Establishing a Participatory Landscape Conservation Strategy for Dendrosenecio Cheranganiensis, Polyscias Kikuyensis and Galega Lindblomii in Cherangani Forest

3 Sep 2024 Cherangani Hills, Kenya, Africa Biodiversity | Forests | Plants

Olga Hellens Odoyo

Cherangani Hills Forest is a collection of fourteen forest reserve blocks in western Kenya. The forest is characterized by rolling terrain with steep hills and expansive indigenous forests, savanna and grasslands. The forest is a critical habitat for globally endangered and endemic plant species such as Dendrosenacio cheranganiensis, Polyscias kikuyuensis, and Galega lindblomii. The populations of these three-tree species are rapidly declining due to anthropogenic activities i.e. occasional forest fires and increased decimation and conversion of forests and swamp lands for agricultural use. This project aims to assess the distribution of these species in the Cherangani forest and promote their conservation through activities such as forest survey and assessment, community outreach and education, native tree nursery establishment and stakeholder participation.

The following are the proposed project outcomes:

Outcome 1: Complete forest resource assessment in Cherangani (Kiptaberr Forest Block), pattern and habitat preference (including microclimatic variables) for Dendrosenecio cheranganiensis, Polyscias kikuyuensis and Galega lindblomii.

Outcome 2: Piloting the propagation and germination viability of Dendrosenecio cheranganiensis, Polyscias kikuyuensis, and Galega lindblomii.

Outcome 3: Establishment of a Local Environmental Action Group Network.

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