MST-Department of Environmental Education

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Browsing MST-Department of Environmental Education by Subject "Conservation"

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    Effects of Human Activities on Utilization and Conservation of Kerisoi Forest Station, Nakuru County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2021) Joyce, Chelangat Langat; Paul Obade; Kamau Mburu
    Forests in the world have immense importance ranging from productive to ecological services. Ecologically, forests are the world's largest water towers. They regulate hydrological cycles, pollution, and contribute to climate change mitigation. Despite these vital roles played by forests, deforestation and forest degradation continues, and this has reduced forest cover in the world from 4,128 billion ha in 1994 to 3,999 billion ha in 2015. Kenya’s closed canopy forest cover currently stands at about 7.4% of the total land area compared to 12.3% in Africa and 30.8% globally. Mau forest, which is the largest water tower in Kenya, has been destroyed and reduced by more than 25% since 1963. The study assessed the effects of human activities on the utilization and conservation of Kerisoi forest station, which is part of Mau forest. It was conducted in Kiptororo ward, Nakuru County. The objectives of the study were; i) to analyse the relationship between human activities and the loss of Kerisoi forest station vegetation cover over the period of 1989 to 2018, ii) to determine the effects of logging on the diversity of tree species in Kerisoi forest station reserve and iii) to evaluate the effectiveness of the existing conservation and protection measures in Kerisoi forest station reserve. The research applied a mixed-method research design which involved both descriptive and ecological surveys. In the descriptive survey, the sample size was 381 respondents; interviews were conducted only with the key informants. In the ecological survey, 10m by 10m quadrats were laid along 10 transect lines in the forest. In each quadrat, tree species were identified and recorded. Observation and photography were also made on various forest disturbances. Landsat images of 1989, 2002, 2010, and 2019 were used to compare land-use land-cover change. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS software. Qualitative data was analysed using structural techniques, establishing themes, patterns, relationships, and categories. The Shannon Wiener index of diversity was used to obtain the diversity of tree species in the forest. Landsat images were pre-processed and classified to come up with maps for comparison followed by accuracy assessment. The human activities identified in Kerisoi forest station included; logging, cattle grazing, and herbal medicine collection. Land use land cover change showed that natural forest was the most dominant land cover despite a reduction of 55.66 ha between 1989 and 2018 and an increase in the area under cropland by 1509.33 ha. 20 tree species belonging to 16 families were found in this study. The most abundant species was Podocarpus latifolia and the least was Cassipourea malosana, Olea capensis, and Teclea simplicifolia. The overall Shannon Wiener diversity index for Kerisoi forest station was 1.58. Conservation measures in place and known to the Kerisoi forest station respondents were plantation forest, law enforcement initiative, CFAs initiative, and public awareness. However, 34.9% of the respondents stated that they were not effective, contrary to 28.9% who stated that the conservation measures were very effective. The study concluded that the natural forest cover has reduced while cropland cover increased. The low diversity can be attributed to the effect of human activities besides non-effective conservation and protection measures. Consequently, measures such as fencing, forest restrictions, and banning all activities in the forest should be put in place to allow forest regeneration and recovery
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    Role of Rendille Indigenous Environmental Knowledge in Conservation of Selected Tree Species in Laisamis, Marsabit County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2022) Ekalo, Janet Ahatho; James K. Koske; Cecilia Gichuki
    Indigenous knowledge remains a critical holistic approach for environmental conservation worldwide. The knowledge practiced by various communities interlinks their natural ecosystems and the services leveraged from them. This study assessed the role of Rendille Indigenous knowledge in the environmental conservation of Olea Africana, Terminalia brownii, Teclea nobilis, and Hyphaena compressa in Marsabit County. The specific objectives were: to find out the cultural use of the selected tree species in Marsabit County, to assess the role of the Rendille indigenous knowledge in the conservation of the selected tree species, to establish the challenges faced by the conservation of the selected tree species in Marsabit County, to determine the impacts of selected tree species on a sustainable livelihood in Marsabit County, and to assess the conservation status and tree species harvesting of the selected species towards ecosystem conservation in Marsabit County. The study employed a descriptive exploratory research design. Stratified sampling and probability sampling aided the rationale for sampling respondents. The data was coded and analyzed by the use of excel and SPSS, which generated tables, graphs, and charts to communicate the results. The study found that the Rendille community uses indigenous knowledge of Teclea nobilis to make bows and arrows that signify braveness. Despite the conservation measures, the trees are faced with challenges such as charcoal burning (84.4%), traditional medicine (77.3%), and change in climatic variability (73.4%). Other indigenous tree cultural uses included: Hyphaena compressa, which represented peace and was a sacred tree; Olea africana, which was used in weddings and milk preservation; and Terminalia brownii, which has a pleasant scent and represents purity, among others. The study recommends the following: creation of awareness, initiation of environmental management committee use of alternative fuel energy, litigation of conservation laws. Therefore, she finds that the indigenous knowledge (IK) of the Rendille community has a role in the conservation of the environmental ecosystems in Marsabit County and other indigenous communities in Kenya. The study recommends; Integration of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) with the formal education to enhance conservation of the mentioned tree species and localizing forest conservation laws and policies at communal set-up through participatory forest management where pastoral communities should act as key stakeholders.