The Value of Selected Ecosystem Services: A Case Study of East Mau Forest Ecosystem, Kenya

Abstract

The ecosystem services from Kenya's forest ecosystems have remained largely unmeasured and undervalued. Consequently, the benefits they provide are ignored in most forest management and conservation decisions. This has led to degradation and conversion to alternative uses. To provide a sound basis for decision making in forest management, it is important to estimate economic values provided by East Mau. This study relied on data collected from households using structured interviews and secondary data from published and unpublished sources. The total indirect use values (soil functions, hydrological functions, climate regulation values) from East Mau forest ecosystem was about US$219 million (KES 20billion). The economic values of nutrient cycling, erosion control, water flow and quality regulation were US$13.30, US$ 4.50 ha-1yr-1, US$ 1421.03 ha-1yr-1 and US $12.83 HH-1yr-1 respectively. The annual value for carbon sequestration and oxygen generation was US$3308.05 ha-1yr-1 and 1365.13 ha-1yr-1 respectively. These results provide valuable information on the magnitude of the selected ecosystem services that could be relevant in decision-making concerning conservation and management of East Mau forest ecosystem for enhanced ecosystem services and livelihoods. Contribution/Originality: This study is one of very few studies which have quantified indirect use values of forest ecosystem in Kenya. The study has provided valuable information on the magnitude of the selected ecosystem services relevant to sustainable conservation and management of forest ecosystems for enhanced ecosystem services and livelihoods 1. INTRODUCTION Forests are critical in provisioning of various commodities and services such as water, food, medicine, fuel wood, fodder and timber. Forests also provide a wide range of environmental services that support biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, protection of soil and mitigate global climate change [1, 2]. However, there is unprecedented increase in deforestation globally. It is estimated that 1 billion to over 6 billion ha of the global landscapes are degraded [3] resulting in diminished land productivity and impacting negatively on the flow of Ecosystem Services. For example, it is estimated that 60% of the ecosystems services are being degraded through unsustainable land use conversions leading to massive emission of Green House Gases [2]. It is estimated that one billion people live in degraded areas, which represent 15 percent of the Earth's population, and one third of the

Economic Assessment of Selected Regulatory Ecosystem Services (RES) in the Elgeyo and Nyambene Watersheds Ecosystems in Kenya

“…These correspond to KES 620,200/(US$5796.3) and KES 1,600,000/($14953.30) per hectare per year for Elgeyo and Nyambene, respectively (Table 2). The study's estimates were higher compared to a study in the Mau East ecosystem (Langat, 2016), which reported a watershed protection value of KES 127893.11 (US$1421.03) ha −1 •yr −1 , and a study in Indonesia which estimated water flow regulation and maintenance services value at US$1880 ha −1 •yr −1 (range of $707 -3110 ha −1 •yr −1 ) (Aulia et al, 2020). Similarly, the study estimates were higher than the study value in China (Xi, 2009) between US$540 and US$560 per hectare per year.…”

“…Estimates for Elgeyo were lower and consistent with the Mengla-Shangyon and Nabanhe-Mangao corridor studies (China) in Nyambene with a unit value of US$2195 per hectare per year (Xi, 2009). A similar scenario compared to the East Mau study that assessed carbon sequestration valued at $2782.47 per hectare per year (Langat, 2016). The study mainly attributed the difference between the degraded forest of Elgeyo and the fairly well-preserved forest of Nyambene.…”

“…The study opted for the water storage method of replacement costs, as shown (1), as widely accepted (Kibet et al, 2019;Langat, 2016;Xi, 2009) based on the avoided cost principle. The land cover size was determined using 2019 Landsat imagery, while the precipitation amount was based on average annual precipitation data sourced on request from the Kenya Metrology Database (MoE&F, 2020).…”

“…The contribution of such a study will raise awareness by making visible the monetary value of ES originating from such critical ecosystems in the country. Likewise, the results will feed into the growing assessment database in Kenya with reported aggregate unit values ranging from US$1000 to about US$16,000 per ha per year (Kipkoech et al, 2011;Langat, 2016;Langat et al, 2019;Langat & Cheboiwo, 2010;Mwaura et al, 2016;Mwaura & Muhata, 2009).…”

Pengaruh Waktu Ekstraksi dengan Metode Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE) terhadap Aktivitas Antioksidan Ekstrak Daun Belimbing Wuluh (Averrhoa Bilimbi L.)

“…Senyawa yang bersifat termolabil sangat cocok diekstraksi dengan metode MAE. Jika dibandingkan dengan ekstraksi maserasi, MAE bisa meningkatkan hasil ekstraksi dengan waktu singkat serta pelarut yang lebih sedikit (Langat, 2011). Ramayani et al, (2021)…”