3 research outputs found
Gender-Related Dynamics and Factors Influencing Transition to Green Economy Among Rural Communities Within the Forestry Sector
No full textThe Green Economy, a methodology that supports the harmonious interaction between humans and nature, has been gaining attention since 1989. It focuses on alternative energy sources, sustainable agriculture, wildlife protection, and environmental policies. Kenya’s forest cover is below the global minimum of 10%, and deforestation is increasing at a rate of 5,000 hectares per annum. The research aims to enhance opportunities for green economy development in the forestry sector while minimizing challenges and to bridge the gap between Green Economy development and the forestry sector, address weak policy coordination among ministries and government agencies, and compare green economy statuses with related forest policy analysis. The research uses diverse policies to guide green economy practices in the forestry sector, aiming to interlink them and reduce conflicts. The research was conducted within nine counties in the Lake Victoria Basin Region. The results revealed disparities in gender participation across various preferred green economy activities, with women in rural areas being significantly involved in the initiation of community management programs; however, there was a notable gender disparity in the decision-making process, with women only contributing 20.2% compared to the male counterpart with 79.8%. The main sources of funds for green activities are from internal budgets of organizations (36.5%), businesses (19.1%) and contributions from family and chamas (15.9%), all geared towards building the green economy. The research reveals that the green economy reduces Kenya’s natural resource pressure, boosts economic growth, and improves business competitiveness. However, the proportion of different genders in the green economy is undervalued, especially in developing countries. Governments must act to reduce gender inequality in labour markets to ensure the benefits of the green economy are realized. In conclusion, the green economy presents new opportunities for women. Still, they may be deprived of the potential benefits unless governments implement structural reforms to reduce gender inequality in labour market
Distribution, Conservation Status and Effects of Threats on Relative Abundance of Warburgia ugandensis Tree Species. A Case Study of Katimok Forest Reserve, Kenya
No full textForest ecosystems provide livelihood opportunities such as medicines, fuelwood, timber, cash income and a reliable supply of groundwater. However, encroachment of forests by human settlement adjacent to conservation areas is associated with overharvesting of forest resources and uncontrolled livestock grazing leading to the destruction and disappearance of useful plant species in forest ecosystems which can significantly affect both biodiversity integrity and ecological functioning. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the distribution, conservation status, and effects of threats on the relative abundance of Warburgia ugandensis in Katimok Forest Reserve, Baringo County in Kenya. Data collection was done using transect lines and quadrat methods. The data on the relative abundance of Warburgia ugandensis and indicators of threat were collected from quadrats and sub-quadrats located at 50 m, 350 m and 650 m from the forest edge. In addition, other measures of tree growth such as diameter at breast height (DBH) and heights of mature trees in the study blocks were made. One-way ANOVA was used to analyse the relative abundance of Warburgia ugandensis, indicators of threat and growth parameters. Pearson correlation results revealed a significant relationship between debarked and mature Warburgia ugandensis (r = 0.95; df=2, P=0.019), grazing intensities, and number of seedlings/saplings (r = 0.96; df=2, P=0.017) and other indicators of threats (stumps, defoliated leaves, broken twigs/branches) and the abundance of Warburgia ugandensis (r = 0.97; df=2, p=0.015). Therefore, there is an urgent need to map out the distribution of Warburgia ugandensis in the whole country to know where it is abundant in order to draw a national conservation and management plan for the tree species
Tree-Based Conflict Management Mechanism Among Small Landholders in Agroforestry Systems of Kenya
No full textAfforestation programs are challenged by competition for land uses. Land use conflicts arise whenever there is divergent use, access and management of the resource or due to incompatible use and inadequate policy. Agroforestry may reconcile competing interests. However, small landholdings remain a challenge due to the negative ecological and economic impacts of most economically preferred trees for agroforestry systems. Such negative impacts lead to the emergence of conflict among different land users and in most instances, slows down afforestation efforts on the farm. This study intended to explore conflicts arising from on-farm tree-planting and other land use practices, to identify the conflict resolution mechanism adopted by land users and to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses in conflict management. Mixed method approach of structured and semi-structured interviews was employed in Bobasi, Kisii County, Kenya. Content analysis, means, frequencies and cross-tabulations were done. Results indicated that small landholdings coupled with poor agroforestry practices were the main source of conflict driven by the ready market for trees of high economic values but with negative ecological impact. Conflict management mechanisms adopted were mainly cooperative methods such as voluntary negotiations between tree farmers and crop owners. These included adopting silvicultural control measures, benefit sharing of tree stems along the boundaries and compensation mechanisms for losses incurred by crop owners. Right based management mechanisms were also noted among other land users who believed that what they did with their land and compound was their business and so exhibited competitive approaches such as avoidance, coercion, and adjudication
