Camera trapping is complementary to the primate programme and a core component of our monitoring work, allowing us to study ground-dwelling mammals across the landscape.
This effort was launched in 2009, when UEMC became the first African site of the Tropical Ecology, Assessment, and Monitoring (TEAM) Network, a pan-tropical programme designed to track long-term biodiversity changes across species, communities, and ecosystems, and to provide an early warning system for tropical forests worldwide. Initially coordinated and funded by Conservation International, TEAM shifted to a decentralized, voluntary network in 2017, and since then the Research and Monitoring department has continued to secure the necessary resources to maintain ongoing monitoring.
This long-term effort provides one of the most consistent and valuable datasets on wildlife populations in the region. By capturing thousands of images across different habitats, we gain insights into species presence, abundance, and behavior.
The data reveal clear patterns: wildlife populations tend to be larger and healthier in well-protected areas, while regions facing greater human pressure show reduced diversity and abundance. Populations are also influenced by forest extent. These results reinforce the significance of MACCO and partners’ approach to landscape-level conservation, as exemplified by the Udzungwa Landscape Strategy.
Together, these monitoring programmes generate critical knowledge, guiding conservation strategies and ensuring that actions are grounded in strong scientific evidence.