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Fencing and Forest Conservation: Attitudes of Local People Living Adjacent to Eastern Slopes of Mount Kenya
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2019
Pages:
1-6
Received:
13 December 2018
Accepted:
10 January 2019
Published:
30 January 2019
Abstract: This study was carried out to assess local people attitudes on fencing and conservation management of Mount Kenya Forest. A random sampling technique was used in administering semi structured questionnaires to 100 households living adjacent to the forest. Secondary sources and key informants provided additional information through interviews. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and creation of themes. From the findings 57% of the respondents were male and 43% were female. Age distribution revealed that 6% of the respondents were between the ages of 21-30 years; 30% between the ages of 31-40 years; 24% between the ages of 41-50 years; 19% were aged 60 and above. The results showed that local communities are deriving myriad benefits from the forest which include; fuel wood, timber, honey, fruits, medicinal plants and water for community irrigation projects. Findings shows that seventy six percent (76%) of the respondents’ supported forest conservation while 24% supported de-gazettement of forest to create farmlands. Fence installation has led to reduced cases of crop and destruction of property and death/injury of livestock. The results further revealed that forest illegal activities have significantly declined, citing few cases of illegal harvesting of hardwood trees. Trust relationships between the local communities and other stakeholders participating in forest conservation and management activities have also been enhanced. It is recommended that to improve local communities’ attitude towards conservation there is need to increase the flow of both direct and indirect benefits to the local communities thus creating strong partnerships for effective conservation and management of the forest.
Abstract: This study was carried out to assess local people attitudes on fencing and conservation management of Mount Kenya Forest. A random sampling technique was used in administering semi structured questionnaires to 100 households living adjacent to the forest. Secondary sources and key informants provided additional information through interviews. Data ...
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Forest Conservation and Utilization in Embobut, Cherangani Hills, Kenya
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2019
Pages:
7-13
Received:
1 January 2019
Accepted:
15 January 2019
Published:
31 January 2019
Abstract: Embobut forest is a constituent block of the Cherangani hills ecosystem, which entails the five major water towers in Kenya and home to the indigenous hunters and gatherers-the Cherangany/Sengwer community. This study aimed at investigating forest utilization and conservation in Embobut, Cherangani hills in the western part of Kenya. Data was collected using questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KII) and analysis done using Microsoft office excel 2013. A total of 42 respondents living inside and within a radius of 5 Kilometers from the forest were sampled for the study. Research findings indicated that 95.2% of the respondents benefited from the forest with fuel wood being the most harvested forest product (71.4%). Honey (26.2%) and herbal medicine (21.4%) were the second and third most harvested products from the forest. Other benefits and products obtained from the forest included grazing, building poles, wild fruits, and bush meat. Despite the conservation efforts by community members and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), a number of conservation challenges existed in the study area including illegal grazing, illegal logging, charcoal burning, forest fires and encroachment into the forest. The researcher therefore recommends the Implementation of the Cherangani hills Forest Strategic Management Plan (2015-2040) to address the existing challenges. Integration of the indigenous communities into the political processes especially around land-use issues and forest management will also be critical to ensuring their future well-being while concurrently achieving conservation goals.
Abstract: Embobut forest is a constituent block of the Cherangani hills ecosystem, which entails the five major water towers in Kenya and home to the indigenous hunters and gatherers-the Cherangany/Sengwer community. This study aimed at investigating forest utilization and conservation in Embobut, Cherangani hills in the western part of Kenya. Data was colle...
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Assessment of Colony Carrying Capacity and Factors Responsible for Low Production and Productivity of Beekeeping in Horro Guduru Wollega Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia
Kibebew Wakjira,
Alemayehu Gela
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2019
Pages:
14-21
Received:
26 December 2018
Accepted:
20 January 2019
Published:
13 February 2019
Abstract: The study was conducted in Horro Guduru Wolega Zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia in view of investigating colony carrying capacity and prime factors responsible for the low production and productivity of beekeeping in the area. Individual questioner survey, focus group discussions and field assessment were used to collect the relevant data. Moreover, data on suitable land size for beekeeping, seasons and frequency of honey harvest, months of dearth period for colonies, honey potential of the area, number of colonies in one apiary and other issues were collected. Personal observations were also made to the apiary management of the beekeepers. The study revealed that out of 820,956 ha land mass of the zone, about 59% was found to be with the highest potential for beekeeping with the remaining portion with medium potential. Two major honey-harvesting seasons with average frequency of 1.66 times and two months long dearth period in between the two seasons were identified. Estimated honey reserve potential of the zone is about 89.2 thousand tons/year with colony carrying capacity of 520 bee colonies per single apiary. However, the average number of bee colonies managed per apiary is found to be 260 indicating the overall ratio of actual existing colonies to the carrying capacity of an apiary is 0.5. From this analysis, current average honey production from traditional transitional and modern were found to be 3.5, 14.6 and 21.0 kg/colony/year, respectively with pulled average of 10.6 kg/ colony/year in the study area. With the current bee colony holding size and production level, each beekeeper produces about 244 kg/year, while it has a possibility of achieving 700 kg honey per year. From this, the annual yield loss per individual beekeeper can be estimated to 460 kg honey which can further explored to over $820 financial loss. Bee colony miss-management is identified as fundamental major cause of low production and productivity of beekeeping in the study area than the carrying capacity of individual apiary. It is recommended from this study that beekeepers should follow the standard apiary setting to utilize the production potential of their beekeeping endeavor.
Abstract: The study was conducted in Horro Guduru Wolega Zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia in view of investigating colony carrying capacity and prime factors responsible for the low production and productivity of beekeeping in the area. Individual questioner survey, focus group discussions and field assessment were used to collect the relevant data. Moreover,...
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Cashew Nut is Reshaping the Rural Landscape of the Seguela Sub-Prefecture (Northwestern Côte d'Ivoire)
Issouf Bamba,
Herman Madou Guemi,
Yao Sadaiou Sabas Barima,
Yao Charles Sangne
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2019
Pages:
22-28
Received:
8 February 2019
Accepted:
22 March 2019
Published:
13 April 2019
Abstract: Over the last decade, cashew tree cultivation has grown significantly in the sub-prefecture of Séguéla (northwestern Côte d'Ivoire) to the point where it has become the main cash crop. The objective of this study is to analyze the spatio-temporal dynamics of the landscape of this region under the impetus of the expansion of cashew cultivation. To achieve this goal, land use maps were generated from the digital processing of four Landsat satellite images (2001, 2006, 2013 and 2018). Subsequently, the evolution rates and spatial structure indices of the plantation were then used to analyze its spatial dynamics in the district's landscape. The study shows that between 2001 and 2018, the composition and structure of the landscape of the Séguéla sub-prefecture experienced significant changes with regard to cashew nut cultivation. At the spatial level, the creation process for new, larger plantations has been identified. In fact, a very limited number of cashew orchards in 2001 with only 83 plantations increased to 1290 in 2018. The total area of cashew tree plantations has also increased by more than 7000% to 4,678.5 ha in 2018. Such gain in the cashew nut sector is at the expense of food crops, raising concerns about food insecurity and land conflicts in this rural area in the long term.
Abstract: Over the last decade, cashew tree cultivation has grown significantly in the sub-prefecture of Séguéla (northwestern Côte d'Ivoire) to the point where it has become the main cash crop. The objective of this study is to analyze the spatio-temporal dynamics of the landscape of this region under the impetus of the expansion of cashew cultivation. To a...
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Determination of Threats and Their Relative Severity on Harwood’s Francolin (Pternistis harwoodi) at Abahoy Dengera Natural Forest, Awi Administrative Zone, Northwestern Ethiopia
Dessalegn Taye,
Edeget Merawi
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2019
Pages:
29-34
Received:
31 January 2019
Accepted:
30 March 2019
Published:
18 April 2019
Abstract: This study was conducted at Abohoye Dengera natural forest to investigate the status of Harwood’s Francolin (Pternistis harwoodi) and threats affecting its population. Data were collected using line transect method and questionnaire survey. The main objective of the study was to investigating the status of Pternistis harwoodi and anthropogenic effects at Abohoye Dengera natural forest. A stratified random sampling method was used to assess the Pternistis harwoodi across the four dominant habitat types found in the study area: forest, woodland, scrubland, and farmland. Surveys were conducted during January 2018 and August 2018 which includes both the dry and wet seasons. Data collection was carried out during 6:00 to 10:00 AM, and 4:00 to 6:00 PM, when the activity of birds was more prominent. Line-transect methods were used to collect data on Pternistis harwoodi. The Harwood’s Francolin species was estimated using direct (Line transect) and indirect (“calls” of the Harwood’s Francolin n) methods. Field data were collected from a total of 8 line transects ranging from 0.5–1 km, each 150–300 m far apart. During the study period a total of 83 Pternistis harwoodi were observed. A total of 60 households are living in the surrounding area. Out of these 30(50%) of them were interviewed. Major threats reported in the study area included: wildfire, agriculture, hunting, free grazing, predation, and firewood/timber collection. Among all these threats, deforestation was found to be the major threat in the study area, followed by wildfire, free grazing, agriculture, hunting, firewood/timber collection, and predation. Pternistis harwoodi preferred forest habitat followed by farmland, scrubland and wood land. To overcome the above challenges, proper conservation measures have to be taken to solve the problems and prevent the bird from its vulnerable situation.
Abstract: This study was conducted at Abohoye Dengera natural forest to investigate the status of Harwood’s Francolin (Pternistis harwoodi) and threats affecting its population. Data were collected using line transect method and questionnaire survey. The main objective of the study was to investigating the status of Pternistis harwoodi and anthropogenic effe...
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