Difference between revisions of "Volcanoes National Park"

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[[East Africa]] > [[Rwanda]] > [[Volcanoes National Park]]
 
[[East Africa]] > [[Rwanda]] > [[Volcanoes National Park]]
  
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= Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with one sentence for each section. May include a site map -->
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'''[https://wiki-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Volcanoes_National_Park?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=fr&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Français]''' | '''[https://wiki-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Volcanoes_National_Park?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=pt&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Português]''' | '''[https://wiki-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Volcanoes_National_Park?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=es&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Español]''' | '''[https://wiki-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Volcanoes_National_Park?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=id&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Bahasa Indonesia]''' | '''[https://wiki-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Volcanoes_National_Park?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=ms&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Melayu]'''
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__TOC__
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= Summary =
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<div style="float: right">{{#display_map: height=190px | width=300px | scrollzoom=off | zoom=5 | layers= OpenStreetMap, OpenTopoMap|-1.452661 , 29.521122 ~[[Volcanoes National Park]]~Gorilla beringei beringei}}</div>
 
* Mountain Gorillas (''Gorilla beringei beringei'') are present in Volcanoes National Park.
 
* Mountain Gorillas (''Gorilla beringei beringei'') are present in Volcanoes National Park.
 
* The gorilla population in the Virunga Massif, which includes Volcanoes National Park, has been estimated at 669 (CI: 623–759).
 
* The gorilla population in the Virunga Massif, which includes Volcanoes National Park, has been estimated at 669 (CI: 623–759).
Line 18: Line 15:
 
* The Karisoke Research Center was established in the park by American primatologist Dian Fossey.
 
* The Karisoke Research Center was established in the park by American primatologist Dian Fossey.
  
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= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->
+
 
 +
= Site characteristics =
  
 
Volcanoes National Park is located in northwestern Rwanda, bordering Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it is contiguous with [[Mgahinga Gorilla National Park]] in Uganda and [[Virunga National Park]] in DRC (BirdLife International 2021). The park is famous for containing five of the eight of the Virunga Massif: Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo ([https://www.awf.org/blog/volcanoes-national-park-success-story-rwandas-communities-and-conservation AWF]). The vegetation in the park is diverse, as it varies considerably with altitude, from montane forest, bamboo zones, montane bogs, subalpine vegetation, and Afro-alpine vegetation past 4,000 m consisting of heath and thicket grassland (BirdLife International 2021). The site holds a rich avifauna which includes many of the Albertine Rift endemics (BirdLife International 2021).
 
Volcanoes National Park is located in northwestern Rwanda, bordering Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it is contiguous with [[Mgahinga Gorilla National Park]] in Uganda and [[Virunga National Park]] in DRC (BirdLife International 2021). The park is famous for containing five of the eight of the Virunga Massif: Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo ([https://www.awf.org/blog/volcanoes-national-park-success-story-rwandas-communities-and-conservation AWF]). The vegetation in the park is diverse, as it varies considerably with altitude, from montane forest, bamboo zones, montane bogs, subalpine vegetation, and Afro-alpine vegetation past 4,000 m consisting of heath and thicket grassland (BirdLife International 2021). The site holds a rich avifauna which includes many of the Albertine Rift endemics (BirdLife International 2021).
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In 1929, the site was created, initially named Albert national park, and it was run by the Belgian Colonial Authorities ([https://www.volcanoesnationalparkrwanda.com/ Volcanoes National Park]). In the early 1960s, the park was divided as Rwanda and Congo became independent, and by the end of the 1960s, the park was almost half of its original size. In 1967, primatologist Dian Fossey, who had been doing research on mountain gorillas in Congo, fled from insecurity and established her research base between Visoke and Karisimbi volcanoes; later on it would be known as the Karisoke research center. She led conservation campaigns and fought against poaching in the area until her murder in 1985 ([https://www.volcanoesnationalparkrwanda.com/ Volcanoes National Park]).
 
  
 
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Volcanoes National Park'''
 
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Volcanoes National Park'''
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{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="basic-information"
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{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Site_characteristics-table"
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| Area <!-- Please include units: km2/ha e.g 200ha -->
+
|Species
 +
|Gorilla beringei beringei
 +
|-
 +
|Area
 
|160 km²
 
|160 km²
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Coordinates
 
|Coordinates
−
| -1.452661 S, 29.521122 E
+
|Lat: -1.452661 S , Lon:  29.521122 E
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Designation
+
|Type of site
−
|National Park
+
|Protected area (National Park)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Habitat types <!-- List IUCN Habitat Classification 3.0 categories present (without number), see link below -->
+
|Habitat types
−
|Subtropical/tropical moist montane forest,subtropical/tropical high altitude grassland, Bogs, marshes, swamps, fens, peatlands, rocky areas (e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks)
+
|Subtropical/tropical moist montane forest, Grassland, Wetlands (lakes, rivers, streams, bogs, marshes), Rocky areas (inland cliffs, mountain peaks)
 +
|-
 +
|Type of governance
 +
|
 
|}
 
|}
−
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/habitat-classification-scheme IUCN habitat categories] [[Site designations]]
 
  
−
= Ape status = <!--An overview of ape population status (population sizes, trends, etc.), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->
+
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/habitat-classification-scheme IUCN habitat categories] [[Site designations]]
 +
= Ape status =
  
 
The estimated population of mountain gorillas at the Virunga Massif, which includes Volcanoes National Park, was 669 (CI: 623–759) in 2016 (Granjon et al. 2020). The mountain gorilla population moves freely between protected areas in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC.
 
The estimated population of mountain gorillas at the Virunga Massif, which includes Volcanoes National Park, was 669 (CI: 623–759) in 2016 (Granjon et al. 2020). The mountain gorilla population moves freely between protected areas in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC.
  
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'''Table 2. Ape population estimates in Volcanoes National Park'''
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'''Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Volcanoes National Park'''
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{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="population-estimate-table"
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{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Ape_status-table"
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! Species
+
!Species
−
! Year
+
!Year
−
! Abundance estimate (95% CI)
+
!Abundance estimate (95% CI)
−
! Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI)
+
!Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI)
−
! Encounter rate (nests/km)
+
!Encounter rate (nests/km)
−
! Area
+
!Area
−
! Method
+
!Method
−
! Source
+
!Source
−
! Comments
+
!Comments
−
! A.P.E.S. database ID
+
!A.P.E.S. database ID
 
|-
 
|-
 
|''Gorilla beringei beringei''
 
|''Gorilla beringei beringei''
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|
 
|
 
|Virunga Massif
 
|Virunga Massif
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|Genetic analysis of non-invasively collected samples and two capture–mark–recapture estimates
+
|Genetic (dung/hair)
 
|Granjon et al. 2020
 
|Granjon et al. 2020
 
|
 
|
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|}
 
|}
  
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= Threats =     <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->
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= Threats =
  
 
Although human pressure is very high around the park, it is the best-protected park in Rwanda. Threats include demand for agricultural land, gorilla poaching, encroachment, illegal wood- and bamboo cutting, and feral dogs (BirdLife International 2021).
 
Although human pressure is very high around the park, it is the best-protected park in Rwanda. Threats include demand for agricultural land, gorilla poaching, encroachment, illegal wood- and bamboo cutting, and feral dogs (BirdLife International 2021).
  
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'''Table 3. Threats to apes in Volcanoes National Park'''
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'''Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Volcanoes National Park'''
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{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="threats-table"
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{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Threats-table"
−
!align="left"|Category <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE THREAT CATEGORIES -->
+
!Category
−
!Specific threats <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the IUCN list linked below -->
+
!Specific threats
−
!Threat level <!-- For threat level, please use keywords: low, medium, high, present, absent, unknown-->
+
!Threat level
−
!Quantified severity <!-- Enter any available quantification of the threat, e.g., the proportion of the area affected by the threat, hunting sign encounter rates-->
+
!Description
−
!Description <!-- Add descriptive information -->
+
!Year of threat
−
!Year of threat <!--  Enter specific year(s), “ongoing”, or “unknown”. If the threat is ongoing, please add the year of reference in parentheses -->
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1. Residential & commercial development
+
|1 Residential & commercial development
 
|
 
|
 
|Unknown
 
|Unknown
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
+
|2 Agriculture & aquaculture
 
|2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops
 
|2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops
 
|Present, but threat severity unknown
 
|Present, but threat severity unknown
−
|
 
 
|Demand for agricultural land (BirdLife International 2021).
 
|Demand for agricultural land (BirdLife International 2021).
 
|Ongoing (2021)
 
|Ongoing (2021)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|3. Energy production & mining
+
|3 Energy production & mining
 
|
 
|
 
|Unknown
 
|Unknown
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|4. Transportation & service corridors
+
|4 Transportation & service corridors
 
|
 
|
 
|Unknown
 
|Unknown
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|5. Biological resource use
+
|5 Biological resource use
 
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
 
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
 
|Present, but threat severity unknown
 
|Present, but threat severity unknown
−
|
 
 
|Gorilla poaching (BirdLife International 2021).
 
|Gorilla poaching (BirdLife International 2021).
 
|Ongoing (2021)
 
|Ongoing (2021)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
|5 Biological resource use
 
|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
 
|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
 
|Present, but threat severity unknown
 
|Present, but threat severity unknown
−
|
 
 
|Illegal wood and bamboo harvesting (BirdLife International 2021).
 
|Illegal wood and bamboo harvesting (BirdLife International 2021).
 
|Ongoing (2021)
 
|Ongoing (2021)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
+
|6 Human intrusions & disturbance
 
|
 
|
 
|Unknown
 
|Unknown
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|7. Natural system modifications
+
|7 Natural system modifications
 
|
 
|
 
|Unknown
 
|Unknown
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
+
|8 Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases
 
|
 
|
 
|Unknown
 
|Unknown
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|9. Pollution
+
|9 Pollution
 
|
 
|
 
|Unknown
 
|Unknown
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|10. Geological Events
+
|10 Geological events
 
|
 
|
 
|Absent
 
|Absent
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 11. Climate change & severe weather
+
|11 Climate change & severe weather
 
|
 
|
 
|Unknown
 
|Unknown
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|12. Other options
+
|12 Other threat
 
|
 
|
 
|Absent
 
|Absent
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
−
|
 
−
|-
 
 
|}
 
|}
−
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/threat-classification-scheme IUCN Threats list]
 
  
−
= Conservation activities =       <!-- A summary of the conservation activities, followed by a table of key activities -->
+
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/threat-classification-scheme IUCN Threats list]
 +
= Conservation activities =
  
 
Conservation awareness campaigns have been conducted around the periphery of the park, aimed at promoting understanding of the park and creating support within the local population (BirdLife International 2021). In 2016, the park generated $16.4 million USD from park entry fees, supporting employment, community-based projects, livelihood development, social services, and infrastructure development ([https://www.awf.org/blog/volcanoes-national-park-success-story-rwandas-communities-and-conservation AWF]).
 
Conservation awareness campaigns have been conducted around the periphery of the park, aimed at promoting understanding of the park and creating support within the local population (BirdLife International 2021). In 2016, the park generated $16.4 million USD from park entry fees, supporting employment, community-based projects, livelihood development, social services, and infrastructure development ([https://www.awf.org/blog/volcanoes-national-park-success-story-rwandas-communities-and-conservation AWF]).
  
−
'''Table 4. Conservation activities in Volcanoes National Park'''
+
'''Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Volcanoes National Park'''
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{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="conservation-actions-table"
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Conservation_activities-table"
−
!align="left"|Category <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE CATEGORIES -->
+
!Category
−
!Specific activity <!-- For specific threats, please use list from the list linked below, OR enter “Not reported” -->
+
!Specific activity
−
!Description <!-- Add descriptive information -->
+
!Description
−
!Year of activity <!-- Add descriptive information -->
+
!Implementing organization(s)
 +
!Year of activity
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1. Residential & commercial development
+
|3 Species health
−
|Not reported
+
|3.13 Implement a health programme for local communities
 +
|One Health Program  by the Gorilla Doctors provides annual physicals, immunizations, referrals, eyeglasses, and health education programs to park employees and their families ([https://www.gorilladoctors.org/gorilla-doctors-brings-one-health-to-gorillas-and-people-in-rwanda/ Gorilla Doctors]).
 
|
 
|
 +
|Ongoing (2020)
 +
|-
 +
|5 Protection & restoration
 +
|5.2 Legally protect ape habitat
 +
|The site has been a national park since 1925 (AWF n.d.)
 
|
 
|
 +
|Ongoing (2021)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
+
|8 Permanent presence
−
|Not reported
+
|8.2 Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site
 +
|Ecotourism at the park has brought economic opportunities for local people (AWF n.d.)
 
|
 
|
 +
|Ongoing (2021)
 +
|}
 +
 +
[[Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)]]
 +
= Challenges =
 +
 +
 +
 +
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Volcanoes National Park'''
 +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Challenges-table"
 +
!Challenges
 +
!Specific challenges
 +
!Source
 +
!Year(s)
 +
|-
 
|
 
|
−
|-
 
−
|3. Energy production & mining
 
 
|Not reported
 
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 +
|}
 +
 +
= Enablers =
 +
 +
 +
 +
'''Table 6. Enablers reported for Volcanoes National Park'''
 +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="enabler-table"
 +
!Enablers
 +
!Specific enablers
 +
!Source
 +
!Year(s)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|4. Transportation & service corridors
+
|1 Site management
−
|Not reported
+
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|5. Biological resource use
+
|2 Resources and capacity
−
|Not reported
+
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
+
|3 Engaged community
−
|Not reported
+
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|7. Natural system modifications
+
|4 Institutional support
−
|Not reported
+
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
+
|5 Ecological context
−
|8.23. Implement a health programme for local communities
+
|
−
|One Health Program  by the Gorilla Doctors provides annual physicals, immunizations, referrals, eyeglasses, and health education programs to park employees and their families ([https://www.gorilladoctors.org/gorilla-doctors-brings-one-health-to-gorillas-and-people-in-rwanda/ Gorilla Doctors]).
 
−
|Ongoing (2020)
 
−
|-
 
−
|9. Pollution
 
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|10. Education & Awareness
+
|6 Safety and stability
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
−
|-
 
−
|11. Habitat Protection
 
−
|11.2. Legally protect primate habitat
 
−
|The site has been a national park since 1925 (AWF n.d.)
 
−
|Ongoing (2021)
 
−
|-
 
−
|12. Species Management
 
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
−
|
 
−
|-
 
−
|13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives
 
−
|13.4. Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site
 
−
|Ecotourism at the park has brought economic opportunities for local people (AWF n.d.)
 
−
|Ongoing (2021)
 
−
|-
 
 
|}
 
|}
−
[[Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)]]
 
  
−
= Challenges = <!-- Overview of challenges in ape conservation -->
+
= Research activities =
  
−
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Volcanoes National Park'''
+
Karisoke Research Centre, created by Diane Fossey, is among the oldest primate field research stations in Africa (BirdLife International 2021).
−
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="challenges-table"
 
−
!align="left"|Challenge <!-- Do not change categories -->
 
−
!Source <!-- Source for challenge mentioned -->
 
−
|-
 
−
|Not reported
 
−
|
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
  
−
= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->
+
= Documented behaviours =
  
−
Karisoke Research Centre, created by Diane Fossey, is among the oldest primate field research stations in Africa (BirdLife International 2021).
 
  
−
===Documented behaviours===  <!-- List of any behaviours observed at the site, including citations -->
 
  
−
'''Table 6. Ape behaviors reported for Volcanoes National Park'''
+
'''Table 7. Behaviours documented for Volcanoes National Park'''
−
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviors-table"
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviours-table"
−
!align="left"|Behavior
+
!Behavior
 
!Source
 
!Source
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Not reported
 
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
−
|-
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
=External links=
+
= Exposure to climate change impacts =
−
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09669582.2016.1145228<br>
+
 
−
[https://africanccf.org/our-projects/ African community and conservation foundation]<br>
+
 
−
[https://www.awf.org/blog/volcanoes-national-park-success-story-rwandas-communities-and-conservation African Wildlife Foundation - Volcanoes NP]<br>
+
 
 +
= External links =
 +
 
 +
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09669582.2016.1145228
 +
 
 +
[https://africanccf.org/our-projects/ African community and conservation foundation]
 +
 
 +
[https://www.awf.org/blog/volcanoes-national-park-success-story-rwandas-communities-and-conservation African Wildlife Foundation - Volcanoes NP]
 +
 
 +
= Relevant datasets =
 +
 
  
−
===Relevant datasets===
 
−
[http://apesportal.eva.mpg.de/database/archiveMap A.P.E.S Portal]
 
  
 
= References =
 
= References =
−
BirdLife International (2021) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Volcans National Park. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 15/10/2021.<br>
 
−
Volcanoes National Park (n.d.). https://www.volcanoesnationalparkrwanda.com/<br>
 
−
AWF (n.d.). Volcanoes National Park: a success story for Rwanda's communities and conservation.https://www.awf.org/blog/volcanoes-national-park-success-story-rwandas-communities-and-conservation<br>
 
−
Granjon, A.-C., Robbins, M.M., Arinaitwe, J., Cranfield, M.R., Eckardt, W., Mburanumwe, I., Musana, A., Robbins, A.M., Roy, J., Sollmann, R., Vigilant, L. and Hickey, J.R. (2020), Estimating abundance and growth rates in a wild mountain gorilla population. Anim Conserv, 23: 455-465. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12559<br>
 
  
−
<br>
+
BirdLife International (2021) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Volcans National Park. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 15/10/2021.
−
'''Page completed by: '''A.P.E.S. Wiki team''' Date:''' 15/10/2021 <!-- If you don't want to add your name, you can add "A.P.E.S. Wiki team" -->
+
 
 +
Volcanoes National Park (n.d.). https://www.volcanoesnationalparkrwanda.com/
 +
 
 +
AWF (n.d.). Volcanoes National Park: a success story for Rwanda's communities and conservation.https://www.awf.org/blog/volcanoes-national-park-success-story-rwandas-communities-and-conservation
 +
 
 +
Granjon, A.-C., Robbins, M.M., Arinaitwe, J., Cranfield, M.R., Eckardt, W., Mburanumwe, I., Musana, A., Robbins, A.M., Roy, J., Sollmann, R., Vigilant, L. and Hickey, J.R. (2020), Estimating abundance and growth rates in a wild mountain gorilla population. Anim Conserv, 23: 455-465. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12559
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''Page created by: '''A.P.E.S. Wiki team''' Date:''' NA

Latest revision as of 10:12, 24 January 2025

East Africa > Rwanda > Volcanoes National Park

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Summary

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  • Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are present in Volcanoes National Park.
  • The gorilla population in the Virunga Massif, which includes Volcanoes National Park, has been estimated at 669 (CI: 623–759).
  • The gorilla population trend is increasing.
  • The site has a total size of 160 km².
  • Key threats to gorillas are habitat encroachment, illegal hunting and logging.
  • Conservation activities have focused on ecotourism and research activities.
  • The Karisoke Research Center was established in the park by American primatologist Dian Fossey.


Site characteristics

Volcanoes National Park is located in northwestern Rwanda, bordering Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it is contiguous with Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in DRC (BirdLife International 2021). The park is famous for containing five of the eight of the Virunga Massif: Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo (AWF). The vegetation in the park is diverse, as it varies considerably with altitude, from montane forest, bamboo zones, montane bogs, subalpine vegetation, and Afro-alpine vegetation past 4,000 m consisting of heath and thicket grassland (BirdLife International 2021). The site holds a rich avifauna which includes many of the Albertine Rift endemics (BirdLife International 2021).

Table 1. Basic site information for Volcanoes National Park

Species Gorilla beringei beringei
Area 160 km²
Coordinates Lat: -1.452661 S , Lon: 29.521122 E
Type of site Protected area (National Park)
Habitat types Subtropical/tropical moist montane forest, Grassland, Wetlands (lakes, rivers, streams, bogs, marshes), Rocky areas (inland cliffs, mountain peaks)
Type of governance

IUCN habitat categories Site designations

Ape status

The estimated population of mountain gorillas at the Virunga Massif, which includes Volcanoes National Park, was 669 (CI: 623–759) in 2016 (Granjon et al. 2020). The mountain gorilla population moves freely between protected areas in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC.

Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Volcanoes National Park

Species Year Abundance estimate (95% CI) Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI) Encounter rate (nests/km) Area Method Source Comments A.P.E.S. database ID
Gorilla beringei beringei 2016 669 (CI: 623–759) Virunga Massif Genetic (dung/hair) Granjon et al. 2020

Threats

Although human pressure is very high around the park, it is the best-protected park in Rwanda. Threats include demand for agricultural land, gorilla poaching, encroachment, illegal wood- and bamboo cutting, and feral dogs (BirdLife International 2021).

Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Volcanoes National Park

Category Specific threats Threat level Description Year of threat
1 Residential & commercial development Unknown
2 Agriculture & aquaculture 2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops Present, but threat severity unknown Demand for agricultural land (BirdLife International 2021). Ongoing (2021)
3 Energy production & mining Unknown
4 Transportation & service corridors Unknown
5 Biological resource use 5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals Present, but threat severity unknown Gorilla poaching (BirdLife International 2021). Ongoing (2021)
5 Biological resource use 5.3 Logging & wood harvesting Present, but threat severity unknown Illegal wood and bamboo harvesting (BirdLife International 2021). Ongoing (2021)
6 Human intrusions & disturbance Unknown
7 Natural system modifications Unknown
8 Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases Unknown
9 Pollution Unknown
10 Geological events Absent
11 Climate change & severe weather Unknown
12 Other threat Absent

IUCN Threats list

Conservation activities

Conservation awareness campaigns have been conducted around the periphery of the park, aimed at promoting understanding of the park and creating support within the local population (BirdLife International 2021). In 2016, the park generated $16.4 million USD from park entry fees, supporting employment, community-based projects, livelihood development, social services, and infrastructure development (AWF).

Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Volcanoes National Park

Category Specific activity Description Implementing organization(s) Year of activity
3 Species health 3.13 Implement a health programme for local communities One Health Program by the Gorilla Doctors provides annual physicals, immunizations, referrals, eyeglasses, and health education programs to park employees and their families (Gorilla Doctors). Ongoing (2020)
5 Protection & restoration 5.2 Legally protect ape habitat The site has been a national park since 1925 (AWF n.d.) Ongoing (2021)
8 Permanent presence 8.2 Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site Ecotourism at the park has brought economic opportunities for local people (AWF n.d.) Ongoing (2021)

Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)

Challenges

Table 5. Challenges reported for Volcanoes National Park

Challenges Specific challenges Source Year(s)
Not reported

Enablers

Table 6. Enablers reported for Volcanoes National Park

Enablers Specific enablers Source Year(s)
1 Site management
2 Resources and capacity
3 Engaged community
4 Institutional support
5 Ecological context
6 Safety and stability

Research activities

Karisoke Research Centre, created by Diane Fossey, is among the oldest primate field research stations in Africa (BirdLife International 2021).

Documented behaviours

Table 7. Behaviours documented for Volcanoes National Park

Behavior Source
Not reported

Exposure to climate change impacts

External links

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09669582.2016.1145228

African community and conservation foundation

African Wildlife Foundation - Volcanoes NP

Relevant datasets

References

BirdLife International (2021) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Volcans National Park. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 15/10/2021.

Volcanoes National Park (n.d.). https://www.volcanoesnationalparkrwanda.com/

AWF (n.d.). Volcanoes National Park: a success story for Rwanda's communities and conservation.https://www.awf.org/blog/volcanoes-national-park-success-story-rwandas-communities-and-conservation

Granjon, A.-C., Robbins, M.M., Arinaitwe, J., Cranfield, M.R., Eckardt, W., Mburanumwe, I., Musana, A., Robbins, A.M., Roy, J., Sollmann, R., Vigilant, L. and Hickey, J.R. (2020), Estimating abundance and growth rates in a wild mountain gorilla population. Anim Conserv, 23: 455-465. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12559


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