Harmonizing multi-stakeholder interests to improve forest conservation in Southern Kenya

Abstract

The cloud forests of the Taita Hills are valuable refuges for numerous endemic and rare animal and plant species. They also provide various ecosystem services that support subsistence farming. Due to the large-scale destruction and conversion of these species-rich natural forests into subsistence agriculture and plantations of exotic tree species, most of the natural cloud forest habitats have disappeared and ecosystem services have been significantly diminished. Despite numerous conservation initiatives, the destruction of the Taita Hills forest ecosystem continues, which also lowers livelihood quality of the local people. During a workshop with representatives of GOs, NGOs, researchers and representatives of the local community we identified potential factors which are essential to reverse this negative trend. We found that governance structures urgently need to be strengthened, and that the traditional conservation system needs to get transformed and revitalised. The basic prerequisite is a vital communication among generations, especially between the youth and the elders, as well as and improved communication of scientific knowledge to policy makers and the society. Furthermore, it is essential to harmonize stakeholders’ mandates, policies and actions to efficiently restore this unique forest biodiversity hotspot, and to secure livelihood needs for the local people.

Evaluation of Ecosystem Functions Across Three Ecosystem Types in Afromontane Forest in Kenya

“…Other studies have shown that disruptions not only change species composition and structure but can result in the extinction of sensitive species altering ecosystem functionality (Elijah et al, 2015.;Pellikka et al, 2013). Over-harvesting, deforestation, and replacement by non-native plants have further exacerbated these impacts affecting animal species composition and ecosystem functions (Medley et al, 2017;Watuma et al, 2022;Habel et al, 2023). Based on this study, the following research questions were addressed; How does the abundance of pollinators vary in the three ecosystem types?…”

“…The indigenous cloud forests in the Taita Hills have been decreasing signi cantly over the past 200 years due to extreme demographic pressure, high rates of poverty, and deforestation (Hohenthal et al, 2015). The forest covers a variety of vegetation structures, ranging from herbs to trees that provide different ecological services (Habel et al, 2023). The Taita locals conduct and rely on subsistence agriculture thus making the pristine forests and landscapes essential for providing the services needed to support human well-being (Habel & Ulrich, 2021),…”