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Jones Kpakpa Quartey(BSc. MPhil, PhD(Ghana))

Jones Kpakpa Quartey(BSc. MPhil, PhD(Ghana))
Lecturer
joquartey@ug.edu.gh

Academic Qualifications

1. PhD Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Ghana, 2018
2. MPhil Zoology, University of Ghana, 2011
3. BSc Zoology, University of Ghana, 2008
 
Research interest 
My overarching research revolves around wetland ecology and management, waterbirds, small and large mammals’ ecology, and conservation biology. The element of different pressures, be it anthropogenic or natural, on waterbird populations and wetland ecosystems are very much considered in my research. Impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems and subsequent effects on the socio-economic livelihoods are of much interest. My speciality lies with aspects of the ecology, specifically, population, foraging and breeding ecology of waterbirds and to a large extent small mammals and herpetofauna.  My recent researches emphasize the concept of human dimensions in resource utilization and sustainability.
 
Current research/project(s)
My current projects include; (i) International Waterbird Census/ Waterbird Monitoring (National coordinator) and (ii) Foraging ecology of sanderlings in Ghana and along the East Atlantic Flyway. Migratory birds are sentinels of global environmental changes. Their presence or absence, population dynamics, behaviour and ecology are important in providing vital information and cues on the state of the environment in which they inhabit. These projects involve the monitoring of populations of shorebirds which is known to be a good way of assessing the ecological health of wetland ecosystems. Conservation and management practices relies on ecological information for better planning.
 
Sanderling is a migratory bird that connects the very cold parts of the world (the arctic regions) and the tropics, inhabiting such spaces at different times of the year. Due to this attribute of sanderlings, they are considered an important candidate for climate change related studies. Their ecological roles such as breeding and foraging activities need better understanding in order to relate observable changes to climate change, and that is my current focus.
 
Thirdly, I am working on the importance of wetlands to surrounding communities. There is a heavy dependency of surrounding communities on wetlands for their livelihoods. The problem associated with human population increase and wetlands has been clearly defined in areas of encroachment, unmanaged infrastructural development, improper waste disposal into wetlands amongst others. The alarming part is that, most wetlands are dying as result of the enormous pressures placed on them and as such they are not able to function as expected of them. Hence the need to educate surrounding communities on compatible and wise-use of wetland resources, capacity building of institutions that work with wetlands, restoration programs amongst others.
 
Past research projects
1. Enhancing rural livelihoods and food security through wise use of wetlands in northern Ghana, December 2017 to June 2021, Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA)
2. Mami Wata Project – Ghana’s pilot project, January 2019 to date, funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU)
3. International Waterbird Census (IWC project), January 2017 to date
4. Exploitation of wildlife as bushmeat for Ghanaian communities, 2016, Food and Agricultural Organization 
5. Vulnerability and adaptive capacity to climate change, 2013-2014
6. Building Capacity for the Climate Change Challenge (B4C), 2011-2012
 

Awards

1. University of Ghana – Next Generation of Academics in Africa (NGAA), PhD scholarship

2. Centre for African Wetland, “CAW Wetland Research Grant"

Recent publications

1. Ofori, B. Y., Mensah, J. B., Anderson, R. S., Quartey, J. K., & Attuquayefio, D. K. (2021). Diet composition of the Common African Toad, Sclerophrys regularis, in human-modified landscape. Herpetology Notes, 14, 1167-1176

2. Boahen, F. A., Kankam, B. O., Quartey, J. K., & Attuquayefio, D. K. (2021). Altitudinal variation in small mammal distribution on Mountain Afadjato. Science and Development Journal, 4(2), 10.
3. Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y., Quartey, J. K., & Sawyerr, L. M. (2017). Wetlands. In EPA (Ed.), State of the Environment 2016 Report (247-263). Environmental Protection Agency, Ministry of Environment Science, Technology & Innovation, Accra.
4. Ofori, B. Y., Attuquayefio, D. K., Owusu, E. H., Kyerematen, R., Musah, Y., Quartey, J.K. and Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y. (2015). Seasonal changes in small mammal assemblage in Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve, Ghana. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 7(4): 238-244
5. Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y., Quartey, J. and Nuoh, A. A. (2014). Prey density explains seasonal patterns of occurrence of Sanderling Calidris alba on a sandy beach in Ghana [Abstract]. Wader Study Group Bull, 121 (3): 213. 
6. Ofori, B.Y., Garshong, R.A., Quartey, J.K. and Attuquayefio, D.K. (2014). Preliminary checklist and aspects of the ecology of small mammals at the University of Ghana Botanical Garden, Accra Plains, Ghana. Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES), 4(3):323-333
 
Professional membership(s)
1. Wader Study Group
2. Ecosystem System Partnership; Young Ecosystem Services Specialists (YESS)
3. International Waterbirds Census Coordinators
4. Society for Conservation Biology, Africa Chapter and Ghana Chapter
5. Society for Ecological Restoration