Participatory ecological assessment of Kirisia forest reserve, Samburu, Kenya

African Wildlife Foundation

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Abstract: The dry upland evergreen Kirisia State forest in Samburu District, northern Kenya, plays a critical role in the livelihoods of the local people. Prior to this study, no detailed assessment has been conducted to understand the forest-man-wildlife tandem required to develop sustainable conservation options. This ecological study was undertaken in November-December 2005 to generate information necessary to come up with a sustainable forest management framework, enhance environmental services such as biodiversity conser vation and promote sustainable forest use to improve livelihoods of adjacent communities. Stratified forest sampling, with four blocks, 122 0.02-ha-plots along 32 transects was used to capture forest structure, composition, diversity, regeneration, threats and wildlife. The forest is rich in tree species but only Croton megalocarpus, Juniperus procera, Olea europaea ssp africana, Olea capensis ssp hotchestetteri and Podocarpus falcatus dominate the forest canopy. The forest structure is not stable due to poor regeneration of dominant species that are exposed to a variety of damages. Anthropogenic activities were found to be among the major threats to ecological stability of the forest. Generally, the forest has great potential to support ecotourism and other nature-based enterprises which would improve conservation and sustain people?s livelihoods. This study identified key issues to be emphasized in the management of Kirisia forest: participatory approach, sustainable biodiversity conservation for ecotourism development, modern commercialisation of forest products, minimizing activities that degrade the forest as wildlife habitat and catchment, forest regeneration and rehabilitation, promotion of tree planting on private land (especially community lands) in the Kirisia region, and a surveillance system to control upcoming threats.