Browsing by Author "Nduguta, Redempta Njeri"

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    Correlation between Location of Illegal Activities and Infrastructure (Roads, Ranger Posts and Fence) in the Aberdare Ranges
    (African Journal of Emerging Issues, 2025-01) Nduguta, Redempta Njeri; Kung’u, James Biu; Kinyanjui, Mwangi
    Purpose of the Study: To determine the correlation between the location of illegal activities and infrastructure (roads, ranger posts, and fences) in the Aberdare Ranges. Statement of the Problem: Forest loss in mountain ecosystems, driven by factors such as agriculture, forest fires, and commercialization of forest products, is rapidly increasing. The impact of infrastructure, specifically roads, ranger posts, and fences, on illegal activities in the Aberdare Ranges remains inadequately understood, despite the area’s ecological importance. Methodology: The study utilized routine ecological monitoring data collected by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Aberdare Joint Surveillance Unit (AJSU). KWS collected data during elephant surveys in 2017 and 2021, while AJSU continuously collected data on illegal activities from 2017 to 2021. A total of 955 records were collated from 2015 to 2021 to form a dataset for analysis. Data was analyzed using ArcMap 10.8 and R software to assess the relationship between infrastructure (roads, fences, guard posts) and illegal activities. Findings: The study found a significant correlation between the proximity of illegal activities and various types of infrastructure (road, fence, KFS station, and KWS park gates). Most illegal activities occurred closer to roads and fences compared to KWS and KFS stations. This proximity suggests that infrastructure may facilitate illegal activities in protected areas. Recommendations: The study recommends that infrastructure development in protected areas should consider diverse factors, including environmental, social, and economic implications in both the short and long term.
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    Distribution of Illegal Activities and Tree Species Poaching in Aberdare Ranges, Kenya
    (EdinBurg, 2024) Nduguta, Redempta Njeri; Kung’u, James Biu; Mwangi Kinyanjui
    Globally, forest loss in mountains is rapidly increasing. The main drivers of this loss are attributed to agriculture, forest fires, and commercialization of forest products. The objective of this study was to understand the distribution of illegal activities and affected tree species in Aberdare ranges. This was achieved by using data collected by the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Aberdare Joint Surveillance Unit (AJSU) routine ecological monitoring. WRTI and KWS collected data during elephant surveys in 2017 and 2021 while AJSU collected data during routine monitoring that was continuously done on a priority basis from 2017 to 2021. All data on illegal activities collected from 2015 to 2021 from both sources was collated to make one data set of 955 records. The data was analysed to determine the vulnerable tree species based on the frequency of times a tree species was affected by illegal activity. The data was further analysed using ArcMap 10.8 and R software to determine the relationship between roads, fences, guard outposts, and illegal activities. The results showed that illegal logging (47%, n=449), snaring (18.7%, n=179), charcoal making (14.7%, n=140), firewood collection (9.3%, n=89), and fence damage (4.1%, n=39) were the top five most frequent illegal activities in Aberdare ranges. Other activities recorded were honey harvesting, 2.1%, n=20; disposed waste, 1.3%, n=12; encroachment at 0.8%, n=8, Cannabis sativa cultivation at 0.5%, n=5, burnt areas at 0.4%, n=4; cut grass, fishing, tobacco farming each at 0.3%, n=3; and abandoned motorbike at 0.1%, n=1. The overall distribution showed that those illegal activities happened within Forest Reserves as compared to the National Park. Out of the 244 records that had data on affected tree species, Juniperus procera, Arundinaria alpina, and Podocarpus latifolius/glacilior were the top three vulnerable trees to illegal logging with a frequency of 46%, 17%, and 10% respectively. Information acquired from the study is crucial for the protection of the Aberdare ecosystem. The data will also be useful in meeting legal obligations related to natural resource protection. Understanding the patterns and extent of illegal activities is also important for effective law enforcement and prevention of biodiversity loss