2.1.3. Data Collection
2.1.3.1. Data collection on the transect
Along the transect collecting these types of data was
performed on regular segments of 500 m between 0 and 500 m, 1000 and 1500 m,
2000 and 2500 m, 3000 and 3500 m, 4000 and 4500 m, 5000 and 5500 and late 6000
and 6500 m.
On each segment, sub-segments of 50 m were also taken to serve as
data collection units (Gentry 1982a).
The actual qualitative and quantitative data collection on
flora has been made in moving along the transect line. Any woody stem met at 1m
on each side of the base line and having a circumference greater than or equal
to 10 cm or DBH higher or equal to 2.5 cm was identified, measured, tagged and
recorded on a data sheet.
The data sheet has been properly filled in recording the
following information: date, segment
number, distance on the transect, GPS point (altitude,
latitude, longitude), topography, habitat type, canopy, undergrowth, species
name , vernacular name of the species in local language (Kinyabwisha), family,
individual height, circumference at the height of 1.30 m above the ground,
consumed or not by the gorilla, plant item consumed, phenology status of the
tagged individual tree or shrub and personal observations.
For species difficult to identify directly on the transect,
the vernacular name was given if known or assigned an herbarium number for
further identification using different flora or by comparison with specimens
kept at the herbarium.
Figure 3. Reference label on a trunk of a tree in the
transect
Each identified tree or shrub was tagged using a plastic number
(Figure 2) for long term monitoring of the individual.
Figure 4. Painting the trunk in red at DBH level.
One way to ensure future monitoring of the dynamic growth of
the species on the transect was to place a strip of red paint on the trunk at
1.3 m corresponding to the height where the measurement of DBH was performed
(Figure3).
The GPS coordinates collected at each 50 m apart on the
transect line were completed by recording data on vegetation type, dominant
species of tree layer, shrub and herbaceous. We also collected wildlife and
human activities data along the transectA form designed to collect these data
types was completed each time animal sign or human activity was encountered.
The animal signs recorded were: dung, shouting, footprint,
track or trail, nest, razing and other. As for signs of human activities, we
noted cutting wood, trails, traps, abandoned objects, camp fire, cutting and
others.
Each sign registered was georeferenced using GPS. Additional
information was completed on the data sheet every time a sign was encountered.
This includes the date, distance on the transect, the observer name,
observation time, type of observation, as the case may be a case of animal or
human activity, species name to which the animal belongs for the case of animal
observation, type of sign, age, status, type of habitat of the place where the
sign was discovered, the canopy of vegetation, the undergrowth condition and
personal comments.
Biodiversity survey of Mwaro corridor, Altitudinal
distribution of the vegetation and assessment of Gorilla food
availability
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