What drives change in the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem?

Research Results

How these drivers change ecosystem services, biodiversity, and human well being?

Human-wildlife conflict

• Crop raiding, human attacks, livestock attacks and property damage are forms of human-wildlife conflict
• The severity of conflicts varies across time and season
• Local people see no benefit of Wildlife Management Areas to their livelihoods
• Lions can survive within pastoral regions if communities gain economic benefits from wildlife
• Rhinos’ preferred forage area are limited by frequent fire

Human livelihoods

• Survey involving 1000 homes in 24 communities close to the ecosystem
• Poor people are highly dependent on ecosystem services
• 50-80 % of total household income come from the ecosystem

Quality of water sources

• 94 human water sources tested
• 50 % had bacteria that cause diseases
• Clean water shortage is a health

Land fragmentation

• Most fences are close to major roads & urban centers
• Road and fences are a major cause of fragmentation
• Migratory wildebeest and zebra are increasingly obstructed by a higher number of fences

It will not be long before the Mara is gone

Kenya’s wildlife has decreased by nearly 70% in under 40 years due to:

• Sheep and goats are increasing (76%)
• Temperature increase (2°)
• Frequent occurrence of intense droughts
• Increased number of camels
• Fencing and fragmentation

Livestock diseases

• Temperatures, rainfall and extreme events (El Niño) influence disease outbreaks in various, complex ways
• Prevalence of Rift Valley fever, foot and mouth disease, and field fever are influenced by climate change

Human and livestock populations

• Human and livestock population growth affect the stability of the ecosystem
• In areas with weak border control, livestock has moved further into the park
• The range of the migratory wildebeest is being squeezed inside the park
• Annual fluctuations in rainfall affect animal population and biodiversity (data from 1935 to 2015)

Illegal Hunting

• Much higher in Tanzania than Kenya
• Illegal hunters are adapting to improved patrolling to reduce the chance of being arrested
• Illegal bush meat consumption is highest close to the park

Nutrients in Soil

• Land use, tree canopies, and root decomposition influence nutrients in soil
• Fire and large mammalian herbivores are direct influences on root decomposition
• Root decomposition in savannas also depends on termites that feed selectively

Drivers & Recommendations

• Encourage communities towards sustainable income activities (chicken farming, fish production, eco-tourism)
• Increase education to engage people into labour force and business activities
• Increase knowledge related to conservation and disease recognition
• Increase involvement in tourist activities to reduce pressure on land and use of livestock
• Make it easier for communities to benefit from wildlife and other natural resources (attitude change)
• Reduce pressure on tall trees to stimulate plant growth and soil quality (and resilience)
• Reduce pressure on forest products by developing cheap and alternative energy sources (cooking equipment and solar power)
• Develop cheap water treatment equipment
• Assist in developing sustainable land use plans

Tools we have developed

• ‘Serengeti animal tracker’ mobile app
• ‘Serengeti Dawn’ Board game
• ‘Serengeti ServiceScape’ app for management strategies
• ‘Serengeti ServiceScape’ app for management strategies
• Data Repository
• Searchable upload service

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What drives change in the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem? – Drivers & Recommendations (PDF)