Comments on: Land of the Balengola between the Lomami and the Lualaba http://www.bonoboincongo.com/2007/12/01/land-of-the-balengola-between-the-lomami-and-the-lualaba/ Field notes from Dr Terese Hart Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:00:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: John http://www.bonoboincongo.com/2007/12/01/land-of-the-balengola-between-the-lomami-and-the-lualaba/comment-page-1/#comment-257 John Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:53:14 +0000 http://lomami.wildlifedirect.org/2007/12/01/land-of-the-balengola-between-the-lomami-and-the-lualaba/#comment-257 further comments on wildlife scarcity in the Lengola forest: Much of the Ruiki watershed is based on bleached white sands. The streams here run "black" actually the color of well steeped tea. This is due to the high content of leached tannins from the foliage. Overall these are all indicators of a basic ecology that is adapted to low soil productivity. The plants here are "protected" from herbivores by tannins and other secondary compounds...Overall a hard place to make a living--whether you are a bonobo or human...So the low wildlife densities are underlain by an overall low ecological potential. further comments on wildlife scarcity in the Lengola forest: Much of the Ruiki watershed is based on bleached white sands. The streams here run “black” actually the color of well steeped tea. This is due to the high content of leached tannins from the foliage. Overall these are all indicators of a basic ecology that is adapted to low soil productivity. The plants here are “protected” from herbivores by tannins and other secondary compounds…Overall a hard place to make a living–whether you are a bonobo or human…So the low wildlife densities are underlain by an overall low ecological potential.

]]> By: Paula http://www.bonoboincongo.com/2007/12/01/land-of-the-balengola-between-the-lomami-and-the-lualaba/comment-page-1/#comment-254 Paula Sun, 02 Dec 2007 08:25:46 +0000 http://lomami.wildlifedirect.org/2007/12/01/land-of-the-balengola-between-the-lomami-and-the-lualaba/#comment-254 Great post, keep us updated this is fascinating Great post, keep us updated this is fascinating

]]> By: Terese Hart http://www.bonoboincongo.com/2007/12/01/land-of-the-balengola-between-the-lomami-and-the-lualaba/comment-page-1/#comment-255 Terese Hart Sun, 02 Dec 2007 07:25:48 +0000 http://lomami.wildlifedirect.org/2007/12/01/land-of-the-balengola-between-the-lomami-and-the-lualaba/#comment-255 This is the northeast, so the part of the landscape nearest to big towns. It is actually between Ubundu, Opala and Kisangani. Because of that it was certainly hit hard by the bushmeat trade before it ever got as far south as Obenge. The bushmeat trade out of Obenge is still supplying Opala and Kisangani although they are much farther away. On the otherhand, there are very few permanent residents and important pockets of seemingly undisturbed forest in the Balengola forest -- protected by swamp(??) So I am very eager to hear what John finds out --- and (of course) really keen to know about this "giant" chimp ! This is the northeast, so the part of the landscape nearest to big towns. It is actually between Ubundu, Opala and Kisangani. Because of that it was certainly hit hard by the bushmeat trade before it ever got as far south as Obenge. The bushmeat trade out of Obenge is still supplying Opala and Kisangani although they are much farther away. On the otherhand, there are very few permanent residents and important pockets of seemingly undisturbed forest in the Balengola forest — protected by swamp(??) So I am very eager to hear what John finds out — and (of course) really keen to know about this “giant” chimp !

]]> By: Lisa, California http://www.bonoboincongo.com/2007/12/01/land-of-the-balengola-between-the-lomami-and-the-lualaba/comment-page-1/#comment-256 Lisa, California Sun, 02 Dec 2007 01:49:29 +0000 http://lomami.wildlifedirect.org/2007/12/01/land-of-the-balengola-between-the-lomami-and-the-lualaba/#comment-256 Very interesting post. It's a beautiful place. I hope you find some wildlife, especially the "giant" chimpanzee. Lisa Very interesting post. It’s a beautiful place. I hope you find some wildlife, especially the “giant” chimpanzee. Lisa

]]> By: sheryl, washington dc http://www.bonoboincongo.com/2007/12/01/land-of-the-balengola-between-the-lomami-and-the-lualaba/comment-page-1/#comment-253 sheryl, washington dc Sat, 01 Dec 2007 23:13:28 +0000 http://lomami.wildlifedirect.org/2007/12/01/land-of-the-balengola-between-the-lomami-and-the-lualaba/#comment-253 I imagine there are many reasons for the lack of wildlife, but what do you think is the overwhelming reason? The chief seems like a pretty cool guy. s. I imagine there are many reasons for the lack of wildlife, but what do you think is the overwhelming reason? The chief seems like a pretty cool guy.

s.

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