ABSTRACT Deforestation in the tropical regions accounts for approximately 20% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to the atmosphere. Restoration of mined areas through afforestation/reforestation (A/R) can potentially capture large quantities of atmospheric carbon dioxide if appropriate management strategies are applied. This will help reduce the rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere. The key challenge for successful implementation of A/R carbon project is the unreliable estimation of biomass ca...
ABSTRACT Hylomyscus denniae endorobae is a rodent important in ecosystems as predator, prey, seed disperser, determinant of forest tree growth and structure as well as a contributor to biodiversity which subsequently plays a role in natural livelihood and national development. Fragmentation of tropical rain forest continues to pose a serious threat to species diversity, which leads to decreased natural income, primary production and general breakdown of an ecosystem. This in turn influences ...
ABSTRACT The study assessed the role of Agroforestry in the Conservation of Forest Resource in Central District of Uganda: A Case Study of Busujju County - Mityana District. The objectives of the study included; to analyze the different agro-forestry practices, to examine the causes and impact of forest degradation and to assess the effect of agro-forestry practices in the conservation of forest resource in central districts of Uganda: a case study of Busujju County — Mityana District ...
Availability of quality water supply is essential for a healthy nation and development. Water resources in Kenya are threatened by overuse, misuse and pollution as a result of destruction of vegetation in the watersheds. It is recognized that water quality and quantity factors are strongly influenced by forests. Degradation of water resource therefore causes large chemical consignments for water treatment. This study analysed the performance of four vegetation types in south Kinangop for...
ABSTRACT Though forests give a lot benefits to the local communities, they are threatened by over exploitation as a result of deforestation activities The main driving force behind this deforestation is land conversion, slash and burn agriculture, shifting cultivation and fuel wood gathering. In Kazimzumbwj, an ancient custom is slash and burn agriculture or shifting cultivation where by trees are cut down, allowed to dry, and then burnt to create nutrient ashes, which are mixed with soils in...
ABSTRACT Yushania alpina formerly known as Arundinaria alpina is the only species of native bamboo indigenous forests in Kenya. It plays an integral part in the indigenous forests in which it occurs. Bamboo is a fast growing, renewable, widespread, low cost, environment enhancing resource with great potential in environmental conservation and poverty alleviation. The lack of rules surrounding bamboo exploitation in Kenya has resulted in unsustainable harvesting and utilization of bamboo. Ther...
ABSTRACT French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important crop with high impact on rural employment and livelihood. In Kenya, the crop is grown for export by small scale farmers in high potential areas of Central, Rift valley and Western regions. These regions are densely populated leading to intensive farming and land fragmentation, which research has reported to be among the major threats of bee pollinators. However, amongst the known constraints, pollination has not featured amidst man...
Abstract Information on seed germination of trees is important as it forms a vital baseline for among other information on the germination of indigenous seedlings which take many years to germinate. The study was carried out to find out the effect of different light intensities and growth hormone on the propagation of Ocotea usambarensis Engl.The study was carried out for a period of three months (August to October 2010). The objective of the study was to determine the best propagation method...
ABSTRACT While recent studies indicate a high diversity of lichens in the tropical regions of the world equaling or even surpassing that of temperate areas, studies of lichens in these regions remain rare and Kenya is no exception. The aim of this study was to enhance our knowledge of lichen diversity in Mt. Kenya forest. Diversity, composition and altitudinal distribution of corticolous lichens was evaluated in Chogoria a wet forest type and Sirimon a dry upland forest. At every 200m elevat...
ABSTRACT Forests have numerous economic, social and ecological values. In Kenya most of the forests form vital water catchments for rivers among other ecological services as well as providing a habitat for numerous species of animals. Ngong Forest is an urban forest in Nairobi County that has a wide variety of flora species and serves as a habitat to various animals including birds such as the African Crowned Eagle. This research project aimed at finding out the challenges facing the African...
ABSTRACT Prunus africana (Hook. f) Kalkman, 1965 (formerly Pygeum africanum Hook.f) is a geographically widespread tree restricted to highland forest of main land Africa and outlying islands. The species is commercially important for its bark, which is used in the treatment of prostate gland disorders. It also produces high quality timber used locally for building poles and furniture as well as fuel wood. The high demand for the bark has led to notable destruction of the species in natural f...
ABSTRACT Characterization and identification of mushrooms at the species level is an important first step in systematic exploitation in specific applications. Mushrooms industry is growing rapidly in Kenya, importation of cultures and propagation spawns is growing too. The imported strains are susceptible to pest and diseases, and are low yielding. This study aimed at characterising selected wild edible mushrooms using morphological and molecular characteristics and developing of propagation ...
ABSTRACT Forest Conservation is important in maintaining the natural biodiversity fabric of a given ecosystem. Although remote sensing methods and techniques using satellite data have been useful tool in monitoring and mapping Environmental risks and disasters, as well as in environmental protection projects, they are scarcely used in environmental legislation implementation in Kenya. Karura Forest reserve covering 1041.3 hectares and located North of Central Nairobi County is one of the lar...
ABSTRACT The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is one of the parasite globally reported affecting honeybee health and causing high colony losses. Of notable importance is the association of the mite with viruses and their transmission to honeybees which causes great harm to bees. Kenyan beekeepers have reported that bee populations have been on decline in recent years and therefore the need for research to establish whether Varroa destructor is negatively affecting honeybee survival and d...
ABSTRACT Kaya Mudzimuvya is one of the Mijikenda sacred forests along the Kenya Coast, whose sanctity has, to some extent contributed to its conservation. However, due to gradual detachment from the Kaya culture and attempts to sustain livelihoods, these forests have continually undergone degradation. Consequently, this has tremendously reduced the forest cover thus resulting in the loss of biodiversity. This study sought to establish the relationship between the social, cultural and eco...