In this paper, the dynamic change in tree height, diameter at breast height (dbh), and ground line diameter (gld) at different density was studied. Trial sites were established in Chepkoilel and Nangili areas of western Kenya. Eight tree species (2 hybrid eucalyptus clones; GC 10 and GC 167), 1 eucalyptus local landrace, 2 agroforestry (Grevillea robusta and Markhamia lutea), 1 pure eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis), and 2 preferred local species (Maesopsis eminii and Khaya nyasica) were planted on each site. This paper however focuses on the effect of spacing on the height, dbh, and gld growth of the 4 eucalyptus genotypes viz (2 eucalyptus hybrid clones, 1 eucalyptus local landrace, and 1 pure Eucalyptus grandis). These were planted at 10 different spacings (0.6- ,

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Anthropogenic activities around Chepalungu forest has lead to its reduction in size and has resulted in its degradation. Continued dependency on this forest may result in its total depletion despite its high biological diversity and the value of its natural resources. Farmers in the area have been largely uninterested in adopting agroforestry practice around Chepalungu forest, despite the potential for these practices to reduce demands on the forest. This study identified barriers to adopting agroforestry practices around Chepalungu forest in Bomet County, Kenya. Researchers adopted descriptive survey research design in this study. The study was done in 2016. The study sites were four locations around Chepalungu forest (Bing’wa, Siongiroi, Ndanai, and Abosi), which are 5 km from the forest edge and were selected using simple random sampling method. A total of 377 household questionnaires were administered in the four locations. Chi-Square and Mann Whitney U tests were used in the data analysis. Significance levels were expressed at P<0.05 using SPSS version 17 software. The results showed that there was a significant association (c2= 530.8; P <0.01) between the types of agroforestry practices and challenges affecting the adoption of agroforestry practices. Notable challenges were: damage by animals, damage by man, tree nursery problems, inadequate capital, natural calamities, competing land uses, managerial problems and seed acquisition problems.  

Forest measurements, especially in natural forests are cumbersome and complex. 100% enumeration is costly and inefficient. This study sought to find out reliable, efficient and cost-effective sampling schemes for use in tropical rain forest (TRF), moist montane forest (MMF) and dry woodland forest (DWF) in Kenya. Forty-eight sampling schemes (each combining sampling intensity (5, 10, 20, 30%), plot size (25, 50, 100, 400 m2) and sampling technique (simple random sampling, systematic sampling along North-South and along East-West orientations) were generated for testing estimates of forest attributes such as regeneration through simulation using R-software. Sampling error and effort were used to measure efficiency of each sampling scheme in relation to actual values. Though forest sites differed in biophysical characteristics, cost of sampling increased with decreasing plot size regardless of the forest type and attribute. Accuracy of inventory increased with decreasing plot size. Plot sizes that captured inherent variability were 5mx5m for regeneration and trees ha-1 across forest types but varied between forest types for basal area. Different sampling schemes were ranked for relative efficiency through simulation techniques, using regeneration as an example. In many instances systematic sampling-based sampling schemes were most effective. Sub-sampling in one-hectare forest unit gave reliable results in TRF (e.g. SSV-5mx5m-30%) and DWF (e.g. SSV-10mx10m-30%) but not in MMF (5mx5m-100%). One-hectare-complete-inventory method was found inevitable for regeneration assessment in montane forest.

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