Conservation Efforts in Gorongosa National Park: The Role of Bats and Guano

Raúl da Silva Armando Chomela, a molecular biologist from Beira, Mozambique, is conducting vital research in Gorongosa National Park, a 4,000 square kilometer area known for its rich biodiversity. Chomela's studies focus on the ecological importance of bat guano, which he describes as an "ecosystem" in itself, supporting various cave-dwelling organisms. The park, founded in 1960, has faced significant challenges, including a devastating civil war that decimated wildlife populations, with 95% of the fauna lost by the war's end in 1992.

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Gorongosa became a battleground during the civil war, which saw guerrilla forces from Renamo, supported by apartheid South Africa, wreak havoc on its wildlife. The aftermath left the park's ecosystem severely compromised. However, recent decades have witnessed a resurgence in conservation efforts, spearheaded by international organizations and local researchers. The Gorongosa Restoration Project, initiated in collaboration with Oxford University, exemplifies these efforts, employing local communities and fostering economic stability through conservation.

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Chomela's research highlights the dual role of guano as both a valuable fertilizer and a critical component of cave ecosystems. Local communities, particularly impoverished young men, rely on guano harvesting for income, earning approximately 200 meticais (£2.33) for every 50 kilograms collected. While guano is recognized for its agricultural benefits, unregulated harvesting poses a threat to the caves' biodiversity and long-term sustainability. Chomela emphasizes the need for a measured collection system to prevent depletion of this vital resource.

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Chomela's collaboration with local leaders, such as João Lorenço Daoce, aims to shift perceptions about bats and their ecological benefits. By educating communities on the role of bats in pest control, particularly regarding malaria-carrying mosquitoes, the project seeks to foster a more positive relationship between locals and bats. Chomela notes that traditional beliefs often cast bats in a negative light, complicating conservation efforts.

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Chomela advocates for sustainable guano harvesting practices that minimize environmental impact while supporting local livelihoods. His research employs advanced techniques, such as metabarcoding, to analyze bat diets and health, which could inform conservation strategies. The goal is to create a scientific foundation that encourages communities to protect bats, thereby enhancing both biodiversity and agricultural productivity.

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• “Guano is far more than just bat droppings,” — Raúl da Silva Armando Chomela, Molecular Biologist

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• “Overharvesting will compromise the composition of a cave, making it sterile.” — Raúl da Silva Armando Chomela

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• “We want a scientific base to convince the community, and society in general, of a sustainable way to harvest guano using less damaging techniques without disturbing the bats too much,” — Raúl da Silva Armando Chomela

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• “For instance, if we can show that bats feed on pests that bother farmers’ crops, [farmers] will be friendlier towards the bats,” — Raúl da Silva Armando Chomela

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Through ongoing research and community engagement, the Gorongosa Restoration Project exemplifies a model for integrating conservation with local economic needs, highlighting the critical role of bats and guano in sustaining both the environment and the livelihoods of local communities.

The Guardian