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Kenya's drylands are home to more than 30% of the country's population, 70% of the national livestock herd and the bulk of world- famous wildlife that support the vibrant tourism sector. Drylands are also the main source of woodfuel that constitutes a major source of urban and rural energy requirements. The woodlands contribute to livelihoods of communities inhabiting the drylands through provision of natural resources found in the drylands that include; honey, gums, resins and woodcarving materials. Both the woodlands and soil resources have undergone periodic degradation due to emerging sedentary lifestyle, human immigration from high rainfall areas, climate change, increasing population and over- exploitation, thus threatening the sustainability of drylands resources. |
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Both the woodlands and soil resources have undergone periodic degradation due to emerging sedentary lifestyle, human immigration from high
rainfall areas, climate change, increasing population and over-exploitation, thus threatening the sustainability of drylands resources. Consequently, research is required to develop technologies that will reverse these trends and promote sustainable development and utilization of drylands resources. The Drylands Forestry Research Programme therefore aims to contribute to harnessing and development of dryland resources by generating technologies to improve woodlands management, use and conservation, thereby contributing to poverty alleviation at local and national levels. The main focus and activities of Drylands Forestry Research Programme include: * Development of technologies for propagation, establishment and management of diverse indigenous tree species including; Melia volkensii (Mukau), Terminalia brownii, Terminalia spinosa and Osyris lanceolata. * Development of non-wood forest products such as gums, resins, aloe products, juices and wines from indigenous trees, shrubs and other plants. * Development of technologies for management of invasive species focusing mainly on Prosopis species. * Documentation and validation of traditional management of woodlands resources. * Development of technologies for rehabilitation of degraded drylands. |
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KENYA FORESTRY RESEARCH INSTITUTE P.O Box 20412 - 00200 Nairobi Tel: +254-724-259781/2, +254-722-157414 Wireless +254-2010651/2 Fax 254-20-2386353 |
| Copyright @ Kenya Forestry Research Institute, 2011 | All rights reserved. |