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The article discusses the camera traps, data generated by it, and the revolution it made in monitoring and studying terrestrial mammals. It also discusses the importance of monitoring in terms of unprecedented loss of biodiversity and in gathering ecological information for offering support to environmental policy.

In response to recent decentralization in Ethiopia, we investigated pressure exerted on Awash National Park ( ANP), vis-a-vis park resources; causes of park-related conflicts and the impact of policy on sustainable resources conservation before decentralization (pre-1995) and after decentralization (post-1995). The study's aim was to assess the implementation of sustainable resources conservation in terms of use policy and conflicts in protected areas. We sampled a total of 210 respondents by stratified random sampling and group discussion participants and key informants using purposive sampling technique. Our results show that while policy problems were perceived to be the main threats to the park pre-1995, demand for pasture land and water, resource-caused conflicts, expansion of private and state farms were identified as main threats to the park post-1995. Before decentralization (pre-1995), inequitable resource sharing and poor organizational structures were the main causes of ethnic conflicts, whereas after decentralization, increasing demand for various resources were the main causes of conflict. We recommend experiences from the Simen National Park be tested to the benefit of improving the state of ANP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of property rights to land and natural resources underlies the differential control of men and women over productive resources. This article investigates the role played by women in conservation of plant resources in Kamuli district, Uganda. Using a stratified random sampling technique, 60 tree farmers from Bugulumbya, Kasambira and Nawandhyo parish were interviewed. The findings revealed that women tree farmers were constrained by insecure tenure to tree resource, inequitable benefit sharing, male dominance in decision-making, low education and lack of planting materials. The extension media use varied according to gender. These findings have important policy implications in that for effective tree resource conservation, the information targeting rural women in Uganda should be in their native languages. Local programmes should be integrated into tree resource management programmes for the benefit of the grassroot populations, many of whom have low education levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the advantages of living in groups is that individuals may need to be less vigilant, allowing them more time for other important activities, such as foraging. This relationship between group size and per cent time spent being vigilant was investigated by observing impala in Nairobi National Park, Kenya. Three types of individual were observed: females, territorial males and bachelor males. Only females showed the predicted negative relationship between per cent vigilance and herd size. Both types of male showed no significant change of vigilance with increasing group size. There was no difference in levels of vigilance in open or closed habitats and no difference in vigilance between herds‘alone’ and herds with other species that might have provided‘extra eyes’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that the values which are placed on ecosystem goods and services in some form or another, are not represented in policy, resulting in degradation of natural systems. As reported, degradation of natural systems can be stopped or minimized by creating a market so that payments are made in proportion to the provision of goods and services. It also says that there is much discussion of markets and direct payments for conservation among policy makers and these approaches are now well embedded in the policy process.