-Kenya Sky Island Struggles in Changing World
-Kenya Sky Island Struggles in Changing World I'
By Clar Ni Chonghaile
may not have heard of Kenya's Matthews Range but this sky island - isolated mountain forests surrounded by a vast desert plain - offers something special to those willing to take the time to stray off the beaten tourist track. These forested hills rise over 2,500 metres above the surrounding low lands about 200 km north of Isiolo in northern Kenya. For decades, access has been difficult, but now a new road - built to facilitate oil and mineral exploration as well as trade in the region - is opening up this unique landscape of ancient cycads, sometimes called "living fossils", and giant cedars. This is causing concern among conservationists. The new road is just one of several threats to the area. The fate of the Matthews Range raises the old question of how to protect valuable natural resources and unique ecosystems while allowing much needed development for local communities. Dr. Paula Kahumbu, executive director of WildlifeDirect, took part in an expedition to the Matthews Range last year to evaluate biodiversity and note any new species. OU
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The expedition was supported by the ature Conservancy and included members of the Northern Rangelands Trust and Namunyak Conservancy. Kahumbu said the team was surprised by the scarcity of new species on the mountains, which were formed over 10 million years ago. Sky islands often contain unique species because of their isolation. "(The Matthews Range) is in a part of Kenya where we are seeing strong evidence of climate change. The lower rainfall and hotter temperatures are drying out the forests," she said. "That is probably why we found so little diversity there." Dr. Richard Leakey, who fbunded WildlifeDirect, believes that the alternation of wet and dry spells has reduced the number of species as those used to wet conditions die out during droughts and are not replaced. Other threats are also present. This region is home to the Samburu people, nomadic pastoralists like the Maasai who for years have used the forests for their own subsistence. But their impact is no longer .sustainable as the environment becomes more fragile and population demands increase.
"Locals said there had been no destruction but you could see huge patches on the sides (of the mountains) that had been burnt years before and had not recovered," said Kahumbu. "Bush and ancient cycads had been burnt to a crisp," by honey hunters who let fires burn out of control to smoke the wild bees out of their hives, she said. Then there is the new road, which runs along the edge of the Range. New roads offer new opportunities but also new risks. "The traditional low-level of use had been going on for hundreds of years but because of the access (from new roads) these forests will become very attractive to loggers. There are no controls and nothing to stop you driving up in your truck and driving off with charcoal. Nothing," said Kahumbu. The Range is not in a protected area but is managed by the amunyak Conservancy, a community project. The orthern Rangelands Trust also works with local communities to ensure sustainable development and promote tourism and community-based enterprises. Kahumbu says the best way to protect the area would be for a private commercial or conservation entity to step in and get government backing to operate. Perhaps it could then apply to get carbon credits under a U.. -backed scheme that hopes to reward developing nations with carbon credit payments in return for saving forests.
This, she thinks, would be more effective than to develop a fully fledged, high-volume tourism industry. "You need some kind of strategy that will provide sustainable long-term conservation funding and then tourism adds something extra," she said. For those who do want to experience this unique landscape with its endemic cycads -- palm-like plants with spreading fronds and a thick stem that seems to be made up of scales -- there are a number of options, including camel trekking and camping. Visitors can also stay at the Kitich Camp, a tented camp for up to eight people, in the southern part of the range. Walking safaris can be arranged to spot elephant and buffalo and see the ancient cycads. Also found in the area are lion, leopard, Greater Kudu, waterbuck and forest hog, and there are over 200 species of birds. You can also stay at Sarara Camp, a community-run lodge with five double tents and a natural rock swimming pool overlooking a waterhole. "(The Matthews Range) is very beautiful and will attract people who want something a little more rugged," says Kahumbu. trying
For more information visit: wwwsataracamp.com. ww~v..wildlifedirect.org. wlv~v.magicalafrica.Jlet/kitich_camp_kenya.htm
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By Clar Ni Chonghaile
may not have heard of Kenya's Matthews Range but this sky island - isolated mountain forests surrounded by a vast desert plain - offers something special to those willing to take the time to stray off the beaten tourist track. These forested hills rise over 2,500 metres above the surrounding low lands about 200 km north of Isiolo in northern Kenya. For decades, access has been difficult, but now a new road - built to facilitate oil and mineral exploration as well as trade in the region - is opening up this unique landscape of ancient cycads, sometimes called "living fossils", and giant cedars. This is causing concern among conservationists. The new road is just one of several threats to the area. The fate of the Matthews Range raises the old question of how to protect valuable natural resources and unique ecosystems while allowing much needed development for local communities. Dr. Paula Kahumbu, executive director of WildlifeDirect, took part in an expedition to the Matthews Range last year to evaluate biodiversity and note any new species. OU
Y
30
KEN"
•
oncrer
APRIL-
JUNE
The expedition was supported by the ature Conservancy and included members of the Northern Rangelands Trust and Namunyak Conservancy. Kahumbu said the team was surprised by the scarcity of new species on the mountains, which were formed over 10 million years ago. Sky islands often contain unique species because of their isolation. "(The Matthews Range) is in a part of Kenya where we are seeing strong evidence of climate change. The lower rainfall and hotter temperatures are drying out the forests," she said. "That is probably why we found so little diversity there." Dr. Richard Leakey, who fbunded WildlifeDirect, believes that the alternation of wet and dry spells has reduced the number of species as those used to wet conditions die out during droughts and are not replaced. Other threats are also present. This region is home to the Samburu people, nomadic pastoralists like the Maasai who for years have used the forests for their own subsistence. But their impact is no longer .sustainable as the environment becomes more fragile and population demands increase.
"Locals said there had been no destruction but you could see huge patches on the sides (of the mountains) that had been burnt years before and had not recovered," said Kahumbu. "Bush and ancient cycads had been burnt to a crisp," by honey hunters who let fires burn out of control to smoke the wild bees out of their hives, she said. Then there is the new road, which runs along the edge of the Range. New roads offer new opportunities but also new risks. "The traditional low-level of use had been going on for hundreds of years but because of the access (from new roads) these forests will become very attractive to loggers. There are no controls and nothing to stop you driving up in your truck and driving off with charcoal. Nothing," said Kahumbu. The Range is not in a protected area but is managed by the amunyak Conservancy, a community project. The orthern Rangelands Trust also works with local communities to ensure sustainable development and promote tourism and community-based enterprises. Kahumbu says the best way to protect the area would be for a private commercial or conservation entity to step in and get government backing to operate. Perhaps it could then apply to get carbon credits under a U.. -backed scheme that hopes to reward developing nations with carbon credit payments in return for saving forests.
This, she thinks, would be more effective than to develop a fully fledged, high-volume tourism industry. "You need some kind of strategy that will provide sustainable long-term conservation funding and then tourism adds something extra," she said. For those who do want to experience this unique landscape with its endemic cycads -- palm-like plants with spreading fronds and a thick stem that seems to be made up of scales -- there are a number of options, including camel trekking and camping. Visitors can also stay at the Kitich Camp, a tented camp for up to eight people, in the southern part of the range. Walking safaris can be arranged to spot elephant and buffalo and see the ancient cycads. Also found in the area are lion, leopard, Greater Kudu, waterbuck and forest hog, and there are over 200 species of birds. You can also stay at Sarara Camp, a community-run lodge with five double tents and a natural rock swimming pool overlooking a waterhole. "(The Matthews Range) is very beautiful and will attract people who want something a little more rugged," says Kahumbu. trying
For more information visit: wwwsataracamp.com. ww~v..wildlifedirect.org. wlv~v.magicalafrica.Jlet/kitich_camp_kenya.htm
Airport W~ddings Concerts
>
• >
Birthdays· Night-on-the- Town • Corporate
,
.
& Group Events Sightseeing Tours
• •
Cellpho~e: 072%~888488 / 0722 - 165116 fers.co.ke
:i
APRIL-
JUNE
ncier
31
C
m
en •••••
-Z
o~
Z en
