Elephants in a degraded swamp habitat in Amboseli NP
Restoration of degraded habitats
Restoring degraded habitats aimed to enhance ecosystem resilience in five key national parks that collectively provide ecosystem services to more than half of Kenya’s population and rank among the top ten tourist destinations in the country. Restoration focused on areas already earmarked for rehabilitation in park management plans. Exclosure blocks approximately 100 ha in degraded areas were fenced off using solar powered electric fences to exclude wildlife and allow regeneration. Fence structure and design were based on site-specific conditions and the level of risk of damage by large herbivores. Seedlings from native species were provided by KWS, the local communities or purchased from the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) and planted within the exclosures to supplement natural regeneration. At least one modern tree nursery was established within each park and where possible, in the neighboring community areas to support long-term supply of seedlings. Interpretive signs were displayed at restored sites for public information. Game viewing tracks were extended to some of such areas to showcase the benefits of restoration.
• Initiatives were supported by the Kenyan constitution and the country’s climate change strategy
• Outcomes of various ecological restoration experiments were available in project areas
• Funding was available for training, purchase of required facilities and to support project management
• Diverse expertise was available to carry out specialized tasks
• Communities and diverse sectors of the society, including the private sector were willing to participate in ecological restoration
• KWS was able to reach out to and engage diverse community and citizen groups
• It is much easier to get support for ecological restoration when causes of degradation are well understood and the need for intervention incorporated in national park management plans
• Ecological restoration can be an expensive undertaking requiring planning, diverse resources and specialized skills for extended periods
• Some restoration methods such as those using electric fences may require specialized training for post project maintenance
• Participating in ecological restoration can provide people with the opportunity to experience and connect with nature and to discover the many benefits of protected areas.
• A champion to rally and inspire people to embrace ecological restoration may be necessary given the many competing societal priorities.
• Communities can contribute specialized skills, resources, free labor and other support if they are made aware of the benefits of ecological restoration