Nature net

2020·0.81 MB·English

by  Nature Kenya

nature net
naturekenya.org February 2020
| Wetlands and biodiversity
experts who offered technical assistance. The
process aimed at striking a balance between
human development needs and the conservation
of biodiversity. A Strategic Environmental
Assessment (SEA) informed the development
of the Tana River Delta Land Use Plan, unlike all
other planning processes previously conducted
in the country.
Through a Darwin Initiative funded project,
local communities, county governments of
Tana River and Lamu and national government
agencies with the support of Nature Kenya have
identified 95,000 ha out oft he 130,000 ha in the
Delta for the establishment of Indigenous and
Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs). As part
of the implementation of the Land Use Plan,
Nature Kenya is supporting the designation of
a ICCAs to conserve important cultural values and
Livestock grazing at Dide Waride, Tana River Delta. biodiversity and also promote ecotourism. The
ICCAs will ensure that biodiversity conservation
is recognized as a key use for land equal to other
MBBY GEORGE ODERA, EMILY MATECHE AND SERAH MUNGUTI uses such as farming, pastoralism and fishing.
Fea 2 is World Wetlands Day. This again. Over the years, Nature Kenya has been Nature Kenya has also targeted the restoration of
day commemorates the signing of the working with the people of the Delta, seeking at least 10,000 ha of land to enable and foster the
Convention on Wetlands of International to maintain a balance as any small change in increased survival of biodiversity.
Importance (the Ramsar Convention) in Ramsar, the hydrological system could potentially upset Currently, Nature Kenya is engaging and
Iran, 49 years ago. It’s also a day set aside to raise the delicate natural balance, disrupting the supporting local communities to promote
public awareness on wetland values to promote ecosystem. sustainable crop, livestock and fish farming,
their conservation and wise use. Nature Kenya is currently involved in the ecotourism, beekeeping and other nature-
Wetlands are amongst the most productive implementation of the Tana River Delta Land based enterpriseTsh.i s will complement and
ecosystems on earth. Wetlands provide water Use Plan (LUP). The LUP’s implementation support the conservation of wildlife and
for daily use, soils for agriculture, fish for food, process seeks to ensure that biodiversity needs other forms of biodiversity. All stakeholders,
pasture for cattle and materials for construction are considered in the planning of development including the National and County government
Millions of people across the world, including activities within the Delta. In the past, during ministries and departments, community-based
Kenya, directly depend on them for their planning processes, the intangible ecosystem organizations, non-governmental organizations,
livelihoods! These unique ecosystems also services offered by the Delta were often local communities and private investors, are
provide essential services such as flood control, overlooked. being encouraged to take action towards a
water filtration, protecting soil from erosion and The Tana Delta LUP was developed between 2011 sustainably managed Tana DeltThae T.an a Delta
carbon sequestration (removing carbon from the and 2016 ina process that brought together local Conservation Network — the Tana River Delta
atmosphere and depositing it in a reservoir — in communities, over 18 government ministries KBA site support group - is the taking lead in
this case, in plants). and departments, the county governments of coordinating conservation activities within the
We dedicate this issue to highlighting some of Tana River and Lamu, and international planning community areas.
the measures being undertaken by Nature Kenya
to conserve two of the country’s most important
wetlands — the Tana River Delta and Yala Swamp. itimeeeeenttet eet es
The Tana River Delta
The Tana River Delta is an unprotected wetland 110™ ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
on the Kenyan coast. The Delta, a designated Key OF THE EAST AFRICA NATURAL ISTORY SOCIETY
Biodiversity Area (KBA), covers 130,000 ha and
is Kenya's largest wetland. The Tana River Delta VENUE
is also a designated Ramsar site - a recognized Louis Leakey Hall, Nairobi Museum
wetland of global importanceT.he Delta’s a“ DATE
abundant biodiversity is a reflection of its rich
and diverse habitats which comprise of a vast
patchwork of palm savannah, seasonally flooded
grassland, forest fragments, acacia woodlands,
lakes, marine wetlands and the river itself. The
Tana River Delta is, therefore, one of the most
important wetlands in Africa.
The Tana River Delta is also known for being
a highly fragile and dynamic wetland system,
flooding in times of good rain and drying off
ACTION
1 nr ba AEE 7 TR
Contd. from pg. 7
Herps of Dakatcha Woodland: a first glimpse
To further ensure that biodiversity
conservation has support at the village
level and that local communities own the
process, Nature Kenya has formed Village
Natural Resource and Land Use committees
in all Delta villages to facilitate governance,
conservation and development actions.
Yala Swamp
Yala swamp lies on the north-eastern shore
of Lake Victoria. The swamp is Kenya's
largest freshwater wetland (the Tana Delta
is both freshwater and marine), a Key
Biodiversity Area and a proposed Ramsar
site. Thousands of communities depend on
the wetland for fishing and farming as core
backbone livelihood activities.
The wetland, however, faces a myriad
threats, Over-exploitation of its natural
resources is one major threat. Others
are encroachment, habitat degradation
and biodiversity loss. Through a multi- ssSpeke's Sandilizard:
stakeholder approach, Nature Kenya
worked with local communities and the
Siaya and Busia county governments
to develop a Land Use Plan to balance @ BY JACINTA NJERI AND HAMISI ALI
the various interests within the wetland.
This plan has been endorsed by H.E. akatcha Woodland is famed for its The team, excited from the findings at
Cornel Rasanga, Governor Siaya County, D unique bird species. However, little is Kwanguluwe pond, requested Julio to take
H.E. Sospeter Ojaamong; Governor known about its other flora and fauna.T o them to a nearby pond - Agina dam. Agina dam
OBdusiinag aC,o uPnrtiym e anMidn iHs.tEe.r, T hRee pRutb. lHiocn .o fR aila bHeegripne ttoof aburniad geW otrhkisi ngga p,G rmoeumpb eserts ouotf ttoh ee xKpelnoyrae Tahpep ecarroeadk itnog bseo umnodrse fcrroomw dtehde dtahman cKowuladn gbuel uhweea.r d
Kenya (2008-2013) and African Union the amphibians and reptiles of this expansive from the main road. Six frog species were recorded
High Representative for Infrastructure woodland and also share information on snakebite there, fouro fw hich had not been spotted at
Development. management with the local communityT.h e Kwanguluwe. The team returned to the camping
excursion took place on 21-22 September 2019. site at around 10 pm.
tNhaet uDrea rwKienn yaI,n ittihatriovue,g hi s fnuonwd inkge enf rom Jtuelaimo Mtwo aMmabriarfae., Dai vliodcaeld giunitdoe ,t wwoe lgcrooumpesd, tthhee team tHeaavmi ngm enmobte rresc oerdmebda rak esdin golne san askurev esyp ecaireosu,n df outrh e
on supporting the adoption and proceeded to the forest in search of herpetofauna campsite in search of them. Thirty minutes into
einmspulreem ednetvaetlioonp meonf tt heo veLraanldl iUss seu sPtlaainn atbol e ahto utrhse Mlaatrear ftah eC ogmromuupnsi teym erCognesde rvwiatthi oinn tAerreeas.t iTngw o tghreo uspe awrachs naob osunta kteo chaalld obffe etnh e sspeoatrtcehd,. sJcurste aamss the
and compatible with biodiversity findings: three species of lizards and one snake from one member alerted the rest of a snake
protection. As part of the implementation were recorded! sighting. Fortunately, the snake was a harmless
of the Land Use Plan, Nature Kenya is
supporting the designation ICCAs to The hot sun took at oll on everyone and the Brown House snake.
conserve important cultural values and party retreated to the campsite to pitch tents and The next morning, the team headed to the Bore
biodiversity and also promote ecotourism. prepare lunch. During the lunch break, three other Community Forest Centre for opportunistic
Initial sensitization meetings with the lizard species were recorded: Sudan plated lizard, searches. The site was on an eroded hill and it was
national and county administration are on- Large-headed Tree gecko and Tree skink. The most quite easy to climb down the hill. Three snake
going, spearheaded by the Yala Ecosystem abundant on the roof was the Mombasa Dwarf species were recorded at this site: Speckled Sand
Site Support Group (the Yala Swamp KBA gecko. snake, Spotted Green snake and Spotted Beaked
site support group). Awareness creation In the evening the team set out again, this time snake.
meetings on ICCAs will culminate into the in search of amphibians. Julio took the team to The peak moment of the day was the awareness
formation of village-level Natural Resource the Kwanguluwe pond that was teeming with session with community members at Kafunyalalo
and Land Use CommitteesT.h e Land Use different species of frogs that were croaking. Some Primary School in Marafa. Community members
committees will be supported to deliver team members searched around the pond's edges were educated on the various types of snakes,
ICCA conservation actions on the ground. with flashlights seeking to identify the croaking both venomous and non-venomous, found in
The Land Use committees will also be frogs. Male frogs sat on stones and leaves floating their locality. Lack of knowledge on snakes among
an integral part of the ICCA governance ‘on water. Frogs recorded were the East African the people was evident from the interaction, and
structure. & (Acridoides) Puddle frog, Red-legged Kassina, the team took time to differentiate the venomous
Galam’s White-lipped frog and Guttural toad,
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EDITORIAL TEAM
Fleur Ng'weno Email: ofoficee@nat urekenya.org yee a
Gloria Waswa Printed with eae “>
John Mwacharo UN®@ 1 iene!
Norman Kiboi NatureKenya men. " get Birdiep oW Y taohtoumse # AEWA TRU[SLATND
Serah Munguti
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John Mwacharo @ nature-Kenya ‘ThaW htC aranaaen Unt
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Peter Ushi nature_kenya cs} Nature Kenya
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and non-venomous snakes. The Kitchen - a dramatic erosion 3 bright lights and a
slnocaakle sp ewoiptlhe saocmken ohwalveidngge dki llseede ing fine aDtaukrea t-c hias aa mnadj oirs ftaomureids t foart tirtasc tion dimming star
several, Snake bites were apparently beautiful sunsets. The hike was
a big problem in the area with exciting as the team explored
a majority of the community the dark gorges with the aid of #8 BY FLEUR NG’WENO
members knowing at least one flashlights and took photos of the Three bright lights shine in the This constellation is Auriga, the
person who had been bitten. amazing view oft he canyons. There evening sky this month - visible Charioteer. The brightest of the
Getting treatment for snake bites was panic when the team got lost even from lighted city streets: The five is the star Capella
was a major challenge to the local in the middle of the gorges under planet Venus in the west, over the Focus on Betelgeuse
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That evening the team explored contribution and support towards sky, and also gave names these and dimmer. Even to the naked
Hell's Kitchen in search of more the success of this project. & patterns, or constellations. Today eye it looks fainter than last year.
reptiles, snakes in particular. Hell’s in English, we mainly use the Perhaps the dimming is part of
names given by ancient Greek and Betelgeuse’s variability and it will
AND Arab astronomers. grow bright again. Some scientists
BIOLOGY COURSE The constellation, or group of think, however, that the star might
stars, that the ancient Greeks explode into a “supernova”. When
called Orion, the Hunter or could it happen? We don't know; it
Warrior, rises due east and is.high could be tomorrow or thousands
in the east on February evenings. of years from now. Betelgeuse is
To the Greeks, Orion seems to about 700 light years away (we
march across the sky; to us on the don't know exactly) - so we have
equator, he appears to be lying to wait some 700 years for its
down at first. light to reach us! It's so far away,
Three bright stars in a row form however, that there is probably no
Orion’s belt, and three fainter stars danger to the Earth if Betelgeuse
in a row are his sword. Four bright explodes.
stars mark Orion’s shoulders and Moon, Feb ‘20
knees. A blue-green star, Rigel, 2 Feb - first quarter. 9 Feb - Full
marks one ‘knee’ in the west. An moon. 15 Feb - last quarter. 23
orange-coloured star, Betelgeuse, Feb - new moon.
forms one’shoulder’ in the February Sun
northeast. A group of fainter stars This is the time oft he latest
are Orion's head. With binoculars, sunrises and sunsets oft he year.
you can see the glowing nebula For most of February, the sun sets
25™.2912 M42 in Orion's belt. as late at 6:51 in Nairobi.
MAY i Two ‘hunting dogs’ follow Orion Morning Sky:
the Hunter in the sky. One the The planets Mars, Jupiter and
dogs is Sirius - that bright light Saturn are in the pre-dawn sky.
in the southeast. The other dog, Jupiter is the brightest. The
Procyon, is east of Orion. On waning crescent moon is near
Venue: 2 the other side of Orion, in the Mars on Feb 18, between Mars
Invertebrate Zoology Laboratory northwest, is the reddish star and Jupiter on the 19th, and
NAIROBI NATIONAL MUSEUM Aldebaran. Beyond Aldebaran between Jupiter and Saturn on
is a group of several stars close the 20th. «
together: the Pleiades or Seven
Sisters.
KENYA H$EB 44R408P « 00E100T HatrOobWl,OFK eRnKAyIa NUG NGRAOU P Further north, lower in the
(G 284( 203 837800, [phone], «2704010 8 200 sky, five bright stars mark the
Fax+ 264( 0)2 037 41048 Email @naturenenya.cry —{w wewnaturehonys.org corners of ap entagon shape.
(ENYA Cl ARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
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RUE RSET
FEBRUARY 2020 47 A GL
Feb 5'* = Morning Bird Walk
Feb 8 — FoNA Tree Walk
|| Feb 12 ~Morning Bird Walk
| Feb 16" Sunday Bird Watch |
| Feb 22) FoCP Nature Walk
| Feb 19° =M orning Bird Walk
|i Feb 26" Morning Bird Walk
| Bird ringing every Tuesday morning (check with |
Ornithology section, National Museums).
|R eeder - eins a one
Birders Please Note! The Wednesday Morning Birdwalks
meet at 8:30 am at the Nairobi National Museum. Transport
is ona self-help basis. The group meets in the courtyard
of the Nairobi National Museum, past the entrance to the
galleries. We normally return at about 12:30 pm.
The Sunday Birdwatch on the THIRD Sunday of each month
now also meets at 8:30 am, at the same location. It is a day
trip; please bring water and lunch.
Life thrives in wetlands
Mombasa Birdwalks On the 3rd Saturday of each month.
For meeting time and place, please contact Taibali Hamzali
<[email protected]> / 0733-980540; or Doris Schaule
<[email protected]> / 0722-277752. Or check Facebook
page: <https://www.facebook.com/groups/FFJmombasa/>
Contact the office for information on other birdwalks in Kakamega,
Kisumu, and other sites
Ngong Forest walks - Ist and 3rd Saturday at 9.00 am. Contact r _ tmae
Simon 0729-840715 Hell's Gate National Park Day Excursion
14th March 2020
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