FrontierA C H I E V E M E N T S &

O P P O R T U N I T I E S

FOREWARD BY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR DAN WEAVER. . . . . . . . 1

PROJECT UPDATES AND LATEST ACHIEVEMENTS HERE. . . . . . . . . . . . 2

SEE A LIST OF OUR LATEST PUBLICATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS. . . . . 3

READ A VOLUNTEER’S ACCOUNT OF LIFE IN THE FIELD . . . . . . . . 6

ISSUE 3

SUMMER

2007

FOREWORD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR DAN WEAVER ON FRONTIER’S RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS

LEADING THE WAY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN 2007 Frontier was borne from a vision: community development & conservation reaching the world’s poorest communities and most threatened ecosystems. To do this, a highly efficient NGO capable of delivering sustainable, targeted solutions developed in partnership with most needy communities was required. Nearly twenty years on, we have exceeded our fundamental aspirations and are exploiting our position at the forefront of global conservation

and development to bring about lasting change.

Over the past year we have carried out highly successful projects in some of world’s most isolated regions, in areas inaccessible to many other organisations. Our newly implemented research projects in Fiji and Madagascar have already led the local government to adopt protec-tion strategies and our Conservation Internation-al-funded programme in Tanzania’s Eastern Arc Mountains continues to produce new species discoveries. Our Darwin Initiative-funded project in Nicaragua has terminated successfully, with our local partners assuming full control.

As usual our field staff teams have been work-ing incredibly hard in often challenging condi-tions. However, they have been tireless in their efforts and have achieved a staggering amount in the last year. We hope that their hard work continues to help conserve critically-endangered habitats and species, and improves the lives of

all stakeholders, both local and global.

In 2006 we co-published Jon Lovett’s ‘Field Guide to the Moist Forest Trees of Tanzania’ in collaboration with the Centre for Ecology, Law, & Policy, York University and the Critical Ecosys-tem Partnership Fund. This is the first field guide dedicated to the large tree species of the eastern arc and coastal forest biodiversity hotspot. A total of 658 tree species are contained in this volume, and it is available for purchase from Frontier’s London Headquarters, our Dar es Salaam (DES) Field office, the English Book Shop, DES, and the Natural History Book Store (www.nhbs.com).

We hope that this newsletter inspires you to join our fight to save the world’s most threat-ened species and ecosystems and fight poverty

STOCK TALK

DONOR FUNDED PROJECTS: SAVING MOST ENDANGERED SPECIES AND EXCEEDING OUR DONORS’ EXPECTATIONS

BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH AND AWARENESS IN THE LESSER-KNOWN EASTERN ARC MOUNTAINS (BREAM), TANZANIA

With the discovery of up to twenty animal species new to science, including the leaf-nosed gecko and large civet, numerous range extensions, and the prosecution of commercial loggers who logged in protected areas, the BREAM project is drawing to a successful close. Almost two years of Frontier research in the “Galapagos of Africa”—the Eastern Arc Mountains—an area that has the greatest number of unique plants and animals per square kilometre in the world—has vastly increased the international scientific community’s knowledge of this biodiversity hotspot. We visited four of the thirteen lesser-known mountain blocks: Mahenge, Nguru, Rubeho and Ukaguru and generated data sets that are being used by the government to protect vulnerable tracts of forest from encroaching poachers and loggers.

New species discoveries include amphibians, chameleons, a lizard and a snake. Notably, two possible new species of golden moles were found, each found on a different mountain. These

finds are especially fascinating as they should shed light on whether golden moles are part of the Tenrecomorpha or the Insectivora family, a fierce debate in the scientific community at the moment. New range extensions include the rare Usambara eagle owl and the even rarer Udzungwa/Rubeho forest partridge: this species is known from only a few specimens and is most closely related to partridges of Southeast Asia. This illustrates the ancient history of the Eastern Arcs, with forest cover dating back many millions of years. Another new record is Lowe’s servaline genet, a small cat-like carnivore which lives only in the Eastern Arc range.

We have also recorded the human disturbance

that threatens these fragile ecosystems. Logging, fire, cultivation and poaching are rife throughout the more accessible parts of these forest reserves and our studies have shown that weak governance is often complicit to misuse. This past year, we discovered our largest-ever find of 1700 illegally logged planks and were able to successfully prosecute the perpetrators.

Our community work in collaboration with WWF has empowered local people, providing assistance in implementing sustainable livelihoods and facilitating community management of forest reserves. Presentations to adults and environmental games with children ensure that Frontier’s visit is memorable.

In the course of carrying out this crucial work, our staff and volunteers have had plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with nature. Whether fostering juvenile bush-babies, fleeing from buffalo, carefully inspecting four-metre-long pythons, trying not to trip over deadly gaboon vipers, rescuing a juvenile Sykes monkey that fell out of a tree, being almost bowled over by bush-pigs, tiptoeing around forest elephants, being tailed by leopards on night walks and watching crowned eagles snatch hyrax from

MICROHYLIDAE - frogs• Callulina sp. Nov• Hoplophryne sp. Nov • Probreviceps sp. Nov

ERTILIONIDAE –evening or vesper bats• Eptesicus cf pusillus• Eptesicus sp

SORICIDAE - shrews• Crocidura spp • Sylvisorex sp

ANOMALURIDAE - scaly-tailed flying squirrels • Anomalurus sp

GEKKONIDAE - gecko • Cnemapsis sp. nov BUFONIDAE – true toads

• Nectophrynoides sp. nov 1 • Nectophrynoides sp. nov 2

HYPEROLIIDAE - a family of small to medium-sized frogs • Hyperolius sp. nov 1• Hyperolius sp. • Afrixalus sp. nov

CHAMAELEONIDAE - squamates that belong to the lizard family• Chamaeleo sp. nov

SCINCIDAE – skinks• Mabuya sp. (cf. striata or planifrons)

COLUBRIDAE – snakes• Xyelodentophis sp. nov

ACRAEIDAE - yellow castor butterfly• Acraea sp.

HESPERIIDAE – skippers butterfly• Celaenorrhinus sp.

SATYRIDAE - satyrs and wood-nymphs butterflies• Bicyclus sp.

LYCAENIDAE - Gossamer-winged butterflies• Azanus sp.

reaching a wide range of community members. To engage kids, school children from the village of Antisikala were invited to paint a mural which was later displayed in the centre of Diego Suarez.

The workshop series culminated with a large meeting held in Diego Suarez that was attended by local stakeholders, representatives from three NGOs and the Mayor of Diego Suarez. The information gained from the workshop series and the biodiversity surveys has enabled Frontier-Madagascar to write a daft management plan for the area. With this we hope to gain government support for a series of protected areas in the bay, a crucial step towards protecting the magnificent biodiversity of this area. This project began after SAGE identified that uncontrolled human spread along the coast is increasing pressure on the natural resources in the region. Baseline surveying over the last two years has corroborated this with water quality, visibility and biodiversity assessments. The provision of this information will allow authorities to implement a sustainable development plan to protect this diverse and beautiful marine ecosystem. The funding period from PADI Project Aware is coming to a close and the next stage of the project is to acquire official protection to the marine ecosystem, a great achievement to prevent further damage from increasing tourism and population growth.

PADI PROJECT AWARE, CAMBODIA

In 2006, Frontier-Cambodia received a key grant from PADI Project Aware to highlight the importance of protecting the country’s plant and animal life. To achieve this goal we produced

the rocks, Frontier teams are never short on excitement!

Work has been tough, with Frontier staff having to brave torrential rains, wading and swimming through neck-deep rivers and rapids, hacking through dense brambles and scrambling up steep slopes, but the rewards of seeing sights unseen before by Western eyes make it well worth it.

The BREAM project is an initiative of Frontier-Tanzania (a collaboration between the Society for Environmental Exploration and the University of Dar es Salaam) in partnership with WWF-Tanzania Program Office, and the Forestry and Beekeeping Division of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism; funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund.

MADAGASCAR: PADI PROJECT AWARE

Madagascar’s northernmost tip, the Baie de Diego, is a wonderland of lemurs, tiny chameleons, whistling parrots, and crickets that tinkle like wind chimes. The marine environment is even more spectacular, with mountains of brightly-coloured coral reef set in turquoise water, bright fish of every colour, sharks, rays, and whales.

The Frontier-Madagascar Marine Research Programme is working alongside the Institute of Marine Sciences (IHSM), University of Toliara, and SAGE (a Malagasy NGO) to implement biodiversity and socio-economic surveys in order to gain an understanding of this amazing ecosystem, its resources, and the human pressures upon it.

With a series of PADI Project Aware-funded workshops directed at local resource users, government officials and other NGOs, we aimed to analyse local attitudes towards conservation and the use of marine resources. The workshops were held in local communities and in nearby Diego Suarez (Antsiranana), and were aimed at

1: Olsson A, Emmett D, Henson D, & Fanning

E (2006) Activity patterns and abundance of microchiropteran bats at a cave roost in south-west Madagascar. The African Journal of Ecology 44 (3)

2: Lenane R & Starkie G (2007) Frontier, Anglo-Malagasy Society Newsletter No. 55

3: Bonnington C. (2007) Livestock and large wild mammals in the Kilombero Valley, in southern Tanzania, in the African Journal of Ecology (in publication)

4: Bonnington C. & Weaver D (2007) Some preliminary observations on the possible effect of elephant (Loxodonta africana) disturbance on butterfly assemblages of Kilombero Valley, Tanzania, in the African Journal of Ecology (in publication)

5: Frontier Tanzania (2006) Bonnington, C., Fanning, E., Howell, K. & Weaver, D.G. (eds) Conservation Studies in the Kilombero Valley, Southern Tanzania (March 2005- March 2006). Report 112. Frontier Tanzania Environmental Research. The Society for Environmental Exploration, UK, the University of Dar es Salaam and the Kilombero Valley Teak Company (pending publication)

6: Frontier-Madagascar. 2007. Markham, H., Brown, N., & Fanning, E. (eds.). Diego Suarez Ba. A Proposed Management Strategy Frontier-Madagascar Environmental Research, Society for Environmental Exploration, UK and Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines, Toliara (pending publication)

7: Frontier-Fiji, 2007. Brown LF, Fanning E, Veitayaki J & Weaver D (Eds), Report 1; Initial Assessment of the fringing reefs of Western Gau, Frontier-Fiji Environmental Research, Society for Environmental Exploration, UK, and International Ocean Institute – Pacific Islands, Suva (Frontier-Fiji’s first report: pending publication)

8: Markham H & Browne N (2007), Baseline Survey Protocol, Madagascar Symposium March 30-31 07

9: Markham H & Browne N (2007), Reef Status Protocol (RSP): A prognostic survey methodology, rapid yet comprehensive, Madagascar Symposium 30-31 March 07

Ne WPUBLICATIONS

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

FRONTIER VOLUNTEER PROJECTS: CHANGING THE WAY THAT WE TREAT OUR ENVIRONMENT, ONE VOLUNTEER AT A TIME

a poster in both English and Khmer to raise the awareness among local stakeholders in Ream National Park about the ways in which the park protects local livelihoods. The funding also allowed Frontier-Cambodia to produce an interactive butterfly poster (produced in Khmer, with English translations running alongside) that illustrates the wealth and beauty of this faunal group within Cambodia, and which doubles as a guide to the species which can be found, particularly in the south-west of the country. There are very few guides of the flora and fauna of Cambodia, and we hope that with further funding Frontier-Cambodia can produce similar materials to highlight the many threatened and beautiful species that are found in Cambodia.

OVER FIVE-FOLD INCREASE IN TURTLE HATCHLINGS SUCCESS, NICARAGUA

Being in Nicaragua’s Estero Padre Ramos is like stepping 500 years into the past. This remote estuary is alive with howler monkeys, jaguars, egrets and herons and lots of birds too fast or too small to identify. The mangroves are particularly fascinating and within their snarled roots and branches an unparalleled range of wildlife lives their quiet existences under the twin shadows of Volcán Cosigüina and Volcán San Cristobal. The landscape has a primeval look to it, but it is intensely alive in all respects. Frontier-Nicaragua is currently working in three prime reserves in this area, in partnership with a variety of NGOs and government bodies, including the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA) and SELVA and LIDER, two local NGOs.

Our most recent work has concentrated on the fascinating yet, sadly, critically- endangered

olive ridley, green and loggerhead turtle species, whose hatchling survival is seriously threatened from poachers and egg collectors working in these areas. The turtle conservation programme involved the establishment of turtle hatcheries within the parks and has provided a safe haven for hundreds of turtle hatchlings so far, which are measured and then released back into their natural environment. The hatchery has had an excellent success rate: 55 % compared to only 10% prior to our involvement.

Frontier-Nicaragua has also recently started to work in the Reserva Natural Miraflor, a cloud forest in western Nicaragua. The area is equally stunning and is home to the mantled howler monkey, ocelot and the white-eared hummingbird. During the last two phases of fieldwork we started a biodiversity survey of the park and it we hope that with continued investigation we’ll be able to determine the level of biodiversity within the park and assess the threat level of unsustainable resource extraction.

ELEPHANT POPULATION FRAGMENTATION IN THE KILOMBERO VALLEY

We have been conducting large mammal, bird and butterfly surveys in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania, working alongside the Kilombero Valley Teak Company (KVTC), since 2000. This project was established as a means of protecting elephant migration routes from the floodplains up to the hinterlands at the start of each wet season. The surveys have provided vital information on Tanzanian wildlife, enabling teak plantations to exist with minimal habitat disturbance.

Part of our work involved deploying satellite camps from the current base camp, Shamba Camp, which is close to Selous Game Reserve in the north of the valley. From these, surveys in teak plantations, miombo woodland and wildlife corridors recorded yellow baboon, water mongoose, elephant, hyena, buffalo and lion and leopard close to the camps. Elephant faeces were collected for analysis, to establish the degree of fragmentation of the Kilombero elephant

POTENTIAL NEW SUBSPECIMEN HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE 15-20% LARGER THAN ALL THE SPECIES PREVIOUSLY FOUND IN THE MONTAGNE DES FRANCAIS

Potential new Giant Gecko

Species FoundW E H AV E F O U N D A

B L A E S O D A C T Y L U S B O I V I N I G I A N T M O R P H I N A N E W

F O R E S T R E S E A R C H S I T E I N M A D A G A S C A R

population.

The work into 2007 will continue by surveying the biodiversity of indicator species of butterflies, birds and small mammals, and will expand research into vegetation structure and soil erosion. We will also be studying the effectiveness of macro-invertebrates as indicators of wildlife corridor viability.

Environmental education is an imperative part of the project, highlighting important environmental issues to local people and assessing the importance of different forest products to their livelihoods.

LOCAL FIJIAN COMMUNITIES ON BOARD TO PROTECT IMPORTANT MARINE RESOURCES

Fiji’s tropical islands are legendary for their spectacular diving, untouched white-sand beaches, and friendly locals. Sadly, increasing levels of tourism and inadequate government protection mean that this spectacular environment is in danger of irreparable damage. On the tiny South Pacific island of Gau, Frontier-Fiji is working in collaboration with the University of South Pacific through the International Oceanography Institute to help the local community to manage their precious resources.

Presently, there is only one marine reserve in Fiji, established 2004 in the Begu Lagoon – Shark Reef. This is owned by the local community, who agreed to relinquish traditional farming rights in exchange for tourist fees from individual visitors to the reserve. Although this is a great way to encourage local people to “buy in” to the protection of their environment, this scheme is highly dependent on the tourist dollar, an inconsistent source of income at best. Alternative approaches are therefore required. Gau’s Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMA) network is one that is currently in testing.

Gau’s LMMA network links the traditional village management of ocean resources with modern monitoring techniques and a community-driven design and implementation of a management scheme. This method follows the success of similar projects in the Philippines, now being duplicated further afield in South-East Asia.

On Gau, eighteen communities have at least one no-take zone, with an island council of elders and community leaders ensuring marine resource protection is adhered to. Pressure to re-open protected areas of more than two years for fishing is increasing, and no substantial research has been conducted into reef health, marine

resources, or current fishing practices. In addition, no education in marine biology, ecology (other than traditional knowledge) is locally available.

We’ve been given a unique opportunity to survey this magnificent region and our findings will be used to help the local community develop a management plan to control fishing activities in around Gau. Part of this will entail conducting training workshops to raise environmental awareness and investigate the needs of local people. This ensures that management policies reflect the needs of local people while giving our staff and volunteers a great insight into the local culture!

A preliminary report into the status of the marine habitat on the western side of the island is

currently being finalised and will be used to help the local communities to understand the effects that they are having on the marine environment and how it will impact their livelihoods. As there seems to be a definite link between agricultural practice and sediment levels within the marine environment, recommendations will be made to the local communities to help mitigate harmful

practices.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS TO STRENGTHEN CONSERVATION IN MADAGASCAR

In September 2006, after 18 months of Frontier-Madagascar research, the Montagne de Francais was finally given its protected area status by the Government of Madagascar. This is a great achievement for Frontier and it speaks to the high level of influence that we have been able to exert in the country. Over the next two years the boundaries of the protected area will be established and management plans will be written and implemented based on the data that Frontier-Madagascar’s Forest Research Programme (MGF) has collected.

The Madagascar Forest team has since relocated to an area north of Antisarana following our exciting discovery of large patches of primary

forest in an area known as Babaomby. This combined with a sandstone geology and

proximity to the coast has created a unique habitat matrix of sandstone-based dry,

deciduous forest, which so far has been protected from population growth and disturbance by its remoteness.

The work conducted in this area shows that our predictions were well founded, with many species range extensions and, possibly, new species

discoveries, including a large morph of a giant gecko. Frontier-Madagascar

is hoping to create sustainable resource use management plans for the area.

Recently, Madagascar-Forest established a base camp and conducted socio-economic surveys near the village of Ampombofofo to map resource use around the village and to gain an understanding of the community’s attitude towards resource use. This is also strengthening the relationship between Ampombofofo village and Frontier, and will help us to design an effective resource management plan for the area.

FACT: Frontier is the only organisation of our type able to offer internationally accredited qualifications, equivalent to A or AS-levels.

FRONTIER

50-52 RIVINGTON ST.LONDON EC2A 3QP

Editor & Designer: Sasha Ramirez-Hughes & Shireen Darabi. Photography: Frontier WWW.FRONTIER.AC.UK

DISPATCHES FROM THE FIELD

Bula vinaka! Well the first two weeks have been, how shall I put it, a little hectic. Where is the Fiji-time we were promised! They keep us busy but it’s been well worth it. Learning to dive is good, but learning in crystal blue warm waters is a different kettle of fish. And talking of fish, there’s plenty of those out here too. Big ones, small ones, some the size of a shed! The manta rays went on holiday last phase but some unconfirmed sightings has lead to hopes of their glorious re-turn. But the huge shoal of red snappers that live in front of our beach has had everyone dreaming of fish and cassava chips! We were dreading the lectures and things we had to learn, but when your classes are held underwater things be-come a little more fun. Our first fish nerds have made them-selves known and the coral geeks aren’t far behind.

Party nights have been, eventful, to say the least. No one warned us that Fiji boasts the most potent liquid known to man – the infamous Fijian Bounty Rum. Throw in some ge-nius fancy dress costumes (its amazing what you can do with a couple of coconuts) and you’ve got yourself a load of photos that can be used for bribery! Waking up to a glori-ous sunrise and knowing all you have to do is sunbathe and take the occasional dip in the pool-like sea certainly makes “Hangover Sunday” bearable to say the least.

LATEST SPECIAL OFFERS AND DISCOUNTS:

• up to 10% off all Frontier 10 week conservation expedi-tions departing October 2007

• Frontier Field Scholarships: up to 30% off selected expe-ditions

• New: dive train to divemaster with Frontier!

• School expedition discounts available

• Volunteers on our marine conservation expeditions re-ceive free dive training to PADI Advanced Open Water (a value of £475)

Terms and conditions apply