By Victor N. Mose, PhD, ACC/ACP, Nairobi, Kenya.

From Amazon Rainforest to East African Savannas

The MOSAIC field mission to the Amazon region, following a previous mission to East Africa in September, took place from October 19 to November 5, 2024. The mission covered key sites in the tri-border area between Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, as well as the Brazil–French Guiana border near Oiapoque in the state of Amapá. With representation from over 15 institutions, participants included researchers, medical doctors, computer scientists, project managers, and others. Although it was considered the dry season, we experienced several rainy days, and the Amazon River was a breathtaking sight, especially for first-time visitors from East Africa.

Working with local communities

Just as in the Amboseli ecosystem in East Africa, the Amazon region also sees extensive community involvement in research projects, particularly with indigenous communities. In the Amazon, local groups are deeply engaged in health initiatives such as indigenous mid-wife support and addressing diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and dengue. Our mission began with a presentation to stakeholders, including government representatives and educational institutions, held in Leticia, Colombia. Stakeholders presented their work at the National University of Colombia, which has a fully functioning Faculty of Indigenous Studies. Here, local Ticuna people not only participate actively in these projects but also pursue graduate studies to better understand and support their communities. This is similar to the engagement seen in East Africa, where local Maasai communities are involved in both research and development efforts that address local issues.
An hour-long boat ride along the Amazon River, the primary mode of transportation in the Amazonas region, took participants to Amacayacu National Natural Park along the river. There, park staff engage in conservation and ecological monitoring using tools like SMART. Local communities are permitted to use forest resources sustainably, with regulations in place for certain activities to ensure responsible use. One significant collaborative focus is joint data analysis and the development of a unified database to consolidate the dispersed data collected within the Amazonian Park. The data integration system in the Amboseli analysis lab could serve as a model for this effort in the Amazon, and this was agreed upon during the visit. Notably, an island formed from Amazon River silting about ten years ago, which the locals have yet to name.


The Amazon River’s dry season, as marked by local ecological calendars, the retreating waters reveal a hidden world of biodiversity, leaving much to the imagination.

After another 40-minute boat ride, participants arrived at Puerto Nariño, a dolphin conservancy, tourism, and education centre managed by the local community. Here, locals are involved in reforestation efforts, not only planting trees but also nurturing them to maturity. At the Omacha Amazon Conservation Centre, data is available on tree growth, dolphin populations, and the general environment, alongside several publications on the region’s ecological status. The Amboseli program similarly publishes regular environmental reports on the health of the Amboseli ecosystem.


Victor Mose receives a publication from officials at the Omacha Amazon Conservation Centre. These regular publications, sometimes available in local languages, have proven effective in supporting local decision-making and actions. The Amboseli Conservation Program at the African Conservation Centre also publishes regular bulletins for local community use. During various boat rides along the Amazon and Oyapock rivers, we spotted diverse wildlife, including dolphins, monkeys, sloths, several bird species, and iguanas in the protected forests.

In the border town of Oiapoque, a 12-hour bus ride from Macapá, local Wayãpi indigenous communities are integrated into the health support system. Many cross into French Guiana to receive specialized healthcare services provided by the French government at the Saint-Georges Health Center, which is supported by Cayenne Hospital. Challenges in registering individuals accessing these services are common, much like those faced by cross-border communities such as the Maasai along the Kenya-Tanzania border. Recently, there has been a rise in lifestyle-related diseases among indigenous communities, along with some cases of sexually transmitted infections. However, HIV prevalence remains notably low within these communities.


A retired local volunteer doctor explains the importance of nutrition and wellbeing to community members during a breast cancer awareness event at a clinic in Oiapoque town in Brazil.

 


Local Ticuna midwives participate in the field mission meeting in Brazil, where efforts are underway to integrate them into the national healthcare system.

Near Realtime dashboards on data transmission and analysis

The Laboratory de Fronteira in the border town of Tabatinga, located between Brazil and Colombia, has implemented a dashboard system for monitoring respiratory viruses, helping to identify and track the spread of diseases like influenza and others. This surveillance allows health officials to determine which virus variants are circulating, enabling them to take appropriate actions to treat patients and prevent further transmission. This monitoring process supports informed decision-making and the development of health strategies to safeguard the local population.


A screen shot of the online surveillance system by the cross-boarder laboratory in Tabatinga

With support from the MOSAIC project, the Amboseli Conservation Program (ACP) and the African Conservation Centre are developing a similar dashboard for Kajiado County, in southern Kenya. This system will track various disease indicators for livestock and wildlife, monitor land degradation, and assess crop and grass suitability. The ACP has developed a data visualization tool to analyse long-term data collected from the Amboseli ecosystem. This tool provides near real-time information on environmental conditions by synthesizing satellite data, along with data on livestock and wildlife body condition, milk yields, livestock market prices, rainfall, and other key variables. These insights are crucial for local decision-making by herders and other stakeholders.
(https://amboseliprogram.org/)


Victor Mose, Paulo Peiter, and Lucy Waruingi present the MOSAIC milestones. Plans to use artificial intelligence to assist with translations during such meetings are underway.

Looking Ahead

Realtime interactive dashboards, supported by the MOSAIC project, are being developed by the Amboseli Conservation Program (ACP) and the African Conservation Centre for Kajiado County in southern Kenya. These dashboards will track disease indicators for livestock and wildlife, monitor land degradation, and assess the suitability of crops and grasslands. The field mission in the Amazon region was highly informative, with several parallels drawn to East Africa. The Amazon ecosystem is under threat and must remain intact, as opening it up to uses like livestock farming contrasts with the situation in East Africa, where rangelands must stay open to sustain biodiversity.
As for the MOSAIC project, the multisite approach to implementation is both interesting and complex. The Amazon group has made significant progress in engaging stakeholders, particularly in the public health sector. Communities are well-integrated into health provider programs, and information is documented for potential analysis.

However, there is limited focus on ecological monitoring, an area where MOSAIC East Africa has excelled. Efforts are ongoing to upgrade the health database in East Africa, with plans to collaborate with local stakeholders to incorporate their expertise in health data analysis and presentation. A partnership with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology is in development to expand the secondary health data collected by the MOSAIC East African team. The MOSAIC Amazon team will leverage the ecological methodologies used in East Africa to conduct sample ecological monitoring and questionnaire surveys.

The next steps for the MOSAIC project include identifying individual “One Health” indicators and designing a composite indicator. This may prove challenging, as there is no single “One Health” approach—it’s a collection of diverse health indicators, even among indigenous communities, as observed in both the Amazon and East Africa. Mathematical models can help integrate these concepts and analyze the deficiencies in applying a “One Health” approach to overall well-being.

Some photos:


Brazilian beef steak, or picanha, is a must-try dish, typically served with roasted cassava and a chilled drink for a truly authentic experience. We enjoyed this delicious meal after touring a military museum on a base along the banks of the Oyapock River. Other popular fish dishes include the pirarucu, a symbol of the wild Amazon.

Crossing from Brazil to French Guiana by boat is simpler than using the bridge above, which also serves as the international controlled border.

The East African delegation at the mission visited the upcoming hydroelectric power plant, which will supply electricity to towns on both sides of the French Guiana-Brazil border. The indigenous community expressed a strong desire for greater involvement in large-scale projects. Some members raised concerns about reduced water levels in certain parts of Oyapock river, which have exposed rocks and hindered boat navigation—a primary means of transportation in the area.

Before embarking on a 12-hour road journey from Macapá to the border town of Oiapoque, mission participants take a well-deserved break in Berlem, savoring some quiet downtime.

Participatory community games are proving to be a valuable tool for engaging stakeholders in both the Amazon region and the East African savannas. 

During a visit to the Amazon jungle, the thrill of spotting a live anaconda eluded us. But, at the Amazonian Scientific Research Institute SINCHI, we did get an up-close look at a preserved baby anaconda—our brush with the jungle’s legendary serpent, even if frozen in time.

With the scorching heat soaring above 35°C and humidity lingering over 60%, our mission driver had to keep things running smoothly, ensuring the vehicle was ready to roll and that we stayed well-hydrated.

By Victor N. Mose

ACP, ACC, and NAU launched a NASA-funded One Health survey using GEDI and local monitoring for ecosystem health.

By David Western, Victor N. Mose, David Maitumo, Immaculate Ombongi, Sakimba Kimiti, Winfridah Kemunto, Samuel Lekanaiya, Paul Kasaine and Sunte Kimiti

The heavy prolonged El Niño rains boosted pastures across the Amboseli ecosystem

By David Western, Immaculate Ombongi and Victor N. Mose

Our study traces the transition from traditional livestock practices based on seasonal migrations to permanent

From Amazon Rainforest to East African Savannas

Authored by : Victor N. Mose, PhD, ACC/ACP, Nairobi, Kenya.
Posted on November 17, 2024

From Amazon Rainforest to East African Savannas

The MOSAIC field mission to the Amazon region, following a previous mission to East Africa in September, took place from October 19 to November 5, 2024. The mission covered key sites in the tri-border area between Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, as well as the Brazil–French Guiana border near Oiapoque in the state of Amapá. With representation from over 15 institutions, participants included researchers, medical doctors, computer scientists, project managers, and others. Although it was considered the dry season, we experienced several rainy days, and the Amazon River was a breathtaking sight, especially for first-time visitors from East Africa.

Working with local communities

Just as in the Amboseli ecosystem in East Africa, the Amazon region also sees extensive community involvement in research projects, particularly with indigenous communities. In the Amazon, local groups are deeply engaged in health initiatives such as indigenous mid-wife support and addressing diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and dengue. Our mission began with a presentation to stakeholders, including government representatives and educational institutions, held in Leticia, Colombia. Stakeholders presented their work at the National University of Colombia, which has a fully functioning Faculty of Indigenous Studies. Here, local Ticuna people not only participate actively in these projects but also pursue graduate studies to better understand and support their communities. This is similar to the engagement seen in East Africa, where local Maasai communities are involved in both research and development efforts that address local issues.
An hour-long boat ride along the Amazon River, the primary mode of transportation in the Amazonas region, took participants to Amacayacu National Natural Park along the river. There, park staff engage in conservation and ecological monitoring using tools like SMART. Local communities are permitted to use forest resources sustainably, with regulations in place for certain activities to ensure responsible use. One significant collaborative focus is joint data analysis and the development of a unified database to consolidate the dispersed data collected within the Amazonian Park. The data integration system in the Amboseli analysis lab could serve as a model for this effort in the Amazon, and this was agreed upon during the visit. Notably, an island formed from Amazon River silting about ten years ago, which the locals have yet to name.


The Amazon River’s dry season, as marked by local ecological calendars, the retreating waters reveal a hidden world of biodiversity, leaving much to the imagination.

After another 40-minute boat ride, participants arrived at Puerto Nariño, a dolphin conservancy, tourism, and education centre managed by the local community. Here, locals are involved in reforestation efforts, not only planting trees but also nurturing them to maturity. At the Omacha Amazon Conservation Centre, data is available on tree growth, dolphin populations, and the general environment, alongside several publications on the region’s ecological status. The Amboseli program similarly publishes regular environmental reports on the health of the Amboseli ecosystem.


Victor Mose receives a publication from officials at the Omacha Amazon Conservation Centre. These regular publications, sometimes available in local languages, have proven effective in supporting local decision-making and actions. The Amboseli Conservation Program at the African Conservation Centre also publishes regular bulletins for local community use. During various boat rides along the Amazon and Oyapock rivers, we spotted diverse wildlife, including dolphins, monkeys, sloths, several bird species, and iguanas in the protected forests.

In the border town of Oiapoque, a 12-hour bus ride from Macapá, local Wayãpi indigenous communities are integrated into the health support system. Many cross into French Guiana to receive specialized healthcare services provided by the French government at the Saint-Georges Health Center, which is supported by Cayenne Hospital. Challenges in registering individuals accessing these services are common, much like those faced by cross-border communities such as the Maasai along the Kenya-Tanzania border. Recently, there has been a rise in lifestyle-related diseases among indigenous communities, along with some cases of sexually transmitted infections. However, HIV prevalence remains notably low within these communities.


A retired local volunteer doctor explains the importance of nutrition and wellbeing to community members during a breast cancer awareness event at a clinic in Oiapoque town in Brazil.

 


Local Ticuna midwives participate in the field mission meeting in Brazil, where efforts are underway to integrate them into the national healthcare system.

Near Realtime dashboards on data transmission and analysis

The Laboratory de Fronteira in the border town of Tabatinga, located between Brazil and Colombia, has implemented a dashboard system for monitoring respiratory viruses, helping to identify and track the spread of diseases like influenza and others. This surveillance allows health officials to determine which virus variants are circulating, enabling them to take appropriate actions to treat patients and prevent further transmission. This monitoring process supports informed decision-making and the development of health strategies to safeguard the local population.


A screen shot of the online surveillance system by the cross-boarder laboratory in Tabatinga

With support from the MOSAIC project, the Amboseli Conservation Program (ACP) and the African Conservation Centre are developing a similar dashboard for Kajiado County, in southern Kenya. This system will track various disease indicators for livestock and wildlife, monitor land degradation, and assess crop and grass suitability. The ACP has developed a data visualization tool to analyse long-term data collected from the Amboseli ecosystem. This tool provides near real-time information on environmental conditions by synthesizing satellite data, along with data on livestock and wildlife body condition, milk yields, livestock market prices, rainfall, and other key variables. These insights are crucial for local decision-making by herders and other stakeholders.
(https://amboseliprogram.org/)


Victor Mose, Paulo Peiter, and Lucy Waruingi present the MOSAIC milestones. Plans to use artificial intelligence to assist with translations during such meetings are underway.

Looking Ahead

Realtime interactive dashboards, supported by the MOSAIC project, are being developed by the Amboseli Conservation Program (ACP) and the African Conservation Centre for Kajiado County in southern Kenya. These dashboards will track disease indicators for livestock and wildlife, monitor land degradation, and assess the suitability of crops and grasslands. The field mission in the Amazon region was highly informative, with several parallels drawn to East Africa. The Amazon ecosystem is under threat and must remain intact, as opening it up to uses like livestock farming contrasts with the situation in East Africa, where rangelands must stay open to sustain biodiversity.
As for the MOSAIC project, the multisite approach to implementation is both interesting and complex. The Amazon group has made significant progress in engaging stakeholders, particularly in the public health sector. Communities are well-integrated into health provider programs, and information is documented for potential analysis.

However, there is limited focus on ecological monitoring, an area where MOSAIC East Africa has excelled. Efforts are ongoing to upgrade the health database in East Africa, with plans to collaborate with local stakeholders to incorporate their expertise in health data analysis and presentation. A partnership with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology is in development to expand the secondary health data collected by the MOSAIC East African team. The MOSAIC Amazon team will leverage the ecological methodologies used in East Africa to conduct sample ecological monitoring and questionnaire surveys.

The next steps for the MOSAIC project include identifying individual “One Health” indicators and designing a composite indicator. This may prove challenging, as there is no single “One Health” approach—it’s a collection of diverse health indicators, even among indigenous communities, as observed in both the Amazon and East Africa. Mathematical models can help integrate these concepts and analyze the deficiencies in applying a “One Health” approach to overall well-being.

Some photos:


Brazilian beef steak, or picanha, is a must-try dish, typically served with roasted cassava and a chilled drink for a truly authentic experience. We enjoyed this delicious meal after touring a military museum on a base along the banks of the Oyapock River. Other popular fish dishes include the pirarucu, a symbol of the wild Amazon.

Crossing from Brazil to French Guiana by boat is simpler than using the bridge above, which also serves as the international controlled border.

The East African delegation at the mission visited the upcoming hydroelectric power plant, which will supply electricity to towns on both sides of the French Guiana-Brazil border. The indigenous community expressed a strong desire for greater involvement in large-scale projects. Some members raised concerns about reduced water levels in certain parts of Oyapock river, which have exposed rocks and hindered boat navigation—a primary means of transportation in the area.

Before embarking on a 12-hour road journey from Macapá to the border town of Oiapoque, mission participants take a well-deserved break in Berlem, savoring some quiet downtime.

Participatory community games are proving to be a valuable tool for engaging stakeholders in both the Amazon region and the East African savannas. 

During a visit to the Amazon jungle, the thrill of spotting a live anaconda eluded us. But, at the Amazonian Scientific Research Institute SINCHI, we did get an up-close look at a preserved baby anaconda—our brush with the jungle’s legendary serpent, even if frozen in time.

With the scorching heat soaring above 35°C and humidity lingering over 60%, our mission driver had to keep things running smoothly, ensuring the vehicle was ready to roll and that we stayed well-hydrated.

By Victor N. Mose, PhD, ACC/ACP, Nairobi, Kenya.

From Amazon Rainforest to East African Savannas

The MOSAIC field mission to the Amazon region, following a previous mission to East Africa in September, took place from October 19 to November 5, 2024. The mission covered key sites in the tri-border area between Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, as well as the Brazil–French Guiana border near Oiapoque in the state of Amapá. With representation from over 15 institutions, participants included researchers, medical doctors, computer scientists, project managers, and others. Although it was considered the dry season, we experienced several rainy days, and the Amazon River was a breathtaking sight, especially for first-time visitors from East Africa.

Working with local communities

Just as in the Amboseli ecosystem in East Africa, the Amazon region also sees extensive community involvement in research projects, particularly with indigenous communities. In the Amazon, local groups are deeply engaged in health initiatives such as indigenous mid-wife support and addressing diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and dengue. Our mission began with a presentation to stakeholders, including government representatives and educational institutions, held in Leticia, Colombia. Stakeholders presented their work at the National University of Colombia, which has a fully functioning Faculty of Indigenous Studies. Here, local Ticuna people not only participate actively in these projects but also pursue graduate studies to better understand and support their communities. This is similar to the engagement seen in East Africa, where local Maasai communities are involved in both research and development efforts that address local issues.
An hour-long boat ride along the Amazon River, the primary mode of transportation in the Amazonas region, took participants to Amacayacu National Natural Park along the river. There, park staff engage in conservation and ecological monitoring using tools like SMART. Local communities are permitted to use forest resources sustainably, with regulations in place for certain activities to ensure responsible use. One significant collaborative focus is joint data analysis and the development of a unified database to consolidate the dispersed data collected within the Amazonian Park. The data integration system in the Amboseli analysis lab could serve as a model for this effort in the Amazon, and this was agreed upon during the visit. Notably, an island formed from Amazon River silting about ten years ago, which the locals have yet to name.


The Amazon River’s dry season, as marked by local ecological calendars, the retreating waters reveal a hidden world of biodiversity, leaving much to the imagination.

After another 40-minute boat ride, participants arrived at Puerto Nariño, a dolphin conservancy, tourism, and education centre managed by the local community. Here, locals are involved in reforestation efforts, not only planting trees but also nurturing them to maturity. At the Omacha Amazon Conservation Centre, data is available on tree growth, dolphin populations, and the general environment, alongside several publications on the region’s ecological status. The Amboseli program similarly publishes regular environmental reports on the health of the Amboseli ecosystem.


Victor Mose receives a publication from officials at the Omacha Amazon Conservation Centre. These regular publications, sometimes available in local languages, have proven effective in supporting local decision-making and actions. The Amboseli Conservation Program at the African Conservation Centre also publishes regular bulletins for local community use. During various boat rides along the Amazon and Oyapock rivers, we spotted diverse wildlife, including dolphins, monkeys, sloths, several bird species, and iguanas in the protected forests.

In the border town of Oiapoque, a 12-hour bus ride from Macapá, local Wayãpi indigenous communities are integrated into the health support system. Many cross into French Guiana to receive specialized healthcare services provided by the French government at the Saint-Georges Health Center, which is supported by Cayenne Hospital. Challenges in registering individuals accessing these services are common, much like those faced by cross-border communities such as the Maasai along the Kenya-Tanzania border. Recently, there has been a rise in lifestyle-related diseases among indigenous communities, along with some cases of sexually transmitted infections. However, HIV prevalence remains notably low within these communities.


A retired local volunteer doctor explains the importance of nutrition and wellbeing to community members during a breast cancer awareness event at a clinic in Oiapoque town in Brazil.

 


Local Ticuna midwives participate in the field mission meeting in Brazil, where efforts are underway to integrate them into the national healthcare system.

Near Realtime dashboards on data transmission and analysis

The Laboratory de Fronteira in the border town of Tabatinga, located between Brazil and Colombia, has implemented a dashboard system for monitoring respiratory viruses, helping to identify and track the spread of diseases like influenza and others. This surveillance allows health officials to determine which virus variants are circulating, enabling them to take appropriate actions to treat patients and prevent further transmission. This monitoring process supports informed decision-making and the development of health strategies to safeguard the local population.


A screen shot of the online surveillance system by the cross-boarder laboratory in Tabatinga

With support from the MOSAIC project, the Amboseli Conservation Program (ACP) and the African Conservation Centre are developing a similar dashboard for Kajiado County, in southern Kenya. This system will track various disease indicators for livestock and wildlife, monitor land degradation, and assess crop and grass suitability. The ACP has developed a data visualization tool to analyse long-term data collected from the Amboseli ecosystem. This tool provides near real-time information on environmental conditions by synthesizing satellite data, along with data on livestock and wildlife body condition, milk yields, livestock market prices, rainfall, and other key variables. These insights are crucial for local decision-making by herders and other stakeholders.
(https://amboseliprogram.org/)


Victor Mose, Paulo Peiter, and Lucy Waruingi present the MOSAIC milestones. Plans to use artificial intelligence to assist with translations during such meetings are underway.

Looking Ahead

Realtime interactive dashboards, supported by the MOSAIC project, are being developed by the Amboseli Conservation Program (ACP) and the African Conservation Centre for Kajiado County in southern Kenya. These dashboards will track disease indicators for livestock and wildlife, monitor land degradation, and assess the suitability of crops and grasslands. The field mission in the Amazon region was highly informative, with several parallels drawn to East Africa. The Amazon ecosystem is under threat and must remain intact, as opening it up to uses like livestock farming contrasts with the situation in East Africa, where rangelands must stay open to sustain biodiversity.
As for the MOSAIC project, the multisite approach to implementation is both interesting and complex. The Amazon group has made significant progress in engaging stakeholders, particularly in the public health sector. Communities are well-integrated into health provider programs, and information is documented for potential analysis.

However, there is limited focus on ecological monitoring, an area where MOSAIC East Africa has excelled. Efforts are ongoing to upgrade the health database in East Africa, with plans to collaborate with local stakeholders to incorporate their expertise in health data analysis and presentation. A partnership with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology is in development to expand the secondary health data collected by the MOSAIC East African team. The MOSAIC Amazon team will leverage the ecological methodologies used in East Africa to conduct sample ecological monitoring and questionnaire surveys.

The next steps for the MOSAIC project include identifying individual “One Health” indicators and designing a composite indicator. This may prove challenging, as there is no single “One Health” approach—it’s a collection of diverse health indicators, even among indigenous communities, as observed in both the Amazon and East Africa. Mathematical models can help integrate these concepts and analyze the deficiencies in applying a “One Health” approach to overall well-being.

Some photos:


Brazilian beef steak, or picanha, is a must-try dish, typically served with roasted cassava and a chilled drink for a truly authentic experience. We enjoyed this delicious meal after touring a military museum on a base along the banks of the Oyapock River. Other popular fish dishes include the pirarucu, a symbol of the wild Amazon.

Crossing from Brazil to French Guiana by boat is simpler than using the bridge above, which also serves as the international controlled border.

The East African delegation at the mission visited the upcoming hydroelectric power plant, which will supply electricity to towns on both sides of the French Guiana-Brazil border. The indigenous community expressed a strong desire for greater involvement in large-scale projects. Some members raised concerns about reduced water levels in certain parts of Oyapock river, which have exposed rocks and hindered boat navigation—a primary means of transportation in the area.

Before embarking on a 12-hour road journey from Macapá to the border town of Oiapoque, mission participants take a well-deserved break in Berlem, savoring some quiet downtime.

Participatory community games are proving to be a valuable tool for engaging stakeholders in both the Amazon region and the East African savannas. 

During a visit to the Amazon jungle, the thrill of spotting a live anaconda eluded us. But, at the Amazonian Scientific Research Institute SINCHI, we did get an up-close look at a preserved baby anaconda—our brush with the jungle’s legendary serpent, even if frozen in time.

With the scorching heat soaring above 35°C and humidity lingering over 60%, our mission driver had to keep things running smoothly, ensuring the vehicle was ready to roll and that we stayed well-hydrated.

By Victor N. Mose

ACP, ACC, and NAU launched a NASA-funded One Health survey using GEDI and local monitoring for ecosystem health.

By David Western, Victor N. Mose, David Maitumo, Immaculate Ombongi, Sakimba Kimiti, Winfridah Kemunto, Samuel Lekanaiya, Paul Kasaine and Sunte Kimiti

The heavy prolonged El Niño rains boosted pastures across the Amboseli ecosystem

By David Western, Immaculate Ombongi and Victor N. Mose

Our study traces the transition from traditional livestock practices based on seasonal migrations to permanent

Posted on November 17, 2024

By Victor N. Mose, PhD, ACC/ACP, Nairobi, Kenya.

From Amazon Rainforest to East African Savannas

The MOSAIC field mission to the Amazon region, following a previous mission to East Africa in September, took place from October 19 to November 5, 2024. The mission covered key sites in the tri-border area between Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, as well as the Brazil–French Guiana border near Oiapoque in the state of Amapá. With representation from over 15 institutions, participants included researchers, medical doctors, computer scientists, project managers, and others. Although it was considered the dry season, we experienced several rainy days, and the Amazon River was a breathtaking sight, especially for first-time visitors from East Africa.

Working with local communities

Just as in the Amboseli ecosystem in East Africa, the Amazon region also sees extensive community involvement in research projects, particularly with indigenous communities. In the Amazon, local groups are deeply engaged in health initiatives such as indigenous mid-wife support and addressing diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and dengue. Our mission began with a presentation to stakeholders, including government representatives and educational institutions, held in Leticia, Colombia. Stakeholders presented their work at the National University of Colombia, which has a fully functioning Faculty of Indigenous Studies. Here, local Ticuna people not only participate actively in these projects but also pursue graduate studies to better understand and support their communities. This is similar to the engagement seen in East Africa, where local Maasai communities are involved in both research and development efforts that address local issues.
An hour-long boat ride along the Amazon River, the primary mode of transportation in the Amazonas region, took participants to Amacayacu National Natural Park along the river. There, park staff engage in conservation and ecological monitoring using tools like SMART. Local communities are permitted to use forest resources sustainably, with regulations in place for certain activities to ensure responsible use. One significant collaborative focus is joint data analysis and the development of a unified database to consolidate the dispersed data collected within the Amazonian Park. The data integration system in the Amboseli analysis lab could serve as a model for this effort in the Amazon, and this was agreed upon during the visit. Notably, an island formed from Amazon River silting about ten years ago, which the locals have yet to name.


The Amazon River’s dry season, as marked by local ecological calendars, the retreating waters reveal a hidden world of biodiversity, leaving much to the imagination.

After another 40-minute boat ride, participants arrived at Puerto Nariño, a dolphin conservancy, tourism, and education centre managed by the local community. Here, locals are involved in reforestation efforts, not only planting trees but also nurturing them to maturity. At the Omacha Amazon Conservation Centre, data is available on tree growth, dolphin populations, and the general environment, alongside several publications on the region’s ecological status. The Amboseli program similarly publishes regular environmental reports on the health of the Amboseli ecosystem.


Victor Mose receives a publication from officials at the Omacha Amazon Conservation Centre. These regular publications, sometimes available in local languages, have proven effective in supporting local decision-making and actions. The Amboseli Conservation Program at the African Conservation Centre also publishes regular bulletins for local community use. During various boat rides along the Amazon and Oyapock rivers, we spotted diverse wildlife, including dolphins, monkeys, sloths, several bird species, and iguanas in the protected forests.

In the border town of Oiapoque, a 12-hour bus ride from Macapá, local Wayãpi indigenous communities are integrated into the health support system. Many cross into French Guiana to receive specialized healthcare services provided by the French government at the Saint-Georges Health Center, which is supported by Cayenne Hospital. Challenges in registering individuals accessing these services are common, much like those faced by cross-border communities such as the Maasai along the Kenya-Tanzania border. Recently, there has been a rise in lifestyle-related diseases among indigenous communities, along with some cases of sexually transmitted infections. However, HIV prevalence remains notably low within these communities.


A retired local volunteer doctor explains the importance of nutrition and wellbeing to community members during a breast cancer awareness event at a clinic in Oiapoque town in Brazil.

 


Local Ticuna midwives participate in the field mission meeting in Brazil, where efforts are underway to integrate them into the national healthcare system.

Near Realtime dashboards on data transmission and analysis

The Laboratory de Fronteira in the border town of Tabatinga, located between Brazil and Colombia, has implemented a dashboard system for monitoring respiratory viruses, helping to identify and track the spread of diseases like influenza and others. This surveillance allows health officials to determine which virus variants are circulating, enabling them to take appropriate actions to treat patients and prevent further transmission. This monitoring process supports informed decision-making and the development of health strategies to safeguard the local population.


A screen shot of the online surveillance system by the cross-boarder laboratory in Tabatinga

With support from the MOSAIC project, the Amboseli Conservation Program (ACP) and the African Conservation Centre are developing a similar dashboard for Kajiado County, in southern Kenya. This system will track various disease indicators for livestock and wildlife, monitor land degradation, and assess crop and grass suitability. The ACP has developed a data visualization tool to analyse long-term data collected from the Amboseli ecosystem. This tool provides near real-time information on environmental conditions by synthesizing satellite data, along with data on livestock and wildlife body condition, milk yields, livestock market prices, rainfall, and other key variables. These insights are crucial for local decision-making by herders and other stakeholders.
(https://amboseliprogram.org/)


Victor Mose, Paulo Peiter, and Lucy Waruingi present the MOSAIC milestones. Plans to use artificial intelligence to assist with translations during such meetings are underway.

Looking Ahead

Realtime interactive dashboards, supported by the MOSAIC project, are being developed by the Amboseli Conservation Program (ACP) and the African Conservation Centre for Kajiado County in southern Kenya. These dashboards will track disease indicators for livestock and wildlife, monitor land degradation, and assess the suitability of crops and grasslands. The field mission in the Amazon region was highly informative, with several parallels drawn to East Africa. The Amazon ecosystem is under threat and must remain intact, as opening it up to uses like livestock farming contrasts with the situation in East Africa, where rangelands must stay open to sustain biodiversity.
As for the MOSAIC project, the multisite approach to implementation is both interesting and complex. The Amazon group has made significant progress in engaging stakeholders, particularly in the public health sector. Communities are well-integrated into health provider programs, and information is documented for potential analysis.

However, there is limited focus on ecological monitoring, an area where MOSAIC East Africa has excelled. Efforts are ongoing to upgrade the health database in East Africa, with plans to collaborate with local stakeholders to incorporate their expertise in health data analysis and presentation. A partnership with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology is in development to expand the secondary health data collected by the MOSAIC East African team. The MOSAIC Amazon team will leverage the ecological methodologies used in East Africa to conduct sample ecological monitoring and questionnaire surveys.

The next steps for the MOSAIC project include identifying individual “One Health” indicators and designing a composite indicator. This may prove challenging, as there is no single “One Health” approach—it’s a collection of diverse health indicators, even among indigenous communities, as observed in both the Amazon and East Africa. Mathematical models can help integrate these concepts and analyze the deficiencies in applying a “One Health” approach to overall well-being.

Some photos:


Brazilian beef steak, or picanha, is a must-try dish, typically served with roasted cassava and a chilled drink for a truly authentic experience. We enjoyed this delicious meal after touring a military museum on a base along the banks of the Oyapock River. Other popular fish dishes include the pirarucu, a symbol of the wild Amazon.

Crossing from Brazil to French Guiana by boat is simpler than using the bridge above, which also serves as the international controlled border.

The East African delegation at the mission visited the upcoming hydroelectric power plant, which will supply electricity to towns on both sides of the French Guiana-Brazil border. The indigenous community expressed a strong desire for greater involvement in large-scale projects. Some members raised concerns about reduced water levels in certain parts of Oyapock river, which have exposed rocks and hindered boat navigation—a primary means of transportation in the area.

Before embarking on a 12-hour road journey from Macapá to the border town of Oiapoque, mission participants take a well-deserved break in Berlem, savoring some quiet downtime.

Participatory community games are proving to be a valuable tool for engaging stakeholders in both the Amazon region and the East African savannas. 

During a visit to the Amazon jungle, the thrill of spotting a live anaconda eluded us. But, at the Amazonian Scientific Research Institute SINCHI, we did get an up-close look at a preserved baby anaconda—our brush with the jungle’s legendary serpent, even if frozen in time.

With the scorching heat soaring above 35°C and humidity lingering over 60%, our mission driver had to keep things running smoothly, ensuring the vehicle was ready to roll and that we stayed well-hydrated.

Recent Posts

By David Western, Victor N. Mose, David Maitumo, Immaculate Ombongi, Sakimba Kimiti, Winfridah Kemunto, Samuel Lekanaiya, Paul Kasaine and Sunte Kimiti

The outlook for livestock and wildlife in the short dry season normally stretching from January to the long rains

By Victor N. Mose

ACP, ACC, and NAU launched a NASA-funded One Health survey using GEDI and local monitoring for ecosystem health.

By David Western, Victor N. Mose, David Maitumo, Immaculate Ombongi, Sakimba Kimiti, Winfridah Kemunto, Samuel Lekanaiya, Paul Kasaine and Sunte Kimiti

The heavy prolonged El Niño rains boosted pastures across the Amboseli ecosystem

By David Western, Immaculate Ombongi and Victor N. Mose

Our study traces the transition from traditional livestock practices based on seasonal migrations to permanent

By Victor N. Mose, PhD, ACC/ACP, Nairobi, Kenya.

The MOSAIC field mission to the Amazon region, following a previous mission to East Africa

By Victor N. Mose, PhD, ACC/ACP, Nairobi, Kenya.

In a recent community meeting held at the Amboseli Ecosystem Trust offices in southern Kenya.

By Victor N. Mose and David Western

The Amboseli Conservation Program (ACP) has conducted regular aerial sample counts of Amboseli and eastern Kajiado

By Victor N. Mose, David Western and the ACP Team

The Amboseli Conservation Program (ACP) continued to monitor the conditions of the rangelands, livestock and wild

By Victor N. Mose

A notable discussion at the forum focused on disparities in data availability between the Global North and South.

By Victor N. Mose, David Western and the ACP Team

The effects of the good short rains have been felt in the Amboseli area.

Contact Us

Amboseli Conservation Program
P.O Box 15289-00509 or 62844-00200
Nairobi, Kenya.

Tel/Fax: +254 20 891360 / 891751
Email: acc@acc.or.ke