Assessment of human activities on the vegetation of tropical rain forest in Kakamega County, Kenya

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dc.contributor.authorSeswa, Fred
dc.date.accessioned2017-11-23T06:51:31Z
dc.date.available2017-11-23T06:51:31Z
dc.date.issued2016-11
dc.descriptionThesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of degree master of environmental science school of environmental studies Kenyatta University. Nairobi (Kenya) November, 2016en_US
dc.description.abstractThe present research work was conducted from January to December, 2014 to assess human activities on the vegetation of Isecheno nature reserve part of the tropical rainforest of Kakamega County, Kenya. The objectives were to: (i) Study the floristic composition of Kakamega rainforest, (ii) investigate the uses of collected plant species or their parts by the local and commercial traders and (iii) monitor and assess impacts of human activities on the rain forest vegetation. Vegetation data was collected using line transects and quadrats. Within each quadrat, the plant species were identified, counted and recorded. Forest structure was assessed by calculation importance percentage. Interviews and questionnaires were used to collect information on the uses of collected plant species or their parts by local or commercial traders. Ground truthing was done within a 20m belt transect to assess human activities. The study recorded 146 plant species belonging to 124 genera and 57 families. Euphorbiaceaewas represented by 13 speciesbeing highest number of species in a family whereas 31 families had 1 species each. The growth forms in the forest are trees (81), Shrubs (32), Herbs (13) climbers (16) and Liana (4). Mimulopsis arborescenshas the highest importance value 53.84 whereas Senna spectabilis, toona ciliata and Croton macrostachyus each showed the lowest importance value of 0.03. The plant species diversity ranged between 0.0003 and 0.350 with the average of 3.16. There are 69 genera comprising of 83 plant species belonging to 33 families studied for their uses and mostly collected for medicine by local community of Kakamega which they use to treat or cure several infections, diseases and health problem. People also depend on the forests products for their livelihood from plant leaves, timber for buiding & construction, poles, fruits, grass and firewood collection. The study revealed that logging, debarking, root harvesting, footpaths/trails, cattle tracks and traditional honey harvesting are the main threats to the vegetation. Total of 487 trees belonging to 35 species are logged with highly affected Funtumia africana (67 trees). 108 debarked trees belonged to 15 species and Zathoxyllum gilletii (15trees) is highly debarked. Signs of root harvested from 55 plants belonging to 12 species and highly exploited species is Mondia whytei (12 plants). Cordia africana is highly affected for traditional honey harvesting. ANOVA test shows a significant difference (F=60.486; df=3; P=0.000) between the number of affected plant species and identified human activities and Kruskal-wallis test showed a statistically significant difference between (X2=30.518; P=0.000<0.05) the numbers of plant species affected in various plant families by monitored human activities thus both null hypotheses are rejected. Due to deforestation the unique diversity of flora and fauna of this rainforest is in danger. Strong enforcement of environmental laws is necessary to stop illegal exploitation and over harvesting of resources. To restore degraded plant species, tissue culture must be practiced to enhance the lost taxonomic diversity. Application of biotechnology will be the best solution to restore this unique forest for present and future generationsen_US
dc.description.sponsorshipKenyatta Universityen_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/17845
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.titleAssessment of human activities on the vegetation of tropical rain forest in Kakamega County, Kenyaen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
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