Degradation of Biodiversity at Dinder National park - Sudan

Abstract

Biodiversity degradation due to unsustainable use of natural resources in Dinder National Park is now a big problem. Objectives of this study are to evaluate the factors that cause biodiversity degradation and to adopt mitigation measures. Secondary data was collected from: annual reports from Wild Life Research Center and Wildlife Conservation General Administration; M.Sc. and PhD theses from various institutions, particularly the Wildlife Research Center, University of Bahri, and Sudan University of Science and Technology; Published Work. Data collection startedfrom December-January 2016/2017 until May 2017. Data was analyzed and interpreted to attain the objectives of the study The findings were that the park comprises three ecosystems: Mayas, Dehra and Riverine. Each ecosystem has its own characteristic trees and shrubs species though the abundance of these vary in each ecosystem. The Mayas are mostly wet during the dry season, and densely covered with low-growing herbaceous vegetation. The small mammals are not randomly distributed in the ecosystems. Some large mammals like Soemmering’s gazelle, (Gazella soemmeringii), tiang, tora hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus tora) and Giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis) are exterminated in the park. Factors affecting biodiversity degradation are poaching, wild fires, tree felling, fishing and livestock trespassing into the park.