1. Introduction
Biodiversity decline has been well documented as well as the resilience of ecological systems and human communities (Balmford and Bond, 2000; Butchart et al., 2010). Protected areas therefore require dependable monitoring programs to better understand the extent and factors contributing to the declines. This in effect will guide management actions to curb environmental problems and determine the usefulness of conservation measures (Balmford et al., 2003a; 2005b). Regardless of the international assurances to monitor and protect biodiversity, contemporary ecological management approaches are reported as insufficient and biodiversity conservation aims are generally not being achieved (Butchart et al., 2010). In time past, governments and society in general have sought to establish protected areas as a chief response to the biodiversity crisis (Chape et al., 2008), however the success of these parks and reserves adequately conserving species and ecosystems are increasingly being questioned. Available literature also posits that records needed for the evaluation of the effectiveness of these management approaches are frequently lacking (Brandon et al., 1998; Gaston et al., 2008).

According to Wells and McShane, an effort to create a link between core aims of resource conservation i.e. protection for development and poverty reduction often lacks apt checking instruments (e.g. evaluation tools) for tracking their progress (2004). The survival of most resident