Effects of Encroachment on Western Blocks of Mau Forest Complex, Kenya

Zusatztext

The Mau Forest Complex has significant biological, environmental, and sociocultural roles, but is threatened with excisions for other land uses and degradation. This study was conducted between 2003 - 2007, to investigate the effects of human encroachment on the forest, and establish its resilience to the disturbance by comparing forest aspects at three levels of disturbance. Forest cover was analysed using satellite image data by supervised classification at two year intervals. Five forest cover types were identified; closed canopy forest, plantation forests, bamboo dominated forest, forest bush and grassland. Ground data was collected at 12 month intervals using 50 circular (28 m radius) plots inconspicuously placed in the forest. Trees were classified into big trees (dbh 40 cm), small trees (dbh 20>40 cm), poles (dbh 520 cm) and saplings (height 1.5 m, dbh 5cm). Forest composition was analysed by tree numbers, and importance values. Vertical forest structure was compared by inverse J curves. Transformed data was used to plot linear regression lines that were compared for gradient, y - intercept and correlation coefficient (R2). Horizontal forest structure was estimate

Autorenportrait

Born in 1971 on fringes of the Mau forest, Kenya and grew up in a forest adjacent community. Studied Forestry (B.Sc) and Forest Biology (M.Phil) at Moi University and then Natural Resource Management (Ph.D) at Egerton University. Is currently a Senior Natural Resource Scientist in the Department of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing.

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