Research interests: Ecological restoration of degraded terrestrial environments, Species conservation status assessment/Red-listing, Cycad ecology and conservation, Carnivorous plant diversity and conservation, Wild coffee conservation as it relates to its genotypes, chemotypes; Habitat valuation for certification by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Critical Habitat Assessment, principally based on criteria of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Standards, especially Performance Standard 6 (PS6) on Biodiversity Conservation, Reserve (protected area) prioritization and selection.
James Kalema is a Ugandan botanist based at Makerere University, Uganda. He is a Professor of Ecology and Conservation Science at the Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, since 1996. He holds a PhD in Botany from University of Copenhagen, Denmark/Makerere University. His M.Sc in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management, and B.Sc (Botany and Zoology) are both from Makerere University. He previously served in the area of Wildlife and Protected Area Management, involved in tourism development, community conservation and environmental education programmes.
He is involved in scientific research since 1991, with collaborative networks in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Denmark, UK, Belgium and USA. He has been a Principal Investigator (PI), Co-PI, Co-investigator or Coordinator, on a number of projects with budgets ranging from USD 19,000 to USD 430,000. He is a Red List assessor of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of IUCN as a member of the Eastern Africa Plant Red List Authority (EAPRLA).
Project title: Tropical Important Plant Areas: Uganda Project- Phase III
Project Grant ID: 11621
Project Budget: £20,039
Funded by: UK People’s Postcode Lottery (PPL) through Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK
Executed by: Makerere University College of Natural Sciences
Co-PI: Dr Iain Darbyshire
Other team members: Dr Samuel Ojelel; Ms Sophie Richards; Mr Kennedy Mukasa
Collaborators/Collaborating Institutions: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK.
Project Duration: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
Project Summary:
This project between Kew and Makerere University aims at identifying the most critical sites for the conservation of priority plant species in Uganda. The project also intends to ensure that priority plants are conserved in situ by protecting their habitats from destruction. Data sets will be prepared to guide the identification process. Key stakeholders, such as protected area managers, regulatory lead agencies, research institutions and civil society working on nature, will be consulted to ensure the sustainability of the in situ conservation plans.
The activities of Makerere University are to further contribute expert knowledge to species conservation assessments, IPA site assessments, processing and incorporation of plant specimens collected, and organizing of the final stakeholders’ workshop
Project title: The development of excelsa coffee under global change
Project Grant ID: [ADCRA WS3 11718-103 – Support]
Project Budget: £22,943.13
Funded by: The Calleva Foundation under the Accelerated Diversification for Climate Resilient Agriculture (ADCRA) programme
Executed by: Makerere University College of Natural Sciences
Co-PI: Dr Aaron Davis
Collaborators/Collaborating Institutions: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK
Project Duration: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027
Project summary:
This project between Kew and Makerere University aims to address existing climate change related supply chain disruption within the coffee sector. The current coffee crop species, Arabica (Coffea arabica) and robusta (C. canephora) are being increasingly compromised by extreme weather events (particularly drought episodes) and rising temperatures. Amongst the best candidates for mitigating coffee supply chain disruption, at least until mid-twentieth century, are wild and minimally domesticated types of excelsa (C. dewevrei) and Liberica coffee (C. liberica). Proof-of-concept has been provided through previous projects undertaken by RBG Kew, NARO and Makerere, and our published work. In particular, we have shown that excelsa coffee has the potential to be high yielding, resistant to a number of key coffee pests and diseases, produce good tasting coffee, and work across the value chain from farmer to retailer.
The project is focused on Uganda and excelsa coffee, where there are already at least 300 smallholder farms producing excelsa coffee, either as the only coffee crop or in conjunction with robusta coffee (Coffea canephora).
Our objectives are:
coffee production, with a focus on excelsa coffee.
excelsa coffee (C. dewevrei) in Uganda, via phenotyping, chemotyping, and genotyping, for crop improvement.
via lesson sharing and information exchange.
Project title: Tropical Important Plant Areas: Uganda Project – Phase II
Project Grant ID: 11621
Project Budget: £20,010
Funded by: UK People’s Postcode Lottery (PPL) through Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK
Executed by: Makerere University College of Natural Sciences
Co-PI: Dr Iain Darbyshire
Other ream members: Dr Samuel Ojelel; Ms Sophie Richards; Mr Kennedy Mukasa
Collaborators/Collaborating Institutions: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK
Project Duration: 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
Project summary:
Kew and Makerere University identified sites with concentrations of threatened species in the tropics, designating them as Tropical Important Plant Areas (TIPAs) and enabling national authorities to prioritise their protection. Whilst seed banking is an important tool for safeguarding species from extinction, we also needed to ensure that plants are conserved in situ by protecting their habitats from destruction. Many tropical countries lack the data and resources to demarcate their TIPAs. It was this project’s intention to remedy this through a long-standing strong partnership, supported by a Memorandum of Cooperation, by building robust data sets. This award enabled the two partners to learn from the successful TIPAs project in Cameroon, transferring the model to support conservation of Uganda’s biodiversity.
Uganda is home to a rich and diverse plant life, ranging from the hyper-arid deserts of the northeast to the lush montane rainforests of the southwest. This abundance of natural resources provides a wealth of important services to the rural and urban communities, from harvesting of foods, building materials and medicines, to protecting Uganda’s water resources and fertile soils. However, expanding demands from a rapidly increasing human population are threatening the country’s unique biodiversity, while a lack of reliable data means that current legislation fails to protect many of Uganda’s threatened plant species and habitats.
As part of an international collaboration, Kew worked with Makerere University to identify the critical sites that support this biodiversity and designate these as Tropical Important Plant Areas (TIPAs), providing recommendations for their sustainable use and protection, and empowering Uganda to deliver on-the-ground conservation where it is needed most urgently. Activities that were undertaken included herbarium-based research on Uganda’s unique plants, georeferencing specimens and mapping species, IUCN Red Listing, description of new species to science, research on wild-harvested socio-economically important species, fieldwork, workshops and training events.
Specific outcomes
In this second year of the project, the team consolidated compiling of a national IUCN Red List of globally threatened plant species in Uganda, using existing data sets supplemented by expert workshops. These data and associated information on critical habitats was utilised to identify and profile priority sites for plant conservation at a national scale – TIPAs – and document the ecosystem services these sites provide. We continued with our plan to deliver a three-year TIPAs project in Uganda and the impact we demonstrated from the first project year helped us to fundraise for the second project year. We were hopeful that the third year of this project would also be supported. This project ultimately aimed to publish 70 new Red List assessments of threatened species; identify 45 TIPAs sites; and promote the protection of these sites by developing partnerships to include TIPAs within national conservation and land management frameworks as well as community-led initiatives.
Project title: Tropical Important Plant Areas: Uganda Project
Project Grant ID: 11621
Project Budget: £14,256
Funded by: UK People’s Postcode Lottery (PPL) through Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK
Executed by: Makerere University College of Natural Sciences.
Co-PI: Dr Iain Darbyshire
Other team members: Dr Samuel Ojelel; Ms Sophie Richards; Mr Kennedy Mukasa
Collaborators/Collaborating Institutions: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK.
Project Duration: 1 September 2021 to 31 August 2022
Project Summary:
This project between Makerere University and Kew aimed at identifying the most critical sites for conservation of priority plant species in Uganda. The project also intended to ensure that priority plants were conserved in situ by protecting their habitats from destruction. Data sets were prepared to guide the identification process. Key stakeholders, such as protected area managers, regulatory lead agencies, research institutions and civil society working on nature, were consulted to ensure sustainability of the in situ conservation plans.
Project title: Coffee natural capital for environmental and livelihood sustainability in Uganda.
Project Grant ID: Darwin Initiative 270-14
Project Budget: £42,797
Funded by: Darwin Initiative (UK) through Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK,
Executed by: Makerere University College of Natural Sciences.
Co-PI: Dr Aaron Davis
Other team members: Dr Aisyah Faruk; Dr Catherine Kiwuka; Dr Anneke Fremont; Joshua Clarke
Collaborators/Collaborating Institutions: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK; NARO/NACORI, Kampala; Kyagalanyi Coffee Ltd. (Uganda, Kampala); Clifton Coffee Company (Bristol, UK)
Project Duration: 1 October 2020 to 30 Sept 2023
Project summary:
Uganda’s coffee sector comprises around 1.7 million smallholder farmers and over 3.5 million people in related activities, generating c. 25% of the country’s export earnings. Sustainability of the sector in Uganda is paramount. The aim of this project was to demonstrate the substantial value of Uganda’s coffee natural capital for: Uganda’s coffee economy, livelihood sustainability, climate change adaptation, and ecosystem service provision. It also revealed the positive synergies between climate change, biodiversity, the ecosystem and commercial activity (coffee farming).
Project title: Responsible exchange of plant genetic resources for research and development.
Project Reference: 27-016, Project Grant ID: DIR26S21034
Project budget: £326,530
Funded by: Darwin Initiative (UK) through Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI)
Executed by: Makerere University College of Natural Sciences
Co-PI: Dr Paul Smith
Other team members: Prof Patrick Mucunguzi; Prof Sebsebe Demissew; Dr Michael Kiehn
Collaborators/Collaborating Institutions: Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia); University of Vienna (Austria); African Botanic Garden Network; European Botanic Gardens Consortium
Project Duration: 1st April 2020 – 31st March 2023
Project summary:
Responsible and effective exchange of Plant Genetic Resource (PGR) germplasm and data is essential to support collaborative research and practice supporting plant conservation and sustainable development, including in areas such as food, health, water, energy and climate. Currently, botanists, foresters, agronomists and plant conservationists in developing countries are frequently prevented from exchanging PGR because of poor quality collections, incomplete data, poor knowledge of access and benefit sharing (ABS), biosafety, CITES and other compliance requirements, and uncertainty about how material is handled and tracked. This prevents collaborative research, and is disadvantageous for plant scientists in developing countries who need access to training opportunities, skills and resources located in northern institutions.
Under this project, we developed unique tools that enable researchers and practitioners to:
This project was intended to lead to increased north-south collaboration, greater capacity for PGR research/ practice in developing countries, and positive impacts on plant conservation and sustainable development.
Project title: Biological study on restored well sites in Exploration Area 2 (EA2)
Albertine Graben, Uganda
Project Grant ID: CON-TUOP1003113
Project budget: USD 257,263
Funded by: Tullow Oil Pty (TUOP)
Executed by: College of Natural Sciences
Other team members: Dr Patrick Mucunguzi, Dr Mary Namaganda, Dr Robert Kityo
Collaborators/Collaborating Institutions: Tullow Oil Pty (TUOP)
Project Duration: Feb 2013 – Jan 2017
Project summary:
This study was commissioned in the Albertine Rift region, which is also a biodiversity hotspot with a string of protected areas in western Uganda. The study was undertaken in Tullow Oil’s Block 2, including Kabwoya and Bugungu Wildlife Reserves, and a small part of MFNP.The purpose was to monitor the recovery process in seven sites that Tullow Oil Uganda had worked in. The aim of the study was to assess the succession process and pattern of recovery in enhanced and un-enhanced sites. This monitoring of behaviour of the biotic components was to be a basis for preliminary determination of the stage at which a site may be considered to be recovering from the impacts of disturbance. Vegetation surveys were carried out in the seven sites, comparing on-pad with off-pad and road verge with off-road environments along access roads. Plant species richness, structural properties (height), occurrence of threatened species, incidence of weedy and invasive species were used as monitoring indicators of the recovery process. Small mammals as primary consumers and also key indicators of a change in habitat quality, were also monitored for information about habitat quality.
The main approaches employed to restore the degraded sites included removal of the gravelly soil imported into the site and return of the top soil piled onto which grass was planted; leaving of the gravelly soil on site and getting it scarified, covered with top soil and later planted with grass; but the main method was removal of the gravelly soil, returning the top soil and allowing natural regeneration. The recovery process was monitored to detect any unexpected or undesirable trends.
Co-PI: Prof Jasper Ogwal-Okeng
Project title: Exploration of carnivorous plants for the control of malaria-
transmitting mosquitoes in Uganda
Project Grant ID: OPP1017745
Project budget: USD 100,000
Funded by: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation under Round 4 of the Grand Challenges Exploration Project
Executed by: College of Health Sciences and College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University
Other team members: Dr Mary Namaganda, Dr Godfrey Bbosa
Project Duration: May 2010 – Nov 2011
Project summary:
This study was jointly executed by the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences and Department of Botany, School of Biological Sciences. The following activities were carried out:
Activity 1: Literature and herbarium search
Much of the literature search was done in Botany’s Makerere University Herbarium. Information about the carnivorous plants in Uganda, including their distribution, was collected. Journal search revealed their mechanism of trapping insects like mosquitoes and their larvae.
Activity 2: Field survey
Field surveys were conducted to identify and collect carnivorous plants. We visited Mabamba at the shores of Lake Victoria to collect aquatic plants from the swamps. Whole Aldrovanda vesiculosa and Utricularia reflexa plants were collected for confirmation of identity and propagation studies and larvicidal bioassays. Water samples were collected for analysis. Terrestrial carnivorous plants were collected from Nabugabo in southern Uganda along Lake Nabugabo shores. Other biotic data, including associated plants, were also collected from the sites where the plants were growing.
Activity 3: Laboratory analysis of water and soils
Water samples were collected in clean and dry plastic bottles. These water samples were also collected in 20 litre jerrycans for larvicidal assays. The samples were taken to the laboratory for analysis for dissolved oxygen, pH mineral content, and other chemical parameters. Soil samples were also collected for laboratory analysis from sites where the terrestrial plants were growing.
Activity 4: Larvicidal assays
The larvicidal bioassays were done. The tests were done by exposing the larvae to the plants in plastic containers. The survival of the larvae was observed and recorded every 12 hours for five days. The experiments were done in triplicate and the mean number of live larvae was obtained and compared to the control experiments using the Student’s t-test. Initially water from the collecting sites was used to hatch the mosquito eggs, but later we successfully used distilled water to hatch the eggs and carry out larvicidal activity.
Activity 5: Monitoring of indoor mosquitoes in the model houses
Two model houses were constructed to monitor the effect of the terrestrial carnivorous plants on the indoor population of Anopheles mosquitoes. Baseline data on the density of indoor mosquitoes were collected. Cow urine and used socks were used as mosquito baits in the model houses.
A total of 23 species of carnivorous plants described in Uganda, belonging to the genera Drosera L. (Sundews), Utricularia L. (Bladderworts) and Aldrovanda L. (Waterwheel plants) were recorded from literature and field surveys. The water analysis showed the aquatic plants growing in very low concentrations of heavy metals e.g. Calcium and almost no Nitrogen. Results showed that the carnivorous plants reduced the population of mosquito larvae in the laboratory.
Project title: Vegetation and Climate Change in Eastern Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia) (VECEA) project.
Project Grant ID: Rockefeller Foundation 2008 CLI 305,
Project budget: USD 15,000
Funded by: the Rockefeller Foundation
Executed by: Faculty of Science,
Other team members: John Mulumba Wasswa, Dr Mary Namaganda, Dr Lars Graudal, Jens-Peter Barnekow Lillesø, Roeland Kindt, Paulo van Breuge, Vedaste Minani, Frank Mbago, Dr Henry Ndangalasi, Prof Ib Friis, Prof Sebsebe Demissew, Christopher Ruffo, Francis Gachathi,
Collaborator/collaborating institutions: Forest and Landscape, Denmark; Entebbe Botanic Gardens (NARO); World Agro-forestry Centre/ICRAF; National Herbarium and Botanical Gardens of Malawi; National Herbarium of Ethiopia; Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI); Mulanje Mountain Conservation; National Herbarium of Rwanda; University of Dar es Salaam, Botany Department
Project Duration: 1st April 2008 – 31st March 2011
Project summary:
The project involved: Review of documentation of vegetation types; Review of known problems with the vegetation map; Review of tree (woody perennials that include trees, shrubs and lianas) species in vegetation types; Comparison of vegetation types documented for Uganda and vegetation types documented in the Vegetation Map of Africa by Frank White.
The tasks were: Compilation of available documentation of existing maps; Digitization of relevant maps for evaluation and analysis; Support the development of a database of tree species distributions in vegetation types; Support development of the digital map; Preparation for and coordination of the regional workshop; Compilation of the information elaborated by the regional workshop and coordinate follow-up
Project title: Biodiversity and Plant-Animal Interactions
Project Grant ID: NUFU PRO63/2003
Project budget: NOK 3,235,000
Funded by: Norwegian Council of Universities Committee for Development, Research and Education, Norway
Executed by: Faculty of Science
Other team members: Prof Kaare Lye; Dr Stein More; Dr Patrick Mucunguzi; Dr Deborah Baranga
Collaborators/collaborating institutions: University of Nordland, Norway
Project Duration: June 2003 to December 2007
Project summary:
This projected supported training of staff and graduate students to conduct studies on biodiversity components and interactions between plants and animals. The purpose was to build local capacity and knowledge for better management and conservation of natural resources for environmental sustainability and community livelihoods.
Project title: East African Regional Project on the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) – Endemic and near-endemic taxa – support to Makerere University Herbarium
Project budget: USD 17,087
Funded by: JRS Biodiversity Foundation, through Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI)
Executed by: Faculty of Science
Other team members: Mr Paul Ssegawa
Collaborators/Collaborating Institutions: East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, Narobi; National Chemotherapeutics Research Laboratories, (NCRL); National Herbarium of Tanzania; Institute of Traditional Medicine (ITM); University of Dar es Salaam
Project duration: 2007-2009
Project summary:
This project aimed to contribute directly towards the goals, objectives and outputs of the theme, Medicinal Biodiversity for Enhanced Ecosystems, by developing tools documenting primary data for plant diversity usage. Overall, the focus of the project was to:
Project title: Botanical and Zoological Taxonomic Networks in Eastern Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia): Linking Taxonomy to Conservation (BOZONET)
Project Grant ID: BOZONET PIMS 888
Project budget: USD 50,000 (overall regional budget = USD 5,000,000)
Funded by: GEF
Executed by: Makerere University Institute of Environment and Natural Resources (MUIENR)
Other team members: Dr Allan Rodgers; Dr Frank Kansiime; Mr Robert Kityo; Mr Mathias Behangana; Prof. Afework Bekele; Dr Ansermu, Kelbessa; Prof. Kim M. Howell; Dr C. Gakahu, Dr Catherine Lukhoba
Collaborators/Collaborating institutions: Addis Ababa University, Biodiversity Conservation and Research Institute (BCRI), (Ethiopia); The National Museums of Kenya and University of Nairobi (Kenya); University of Dar es Salaam and National Herbarium (Tropical Pesticide Research Institute) Tanzania
Project Duration: Feb 2007 – Jan 2008
Project summary:
BOZONET’s objectives were to assist Eastern African countries in removing barriers to the flow of taxonomic information from centers where it is generated to where it would be used and help end-users in using such information. Linking taxonomy to conservation and development was at the root of these objectives.
Project title: Conservation and Sustainable Management of Below-Ground
Biodiversity: Tranche II, Plant survey of Below Ground Biodiversity Sites in and around Mabira Forest, Uganda
Project Grant ID: GF/2715-02-4517
Project budget: USD 870,000
Funded by: Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)
Executed by: Makerere University
Other team members: Prof Mary Okwakol; Dr Silver Rwakaikara; Dr Anne Akol; Mr Geofrey Lamtoo; Mr Moses Isabirye; Mr Charles Nkwiine
Collaborators/Collaborating institutions: CIAT
Project Duration: August Jan 2003-Jul 2009
Project summary:
The tasks of this project were to:
14. Investigator: James Kalema (University of Copenhagen and Makerere University)
Project title: Diversity and distribution of vascular plants in Important Bird Areas of Uganda for my PhD studies
Project budget: USD 65,000
Funded by: DANIDA (ENRECA) through the University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Other team members: Prof Ib Friis; Prof Jon Fjeldsaa; Prof Derek Pomeroy, Dr Pantaleon Kasoma; Dr Charlie Williams; Dr Andrew Balmford; Dr Neil Burgess; Dr Debbie Pain; Herbert Tushabe; Achilles Byaruhanga; Paul Ssegawa; Josephine Asasira; Mathias Behangana
Collaborators/Collaborating Institutions: University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; University of Copenhagen; Cambridge University; Royal Society for Protection of Birds, UK
Project Duration: 2000-2004
Project summary:
The project aimed to assess the botanical value of areas identified as important for birds, to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of cross-taxon congruence and surrogacy in conservation planning. Wetland and savanna habitats were surveyed for their floral composition, diversity, to assess the conservation value of these sites
Project title: Regeneration and associations of selected plant species in Kibale National Park: Implications for management – for my MSc studies
Project budget: USD 25,000
Funded by: USAID through Makerere University Biological Field Station MUBFS) Executed by: Faculty of Science
Other team members: William Olupot; Edgar Buhanga; Samuel Mugisha
Collaborating institutions: New York Zoological Society
Project Duration: 1992 – 1994
Project summary:
The project aimed at investigating the level of regeneration of five climax tree canopy and timber species in the forest ecosystem of Kibale National Park, which were undergoing considerable die-back. The purpose was to evaluate their sustained survival in the ecosystem and recommend ameliorative measures as necessary to reverse the observed decline in their abundance.
(AETFAT), 2003 to-date
Wings Over Wetlands (WOW), UNEP-GEF African-Eurasian Flyways Project, November 2008 to 2009
Initiative (BGCI) Project Implementing the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), June 2007 to 2010
Member, Editorial Committee, Journal of East African Natural History. March 2021 to-date https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jeanh/about/editorialTeam
James Kalema is an author, and reviewer, with over 60 scientific publications: 2 published books, 27 peer-reviewed papers, 20 peer-reviewed online articles, 13 book chapters, all spanning a period of c.20 years (2003-2024). Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID): https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4044-3917
Books
and conservation. CAB International, Wallingford, UK. ISBN NO. 978 – 1 – 78924 – 527 – 1; DOI: 10.1079/9781789245271; https://www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-Forest-Trees-Uganda-ebook/dp/B08B69L2JB
Botanic Gardens, Kew, England. ISBN 978-1-84246-377-2. https://www.amazon.com/Conservation-Checklist-Trees-Uganda-Kalema/dp/1842463772
Papers in peer-reviewed journals
Critically Endangered and endemic to Budongo Central Forest Reserve, Uganda. bioRxiv https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.03.587962.
and Minziro, two important plant areas on the Uganda/Tanzania. ARPHA Reprints, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/arphapreprints.e110027
coffee resources of Ugnda and their potential for coffee sector sustainability and development. Frontiers in Plant Sciences, 13.1057317, doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1057317, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.1057317/full?amp;amp
coffee as a major crop plant. nature plants 8, 1322-1328. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-022-01309-5
Bouka GUD, Cheek M, Cosiaux A, Dauby G, De Block P, Ewango CEN, Fischer E, Gereau RE, Hargreaves S, Harvey-Brown Y, Ikabanga DU, Ilunga wa Ilunga E, Kalema J, Kamau P, Lachenaud O, Luke Q, Mwanga Mwanga I, Ndolo Ebika ST, Nkengurutse J, Nsanzurwimo A, Ntore S, Richards SL, Shutsha Ehata R, Simo-Droissart M, Stevart T, Sosef MSM 2022. The ECAT dataset: expert-validated distribution data of endemic and sub-endemic trees of Central Africa (Dem. Rep. Congo, Rwanda, Burundi). PhytoKeys 206: 137–151. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.206.77379
plants of Mabira Central Forest Reserve, Uganda. African Journal of Ecology 00, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13028
conservation status of Encephalartos macrostrobilus Scott Jones and Jeff Wynants in Uganda. ENCEPHALARTOS 139,6-11
Agoro-Agu Central Forest Reserve, Lamwo District, Northern Uganda. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 13(3),127-143. Doi:10.5897/1JBC2021.1487, ISSN: 2141-243X, https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Tree-species-composition-and-diversity-in-Agoro-Agu-John-Sylvano/19334d2b4c6a9f111c1af62bf7b1c918fd304f96
Nutritional value of selected wild edible plants in Teso-Karamoja region, Uganda. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development. 20(4):16112-16126, https://doi.org/10.18697/ajfand.92.18940
12. Ojelel, S., Mucunguzi, P., Katuura, E., Kakudidi, E.K., Namaganda, M. and Kalema, J. 2019. Wild edible plants used by communities in and around selected forest reserves of Teso-Karamoja region, Uganda. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 15:3 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-018-0278-8 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-018-0278-8
Z., Harris, T., Heatbun, C.D., Kalema, J., Magassouba, S., McCarthy, B., Milliken, W., de Montmollin, B., Nic Lughadha, E., Onana, J-M., Saïdou, D., Sarbu, A., Shrestha, K. & Radford, E. (2017). Important Plant Areas: revised selection criteria for a global approach to plant conservation. Biodivers Conserv DOI 10.1007/s10531-017-1336-6, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10531-017-1336-6
Kamatenesi-Mugisha M 2016. Non-Timber Forest Products Trade and Community Livelihoods around Mabira Central Forest Reserve, Uganda. Journal of Agricultural Studies doi:10.5296/jas.v4i4.9482 https://www.macrothink.org/journal/index.php/jas/article/view/9482
conservation of range-restricted species of the genera Eleusine Gaertn. and Pennisetum Rich. (Poaceae) in Uganda. Symbolae Botanicae Upsalienses 38:93-100, ISBN 978-91-554-9608-1.
carnivorous plants in Uganda: towards identification of sites most critical for their conservation. Biodivers Conserv 25:2035-2053. DOI 10.1007/s10531-016-1177-8, ISSN 0960-3115, Vol 25, N. 11 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10531-016-1177-8
C., Friis, I., Gachathi, F., Kalema, J., Mbago, F., Moshi, H. N., Mulumba, J. W., Namaganda, M., Ndangalasi, H. J., Ruffo, C. K., Minani, V., Jamnadass, R. H., & Graudal, L. 2014. Correspondence in forest species composition between the Vegetation Map of Africa and higher resolution maps for seven African countries. Applied Vegetation Science 17: 162-171 https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.12055
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/avsc.12055
https://medwelljournals.com/abstract/?doi=rjbsci.2011.436.439
van Wyk, B., Ali, S.I., Ameka, G.K., Atahuachi, M., Bandyopadhyay, S., Barker, N., Beentje, H., Bruneau, A., Bytebier, B., Craven, L., Crisp, M., Cunningham, A., Dold, T., Fagg, C., Fortuna, A.P., Fortunato, R.H., Friis, I., Garcia, F., Glazewski, J., Grobler, A., Hall, M., Herendeen, P., Hughes, C., Huntley, B.J., Kalema, J. + 33 other authors. 2010 Acacia, the 2011 Nomenclature Section in Melbourne, and beyond. 18: 8 pp. https://doi.org/10.1002/tax.594017
areas of biodiversity concentration: the case of family Acanthaceae in Uganda African Journal of Ecology, 46 (Suppl.1), 125–126 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2028.2008.00942.x
by the family Cyperaceae Juss. in some of Uganda’s wetlands Afr. J. Ecol., 46 (Suppl. 1), 98–108 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2028.2008.00936.x
wetland ecosystems of Nyamuriro and Doho, Uganda, African Journal of Ecology, 45 (Suppl. 1): 28–33 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2028.2007.00734.x
live and dead canopy trees in a tropical rain forest ecosystem of Kibale National Park, Uganda, African Journal of Ecology, 45 (Suppl. 3): 11-17 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2028.2007.00845.x
Davenport, T., Fjeldså, J., Friis, I., Pain, D., Pomeroy, D., Williams, P. & Williams, C. 2006. A Nationwide Assessment of the Biodiversity Value of Uganda’s Important Bird Areas Network, Conservation Biology, 20(1): 85-99 , DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2005.00318.x https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6877191_A_Nationwide_Assessment_of_the_Biodiversity_Value_of_Uganda%27s_Important_Bird_Areas_Network
distribution of sedges on multivariate environmental gradients. African Journal of Ecology 42:21-33 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2028.2004.00454.x
Norwegian Journal of Botany 6(1): 9-12
new genus and species to East Africa. – Lidia A Norwegian Journal of Botany 6(1): 1-5
Book Chapters
values and nutritional potential of selected wild edible plants from Teso-Karamoja region, Uganda In: UNU-IAS and IGES (eds.) Understanding the multiple values associated with sustainable use in socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (Satoyama Initiative Thematic Review vol. 5), United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, Tokyo, pp. 103-115, DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.11723.34087 https://satoyama-initiative.org/case_studies/direct-use-values-and-nutritional-potential-of-selected-wild-edible-plants-from-teso-karamoja-region-uganda/
Gachathi F., Kalema J., Mbago F., Moshi H.N., Namaganda M., Ruffo C.K., Védaste M., Jamnadass R. and Graudal L. 2011. Potential natural vegetation map of eastern africa: Interactive vegetation map for Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Forest and Landscape (Denmark) and World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF). URL: http://www.sl.life.ku.dk/English/outreach_publications/computerbased_tools/vegetation_climate_change_eastern_africa.aspx
Malinga, M., Esegu, J.F.O., Jamnadass, R. and Graudal, L. 2014. Potential Natural Vegetation of Eastern Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia). Volume 11. Atlas and Tree Species Composition for Uganda. Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management University of Copenhagen. ISBN 978-87-7903-624-6 (paper); ISBN 978-87-7903-623-9 (digital) https://tree.worldagroforestry.org/article?id=67
Friis, I., Gachathi, F., Kalema, J., Mbago, F., Minani, V., Moshi, H.N., Mulumba, J., Namaganda, M., Ndangalasi, H.J., Ruffo, C.K., Jamnadass, R. and Graudal, L. (2011). Potential natural vegetation of eastern Africa. Volume 7. Projected distributions of potential natural vegetation types and two important agroforestry species (Prunus africana and Warburgia ugandensis) for six possible future climates. Forest & Landscape Working Paper 69. Forest & Landscape Denmark University of Copenhagen. ISBN 978-87-7903-563-8 https://vegetationmap4africa.org/Documentation/PNV_docs.html
Gachathi F, Kalema J, Mbago F, Minani V, Moshi HN, Mulumba J, Namaganda M, Ndangalasi HJ, Ruffo CK, Jamnadass R and Graudal L. 2011. Potential Natural Vegetation of Eastern Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia). Volume 6. An Overview of The Methods and Material Used to Develop The Map. Forest & Landscape Working Paper 68. Forest & Landscape Denmark University of Copenhagen. ISBN 978-87-7903-562-1 https://vegetationmap4africa.org/Documentation/PNV_docs.html
Friis, I., Gachathi, F., Kalema, J., Mbago, F., Minani, V., Moshi, H. N., Mulumba, J., Namaganda, M., Ndangalasi, H.J., Ruffo, C. K., Jamnadass, R. and Graudal, L. 2011. Potential Natural Vegetation of Eastern Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia). Volume 5. Description and Tree Species Composition for Other Potential Natural Vegetation Types (Vegetation Types other than Forests, Woodlands, Wooded Grasslands, Bushlands and Thickets). Forest & Landscape Working Paper 65. Forest & Landscape Denmark University of Copenhagen. ISBN 978-87-7903-555-3 https://vegetationmap4africa.org/Documentation/PNV_docs.html
Friis, I., Gachathi, F., Kalema, J., Mbago, F., Minani, V., Moshi, H. N., Mulumba, J., Namaganda, M., Ndangalasi, H.J., Ruffo, C. K., Jamnadass, R. and Graudal, L. 2011. Potential Natural Vegetation of Eastern Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia). Volume 4. Description and Tree Species Composition for Bushland and Thicket Potential Natural Vegetation Types. Forest & Landscape Working Paper 64. Forest & Landscape Denmark University of Copenhagen. ISBN 978-87-7903-553-9 https://vegetationmap4africa.org/Documentation/PNV_docs.html
Friis, I., Gachathi, F., Kalema, J., Mbago, F., Minani, V., Moshi, H.N., Mulumba, J., Namaganda, M., Ndangalasi, H.J., Ruffo, C.K., Jamnadass, R. and Graudal, L. 2011. Potential Natural Vegetation Of Eastern Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda And Zambia). Volume 3. Description and Tree Species Composition for Woodland and Wooded Grassland Potential Natural Vegetation Types. Forest & Landscape Working Paper 63. Forest & Landscape Denmark University of Copenhagen. ISBN 978-87-7903-552-2 https://vegetationmap4africa.org/Documentation/PNV_docs.html
Friis, I., Gachathi, F., Kalema, J., Mbago, F., Minani, V., Moshi, H.N., Mulumba, J., Namaganda, M., Ndangalasi, H.J., Ruffo, C.K., Jamnadass, R. and Graudal, L. 2011. Potential Natural Vegetation of Eastern Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia). Volume 2. Description and Tree Species Composition for Forest Potential Natural Vegetation types. Forest & Landscape Working Paper 68. Forest & Landscape Denmark University of Copenhagen. ISBN 978-87-7903-551-5 https://vegetationmap4africa.org/Documentation/PNV_docs.html
Gachathi, F., Kalema, J., Mbago, F., Minani, V., Moshi, H., Mulumba, J., Namaganda, M., Ndangalasi, H., Ruffo, C., Jamnadass, R. & Graudal, L. O. V. (2011). 61 ed. Forest & Landscape, University of Copenhagen. 155 p. (Working Papers; 61). Potential Natural Vegetation of Eastern Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia). Volume 1: The Atlas. https://vegetationmap4africa.org/Documentation/PNV_docs.html
Status of higher plants in Uganda. In: J.B. Kaddu & H. Busuulwa (Eds.) Baseline report on state of biodiversity in the Nile Uganda 2010. A production of the Wetlands and Biodiversity Conservation Component of the Nile Transboundary Environmental Action Project. Nile Basin Initiative Secretariat.
Characterization of Mabira Forest CSM-BGBD benchmark area. In: M.C. Rwakaikara-Silver, B.E. Isabirye, A.M. Akol, C. Nkwiine, M.J.N. Okwakol, J. Huising, P. Okoth, W. Brooijmans, T.B. Etyang (Eds.) Ecology and management of soil biodiversity in Mabira Forest, Uganda: An inventory; Towards conservation and sustainable management of Below-Ground biodiversity in Uganda. CSM-BGBD Report No. 09-02, Kampala, Uganda.
45. Kalema, J. 2005. The Vascular plants of Nabugabo wetland system. In: H. Busuulwa, P.G. Mafabi & L.M. Ndawula (eds) A compilation of Scientific Information on Nabugabo Ramsar Site, Uganda. Proceedings of the Scientific Conference held at Nabugabo in January 2001, JOSU Links (U) Ltd. pp. 85-90. Wetlands Inspection Division, Ministry of Water, Lands and Environment, Kampala, Uganda.
Peer reviewed online publications
Threatened Species 2021: e.T137408690A138014516. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T137408690A138014516.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/137408690/138014516
List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T138014084A138015909. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T138014084A138015909.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/138014084/138015909
List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T32749A137516092. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T32749A137516092.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/32749/137516092
List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T137425596A138014616. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T137425596A138014616.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/137425596/138014616
Threatened Species 2021: e.T32752A138013011. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T32752A138013011.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/32752/138013011
Threatened Species 2021: e.T137408124A138014496. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T137408124A138014496.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/137408124/138014496
Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T137408719A138014521. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T137408719A138014521.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/137408719/138014521
of Threatened Species 2021: e.T103851527A103851530. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T103851527A103851530.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/103851527/103851530
List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T137584496A138015409. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T137584496A138015409.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/137584496/138015409
List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T137989902A138015449. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T137989902A138015449.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/137989902/138015449
Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T138013176A138015754. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T138013176A138015754.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/138013176/138015754
of Threatened Species 2021: e.T137584484A138015404. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T137584484A138015404.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/137584484/138015404
Threatened Species 2021: e.T137568131A138014926. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T137568131A138014926.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/137568131/138014926
of Threatened Species 2021: e.T137580592A138015016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T137580592A138015016.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/137580592/138015016
oddurensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T128048544A128048548. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T128048544A128048548.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/128048544/208232283
adjurana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T128048676A128048681. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T128048676A128048681.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/128048676/208232606
Mwangoka, M., Nshutiyayesu, S. & Ntore, S. 2017. Kyllinga melanosperma var. hexalata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T99583071A99583074. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T99583071A99583074.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/99583071/99583074
2010: e.T41928A10601803. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T41928A10601803.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41928/10601803
Threatened Species 2013: e.T44392757A44413063. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T44392757A44413063.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/44392757/44413063
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T201330A2700027. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T201330A2700027.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/201330/2700027
Papers in conferences
Kalema, J., Darbyshire, I., Ndangalasi, H., Vollesen, K. & Friis, I. 2017. Developing a
database of the family Acanthaceae and identifying important plant areas in East Africa. A poster presented during the 21st AETFAT Congress held at Nairobi, Kenya, from 15 to 19 May 2017.
Kalema, J., Darbyshire, I., Ndangalasi, H., Vollesen, K. & Friis, I. 2014. The East
African Acanthaceae conservation atlas project. A poster presented during the 20th AETFAT Congress held at Stellenbosch, South Africa, from 13 to 17 January 2014.
Luke, Q., F. Bangirinama, H. Beentje, F. Bujo, R. Gereau, J. Kalema, Ensermu
Kelbessa, M. Maunder, V. Minani, W. Kindeketa, M. Mwangoka, H. Ndangalasi, C. Kabuye, P.Kamau, I. Malombe, K. Mbaluka, G. Mwachala, M. Manoko, & M. Nyange (2014). Progress in assessing the conservation status of Eastern African Plants. In B. Bytebier, A.M. Muasya & D.U. Bellstedt (eds.), XXth AETFAT Congress—South Africa, 13–17 January 2014. Abstracts. Scripta Botanica Belgica 52: 248.
Kalema, J. 2006. The significance of Important Bird Areas for conservation
of plants in Uganda. In: S.A. Ghazanfar & H.J. Beentje (eds), Taxonomy and Ecology of African Plants, their Conservation and Sustainable Use, pp. 457-472. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.