Impact of land use and tenure changes on the Kitenden wildlife corridor, Amboseli Ecosystem, Kenya

Abstract

This study assesses the ecological pressure exerted by changing land use and tenure on the Kitenden wildlife corridor, a critical cross‐border link between the Amboseli and Kilimanjaro national parks. The implications on viability of the two high‐value protected areas and their respective dispersal areas are both negative and serious. The extent of land use change and its impacts were assessed through household and vegetation surveys, while wildlife abundance was measured using transect walks. Approximately 30% of the study area has shifted from community to private land ownership over the last two decades. Except for baboon and vervet monkey, most wildlife avoided the cultivated area. Vegetation composition on the noncultivated area has been greatly altered by intense wildlife and livestock use, where mean herbaceous vegetation cover differed significantly among range‐plant categories (F3, 524 = 29.015, p < 0.05). The frequency of increaser I (21.4%) differs greatly from that of decreaser and forbs, at 8.3% and 7.4%, respectively Tree recruitment was low, with a significant difference in mean density among age classes (F2, 110 = 3.663, p < 0.05). Only through land leasing agreements between landowners and conservation organisations, and a widely supported land use plan, can the spread of cultivation be controlled and complete cessation of wildlife movement be prevented.

Herbaceous plant diversity and cover in the Kitenden Wildlife Corridor, Kenya

“…and longitudes 37°13′45′′E and 37°21′44′′E and roughly defined by the large mammal movements (Mbane, Chira, & Mwangi, 2019).…”

“…The Kitenden Wildlife Corridor (KWC) straddles the Kenya‐Tanzania international boundary, within latitudes 2°42′49′′S and 2°52′13′′S and longitudes 37°13′45′′E and 37°21′44′′E and roughly defined by the large mammal movements (Mbane, Chira, & Mwangi, 2019). The typical vegetation is Acacia‐Commiphora bushland associations (Githumbi et al., 2018; Western, 2006), interspersed with open grassland dominated by Pennisetum spp.…”

A Socio-Ecological Approach to Understanding How Land Use Challenges Human-Elephant Coexistence in Northern Tanzania

“…Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) changes and human encroachment into PAs affect ecological systems and wildlife distribution, thereby influencing the spatial patterns of HWC [5,6]. For example, in the Maasai Mara-Serengeti ecosystem in Kenya and Tanzania, seven wild ungulate species declined by 25% as a result of land-use changes [7,8]. Climate change and increasing climate variability influence food and water availability for wild herbivores [9], resulting in increased movements and likelihood of human-wildlife interaction.…”

Awareness of traditional knowledge and attitudes towards wildlife conservation among Maasai communities: The case of Enkusero Sampu Conservancy, Kajiado County in Kenya

“…Despite evidence on the use of traditional knowledge on wildlife conservation, cultural transformations from communal to the modern practices such as; individual land ownership as well as the emergence of the commercial market of bushmeat trade are major threats to wildlife species and their habitats which lead to attitude change among local communities (Mbane et al, 2019; McSweeney, 2005). Attitude towards wildlife conservation, which refers to an individual opinion and feelings may be favourable or unfavourable towards wildlife conservation.…”

“…communities (Mbane et al, 2019;McSweeney, 2005). Attitude towards wildlife conservation, which refers to an individual opinion and feelings may be favourable or unfavourable towards wildlife conservation.…”