Nilo as a field site

The research gap

Amani, the neighbouring reserve, has a long research history and continuing scientific presence. Nilo, the second largest forest block of the East Usambaras, has almost none. The most recent comprehensive biodiversity survey we are aware of dates from 2002, by Frontier Tanzania. Since then, records for the reserve have not been systematically updated.

For a student that means two things. Baseline work of almost any kind is new, and can be published. And the comparison with Amani, a few kilometres away, gives every project a reference.

Possible topics

• Boundary monitoring design and the first years of incident data (conservation science, forestry).
• Bird, herpetofauna and mammal baselines; presence of East Usambara endemics at Nilo (see fauna).
• Saintpaulia populations, camphorwood regeneration, elevational zonation (see flora).
• Catchment hydrology and erosion on cleared edges (see geology).
• Drivers of logging, snaring and encroachment in the 17 surrounding villages (see threats).
• Village forest monitors: recruitment, reporting routines, motivation (see approach).

Infrastructure

• The Annex of the Nilo Forest Lodge at the reserve boundary: a separate 15 m² building with its own terrace, three meals a day, electricity with solar backup, mobile broadband around 20 Mbps, laundry.
• Saidi, local guide and site manager, as daily field partner. Swahili and basic English.
• 4×4 transport to Muheza by arrangement. Nearest medical care in Muheza.
• Direct access to the reserve boundary on foot; access to the reserve with the research permit.
• One or two participants at a time. Supervisors and small groups can stay in the main building.

Data policy

Data belong to the student for academic use. Friends of Nilo Forest receives a copy so that the next participant can build on it and so that the association can use it for the protection of the reserve, in coordination with the Tanzania Forest Service. Publication rights rest with the student and the institution; we ask to be named as the host.

Permits

Research in Tanzania requires a permit from COSTECH, the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology, and work inside the reserve requires clearance from the Tanzania Forest Service, which charges a daily research fee. The student applies with a short project description and a letter from the institution. We provide the site description and the local contacts.