Browsing by Author "Mwangi, Martin W."

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    Effects of Grassland Edges and Plot Sizes on Distribution, Nesting and Occurrence of Grassland-Dependent Birds in Kinangop Plateau, Nyandarua County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2025-07) Mwangi, Martin W.
    Kinangop Plateau is an Important Bird Area (IBA) hosting globally threatened bird species and lies west of Aberdare Ranges and east of Lake Naivasha, in Kenya. Fragmentation of the grassland since human occupation in the 1960s has created grassland edges with forest, road, and cultivated areas, yet little was known about how these edges affect bird distribution, nesting behavior, density and occurence. The study investigated the effects of habitat fragmentation on grassland-dependent birds, focusing on three umbrella species: Sharpe’s Longclaw (Macronyx sharpei Jackson 1904), Jackson’s Widowbird (Euplectes jacksoni Sharpe 1891), and Long-tailed Widowbird (Euplectes progne Boddaert 1783). Using purposive sampling of 23 plots covering 573.2 acres, bird population surveys, nest searches and nest monitoring were conducted along edges via belt transects and rope-drag methods. Results showed that birds preferred cultivated edges most (38%), followed by road edges (35%), with forest edges (27%) least preferred. Only 1 individual Sharpe’s Longclaw was recorded from a Forest-edged grasslands out of 44 individuals recorded during the study. Jackson’s Widowbird nested predominantly in cultivated edges (61%), with nest predation highest at road edges (75%) and lower (57%) in both Forest and Cultivated-edged grasslands. Plot size influenced Sharpe’s Longclaw occurrence strongly, with 75% found in large plots (>20 acres), while Long-tailed and Jackson’s Widowbirds were unaffected by plot size. The study recommends prioritizing conservation of large cultivated-edged grasslands, promoting medium to large - sized plots (medium = 5–20 acres and larger = >20acres) for Sharpes Longclaw, limiting forest encroachment into grasslands, protection and restoration of native tall grass species such as Themeda triandra, Hyparrhenia filipendula, Andropogon amethystinus and Pennisetum cladestinum used for nesting. Further research should be carried on Sharpe’s Longclaw breeding and nest predation factors as well as engaging local communities in bird-friendly practices to reduce grassland fragmentation.