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Status of the Mara Woodlands in Kenya
Author(s) -
Walpole Matthew J.,
Nabaala Moriaso,
Matankory Charles
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
african journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1365-2028
pISSN - 0141-6707
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2028.2004.00510.x
Subject(s) - woodland , geography , habitat , thicket , ordination , ecology , vegetation (pathology) , nature reserve , species diversity , agroforestry , forest management , forestry , environmental science , biology , medicine , pathology
The woodlands of the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya have suffered dramatic declines over four decades as a result of elephant and fire pressure. This study examined the current status of woody resources in the Reserve and browse pressure thereon, using both classification (TWINSPAN) and ordination (DCA) techniques. From 333 widespread regular plots used to survey the vegetation, a total of 62 woody species were identified. Thirteen woody habitats were identified on the basis of species composition, varying from species‐rich closed thickets and forest to less diverse open grasslands. A NW/SE stratification of the more open habitats was observed, possibly as a result of differences in soils, rainfall and drainage. Both plant density and diversity were lower than in communal and privately managed areas outside the Reserve. Moreover, browser pressure was substantially higher than that observed previously in the ecosystem, and suggests increased competition for scarcer woody resources within the Reserve. This has implications for the management of the ecosystem as a whole. As woodland and thickets continue to decline, long‐term monitoring should expand to encompass the wider habitat diversity of the open grasslands and unprotected areas where much of the regeneration potential resides.