Ali Kodi Tirba
National Ribat University, Sudan
Title: Monitoring wetland biodiversity in central Sudan with emphasis on the black crowned crane (Balearica pavonina) in central Sudan
Biography
Biography: Ali Kodi Tirba
Abstract
Sudan is characterized by various types of natural habitats. Among those the most important habitats are the wetlands, represented mainly by the Nile, its tributaries, inland lakes, seasonal rivers, red sea waters and the network of the irrigation canals in agricultural schemes. Wetland in the Sudan contributes profoundly to the national economy and support life for the local inhabitants. The main objectives of this study are to monitor wetland biodiversity in central Sudan with emphasis on the Black Crowned Crane using remote sensing and GIS. The two techniques are used because of their effectiveness in the coverage of large inaccessible areas easily, beside the possibility for detecting changes by comparing images at different times. Classification of wetlands, detection of ecological changes and economic and social valuation were obtained by the analysis of satellite images coupled by ground surveys. The study revealed remarkable changes in some ecological parameters, mainly, the rainfall, woody and herbaceous plant cover, cultivation and bare areas and the rangelands, beside steady decline in crane population. It concluded that, those ecological changes contributed to the deterioration of the wetlands and shrinkage of the crane geographic range in the Sudan. The study recommended that wetlands in central Sudan need to be rehabilitated and sustainably utilized for the welfare of the local inhabitants and conservation of the wetland and the crane.