Edu Effiom gains her PhD

Edu has successfully defended her PhD thesis titled “Consequences of bushmeat hunting in tropical forests” on March 1^st 2013 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. 

Her thesis evaluated the effect of bushmeat hunting in southeastern Nigerian rainforests on: 

1) adult tree, seedling, and animal community compositions 

2) germination and survival among seedlings in association with competition 

3) changes in community composition at multiple trophic levels 

4) leaf nitrogen concentration (LNC), leaf mass per area (LMA) and stem specific density (SSD) 

5) on human reliance on forest resources and rural people use forest resources. 

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 have recently been published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/280/1759/20130246.abstract

More on her work can be seen at:

http://www4.lu.se/o.o.i.s/23814

APLORI resumes for 2013

Staff and students resumed on 7^th 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!

APLORI produces another set of Scientists

The A. P. Leventis Ornithological Institute (APLORI) has produced yet another set of well-trained scientists. They rounded up their studies on the 12^th of December 2012 with the presentation of their research findings to the External Examiner Dr. Andy Gosler and a host of other academic and research staff.  This set is the 9^th set of APLORI graduates.

Graduates with their external examiner, HOD Zoology representative and the Director, APLORI
From L-R: Dr Manu, Daniel, Abok, Dayo, Chima, Neri, Dr. Gosler, Biplang, Albert, Elmond and Dr. (Mrs) Absolom

APLORI's 10th Anniversary

Ruth Akagu giving her talk

On Thursday 15th November 2012, APLORI celebrated its 10th year Anniversary of research and training in Conservation Biology with an emphasis in Ornithology. The Institute has so far trained 58 Masters and 5 PhD degrees, which are well groomed scientists, recognized both nationally and internationally. 

Listeners at the presentations

Will Cresswell making a presentation

APLORI’s graduates are found in various institutions contributing their quota to the conservation of the world’s biodiversity.

Hazel Chapman giving her talk

The highlights of the day included the presentation of the 3^rd A. P. Leventis Annual Lecture and presentations from various APLORI graduates doing research in different fields of ecology.

A. P. Leventis 3rd Annual Lecture

The A. P. Leventis 3^rd Annual Lecture was held at the lecture auditorium of the APLORI on the 15^th of November 2012, also marking the 10^th Year Anniversary of the Institute. 

Dr. P. J. Jones

The Lecture was presented by Dr. Peter James Jones, an Honorary Fellow, Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh UK. the lecture was titled " 'Tsunstun Jambaki' an Avian Locust". 

In attendance was the Vice- Chancellor of the University of Jos and other Stakeholders in the academic and business community.

Dr. Jones receiving a gift from the Vice- Chancellor represented by Prof. Dakul 

Peter Jones highlighted the problems caused by the genus Quelea and traced history of efforts put in place by different government to curb their menace.  He also pointed possible areas of research.

Dr. Peter Jones 

APLORI 10th anniversary day a great success

On Thursday 15th November we celebrated the 10th anniversary of APLORI...more to follow

Check out Emma Blackburn on the Guest Blog

Emma Blackburn is doing her PhD on Whinchats at APLORI. Read about the trials and tribulations of field work on this charismatic but declining and often frustrating species.

APLORI new website is now live

Welcome to the new APLORI web site. As with all things web we have traded-off immediacy with depth and accuracy, so inevitably there are errors here and omissions. Nevertheless we hope that the site will mark a new more credible web presence for APLORI.

APLORI to co-host PAOC gala dinner

APLORI will be co-sponsoring the closing banquet at the PAOC this year to celebrate the 10th anniversary of APLORI.

APLORI web site going live on September 24th 2012

The new website will finally go live on the 24th. As with any website it is always work in progress. Contact Will Cresswell to get involved with maintaining and updating the website. A workshop for training for this will be run the week of Nov 12-17th at APLORI