Trees outside forests as influenced by land use and socioeconomic factors in river Sio basin, Kenya
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Date
2009
Authors
Kwevu, R.M.
Obando, Joy Apiyo
Murimi, S.K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Increasing population in the developing world and associated needs for agricultural
production, human settlement and industrialization have led to massive destruction of tree
resources through deforestation and degradation of tree landscape. Countries have
restricted access to forest resources by establishing forest reserves, causing communities to
depend widely on Trees Outside the Forest (TO F). Therefore, TOF are diminishing and
with them their protective and productive functions due to over exploitation. TOF include
stands smaller than 0.5 hectare, tree cover on agricultural land, home gardens, orchards,
trees in urban environments, along roads, riverine trees and those scattered on the
landscape. Communities, farmers and herders who do not have access to forest, diversify
their production and protect their land by maintaining various tree systems on their farms.
Trees outside forests are important on the landscape as they in principle have the same
environmental and economic functions as forests. By providing many products such as
fruits, fodder, fuel, timber and medicine, TOF play an important economic role.
Therefore, if well managed, TOF can contribute to wealth creation by local communities.
This study was aimed at analysing the spatial distribution of TOF, in Sio river basin, in
relation to Land Use and socio-economic factors. The analysis helps in understanding the
relations between TOF and socio economic factors in order to achieve a sustainable
management of the resource. Within this context, TOF assessment was carried out using
basal area (BNha), number of trees (NT/ha) and tree products. In the study area the
survey employed stratified random sampling method. Data on Trees Outside the Forest
were collected by counting trees and measuring of tree Diameter at Breast Height (DBH).
Land Use data was collected by observation and an informal interview with farmers was
used to establish the socio-economic factors influencing the management of Trees Outside
the Forest. The collected data were categorized into 6 Land Use Categories (LUC). Data
analysis was carried out in SPSS version 11.0 software which involved testing the relations
between TOF and Land Use Categories. Results indicate that TOF BNha and NT/ha
significantly correlate with LUC. This means that production systems affect the
distribution of Trees Outside Forests. Results further reveal that the competitive nature of
trees with food crops is the main reason refraining farmers from planting trees on their
fields. Other factors include lack of enough land and tree seedlings. The survey on tree
products depicts that farmers rely on TOF mainly for building followed by fuel. The study
recommends that efforts of tree planting practices should be strengthened among farmers.
Farmers are encouraged to plant fast growing exotic trees which will provide products such
as income, building and fuel wood. However, such species should not be grown close to
the river as they drain away water and might jeopardize wetland conservation efforts.
Description
Proceedings of the 1st Kenyatta University Research conference held on 28th – 30th 2009 at Kenyatta University
Keywords
Trees outside forest (TOF), Land use, Land management Contact