eastern Uganda

Abstract As the extinction risk of plants increases globally, there is need to prioritize areas with high floristic richness and diversity to inform the design of evidence-based conservation interventions. As such, this study aimed to comparatively analyse floristic diversity in six central forest reserves (CFR) of north eastern Uganda. This was guided by two objectives namely; (i) to determine the floristic richness and diversity in the CFRs and (ii) to evaluate the similarity and complementarity of floristic composition. Data was collected from nested quadrats (20 × 20 m for trees, 10 × 10 m for shrubs and 5 × 5 m for herbaceous climbers, forbs and grasses) placed at intervals of 100 m along a transect of 1000 – 1500 m. Species richness, diversity and evenness were determined for each CFR. Binary similarity coefficients were computed because only presence/absence data of plant species was recorded. A sum of 417 plant species in 76 families were recorded representing 8.7% of known vascular plants reported in Uganda. The CFRs have significantly variable Shannon–Wiener diversity indices ranging from 4.2 in Kano CFR to 4.47 in Bululu hill CFR (t = 85.291, df = 4, p = 0.00). The CFRs cluster into two groups namely Onyurut and Ogera hills and Akur, Kano, Bululu hills and Mount Moroto. The lowest similarity index was between Ogera hills and Moumt Moroto CFRs (0.37 or 37%) while the highest was between Akur and Kano CFRs (0.63 or 63%). The CFRs complement one another by supporting plant species not recorded elsewhere with three CFRs (Bululu hills, Mount Moroto and Onyurut) accounting for 81.53% of the plant taxa. The CFRs in NE Uganda have richness and floristic diversity with up to 8.7% of the known plants in Uganda present. The conservation status of these species is Vulnerable (4), Near Threatened (4), Least Concern (137), Data Deficient (1) and Not Evaluated (271). The two similarity clusters depict variation in altitudinal, proximity and climatic conditions. Five CFRs are required to conserve 95% of the species recorded. Therefore, the CFRs investigated play a complementary role in conserving the floristic diversity in north eastern Uganda

Improving the application of Important Plant Areas to conserve threatened habitats: A case study of Uganda

Abstract Important Plant Areas (IPAs) are a successful method of identifying priority areas for plant conservation. Assessment of IPAs, however, often relies on criteria related to species, while incorporation of habitats has been less consistent. Using Uganda as a case study, we test the application of the threatened habitat criterion—criterion C. We identified nationally threatened habitats using Red List of Ecosystems criteria and assess, for the first time, how differing application of thresholds under IPA criterion C can influence IPA network outcomes. Eleven threatened habitats were identified, with declines switching from predominantly forest to savanna types after the mid‐20th century. Significantly, we found current IPA guidance on use of criterion C needlessly limits the number of sites that qualify as IPAs. The “five best sites” IPA threshold is reserved for countries where quantitative data is unavailable; however, the application of the relevant percentage‐based thresholds to quantitative data largely generated fewer than five IPAs, comparably limiting conservation opportunities identified. We recommend, therefore, that the “five best” threshold is available for application on both qualitative and quantitative data. This will bolster the value of IPAs in conserving and restoring threatened and ecologically important habitats under the Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework