Title
Effectiveness of the Mitigation Hierarchy, Looking at Restoration: A Case of Oil and Gas Development in Murchison Falls National Park
Author(s)
Nangendo, Grace;Ayebare, Samuel;Kirunda, Ben;Nsubuga, Peter;Dhabasadha, Moses;Justine, Namara;Kyasiimire, Beatrice;Nampindo, Simon
Published
Preprint
Publisher
Research Gate
Abstract
The mitigation hierarchy is based on four key actions (Avoid, Minimize, Restore, and Offset) and seeks to limit the negative direct and indirect impacts of developmental projects on biodiversity. We assessed the application of the mitigation hierarchy (Minimization and Restoration) as applied in the development of oil and gas fields in Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP) during the exploration and appraisal phases, and for the planned production phase. Although many studies have been carried out to provide more detailed information on the existing species, their preferred habitats, and their behavioral characteristics in presence of oil and gas development related disturbances), no studies have been carried out to understand the species composition recovery levels of areas impacted by the exploration and appraisal stages in MFNP and, to identify potential additional tourism routes in case the current routes become inaccessible, especially, during the peak period of the development stage. The study, aimed to address gaps through testing a mitigation model that would support the incorporation of biodiversityfriendly management practices into the activities and management practices of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the private sector practices in Murchison Falls National Park. We used aerial survey data for large mammals collected in 2005, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016 collected by UWA to map congregations of critical habitat priority species (Uganda Kob, Jackson’s hartebeest, Rothschild giraffe, Elephant) and congregations of other species as proxy for tourism potential. The species recovery levels observed show that the vegetation has potential to recover after disturbance. Species composition recovery, however, remains not well understood.
Keywords
Mitigation Hierarchy;Habitat disturbance;Restoration
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PUB26369