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Biodiversity and Conservation of Woody Plants pp 273–290Cite as

Conservation of Woody Plant Diversity in Kenya

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Part of the book series: Sustainable Development and Biodiversity ((SDEB,volume 17))

Abstract

Environmental conditions along humid to arid gradients in Kenya contribute to woody plant diversity patterns and complicate their conservation as an important resource for human livelihoods. Applied conservation research links floristic and ethnobotanical inventories of woody plant species, measures landscape ecological complexity and the value of woody vegetation types as a cultural resource, and effectively integrates research with application in the context of global environmental policies. For Kenya, and through a case study of an Afromontane/bushland corridor between Tsavo East and West national parks, the review highlights the importance of “water tower” forests but also recognizes a diversity of other woody vegetation types that show unique floristic affinities, high measures of cultural plant resources derived from significant local knowledge, and complex ecological patterns across landscapes in relation to physical–environmental and human resource relationships. Much woody vegetation occurs outside the area measured as forest or woodland cover by international and national authorities, substantiating a need to spatially broaden policies for woody plant conservation and better engage local stakeholders. Global to national policies and practices for carbon accrual, especially with financial inflows from the UN-REDD+ program, strengthen the need to conserve woody plants in Kenya and promote adaptive co-management practices that contribute to the country’s sustainable development.

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Acknowledgements

Field research at Mt. Kasigau was supported by grants from the National Geographic Society (2003–2004), the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (Conservation International, 2005–2007), and the National Science Foundation (NSF GSS 1061407, 2011–2015). We recognize affiliation with the East African Herbarium at the National Museums of Kenya and the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of Nairobi, under most recent approval by the Kenya Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (NCST/RR1/12/1/ES-011/11). Ph.D. dissertation research by co-author C. Mutiti in the Kasigau corridor received financial support from the Department of Botany, Turrell Herbarium (MU) and the Graduate School at Miami University, and the International Foundation for Science (IFS). We especially thank the Kasigau Taita residents and staff at the former Taita Discovery Center on Rukinga Ranch for their expert knowledge and logistical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA

    Kimberly E. Medley & John K. Maingi

  2. Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College, Milledgeville, GA, 31061, USA

    Christine M. Mutiti

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  1. Kimberly E. Medley
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  2. John K. Maingi
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  3. Christine M. Mutiti
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Correspondence to Kimberly E. Medley .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Formerly Forestry Consultant, Zobel Forestry Associates, New Paltz, New York, USA

    M. R. Ahuja

  2. University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    S. Mohan Jain

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Medley, K.E., Maingi, J.K., Mutiti, C.M. (2017). Conservation of Woody Plant Diversity in Kenya. In: Ahuja, M., Jain, S. (eds) Biodiversity and Conservation of Woody Plants. Sustainable Development and Biodiversity, vol 17. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66426-2_10

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