Agroforestry

Education & Exhibition

Monitoring & Research

Recreation

MONITORING & RESEARCH DEPARTMENT

Introduction

Monitoring and research department was established as one of the departments within the Lake Victoria Sunset Birders to undertake monitoring of Dunga swamp, which is an Important Bird Area, and to carry out any other research related activities.

Mandate

The department is mandated to carry out research & monitoring activities of the group within the Lake Victoria region to promote conservation

Vision

To be the leading research organization within the lake region

Objectives

• To ensure that the ecological functions of the wetlands along Lake Victoria are sustained.
• To ensure that the habitat for the endemic bird species is conserved.
• To network and collaborate with other organizations doing research on conservation of biodiversity

Activities of the department

• Wetland monitoring
• Data collection
• Hiring out of the equipment
• Fund raising for the monitoring and world water bird count from the sponsors
• Networking and collaboration with other organizations
• Newsletter production
• Keeping records and updates on the lake issues such as; the receding water levels, invasive species like water hyacinth etc

THE DEPARTMENTAL YEAR PLANNER

The department carries out monitoring of the swamp twice in a year. There is the dry season monitoring done in April and the wet season monitoring done in December. The monitoring mainly looks at four parameters and these include; the vegetation mainly the papyrus, water quality, the wetland animals and the endemic papyrus bird species. When doing monitoring there are always two transects used one on the land ward side and one on the water ward side. In addition to this the department also carries out world water bird count in January. This is a global activity with the main aim of knowing the status of the water birds because they are used as biological indicators.

The department has a variety of equipment that can be hired out at a fee. The equipment mainly targets local and international tourists, Scholars carrying out research, Students and pupils, other partnering organizations and honeymooners. The equipment are fit for activities like excursions and camping. They can be used at a fee and can also be hired out to other organizations we are partnering with. They are very convenient and have some unique features like;

• The equipment is easy to carry/Easily portable
• They are environment friendly
• They are affordable
• They are comfortable and luxurious

List of the departments’ equipment and the rates charged per day