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Assessing the Impacts of Bioenergy Extraction and Human Land Use of the Biodiversity of Kakamega Tropical Rainforest, Kenya

Kefa, Christopher Amutabi
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1465254368

Abstract Details

2016, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Applied Geospatial Science.
Tropical rainforests are globally recognized as important biodiversity areas. Most of these forests are situated in regions with high population density, high poverty and high unemployment which leave local people little choice but to use forests resources to survive. Consequently, tropical forests are rapidly declining due to deforestation and unsustainable consumptive utilization of their natural resources. One of the main challenges facing efficient management and protection of tropical forests is reconciling human needs of the forest resources with biodiversity conservation interests. The objective of this study was to examine coupled nature of how human use of the forest impact biodiversity and biodiversity influence where humans use the forest. The study investigated patterns of wood harvest across Kakamega Tropical Rainforest and quantified rate and amount of wood harvested from the forest. Point sample Timber Cruising methodology and pitfall trapping were used to assess trees and arthropods respectively to characterize the status of forest health. Results showed that wood harvesters preferred indigenous as opposed to non-indigenous wood and that indigenous wood was sold for a premium price. Moreover, natural forest areas that had indigenous and rare tree species were targeted by humans for wood extraction, suggesting a bidirectional influence of human use on forest biodiversity and biodiversity on human use. Conservation of Kakamega forest is linked to social and economic development of the people living near it. Consequently, market economies may be able to incentivize forest conservation since it seems to drive forest use. This thesis is divided into four chapters. Chapter one provides a general introduction about the study and the study area. Chapter two is a standalone entity and a peer review paper (short communication) that describes assessment of the rate and quantity of wood harvested from Kakamega forest. Similarly, Chapter three which is also a standalone entity, explains forest health assessment, and how management of the forest and the two conservation interventions (tea belts and energy efficient cook stoves) have impacted forest health. Chapter four gives summary of the study findings, recommendations, study limitations, and suggestions for future research work.
Andrew Gregory, Dr (Advisor)
Anita Simic, Dr (Committee Member)
Kefa Otiso, Dr. (Committee Member)
Yu Zhou, Dr. (Committee Member)
79 p.
Ecology; Environmental Management; Forestry; Geographic Information Science; Wildlife Conservation
Kakamega forest; Forest Conservation; Forest Management; Tropical rain forest; Geospatial Science; Subsistence wood harvest; Bioenergy extraction; human landuse; Biodiversity assessment

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kefa, C. A. (2016). Assessing the Impacts of Bioenergy Extraction and Human Land Use of the Biodiversity of Kakamega Tropical Rainforest, Kenya [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1465254368

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kefa, Christopher. Assessing the Impacts of Bioenergy Extraction and Human Land Use of the Biodiversity of Kakamega Tropical Rainforest, Kenya . 2016. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1465254368.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kefa, Christopher. "Assessing the Impacts of Bioenergy Extraction and Human Land Use of the Biodiversity of Kakamega Tropical Rainforest, Kenya ." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1465254368

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1465254368
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This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.