To protect biodiversity, first we must understand it. That’s why at Trees for the Future (TREES), we regularly conduct biodiversity assessments in the project areas where we work. This helps to establish a baseline for landscape restoration, identify species of concern, and map High Conservation Value (HCV) areas—a crucial component in restoring ecosystems, supporting farmers, and building resilience for the future. For smallholder farmers, biodiversity is not abstract, it directly affects crop yields, soil health, and water security. Understanding what species are present helps us all design restoration efforts that strengthen their farms as living ecosystems.
In Uganda, the TREES team recently completed a new biodiversity assessment in Busoga and Buganda as part of the Lake Victoria Watershed Carbon Project (LVWCP)—a key step in meeting the rigorous international standards required for high-quality carbon credits.
Working closely with Dr. Samuel Ojele from Makerere University Kampala (MUK), TREES Uganda Training Coordinator Isaac Mukosha led an assessment spanning several long days of data collection, surveys, and fieldwork. With the joint team fully immersed in the landscapes, the work often began at dawn, when wildlife activity is highest. During the day, the team moved carefully through the landscape, establishing plots, documenting plant diversity, and collecting data on environmentally-sensitive wildlife—including birds, butterflies, and herpetofauna such as amphibians and reptiles.
“We listened quietly for bird calls, watched for movement in the trees and undergrowth, and noted the subtle signs that animals leave behind,” recalled Isaac. “We also identified and documented HCV areas, such as wetlands and intact forest patches.”
As evening fell, the work continued. Some surveys took place at night, when an entirely different group of animals becomes active. Using headlamps, the group carried out quiet night visual encounters to document nocturnal species—scanning for movement and eye shine in the darkness. These nighttime surveys revealed biodiversity that would otherwise go unseen.
These observations help identify existing biodiversity conditions that can be referenced in the future when determining a carbon project’s ‘additionality’. This means showing that measurable environmental benefits would not have occurred without the project itself and ensures that TREES and farmers can prove genuine ecosystem benefits over time. Alongside our ecological surveys, we conducted interviews with community members to better understand the current biodiversity conditions, how the community engages with it, and the main threats it faces. These local insights help contextualize the field data and ensure the assessment reflects both ecological conditions and lived experience in the landscape.
Our Initial Findings
A wide variety of wildlife was recorded across these diverse landscapes, including the endangered Grey Crowned Crane—an ecologically and culturally significant species in Uganda. Not only is it Uganda’s national bird, the Grey Crowned Crane bird is also an important indicator species—informing ecosystem health as well as supporting seed dispersion throughout the landscape. Other noteworthy species identified included the African Fish Eagle, Central African Rock Python, Forest White-Lipped Frog, Vervet Monkey, and the Anderson’s Grass Yellow Butterfly.
While these examples offer a snapshot of what the team observed, the full report will provide a more comprehensive picture of species diversity across the landscape. This will also inform TREES’ carbon project design and long-term biodiversity management across all programs.
One of the most intriguing parts of the assessment was how closely ecological health is linked to community knowledge. Through interviews and informal conversations, community members shared detailed insights about the biodiversity around them—how different species are used, how landscapes have changed over time, and the pressures biodiversity is currently facing.
“While the days were physically demanding, they were also deeply rewarding,” said Isaac. “Each observation—whether made in the early morning light or late at night—helped build a more complete picture of life across these landscapes, strengthening the foundation for credible, high-integrity biodiversity data that supports long-term restoration efforts.”
Biodiversity assessments are more than a technical requirement—they affirm a simple truth: smallholder farmers are a key solution to ecological restoration. By pairing scientific data with community knowledge, TREES can ensure all carbon projects reflect the realities of the land and the people who depend on it. When restoration is farmer-led and data-grounded, integrity follows—and the landscapes surrounding Lake Victoria will grow stronger over time for generations to come.
