Ecological restoration of degraded forest ecosystems is critical for maintaining environmental quality, forest productivity, biodiversity conservation, and provision of ecosystem services. Soil chemical and physical properties are key indicators of forest ecosystem performance during restoration. However, the impacts of forest restoration on soil physical and chemical properties remain under-investigated. We assessed soil physical and chemical properties at the impact and biodiversity offset sites in Gangu and Mabira Forest Reserves in central Uganda following the establishment of a high-voltage power transmission line that involved forest clearance and setting up of a biodiversity offset site. Soil samples were collected from the sample plots at the impact and offset sites in Gangu and Mabira Forest Reserves at 0-15 cm and at 15-30 cm. Surface litter at each sampling spot was removed, and soil was extracted from 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depths using the augur. The soil samples were obtained from four study sites and analysed for pH, organic matter (OM), total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, calcium, magnesium, soil moisture, and soil texture (sand, clay and silt). Data on soil properties were tested for homogeneity of variance and normality assumptions using Levene’s test and the Shapiro-Wilk test, respectively and subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). In addition, data were subjected to an independent-samples t-test to compare soil properties at the impact and offset sites and visualised in R software. The following hypotheses were tested: Ho1: There is no significant difference in the soil pH between the impact and offset sites; Ho2: There is no significant difference in the soil organic matter between the impact and offset sites; Ho3: There is no significant difference in the soil nutrient composition between the impact and offset site; Ho4: There is no significant difference in the soil texture between the impact and offset sites; Ho5: There is no significant difference in the soil moisture content between the impact and offset sites. Results revealed significant differences in the soil physical and chemical properties between the offset and impact sites, suggesting that the offset and impact sites were ecologically different from a soil perspective. The pH of soils at the impact and offset sites in Mabira Forest Reserve was significantly different (ρ < 0.001). There was a significant difference in soil organic matter at the impact and offset sites in Gangu Forest Reserve (ρ = 0.034). There was significant difference in phosphorus (ρ =0.033), potassium (ρ =0.04), magnesium (ρ = 0.044), sand (ρ =0.001), clay (ρ =0.02) and silt (ρ =0.017) between the impact and offset sites in Gangu Forest Reserve while in Mabira Forest Reserve there was significant difference in potassium (ρ =0.002), calcium (ρ =0.04), magnesium (ρ =0.04), sand (ρ =0.01) and clay (ρ =0.049) between the impact and offset sites. The soil properties reported in this study provide indicators that can deepen understanding of the ecological equivalence of biodiversity offset. Future research should examine soil biological properties in order to broaden practical knowledge of the concept of ecological equivalence for biodiversity offset based on soil characteristics of the impact and offset sites for ecological restoration of degraded sites.

Biodiversity offsets create comparable and/ or additional biodiversity gains to compensate for developmental impacts. However, most offset assessments focus on flora creating a paucity of information on offset outcomes from the perspective of animals. This study used birds as indicators to ascertain whether biodiversity offsets for energy infrastructure are comparable to impact sites ten years after implementation in Gangu and Mabira forest reserves, Uganda. Specifically, the study assessed the species composition, diversity and ecological categories of birds at the impact and offset sites. Birds were sampled using fixed-radius point counts and data were analysed using R. We recorded 1,144 birds belonging to 83 species across 38 families in the forest reserves. Our study reveals that offset sites had not yet achieved compositional equivalence with the impact sites. There were significant differences in bird species composition between the impact and offset sites. Species diversity was higher at the offset than the impact sites. Forest specialists were higher at the impact sites while forest generalists dominated the offset sites. The study further revealed that the offset sites have not yet created a favourable habitat for forest specialist but has created suitable habitat for forest generalists. The offset sites should be managed to create suitable habitats for forest specialist. Return of forest specialists to the offset site should be continuously monitored to document recovery of the sites from the effect of power transmission line establishment through the forest.

Understanding how the traits of lineages are related to diversification is key for elucidating the origin of variation in species richness. Here, we test whether traits are related to species richness among lineages of trees from all major biogeographical settings of the lowland wet tropics. We explore whether variation in mortality rate, breeding system and maximum diameter are related to species richness, either directly or via associations with range size, among 463 genera that contain wet tropical forest trees. For Amazonian genera, we also explore whether traits are related to species richness via variation among genera in mean species-level range size. Lineages with higher mortality rates—faster life-history strategies—have larger ranges in all biogeographic settings and have higher mean species-level range sizes in Amazonia. These lineages also have smaller maximum diameters and, in the Americas, contain dioecious species. In turn, lineages with greater overall range size have higher species richness. Our results show that fast life-history strategies influence species richness in all biogeographic settings because lineages with these ecological strategies have greater range sizes. These links suggest that dispersal has been a key process in the evolution of the tropical forest flora.

AimIt has been proposed that species diversity (SD) and genetic diversity (GD) co-vary across natural communities because both are shaped by processes such as immigration and drift. However, empirical reports are contradictory, and multispecies studies are rare. Here we test the hypothesis that the two diversity measures do not correlate in systems with high levels of immigration stochasticity and little GD caused by strong genetic drift.LocationTropical alpine habitats on six of the highest mountains in eastern Africa.TaxonVascular plants.MethodsWe sampled 375 taxa in 75 plots in five habitat types, recorded ecological variables, and genotyped 1793 plants representing 20 species/species complexes.ResultsWe confirmed that intrapopulation GD was exceptionally low in this system and found that most Species-Genetic Diversity Correlations (SGDCs) were weak and insignificant. Whereas SD was correlated with several environmental variables, GD was only correlated with mountain identity (geographical location) and mountain age.Main ConclusionsOur findings support the hypothesis that SGDCs are lacking in habitat island systems such as the tropical alpine region in Africa, which is characterised by frequent population size fluctuations, extinctions, and colonisations via long-distance dispersal (LDD) during the glacial cycles. The stochastic nature of LDD combined with strong genetic drift and founder effects is likely to cause low GD and lack of SGDCs, implying that SD cannot be used as a proxy for GD in conservation management of such systems.

In recent years, community-based conservation approaches have gained popularity as essential tools for enhancing biodiversity conservation while improving community livelihoods. These approaches emphasize the vital role of communities in preserving and sustainably managing natural resources. However, their contribution to strengthening community capacity for conservation and development remains underexplored. This study applies the Community Capital Framework (CCF) to examine how Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), a community-based conservation initiative in Tanzania, enhance community capacity for conservation and development. Using a multiple case study design, data were collected randomly from selected respondents in two WMAs: Ikona (northern Tanzania) and MBOMIPA (southern Tanzania). Qualitative and quantitative data were triangulated through household surveys and key informant interviews, and analyzed using expert-driven and data-driven techniques (Betti & Verma double-weighting scheme) to generate weights of each community capital. Results indicate that natural and financial capitals are the most important for enhancing community capacity for conservation and development. No significant differences were found between the two WMAs in the contribution of community capital overall. However, the development of financial capital in Ikona WMA has stimulated improvements in physical capital, which in turn have strengthened human capital and supported the development of political, cultural, and social capital. In contrast, MBOMIPA WMA has invested less in financial capital, limiting development of physical capital and subsequent progress in human, political, cultural, and social capitals. The overall Community Capacity Index shows contributions ranging from low (natural and cultural capitals) to moderate (social, physical, human, political, and financial capitals) across WMAs. These findings suggest that WMAs have moderately enhanced community capacity for conservation and development. This study recommends that WMAs invest more evenly across all capitals to significantly strengthen community capacity for conservation and development. (sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) (CCF) (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) (WMAs) ((sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)) (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) (Ikona) (sic)(sic)(sic) MBOMIPA (sic)(sic) WMA (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) (Betti & Verma (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)) (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic) WMA (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic) WMA (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic),(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), MBOMIPA WMA (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic),(sic)(sic),(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) (Community Capacity Index) (sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic) WMA (sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) ((sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)) (sic)(sic)(sic) ((sic)(sic),(sic)(sic),(sic)(sic),(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)) (sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), WMA (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) WMA (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).

Invasive plants adversely affect native communities by altering ecosystem function and disrupting natural regeneration. We investigate the effect of invasive Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) on forest regeneration in Kibale National Park, Uganda. We appraise the efficacy of cutting and uprooting Lantana for promoting native tree recruitment. Sample plots comprised three types: (i) currently invaded by Lantana ; (ii) cleared

A study was conducted in none tilled coffee agroforestry fields of Eastern Uganda to understand the effects of application of inorganic fertilizers on soil nutrient loss in form of gas for mitigation of unsustainable agricultural practices.This study specifically i) assessed the effect of application of inorganic fertilizers on greenhouse gas emissions, ii) determined their effect on microbial carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus and iii) determined their effect on leaf litter decomposition under Albizziacoffee growing systems of the Mount Elgon.Soil gas emissions were measured with the static chamber method for twelve months in a field experiment with five different fertilizer treatments.The effect of treatments was separated using ANOVA in Genstat discovery version 13.Microbial carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus was separated using Mann-Whitney U test.Results showed that annual emissions ranged from 19.6 to 26.1 (t C/ha/yr), 3.5 to 9 (Kg N/ha/yr) and 6.9 to 9.2 (Kg C/ha/yr) for carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane respectively.Significant effects on soil emissions only occurred for nitrous oxide (P=0.017),microbial carbon (p=0.001) and microbial phosphorus (p<0.001) for the study period.The mixture of NPK fertilizers presented the lowest carbon dioxide loss and application of TSP presented the lowest nitrous oxide emission from soil.This study underscores the need for establishment of long-term experiments across several agro-ecological zones to confirm farmers' perceptions of their soil fertility levels and ascertain the contribution of farm practices towards the retention of nutrients in the soil with minimal emission, to inform decisions of small holder farmers, policy and development partners for sustainable production. Hosted fileAnnual GHG emissions.docxavailable at https://authorea.com/users/564643/articles/611572effect-of-inorganic-fertilizer-application-on-green-house-gas-emissions-and-microbialactivity-under-coffee-agroforestry-in-eastern

The debate on integration of shade trees on farmers' fields is lately becoming more pronounced due to the increasing land fragmentation, particularly in the highlands where the number of trees on farm is reducing drastically. In these farmlands, the choice of shade trees is the result of complex farmers' analyses and valuation of tradeoffs among the increasing productivity, socioeconomic and environmental benefits. However, little is known about what coffee farmers specifically base their decisions on to select and grow shade trees in their fields. This study therefore identified the key reasons behind farmers' choices of use of shade trees in coffee fields on Mount Elgon, Eastern Uganda using the Unified Theory of Use and Acceptance of the Technology framework. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 120 respondents and complimented with focus group discussions. A Structural Equation Modelling technique was conducted to examine the usage of shade trees. Results show facilitating conditions also known as institutional factors were significant in explaining the choices of farmers to use shade trees, with the effect stronger on soils of low fertility. Effort expectancy and social influence only marginally influenced use. The model explains 69% of the variance in choice to use shade trees in coffee agroforestry systems. Mediation by soil fertility, gender and experience explain 23%, 16%, and 4%; respectively. Effort expectancy and the existence of adequate facilitating conditions increased females' choices to use shade trees. This study underscores the consideration for location specific technology facilitating conditions, social influence and ease of use, for long standing technologies, by farming support institutions, decision-makers and development partners in designing and disseminating sustainable agricultural management strategies for implementation in coffee-based agroforestry systems.

The monumental work of Olov Hedberg provided deep insights into the spectacular and fragmented tropical alpine flora of the African sky islands. Here we review recent molecular and niche modelling studies and re-examine Hedberg’s hypotheses and conclusions. Colonisation started when mountain uplift established the harsh diurnal climate with nightly frosts, accelerated throughout the last 5 Myr (Plio-Pleistocene), and resulted in a flora rich in local endemics. Recruitment was dominated by long-distance dispersals (LDDs) from seasonally cold, remote areas, mainly in Eurasia. Colonisation was only rarely followed by substantial diversification. Instead, most of the larger genera and even species colonised the afroalpine habitat multiple times independently. Conspicuous parallel evolution occurred among mountains, e.g., of gigantism in Lobelia and Dendrosenecio and dwarf shrubs in Alchemilla . Although the alpine habitat was ~ 8 times larger and the treeline was ~ 1000 m lower than today during the Last Glacial Maximum, genetic data suggest that the flora was shaped by strong intermountain isolation interrupted by rare LDDs rather than ecological connectivity. The new evidence points to a much younger and more dynamic island scenario than envisioned by Hedberg: the afroalpine flora is unsaturated and fragile, it was repeatedly disrupted by the Pleistocene climate oscillations, and it harbours taxonomic and genetic diversity that is unique but severely depauperated by frequent bottlenecks and cycles of colonisation, extinction, and recolonisation. The level of intrapopulation genetic variation is alarmingly low, and many afroalpine species may be vulnerable to extinction because of climate warming and increasing human impact.

The study sought to determine the extent to which fallowing can lead to recovery towards an historic woody vegetation of Sudanian woodlands in northern Uganda. Fallow sites of three distinct ages were assessed. Plots were established in crop fields that had been under cultivation for over 10 years, sites that had been under fallow for 3-6 years (young fallow) and fallow sites of at least 9 years (old fallow) in three districts. In each plot, all woody plants were enumerated and species composition, diversity and richness assessed. Young fallow plots were dominated by pioneer species such as Piliostigma thonningii and Annona senegalensis, while old fallow by a mix of late and early successional species such as Vachellia hockii (formerly Acacia hockii) and Combretum collinum. Vitellaria paradoxa (Shea butter tree) was the most abundant in all fallow categories. Species composition in crop field was different from young and old fallow. Species richness increased significantly from abandoned Crop field to Young fallow and then to Old fallow. Simpson's Diversity Index showed similar trends. V. paradoxa contributed most to overall similarity among the fallow categories. Fallowing can facilitate restoration of characteristic species of Sudanian woodlands.

Shade trees in coffee farms are promoted worldwide for ecological sustainability and adaptation to climate change. However, contradicting reports on the effects of shade trees in coffee agroforestry systems are emanating from Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) farmers. Therefore, this study: (1) characterized the shade trees in Arabica coffee-based agroforestry system; (2) identified the tree selection criteria used; (3) identified the sources of planting materials; and (4) determined the major factors affecting the growing of shade trees under the Arabica coffee-based system of Mount Elgon. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in randomly selected coffee farms with and without shade trees. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 107 coffee farmers. Fourteen shade tree species were recorded, and the six most abundant were: Albizia coriaria, Cordia africana, Ficus ovata, Ficus synchromonous, Maesopsis eminii and Grevillea robusta. Least abundant species were Eucalyptus species, Antiaris toxicaria, Artocarpous heterophylus, Mangifera indica and Milicia excelsa. Farmers selected shade trees which were fast growing, had small leaf sizes, with wide crowns, ever-green and of medium height. Fellow farmers were the main source of shade-tree planting materials (P ≤ 0.05). Barriers to shade tree use included resource competition and falling trees damaging the understorey. The results underscore the need for site-specific provision of appropriate shade tree coffee mixes and strategies by policy and development partners for transformation of shaded coffee farming landscapes and livelihoods for improved coffee production.

Tropical forests are the most diverse and productive ecosystems on Earth. While better understanding of these forests is critical for our collective future, until quite recently efforts to measure and monitor them have been largely disconnected. Networking is essential to discover the answers to questions that transcend borders and the horizons of funding agencies. Here we show how a global community is responding to the challenges of tropical ecosystem research with diverse teams measuring forests tree-by-tree in thousands of long-term plots. We review the major scientific discoveries of this work and show how this process is changing tropical forest science. Our core approach involves linking long-term grassroots initiatives with standardized protocols and data management to generate robust scaled-up results. By connecting tropical researchers and elevating their status, our Social Research Network model recognises the key role of the data originator in scientific discovery. Conceived in 1999 with RAINFOR (South America), our permanent plot networks have been adapted to Africa (AfriTRON) and Southeast Asia (T-FORCES) and widely emulated worldwide. Now these multiple initiatives are integrated via ForestPlots.net cyber-infrastructure, linking colleagues from 54 countries across 24 plot networks. Collectively these are transforming understanding of tropical forests and their biospheric role. Together we have discovered how, where and why forest carbon and biodiversity are responding to climate change, and how they feedback on it. This long-term pan-tropical collaboration has revealed a large long-term carbon sink and its trends, as well as making clear which drivers are most important, which forest processes are affected, where they are changing, what the lags are, and the likely future responses of tropical forests as the climate continues to change. By leveraging a remarkably old technology, plot networks are sparking a very modern revolution in tropical forest science. In the future, humanity can benefit greatly by nurturing the grassroots communities now collectively capable of generating unique, long-term understanding of Earth's most precious forests.

Globally, the diversity of indigenous medicinal tree species is threatened and yet such plants provide the least costly means of treatment for the poor. The factors that inspire adoption of such plants on farm are unclear. This study was conducted in communities adjacent to six protected areas in central Uganda, to (1) document the local uses of Prunus africana (Hook. f.) Kalkman, (2) assess the farmers' perception towards integration of P. africana on farm, and (3) determine the factors that influence adoption of P. africana on farms. A total of 206 smallholder farmers were engaged through semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Data were analyzed in SPSS 20.0. Both material (medicine, timber, fuel) and non-material (windbreak, boundary marking and shade) uses were recognized. Up to 73% of the farmers perceived well the planting of P. africana on farms, and the positive perception evolved from training them in tree seed handling techniques, general nursery operations, and on-farm tree management. The farmers' age, income and farm size were the most important factors predicting their readiness to integrate P. africana on-farm. However, their involvement was likely to only be beneficial if they get access to sufficient land and quality seedlings. Moreover, the farmers needed to be continuously provided with free/low cost seed/seedlings, trained in on farm tree management and soil fertility enhancement to approve integration of indigenous tree technologies.

Alpine plant radiations are common across all major mountain systems of the world, and have been regarded as the main explanation for the species diversity found within these areas. To study the mechanisms behind the origin of this diversity, it is necessary to determine phylogenetic relationships and species boundaries in radiating alpine groups. The genus Dendrosenecio (Asteraceae) is an iconic example of a tropical-alpine plant radiation in the East African high mountains. To this date, limited sampling of molecular markers has resulted in insufficient phylogenetic resolution and infrageneric classification, hindering a comprehensive understanding of the drivers of diversification. Here, we used Hyb-Seq and the Compositae1061 probe set to generate targeted nuclear and off-target plastid DNA data for 42 samples representing all currently accepted 11 species. We combined coalescent methods and paralogy analysis to infer phylogenetic relationships, estimate divergence times and evaluate species boundaries. Lineage differentiation in Dendrosenecio seems to have occurred between the Late Miocene and the Pleistocene, starting when the first high elevation habitats became available in East Africa. We retrieved four major clades corresponding to four geographically distant mountain groups, testifying the importance of allopatric speciation in the early diversification of the group. Cytonuclear discordance suggested the occurrence of historical hybridization following occasional long-distance dispersal between mountain groups. The species delimitation analysis favored 10 species, but only five were fully supported, suggesting that population-level studies addressing processes such as ecological speciation and hybridization after secondary contact are needed to determine the current diversity found in the genus.

Given the diversity of active institutions and stakeholders in a landscape, and the difficulties in ensuring inclusive decision-making, evaluating landscape governance can help surface and address underlying issues. In the context of two protected area landscapes in Uganda, where landscape approaches are being implemented through a wider project on landscape governance, we analyse stakeholder perceptions of inclusive decision-making and then use this evaluation to stimulate dialogue amongst stakeholder groups in each landscape. We ask, how can capturing, analysing, and collaboratively applying people’s perceptions address inclusive decision-making in landscape governance? We collected and analysed perceptions using SenseMaker®, a software package that enables analysis of micronarratives (stories) from the field based on how respondents classify their own stories, using triads, dyads, stones, and multiple-choice questions. This self-categorisation by the respondent reduces bias in the analysis and allows the micronarrative to be cross-examined in a variety of ways when analysed using Sensemaker. This analysis created an integrated view of the stakeholder’s perceptions about inclusive decision-making in landscape governance. The results show large portions of the respondents feel their voices are neglected, and management of the landscape is poor in Mount Elgon, while in Agoro-Agu, it is the opposite trend. During a community feedback process, reasons for these trends were discussed and solutions proposed. Some of the underlying factors include historical relationships with park authorities and displacement during park creation. To more precisely answer our research question, one could have extended stays in the communities studied in these landscapes, using ethnographic methods including interviews and participant observation; nonetheless, our method, including the feedback process, was an innovative and important way to confront our findings with the informants directly and foster collaborative action. We conclude that understanding people’s perceptions, including through participatory feedback, can significantly inform and improve management decisions, help resolve conflicts, and facilitate dialogue between different stakeholders in the landscape.

Distantly related lineages of the enigmatic giant rosette plants of tropical alpine environments provide classical examples of convergent adaptation. For the giant senecios (Dendrosenecio), the endemic landmarks of the East African sky islands, it has also been suggested that parallel adaptation has been important for within-lineage differentiation. To test this hypothesis and to address potential gene flow and hybridization among the isolated sky islands, we organized field expeditions to all major mountains. We sampled all currently accepted species and all but one subspecies and genotyped 460 plants representing 109 populations. We tested whether genetic structuring corresponds to geography, as predicted by a parallel adaptation hypothesis, or to altitudinal belt and habitat rather than mountains, as predicted by a hypothesis of a single origin of adaptations. Bayesian and Neighbor-Net analyses showed that the main genetic structure is shallow and largely corresponds to geography, supporting a hypothesis of recent, rapid radiation via parallel altitude/habitat adaptation on different mountains. We also found evidence for intermountain admixture, suggesting several long-distance dispersals by wind across vast areas of unsuitable habitat. The combination of parallel adaptation, secondary contact, and hybridization may explain the complex patterns of morphological variation and the contradicting taxonomic treatments of these rare enigmatic giants, supporting the use of wide taxonomic concepts. Notably, the within-population genetic diversity was very low and calls for increased conservation efforts.

The cultural universe is sometimes confusing,surprising and murky,so many cultural maps get drawn,discussed and envisioned.A study was undertaken around Mabira Forest Reserve in central Uganda to identify the trees and shrubs culturally managed on-farm,assess the cultural practices of forest and tree system management and determine the relationship between farmer gender and forest and tree system management.We engaged 203 farmers in focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews to collect data.Qualitative data were jointly evaluated with farmers;quantitative data were analyzed in SPSS 20.0.The results showed a high likelihood for involvement of local people in tree or forest management for economic gain,as timber and fast-growing species were highly ranked.Food and medicinal species were also regarded as important,suggesting high prospects of integrating them into the local farming system or protecting them in the forest.Numerous cultural practices (including rituals,trenching,bark slashing,ring barking,spot weeding and use of organic manure and pesticides) of forest and tree system management were acknowledged.However,their knowledge was mixed and unclear about distinct cultural and supportive arrangements for natural forest and tree restoration.While gender was not a significant cultural attribute for knowledge of the forest and allied tree system management,age substantially affected farmer propensity for various timber products.Also farmer's family size influenced the collection of tree wildings and fodder.We encourage considering gender disparities and livelihood needs including income,during selection of cultural practices for forest and tree restoration.

Coffee agroforestry systems deliver ecosystem services (ES) critical for rural livelihoods like food but also disservices that constrain livelihoods like fostering coffee-pests. Since such ES are tree-based, maximizing ES and limiting constraints requires knowledge on optimizing on-farm tree composition especially trees adapted to local conditions. The study was in three sites along a rainfall gradient in Central Uganda where we: assessed tree diversity in coffee agroforestry; ranked tree suitability for providing ES according to farmers' knowledge; and then proposed an approach for optimizing on-farm tree composition for delivery of ES. We collected data on tree diversity and, farmers' knowledge of tree species and the ES they provide. Farmers ranked ES in order of importance to their livelihoods ('Needs rank') and ranked trees according to suitability for providing ES. Using Bradley Terry modeling, we grouped trees into 'ES groups' according to suitability for providing different ES and ranked 'ES groups' according to tree diversity ('Diversity rank'). Tree-suitability for providing ES and importance of ES to farmers varied with rainfall regime but tree diversity did not match farmers' needs for ES. We propose the FaD–FaN (matching farm tree diversity to farmers' needs) approach for optimizing tree species composition with respect to tree-suitability for farmers' priority ES. Farmers locally prioritize ES needed and identify trees that best serve such ES. The approach then focuses on modifying on-farm tree diversity to match/suit farmers' priority ES. The FaD–FaN approach caters for varying socio-ecological conditions; it's adaptable for other coffee and cocoa-growing areas worldwide.