Kenya
Carbon Footprint: Great Rift Valley, KenyaBACKGROUNDThis project takes place in the Kikuyu Escarpment, Western Kenya. The Kikuyu escarpment forest has a high biodiversity and the services the ecosystem provides, particular water, is a key source for neighboring communities' livelihoods. Environmental degradation through charcoal burning, logging for timber and fuel wood, ring-debarking for medicinal trees and overgrazing are negatively affecting these services and depleting the area of important vegetation cover. Open access copy available |
BGCI: Brackenhurst Botanic Garden, Kenya and Tooro Botanical Gardens, UgandaBACKGROUNDThis paper presents a summary of a project implemented in East Africa by BCGI. Africa experiences a net loss of 3.4 million hectares of forest annually from data available for the period 2000-2010. Despite a steep rise in the number of forest management plans in place across Africa, and a small increase in the area of protected forest (FAO, 2010), high reliance on wood as a fuel source, continued forest conversion to agriculture and development and selective extraction of valuable medicinal and timber species, continue to put pressure on Africa’s forests and forest resources. Open access copy available |
Regeneration Status of Mangrove Forests in Mida Creek, Kenya: A Compromised or Secured Future?BackgroundThis study investigates natural regeneration and timber potential of the mangrove forests of Mida Creek for better management through the principle of sustained yields. Research Goals & MethodsA stratified sampling technique was used in two main study areas. Transects and quadrants were used to measure vegetation measurements, species density, and frequency. Open access copy available |
Colonization of Non-Planted Mangrove Species into Restored Mangrove Stands in Gazi Bay, KenyaBackgroundAs mangroves are being recognized as some of the world’s most productive ecosystems, restoration efforts are being undertaken around the world. Not all projects are successful, however. This study will potentially help mangrove restoration practitioners with species selection. Available with subscription or purchase |
Influence of species richness and environmental context on early survival of replanted mangroves at Gazi bay, KenyaBackgroundMangrove restoration is often unsuccessful, thus this study involves long-term large-scale experiments measuring a range of ecosystem functions in replanted mangrove stands in Ghazi in Kenya funded by Earthwatch. Open access copy available |
Sustainable Management of Mangrove Resources through a Participatory Approach - KenyabackgroundThis study reviews an ongoing mangrove restoration project in the Ghazi region of Kenya. The study seeks to improve the sustainable development and conservation of mangrove forests in order to enhance productivity of natural resources in ways that sustain continuous flow of desired forest products and services. All 10 mangroves found in the Indian Ocean region are found in Ghazi. The dominant mangroves in the Ghazi area are Rhizophora mucronata, Ceriops tagal and Avicennia marina. Open access copy available |
Recovery of Plant Species Richness and Composition in Abandoned Forest Settlement Area in KenyabackgroundThis paper examines natural regeneration of tree species in a former forest village settlement that had been cultivated and abandoned in Mau forest, Kenya. Following 19 years of abandonment, the site consists of 3 zones of recovery due to different degrees of degradation before abandonment, continued grazing, selective logging and firewood collection. The zones are grass zone (GZ), transition zone I (TZ I) and TZ II and secondary forests (SF). Available with subscription or purchase |
Succession and Regeneration Patterns of East African Mountain Forests: A ReviewbackgroundFor decades East Africa has experienced heavy tree felling, which has resulted in a change in species composition. This study conducted the phytosociological in Kenya and Ethiopia between 1992 and 1996 in order to understand the succession and regeneration processes in East African Mountain forests. Available with subscription or purchase |
High Seedling Recruitment of indigenous Tree Species in Forest Plantations in Kakamega Forest, Western KenyabackgroundThe study evaluates the potential for seedling recruitment of indigenous tree species in different types of plantations and secondary forest in western Kenya. The plantations are comprised of mixtures and monocultures of single or exotic indigenous tree species. Available with subscription or purchase |
Native Tree Species Regeneration and Diversity in the Mountain Cloud Forests of East AfricabackgroundThis study evaluates the diversity of native species regeneration within 3 native and exotic forest plantations of the indigenous forests of Tatia Hills, East Africa. Research Goals & MethodsResearchers monitoried species diversity, richness and similarity of regenerated species between exotic plantations of pine, eucalyptus and cypress, as well as between native and exotic forests. Open access copy available |
