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In many parts of the world and especially in Africa, wetland plants are harvested to support livelihoods. As such, removal of biomass may have an impact on the standing biomass which could affect primary productivity, a fundamental biological process supporting trophic levels. In this study, the effects of harvesting on aerial biomass and shoot regeneration of Cyperus papyrus L. was investigated following 6 and 12 monthly harvesting regimes compared with unharvested controls over a period of 3 years in an undisturbed site of Lake Naivasha. Our study revealed that the 6 monthly harvesting regime significantly affected aerial biomass production, culm (stem) density, culm diameter, culm height and clonal young shoot regeneration compared to the 12 monthly regime and the controls. This study recommends a harvesting regime that allows an adequate period for a full cycle of C. papyrus stems from young to senescence stage.

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