A very big congratulations to our very own Director, Dr. Manu on the international recognition of his exceptional work in advancing ornithological research in Nigeria.
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A very big congratulations to our very own Director, Dr. Manu on the international recognition of his exceptional work in advancing ornithological research in Nigeria.
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The A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI) has again produce another set of well-trained scientists, making it the 10th set to be trained at the Institute in Conservation Biology. The end of the academic year was marked by the presentation of research findings to the External Examiner Prof. Irene Tieleman and other academic and research staff. The presentations took place on the 27th September 2013.
Graduates with their External Examiner Prof. Tieleman. From L-R Murna, Chioma, Lydia, Ivy, Anvou, Omo, Shade and Kwanye |
The event also marked the resumption of the new students of the next academic year. The new set has for the first time in APLORI a candidate from Liberia.
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L-R: Shedi, Bukky, Benedictus, Felix, Boniface, Emmanuel and Yinka |
Edu has successfully defended her PhD thesis titled “Consequences of bushmeat hunting in tropical forests” on March 1st2013 at Lund University, Sweden. Funding for her thesis was provided by grants from Sida, Kungliga Fysiografiska Sallskapet and Formas with support from Lund University, Cross River State Forestry Commission, A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, Jos and WCS.
Results from her thesis showed that primates (4-180 kg) were much rarer in hunted sites, while seed predators increased in abundance with hunting. Community composition of birds was similar in paired sites. Seedlings and adult tree composition were similar in protected sites. Abiotically dispersed species dominated in hunted sites and had a higher germination rate only in hunted sites. Seedling communities were significantly related to mammal communities. LNC and SSD increased with hunting but not LMA. Data from questionnaires administered in four villages in and around the Cross River National Park revealed an overwhelming reliance by households on forest resources for sustenance. Contrary to prevailing knowledge, the collection of food resources was the most widespread form of resource extraction and not bushmeat. More primate dispersed trees have utility for human compared trees with other dispersal modes. Results reveal a minimal effect of competition among seedlings rather that dispersal limitation and altered mammal community composition triggered by the decline of efficient seed dispersing vertebrates majorly mediate changes in seedling communities and that these changes are largely detrimental to forest conservation and human wellbeing.
One of her papers haverecently been published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/280/1759/20130246.abstract
Staff and students resumed on 7th January 2013 after the Christmas break. Everyone is looking refreshed and teaching/research has since continued in earnest as we look forward to a wonderful year!
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Ruth Akagu giving her talk |
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Listeners at the presentations |
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Will Cresswell making a presentation |
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Hazel Chapman giving her talk |