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African Republic (african + republic)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	71%
Humanities and Social Sciences	21%

Kinds of African Republic

central african republic

Selected Abstracts

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Aid Workers Forced Out

AFRICA RESEARCH BULLETIN: ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL SERIES, Issue 12 2010
Article first published online: 9 FEB 2010
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

Central African Republic: 2009 Budget

AFRICA RESEARCH BULLETIN: ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL SERIES, Issue 12 2009
Article first published online: 6 FEB 200
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

Acoustic estimation of wildlife abundance: methodology for vocal mammals in forested habitats

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
Mya E. Thompson
Abstract Habitat loss and hunting pressure threaten mammal populations worldwide, generating critical time constraints on trend assessment. This study introduces a new survey method that samples continuously and non-invasively over long time periods, obtaining estimates of abundance from vocalization rates. We present feasibility assessment methods for acoustic surveys and develop equations for estimating population size. As an illustration, we demonstrate the feasibility of acoustic surveys for African forest elephants (Loxodonta africana cyclotis). Visual surveys and vocalizations from a forest clearing in the Central African Republic were used to establish that low-frequency elephant calling rate is a useful index of elephant numbers (linear regression P < 0.001, radj.2 = 0.58). The effective sampling area was 3.22 km2 per acoustic sensor, a dramatic increase in coverage over dung survey transects. These results support the use of acoustic surveys for estimating elephant abundance over large remote areas and in diverse habitats, using a distributed network of acoustic sensors. The abundance estimation methods presented can be applied in surveys of any species for which an acoustic abundance index and detection function have been established. This acoustic survey technique provides an opportunity to improve management and conservation of many acoustically-active taxa whose populations are currently under-monitored. Résumé La perte d'habitat et la pression de la chasse menacent des populations de mammifères dans le monde entier, ce qui entraîne des contraintes de temps critiques pour l'évaluation des tendances. Cette étude présente une nouvelle méthode de recherche qui échantillonne sur de longues périodes de façon constante et non intrusive et qui permet d'obtenir des estimations d'abondance à partir des taux de vocalisation. Nous présentons les méthodes d'évaluation de la faisabilité d'études acoustiques et nous développons des équations pour estimer la taille des populations. Pour illustrer ceci, nous montrons la faisabilité d'études acoustiques chez les éléphants de forêts africains Loxodonta africana cyclotis. Nous avons utilisé des études visuelles et des vocalisations d'une clairière forestière de République Centrafricaine pour établir que le taux d'appel à basse fréquence des éléphants est un indice intéressant du nombre d'éléphants (régression linéaire P < 0,001, radj² = 0,58). La superficie d'échantillonnage effective était de 3,22 km² par senseur acoustique, ce qui est une augmentation spectaculaire par rapport à la couverture des transects d'études par comptage des crottes. Ces résultats appuient le recours aux études acoustiques pour estimer l'abondance des éléphants dans de vastes zones retirées et dans des habitats variés, en utilisant un réseau de senseurs acoustiques bien répartis. Les méthodes d'estimation de l'abondance présentées peuvent être appliquées à toute espèce pour laquelle on a établi un indice d'abondance acoustique et une fonction de détection. Cette technique d'étude acoustique donne la possibilité d'améliorer la gestion et la conservation de nombreux taxons actifs au point de vue acoustique et dont les populations sont actuellement trop peu suivies. [source]

A survey of the apes in the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, Central African Republic: a comparison between the census and survey methods of estimating the gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) nest group density

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2001
A. Blom
Abstract A survey of apes was carried out between October 1996 and May 1997 in the Dzanga sector of the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, Central African Republic (CAR), to estimate gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) densities. The density estimates were based on nest counts. The strip transect census and the line transect survey method (Standing Crop Nest Count) were used to estimate the gorilla nest group density. The strip transect has been most commonly used to date. It assumes that all nest groups within the width of the strip are detected, but as this assumption is easily violated in the dense tropical rain forest, the line transect survey was also used. In this method, only the nest groups on the transect line itself should be detected. This method proved to be an adequate and easy technique for estimating animal densities in dense vegetation. The gorilla density of 1.6 individuals km,2 (line transect survey method) found for the Dzanga sector is one of the highest densities ever reported in the literature for the Western lowland gorilla. The density estimate for chimpanzees was 0.16 individuals km,2 (census method). The results of this study confirm the importance of the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park for primate conservation. Résumé Entre octobre 1996 et mai 1997, on a étudié les grands singes du secteur de Dzanga dans le Parc National de Dzanga-Ndoki, en République Centrafricaine (RCA), pour évaluer les densités de gorilles (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) et de chimpanzés (Pan troglodytes). Les estimations de densité se basaient sur le comptage des nids. On a utilisé le recensement par bande transect et la méthode de contrôle par transect linéaire (comptage réel des nids) pour estimer la densité des groupes de nids de gorilles. C'est la bande transect qui est la plus communément utilisée à ce jour. Cela suppose que l'on détecte tous les groupes de nids inclus dans la largeur de la bande, mais comme cette supposition est facilement mise en défaut dans la forêt tropicale humide dense, on a aussi utilisé la méthode des transects en ligne. Avec cette méthode, seuls les groupes de nids qui sont sur la ligne de transect doivent être détectés. Cette méthode s'est révélée une technique adéquate et facile pour estimer les densités animales dans la végétation dense. La densité des gorilles (1,6 individus / km2) relevée pour le secteur de Dzanga est une des plus élevées jamais reportées dans la littérature pour le Gorille de plaine occidental. On a estimé la densité des chimpanzés à 0,16 individus / km2 (par la méthode de recensement). Les résultats de cette étude confirment l'importance du Parc National de Dzanga-Ndoki pour la conservation des primates. [source]

HIV epidemic in central african republic: High prevalence rates in both rural and urban areas

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 3 2004
Marcelle Diane Matsika-Claquin
Abstract A sentinel serosurveillance study was conducted in Central African Republic to estimate the prevalence of HIV seropositivity in the general adult population in each province so that the public health authorities can target HIV prevention programmes to the priority areas. Blood samples were collected from women attending 48 antenatal clinics in urban and rural areas of the Central African Republic. These samples were tested for HIV antibodies in an anonymous and unlinked manner using strategy II recommended by WHO. The data were extrapolated to all women of reproductive age in Central African Republic by use of a parity-based adjustment involving the application of correction factors to the observed prevalence rates. A total of 9,305 pregnant women were recruited from November 2001 to October 2002. HIV seroprevalence was high in all age groups (12% in the less than 20 year age group to 17% in the 25,29 year age group). The median prevalence of HIV in antenatal clinics was similar for rural areas, for Bangui and for other urban areas (16.5, 15.0, and 12.5% respectively). Adjustment for parity and fertility pattern increased the prevalence of HIV in all antenatal clinics except in Bangui. This first national study of HIV prevalence in Central African Republic revealed that the HIV epidemic is continuing to spread in both urban and rural areas. Thus, efforts to reduce transmission should be made in every part of the country. J. Med. Virol. 72:358,362, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Rising African cassava production, diseases due to high cyanide intake and control measures

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 12 2008
Dulce Nhassico
Abstract Cassava is the staple food of tropical Africa and its production, averaged over 24 countries, has increased more than threefold from 1980 to 2005, and the population has more than doubled over that time compared with a 1.5 times increase worldwide. Agriculturally, cassava performs very well but the roots and leaves contain cyanogenic glucosides that are dangerous to human health. These cyanogens sometimes produce acute intoxication leading to death, they exacerbate goitre and cretinism in iodine-deficient regions, cause konzo and are implicated in the occurrence of tropical ataxic neuropathy and stunting of children. Konzo is an irreversible paralysis of the legs with many thousands of cases, mainly amongst children, in Mozambique, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Central African Republic and probably other tropical African countries. Attempts to alleviate cassava cyanide toxicity have included the development of an information network and distribution in developing countries of picrate kits, which measure total cyanide in cassava and urinary thiocyanate. A simple wetting method that reduces total cyanide in cassava flour three- to sixfold has been successfully field tested and is being introduced in Mozambique. Transgenic technology shows promise in increasing the rate of loss of cyanide from roots during processing. World health and agricultural bodies should pay more attention to emerging health problems associated with toxicity of cyanogens in cassava. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source]

Biological and Cultural Anthropology of a Changing Tropical Forest: A Fruitful Collaboration across Subfields

AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST, Issue 2 2006
REBECCA HARDIN
In this article, we integrate approaches from biological and cultural anthropology to describe changing relationships between humans and animals in the Dzanga-Ndoki Park and Dzanga-Sangha Dense Forest Reserve (RDS), Central African Republic (CAR). Recent decades have seen a rapid proliferation of human activities, with striking tensions between logging and conservation economies. Our data suggest that certain animals and humans initially adapted successfully to these forest uses, and that local residents have crafted culturally rich new ways of living in the forest. However, our longitudinal data indicate animal declines and expanding frontiers of increasingly intensive human use. These trends are altering previous territorial arrangements and coming to undermine today's remarkably rich spectrum of human,animal encounters there. Our combined approach offers an alternative to increasingly distinct method and theory between anthropology's subfields. We sketch a research agenda for integrated anthropological attention to environmental change, especially to transformations in human,animal interactions and entanglements. [source]

Variation at 10 protein coding loci in the mbenzele pygmies from the central african republic and a comparison with microsatellite data

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2002
Valentina Coia
Ten protein coding loci (6-PGD, A1-AT, ACP1, CaII, ESD, GC, GPX1, Hb,, PGM1, and TF) were analyzed in the Mbenzele Pygmies from the Central African Republic. The frequency data were used to calculate the genetic distances between Mbenzele Pygmies and other African groups. In the principal coordinate plot of FST genetic distances, the Mbenzele cluster together with other Pygmies of the western cluster, the Biaka from C.A.R., Gielli from Cameroon, and Babinga from Congo. By contrast, they are considerably distanced from other Pygmy groups of the eastern cluster (Twa from Rwanda, Mbuti from Zaire). Genetic distances obtained using protein loci were compared with those based on microsatellite loci. The two distance matrices are insignificantly correlated (r = 0.268; one tail probability = 0.332), and the main difference is in the higher genetic affinity between the Mbenzele and Biaka Pygmies observed at the protein level. Although reasons underlying the discrepancy between inter-populational variation at protein and DNA loci are not established with certainty, the comparison suggests that the genetic distance between the Mbenzele and Biaka Pygmies at microsatellite loci could have been shaped by genetic drift. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 14:9,14, 2002.© 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Behavioral responses of one western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) group at Bai Hokou, Central African Republic, to tourists, researchers and trackers

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 10 2010
Michelle Klailova
Abstract Gorilla tourism, widely perceived as a lucrative industry, is propelled by strong market demand with programs in five countries and for three of four gorilla subspecies. Human presence may negatively affect wild gorillas, potentially lowering immunity and increasing the likelihood of acquiring human-borne disease. Yet, behavioral impacts of humans on wild gorilla behavior remain largely unexplored, particularly for western lowland gorillas. We evaluate the impact of tourist presence, human observer numbers (tourists, trackers, and researchers), and human observer distance on the behavior of one habituated gorilla group at Bai Hokou, Central African Republic. Behavioral data were collected for more than 12 months from January 2007. Of silverback aggressive events, 39% (N=229) were human directed, but 65% were low-level soft barks. Adult females, and one in particular, were responsible for the highest number of aggressive events toward humans. Humans maintained closer proximity to the silverback when tourists were present, although tourist numbers had no significant impact on overall group activity budgets or rates of human-directed aggression. However, as research team size increased, group feeding rates decreased. Close observer,silverback distance correlated with a decrease in his feeding rates and an increase in human monitoring. He directed less aggression toward observers at distances >10,m, although observers spent 48.5% of time between 6 and 10,m of the silverback. We discuss gorilla personality as a factor in human-directed aggression. We explore whether the current 7,m distance limit governing gorilla tourism, based on disease transmission risks, is sufficient considering the potential behavioral stressor of close human presence. We recommend increasing minimum observation distance to >10,m where possible, decreasing observer group sizes, particularly after a visit consisting of maximum numbers and restricting tourist access to 1 visit/day. Am. J. Primatol. 72:897,906, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) change their activity patterns in response to frugivory

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
Shelly Masi
Abstract The most important environmental factor explaining interspecies variation in ecology and sociality of the great apes is likely to be variation in resource availability. Relatively little is known about the activity patterns of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), which inhabit a dramatically different environment from the well-studied mountain gorillas (G. beringei beringei). This study aims to provide a detailed quantification of western lowland gorillas' activity budgets using direct observations on one habituated group in Bai Hokou, Central African Republic. We examined how activity patterns of both sexes are shaped by seasonal frugivory. Activity was recorded with 5-min instantaneous sampling between December 2004 and December 2005. During the high-frugivory period the gorillas spent less time feeding and more time traveling than during the low-frugivory period. The silverback spent less time feeding but more time resting than both females and immatures, which likely results from a combination of social and physiological factors. When compared with mountain gorillas, western lowland gorillas spend more time feeding (67 vs. 55%) and traveling (12 vs. 6.5%), but less time resting (21 vs. 34%) and engaging in social/other activities (0.5 vs. 3.6%). This disparity in activity budgets of western lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas may be explained by the more frugivorous diet and the greater dispersion of food resources experienced by western lowland gorillas. Like other apes, western lowland gorillas change their activity patterns in response to changes in the diet. Am. J. Primatol. 71:91,100, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]