Annual Report 2006/07 - ETH - North-South Centre North-South ...

Research Fellow Partnership Programme (RFPP)Research fellow (Post-doc)Walter Okello Ogutu, CABI Africa, KenyaSupervisorsHeinz Mueller-Schaerer,University of Fribourg /Peter J. Edwards, ETH ZurichCollaboratorsMeshack Nyabenge, World AgroforestryCentre, Kenya / Roger Day, JohnMauremootoo, CABI Africa, Kenya /Urs Schaffner, CABI Europe, DelémontDurationJanuary 2006 – December 2007Prosopis in arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya –A case of ecological meltdown?another with sweet pods, “karat” and no thorns, and the lastwith many flowers, bitter pods and widespread. Awarenessof the pathway of spread (mainly goats and runoff) is veryhigh (> 80 %). Most scientists and local administrators considerProsopis as a resource that can improve livelihoods inthe area, the local people on the other hand have conflictingviews with 30 % considering it as useful while 70 % calling forits complete eradication. Although there are few arthropodsand microorganisms on Prosopis, trees attacked by a cerambycidbeetle are characterised by sap stains, entry holes ontrunks and dieback. Field observations and preliminary GISand remote sensing data indicate that the spread of Prosopisis limited to some of the introduction sites and tends to followwaterways and goats’ grazing trails.Stem of Prosopis tree showing tunnels created by hardwood stem borerThe objective of this project is to determine the spread andthe species diversity of Prosopis and to quantify the associatedbiodiversity.The research approach consists of• A literature review on the introduction, mapping, molecularand biodiversity studies on Prosopis;• Assessing the knowledge and perception of key informantson Prosopis using questionnaires;• Testing different GIS and remote sensing techniques fordistinguishing Prosopis; and• Characterising Prosopis introduction sites and developingprotocols for assessing biodiversity.Several studies have been conducted on Prosopis in othercountries which can be adapted in Kenya. Knowledge ofintroduced species is very poor (< 10 %) but the local people56 can recognise three types, one with pods and no thorns,In conclusion, the introduction of Prosopis in Kenya was donewithout background information and education of the localcommunities and administrators. The level of spread is lowbut intense in the few affected areas. Sharing the knowledgethat goats and runoffs are the key pathway for the spread ofProsopis can be used as a basis to develop managementstrategies including regulated grazing to reduce its continuedspread.In memory of Walter Ogutu, (1970 – 2007)We will always keep Walter in our memory. Walter wasdoing so well. He was always eager to learn somethingnew, making the most out of his stay in Switzerland toadvance his research.On the few occasions we took a day off, he would lookfor gifts for his wife and children.He was building so many bridges, between Africa andEurope, between his rural community and Nairobi,and between the many researchers involved in themanagement of Prosopis in Africa and worldwide, toname only a few.Now he has left us over the bridge back to God, much toearly for all of us. We will always keep him in our memoryand may his family be assured: He was such a sunshine.Heinz Müller-Schärer