Masai Mara Flashcards
What country is the Masai Mara National Reserve (MMNR)?
southern kenya
How does the ecosystem throughout the MMNR change?
- primiarily savanah
- divided by the main Mara river
- fertile regions close to river are a combination of rich grasslands and woodlands
- further from the river are open plain with scattered shrubs and trees
What is the region famous for>??
- annual zebra and wildebeest migrations
- large range of mammals, e.g.
- black rhino
- buffalo
- elephants
- leopards
- lions
What happened in the past of the ecosystem? What is the effect of this? Wjat is being done to stop this.
- region was dominanted by the acacia bush
- provided habitat for tsete fly
- carrier of African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)
- to reduce the incidences of the disease governement workers and indigenous communitities have cleared major tracts of acacia over the last 50 years
- elephants, fire, and cattle grazing have further reduced the presence of acacia and other woody plants
How is farming done in the MMNR?
- traditionally, used by local tribes for livestock grazing
- practiced tradiation method of farming known as semi-nomadic farming
- tribes moved depending on climate variation, and the presence of tsetse flies
- this allowed vegatation time to recover from animal grazing whenever the farmers moved on to another area
- grazing is now limited to areas on the edge of the reserve
- local tribes are prevented from entering the park
- populations have grown in these margonal areas
- larger herds graze the grassland areas, and more trees are removed for fuel
- as vegetation is removed, the risk of soil erosion increases
How is cultivation done in the Masai Mara?
- level of cultivation has increased
- grassland converted to cropland
- natural vegetation removed
- nutrients used up
- this leads to reliance on fertilisers for effective crop growth
What is ecotourism
- tourism directed towards natural environments to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife
- type of sustainable development
- seeks to reduce impact of tourism has on naturally beautiful enviornment
- less invasive use of land
Why is ecotourism important in Masai Mara?
relies on ecotourism for income
What are the key principles of ecotourism?
- ensure tourism does not exploit natural environment or local communities
- consult and engage local communities on planned developments
- ensure that infrastricture improvements benefits local people as well as visitors
How does ecotourism -vely effect the environment?
- repeated use of hiking trail, or use of mechanised transport, may contribute to soil erosion and other habitat changes
WHat is the purpose of forming a nature reserve?
- conservation of endangered species
- most popular large mammals have experienced population declines
- beyond those expected from climate or natural variation
What is special about Black rhinos?
- one of the most endangered animals in Africa
- appear on the IUCN crituically endangered list
What causes the problem with the black rhino?
- despite the trade being illegal, rhino horn is in huge demand
- used for traditional medicine in south-east Asia
- people are lured into poaching by the vast sums of money offered to trade in this matterial
What happens to the number of black rhino between 1972 to 1982 in the Masai Mara?
- 100 in 1972 to a handful in 1982 due to illegal poaching
What was done to restore numbers of Black rhino?
- active conservation and protection programme established to encourage a balance between the needs of local communities and those of the wildlife
- included
- empoloyment of reserve rangers
- communication equipment
- vehicles
- and other necessary equipment and infrastructure
- these helped deter poachers and black rhino numbers increased significantly
