Encroachment of open grasslands and Acacia drepanolobium Harms ex B.Y.Sjöstedt habitats by Euclea divinorum Hiern in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya. (4th September 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wahungu, Geoffrey M.; Gichohi, Nathan W.; Onyango, Irene A.; Mureu, Lucy K.; Kamaru, Douglas; Mutisya, Samuel; Mulama, Martin; Makau, Joseph K.; Kimuyu, Duncan M.
• Is Part Of: African journal of ecology. Volume 51:Number 1(2013:Mar.)
• Page Start: 130
• Page End: 138
• Publication Date: 2012-09-04
• Subjects: Zoology -- Africa -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Africa -- Periodicals; Wildlife management -- Africa -- Periodicals; Zoology -- Africa, East -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Africa, East -- Periodicals; Wildlife management -- Africa, East -- Periodicals; 577
• DOI: 10.1111/aje.12017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-6707

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="aje12017-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Euclea divinorum</italic>, a fast establishing, unpalatable, and fire resistant bush is considered an invasive species in some parts of its range. In Ol Pejeta Conservancy (OPC), Kenya, <italic>E. divinorum</italic> bushes cover ˜27% of the total area (˜9470 ha.) and has been expanding in coverage and encroaching into <italic>A. drepanolobium</italic> woodlands, a key woody habitat for the endangered black rhino. Between 2006 and 2010, we assessed the spatial distribution, annual rates of spread and recruitment of <italic>E. divinorum</italic> in OPC. We used data from satellite imagery and belt transects laid at the transition between <italic>E. divinorum</italic> habitat and other habitats. Density of <italic>E. divinorum</italic> seedlings increased by 27% annually over five years, with more seedlings establishing in grassland habitat (56.6%) than in <italic>A. drepanolobium</italic> woodland (43.4%). Within the infection frontier, the number of seedlings was high at the ecotone and reduced predictably with an increase in distance into the infection zone. Increase in rainfall facilitated recruitment and survival of <italic>E. divinorum</italic> seedlings and also reduced damage on trees and seedlings by mega‐herbivores, especially elephants. This study confirms the encroachment of <italic>E. divinorum</italic> bushland into other habitats. This has been accelerated by burning and damage to A. drepanolobium habitat thus opening it up to encroachment by <italic>E. divinorum</italic>.</p> </abstract>