Kibale National Park and Makerere University's Biological Field Station
Introduction
Kibale National Park and Makerere University's Biological Field Station
Setting and Facilities--Kibale National Park (KNP) covers 766 km2 (190,000 acres) in western Uganda--a region of great scenic and scientific value that is home to over half of Uganda's 12 national parks. KNP is representative of mid-altitude moist tropical forest, and offers spectacular scenery and extraordinarily-high levels of biological diversity. Foremost are the 11 species of primates, which include chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and red colobus monkeys (Colobus badius). The Park is situated within Uganda's primary tourist zone, and is adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Uganda's Rift Valley.
Makerere University's Biological Field Station (MUBFS), located in KNP, started as a small primate research facility in 1970. In 1987, the research station became affiliated with Makerere University (MU), Uganda's premier university located in the capital city of Kampala. Today, MUBFS is a year-round field research station that can accommodate up to 65 researchers and trainees. Accommodations and services are available at reasonable rates, and include lodging (ranging from private to shared housing), laundry, phone, fax, e-mail, an extensive library, and limited transportation and computer access. Meals can be arranged, particularly for small groups. Uganda's political stability, English language, and favorable climate make the Station accessible year-round, although some activities may be restricted during the rainy seasons.
MUBFS has two main research centers--Kanyawara and Ngogo (Figure 2--map of KNP with MUBFS). The Kanyawara site houses the Station's main facilities, with administrative offices, lodging, classrooms, a mess hall and kitchen, laboratory space, and medical facilities. The MUBFS library houses an extensive array of books and periodicals, with a collection of past MUBFS research. Kanyawara is also home to KNP's headquarters. Adjacent to the site is a grid of marked forest trails covering 15 km2. Ngogo is a limited-use research site located a four-hour hike from Kanyawara. Accommodations at Ngogo are modest, and include a forest trail system covering 10 km2. In total, roughly 200 km of trails are maintained by MUBFS. The nearby Kanyanchu Visitors' Center offers opportunities for ecotourism research.
MUBFS and KNP are accessible by road from Kampala via Mubende (five to six hours). While this route is the shortest distance from Kampala, the last 140 km of the road is unpaved, and travel by four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended, especially during the rainy seasons. An alternative paved route travels south through Masaka, Mbarara, Kasese (via Queen Elizabeth National Park) and Fort Portal. Travel time is roughly 8 to 9 hours from Kampala.
Research and Training Opportunities at MUBFS--While MUBFS is a world-renowned primate research facility, the Station, under goals identified in its 1996 Strategic Plan, seeks to expand its range of activities and become Africa's premier field station. MUBFS encourages high-quality, multidisciplinary research and training activities that integrate the biological, physical, and social sciences. Proposals for training and basic and applied research are reviewed by the MUBFS research committee. The Station particularly encourages proposals that include Ugandan colleagues and/or have application to KNP management. While the Station is typically near capacity during the summer months, more activities can be acommodated during the off-season from October through April.
Ongoing research projects conducted by local and international scholars include: (1) ecological and behavioral studies of a variety of taxa including primates, fish, birds, insects, and amphibians; (2) studies of forest regeneration in logged areas, under pine plantations, in grasslands, and on abandoned croplands; (3) long-term ecological monitoring, including climatic monitoring, chimpanzee demography, plant phenological patterns, swamp and river limnology, fish populations, etc.; and (4) socio-economic and socio-ecological studies, including studies of the effects of animal crop raiding.
Many organizations utilize MUBFS' training facilities. Training courses for up to 30 students have been routinely offered at MUBFS by the Tropical Biology Association, the University of Florida, and the Peace Corps., with MUBFS staff providing both field and classroom lectures, often in cooperation with visiting instructors.