Journal Articles

Acoustic Monitoring Reveals Patterns of Insectivorous Bat Diversity and Activity in South and North Nandi Forests, Kenya

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Acoustic Monitoring Reveals Patterns of Insectivorous Bat Diversity and Activity in South and North Nandi Forests, Kenya Kibiwo, Sospeter; Bungei, Millicent J.; Kimanzi, Johnstone; Webala, Paul Understanding how habitat degradation affects insectivorous bats is essential for guiding tropical forest conservation. This study employed passive acoustic monitoring to investigate patterns of insectivorous bat diversity and activity across three habitat types: matrix, edge, and interior in South and North Nandi Forests, western Kenya. Recordings were collected between June 2019 and July 2020 using ultrasonic detectors, and call sequences were manually verified using Kaleidoscope Pro to the species level. A total of 24 species representing 8 families and three foraging guilds were identified from over 60,000 validated bat passes. Overall, bat activity and species richness were highest in forest interiors and lowest in matrices, indicating sensitivity to habitat simplification and anthropogenic disturbance. Edge- and open-space foragers such as Mops pumilus and Tadarida spp. dominated the degraded habitats, whereas clutter-adapted species, including Nycteris spp., Myotis tricolor, and Kerivoula spp., were confined to forest interiors. Canonical Correspondence Analysis revealed that tree density, along with indicators of disturbance such as cut stumps and footpaths, significantly influenced bat assemblage composition. These findings demonstrate that structurally complex habitats support higher acoustic activity and greater species diversity, underscoring the importance of conserving interior forest habitats within fragmented landscapes. The study provides a valuable reference for using acoustic monitoring in long-term biodiversity assessments and highlights the potential of insectivorous bats as sensitive indicators of forest ecosystem integrity across tropical forests.

Anthropogenic effects of habitat modification on anuran species diversity in a swamp forest area, Kenya

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Anthropogenic effects of habitat modification on anuran species diversity in a swamp forest area, Kenya Kabanze, Joseph; et al. Anuran species are some of the good environmental indicators of habitat quality and condition in ecosystems. This is due to their amphibious life modes and sensitivity to environmental change caused by rapid expansion of agricultural activities, advancement of forest destruction, climate change and emerging infectious diseases. Understanding their diversity and distribution patterns is crucial for the development and implementation of effective species and habitat conservation strategies. The study aimed at assessing and comparing anuran biodiversity and distribution patterns between a protected (North Nandi Forest Reserve) and a non-protected area (Kingwal swamp) to provide additional baseline information, both being among the underexplored areas in Kenya. Data were gathered in both dry and wet seasons, between October 2022 and June 2023 by employing standard sampling techniques for anurans(Visual encounter and pitfall traps with a drift fence) to maximise detection. Three habitat types-farmland, intermediate land and forest were exploited. A total of 1649 individuals from 21 different species, belonging to nine different genera and nine different families were recorded. Ptychadenidae was the most abundant family from the recorded anurans, while Dicroglossidae, Arthroleptidae, Pyxicephalidae and Ranidae were the least. High biodiversity was observed in the forest habitat (Protected) and least in the farmland (non-protected). The wet season had high species abundance, diversity and richness compared to the dry season. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in diversity between the habitats in wet season, but no significance difference during dry season (p > 0.05) except for forest and farmland (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in species abundance between seasons (p < 0.05), and between habitats (p < 0.05) in all seasons except for farmland and intermediate (p > 0.05), as well as farmland and forest (p > 0.05) during the wet season. Habitat type and season had no influence (p > 0.05) on species richness. Anuran biodiversity is a function of habitat diversity and season, with the associated differences in microhabitat structure providing diverse niches and ways of exploring resources. The modest sampling indicates that Kingwal Swamp and North Nandi Forest Reserve are rich and support anuran species, and the differences in anuran biodiversity between the 3 habitats demonstrates that conservation efforts continue to be a priority.

The multilevel society of a small brained bird

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

The multilevel society of a small brained bird Papageorgiou, Danai; et. al... Animal societies can be organised in multiple hierarchical tiers [1]. Such multilevel societies, where stable groups move together through the landscape, overlapping and associating preferentially with specifi c other groups, are thought to represent one of the most complex forms of social structure in vertebrates. For example, hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) live in units consisting of one male and one or several females, or of several solitary males, that group into clans. These clans then come together with solitary bachelor males to form larger bands [2]. This social structure means that individuals have to track many different types of relationships at the same time [1,3]. Here, we provide detailed quantitative evidence for the presence of a multilevel society in a small-brained bird, the vulturine guineafowl (Acryllium vulturinum). We demonstrate that this species lives in large, multi-male, multi-female groups that associate preferentially with specifi c other groups, both during the day and at night-time communal roosts

Habitat structure determines the abundance of the Endangered Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei (Aves: Passeriformes: Motacillidae) at Timau montane grasslands in central Kenya

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Habitat structure determines the abundance of the Endangered Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei (Aves: Passeriformes: Motacillidae) at Timau montane grasslands in central Kenya Kiman, Dominic; et. al... Understanding the habitat selecton and structure of a species is critcal for developing evidence-centered conservaton actons. Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei, a passerine bird endemic to Kenya, is threatened by reductons in habitat size and quality that have lef it inhabitng a small and highly fragmented range. From January to June 2016 we investgated the abundance and density of Sharpe’s Longclaw in Marania farm located in Meru county in the northern sector of Mt. Kenya, where no previous study had been done. Populaton abundance and density were determined using the fush and count method. We observed that these birds were exclusively found in grasslands, being most abundant in habitats of short grass with tussocks, and less so in areas with tall grass. This habitat specifcity indicates a key requirement for survival of Sharpe’s Longclaw populatons in this area. We recommend surveys in and around Marania farm to determine the distributon of suitable habitats for this species, and that the farm be designated an Important Bird Area. Further studies should also focus on determining the intensity of grazing that is compatble with conservaton of Sharpe’s Longclaw populatons

An Ethnobotanical Study of Traditional Knowledge and Uses of Medicinal Wild Plants among the Marakwet Community in Kenya

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT

An Ethnobotanical Study of Traditional Knowledge and Uses of Medicinal Wild Plants among the Marakwet Community in Kenya Wanjohi, Bernard K.; et. al... Traditional plant knowledge and uses of medicinal wild plants were investigated among the Marakwet community in Kenya. Data were collected through interviews with seven traditional healers and 157 questionnaires for local community members. Tra ditional names of the plants by traditional healers and local community members were prepared as a checklist. Loss of traditional medicinal names of plants was ascertained with up to 60% overlapping in their nomenclature. ,e traditional medicinal plants treated 41 diseases within the region, of which local community members understood common ones for treating stomachache (94.8%), diarrhea (70.7%), chest problems (65.5%), and typhoid (63.8%). It was also clear that there was low knowledge index of medicinal plants by the local community members (23.6%) based on knowledge of traditional healers. Clearly, medicinal plants for treatment of malaria, diabetes, tetanus, and pneumonia were recognized by over 40% of the local community members, while plants treating arteriosclerosis, meningitis, arthritis, trachoma, smallpox, rheumatic fever, and gout were known by less than 10% of the respondents. Among plants, the use of roots for treatment was known by over 67% of the local community members compared to fruits, bark, bulb, and flowers (<10%). ,is low traditional medicinal knowledge in a community relies on the traditional medicinal plants, calling for an urgent need to document the information and perpetuate this knowledge from one generation to another. ,is can be achieved by collecting the information and developing a database of medicinal plants for future research and potential development of new drugs.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards Paratuberculosis in Cattle and Sheep in Kericho County and Konoin Sub-County, Kenya

Sun, 01 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards Paratuberculosis in Cattle and Sheep in Kericho County and Konoin Sub-County, Kenya Omega, Joseph A.; Musalia, Levi, M.; Kuria, Joseph K. A study was carried out to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices towards bovine and ovine paratuberculosis by farmers in Kericho County, Kenya. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 423 randomly selected households. Veterinary, medical and veterinary laboratory personnel in the County, and the national Director of Veterinary Services (DVS) were interviewed. Data was also obtained from seven Focus Group Discussion (FGD) conducted in the study area. The data was managed in such a way as to segregate the information on the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards paratuberculosis. The results were presented descriptively. The residents were predominantly of the Kipsigis community (96.1%) who practised mixed subsistence farming. Most (98.6%) of the cattle were reared for milk whereas the sheep (77.7%) were bred for sale. Resulst from the FGD and farmers revealed lack of knowledge of paratuberculosis as a disease of cattle or sheep and there was no local name for it. The veterinary personnel based diagnosis of the disease on laboratory examination, clinical and post mortem signs. The medical personnel did not associate the Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis with any human disease and paratuberculosis was not among the top ten most reported diseases in Kenya by the DVS, due to unreliable diagnosis. Most farmers (55.7%) did nothing to their animals which had diarrhoea and only 3.7% sought assistance from veterinary personnel. Most farmers (98.6%) fed their animals on grass pastures and 72.8% left faecal materials from the livestock in the pastures. All lambs suckled their dams and during milking, 91.6% of the farmers allowed the calves to suckle. The key result of this study show that paratuberculosis is a poorly known disease in Kericho County and the farmers inadvertently exacerbate infection and spread of the disease by their attitude and practices. Definitive diagnosis should be carried out and extension services, together with best practices, implemented in order to manage paratuberculosis.

Community Involvement in Conservation and its Implication on Poverty Alleviation

Sun, 01 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Community Involvement in Conservation and its Implication on Poverty Alleviation Kipkoech, Edwin; Ipara, Hellen; Koskey, Joseph Community involvement is a participatory approach to natural resource conservation thatcatalysesa win-win situation in conservation by enhancing biodiversity conservation and improving local livelihoods. This study was done in and around Bonjoge National Reserve in Kenya. The Reserve has diverse wildlife some of which escape to neighbouring farmlands destroying property. This has accelerated outright hostility and resentment among local residents, human-wildlife conflicts and poverty due to wildlife destructions. The study assessed the role of local community involvement in alleviating poverty through sustainable natural resource management. Data was collected from a sample of 250 residents living within 1 km from the reserve boundary using questionnaires, focus group discussions, field observations, and interviews. To facilitate selection of respondents, the study area was divided into three strata in relation to their location to the reserve namely the Eastern (Kaptumek), Western (Pemja) and Northern (Kipsartuk) guided by existing administrative boundaries. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square goodness of fit, chi square testof association and independent t-test. There was a significant difference between the views of local residents involved in conservation and those not involved (χ2=18.496,df=1, p<0.005). Incidences of poverty amongst those not involved were more prevalentand higher than those involved in conservation. The difference in prevalence was statistically significant (χ2=21.121,df=1, p<0.005) and a significant association between community involvement and poverty (χ2=5.792, df =1, p=0.016). Individuals involvement in conservation increased access to natural resources benefits (t =2.179, df= 248, P=0.03). It was concluded that Community involvement in conservation has the capacity to alleviate poverty and it is not inevitable to dissociate local communities from conservation. Hence efforts should be geared towards ways of promoting their participation in conservation. Further investigations on the effect of community involvement in areas adjacent to other protected areas in Kenya should be done to compare with the foregoing results on Bonjoge National Reserve.Keywords:Community involvement, Natural resources, conservation, poverty, multidimensional poverty index

Influence of Rainfall Fluctuations on Population Trends of Eleven Wild Herbivores in Soysambu Conservancy, Kenya

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Influence of Rainfall Fluctuations on Population Trends of Eleven Wild Herbivores in Soysambu Conservancy, Kenya Kimanzi, Johnstone K.; Mbau, Caroline W. Recent studies have shown that about 70% of wildlife populations are found outside the protected areas in Kenya. In a bid to cater for this large portion of wildlife many conservancies have been established in Kenya. Soysambu is one of the private conservancies that has experienced consistent decline in rainfall during the dry seasons. This may cause decline in wildlife populations in this conservancy as their declines have been shown to be directly correlated with decreases in rainfall unlike in other private conservancies. This study was carried out to determine the population trends of eleven wild herbivores, the effect of temporal variation in rainfall on wild herbivore populations and establish the relationship between wild herbivore populations in Soysambu conservancy. Data for twentyone years (1993-2013) on rainfall and wild herbivore populations were obtained from the conservancy records and the Kenya meteorology service. Regression and correlation analyses were used to assess population trends, relationship between rainfall parameters (wet season, dry season, mean annual, and 5-year cumulative rainfalls) and herbivore populations, and correlation among herbivore populations. Results showed a significant increase in the population of impala (r2 = 0.267, P = 0.004), buffalo (r2 = 0.511, P < 0.001), zebra (r2 = 0.745, P < 0.001), giraffe (r2 = 0.786, P < 0.001), herbivore browsers (r2 = 0.5641, P < 0.001) and grazers (r2 = 0.748, P < 0.001), but a significant decrease in the population of Thomson’s gazelle (r2 = 0.387, P = 0.007). The significant increase in the populations of zebra, giraffe and all grazers were attributed to the increase in mean annual rainfall and decrease in dry season rainfall. Also, the significant decrease in the population of Thomson’s gazelle was attributed to the significant decrease in dry season rainfall (r2 = 0.321, P = 0.022) and the increase in the populations of zebra (r = -0.654, n = 21, p = 0.040) and giraffe (r = -0.654, n = 21, P = 0.001). The increase in the other herbivore populations could not be explained by rainfall variability. Pearson correlation showed that there was a significant positive correlation between browsers and grazers (r = 0.745, n = 21, P < 0.001) and significant correlations (P < 0.05) among 10 wild herbivore species. For sustainable conservation of diverse wild herbivores in Soysambu conservancy there is need to (i) provide artificial water supply to species that are water-dependent and significantly decreasing to counter the adverse effects of drought, (ii) regulate the populations that are significantly increasing at the expensive of others and (iii) carry out further research to understand habitat requirements of the various herbivore species and identify resource inadequacies before they threaten population viability.