Human and natural impacts on forests along lower Tana river,Kenya: implications towards conservation and management of endemic primate species and their habitat |
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Authors: | Nancy Nthenya Moinde-Fockler Nicholas Otienoh Oguge Genesio Mugambi Karere Daniel Otina Mbaruk Abdalla Suleman |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Ecology & Conservation, Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 24481, Karen, Nairobi, Kenya;(2) Department of Zoology, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844, Nairobi, Kenya;(3) Department of Botany, Nairobi University, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya |
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Abstract: | Seventy-three forest patches were assessed to determine the effects of human and natural impact on native forests along the
Lower Tana River flood plains in Kenya between January and March 2001. Seventeen of these forests were within the Tana River
Primate National Reserve (TRPNR) while 56 were outside the protected area. Cultivation and dyke construction had the most
devastating human impact, which involved partial or complete forest clearing resulting in further fragmentation of forest
patches Suleman MA, Wahungu GM, Mouria PK, Karere GM, Oguge N, Moinde NN (2001) Tana River primate census and forest evaluation.
A report to Kenya Wildlife Services]. Natural impacts were either die back or flooding, which appeared to cause progressive
degradation of forest structure and biodiversity. Overall, forest area in the Lower Tana significantly reduced by 34.5% (P < 0.001) over a 21-year period. Forest loss was greater outside the reserve (38%) than inside (29.2%) reiterating the significant
role played by this protected area in habitat and species conservation. Continued forest loss increases extinction risks for
the endemic primate species the Tana River Red Colobus (Procolobus rufomitratus) and the Crested Mangabey sub-species (Cercocebus galeritus galeritus). Initiation of community conservation programmes outside the reserve and introduction of sustainable micro-economic projects
were recommended to enhance sustainable livelihoods and the environment. |
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Keywords: | Forest destruction Human and Natural impacts Tana River Red Colobus Crested Mangabey Community conservation |
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