Conference Book of Abstracts - Taita Taveta University College

HUMBOLDT-KOLLEGon“The Future of Biodiversity Research in Africa: Scope,Opportunities, Collaboration, Access and SharingBenefits”Hosted byTaita Taveta University College, Voi, Kenya17 th - 20 th July, 2012Book of AbstractsSponsored By:http://www.ttuc.ac.keTaita Taveta University College, P.O. Box 635-80300 Voi, Kenyahamadiboga@ttuc.ac.ke or hboga@fsc.jkuat.ac.ke

Table of ContentsForward................................................................................................................................................... 2Program .................................................................................................................................................. 5Day 2 ..................................................................................................................................................... 10Keynote: Microbial Biodiversity and Bioressources - Challenges, approaches and perspectives ............. 10Microbial Ecology of Soda Lakes of the Kenyan Rift Valley ..................................................................... 10Biopesticides: Emerging approaches in crop pest and disease control.................................................... 12Development and Assessment of Technologies for Exploration of Genomic and Metabolite Diversity ofextremophiles from Kenyan Soda Lakes ................................................................................................ 13Phytoplankton biomass and species composition changes in the alkaline saline lakes of Kenya ............. 14The Role of Policy in Conserving Forest Biodiversity; the Case of Kakamega Forest ............................... 14Cactus pear genetic resources: opportunity for livelihood improvement in the drylands of Kenya ......... 15Potential Cyanide Cassava Toxicity and Associated Diseases .................................................................. 16Impact of Prolonged Application of Xenobiotics on Indigenous Microbes in Soil .................................. 17The Role of Horticultural Association of Kenya (HAK) in Conservation and Utilization of Biodiversity inKenya ................................................................................................................................................... 17Cryptic termite species diversity in Kakamega Forest, Kenya ................................................................. 19Archaeal biodiversity of higher termites ................................................................................................ 20Assessment of Sedimentation of Masinga Reservoir and its Implication on the Capacity of the Dam forHydropower Generation ........................................................................................................................ 21Genotype independent embryogenic callus induction and incompetence of maize immature embryos toAgrobacterium infectivity ...................................................................................................................... 22Adsorption, Desorption, Leaching and Dissipation Kinetics of Metribuzin in soil: Effects of Microbialactivity. ................................................................................................................................................. 23The effect of land conversion on select soil organisms in Kenya ............................................................. 23The growth, seed yield and oil content of linseed (linum usitatissimum l.) as influenced by vareity andnitrogen application .............................................................................................................................. 25

Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies in the Coastal Region: The Coastal and MarineEcosystem Perspectives. ....................................................................................................................... 25Microbial enzymes: industrial applications and current status in Kenya ................................................. 26Plant species richness alters the emission of volatile organic compounds .............................................. 27Green Chemistry: biocatalysts from metagenomes for application in pharmaceutical and fine chemicalindustries ............................................................................................................................................. 28Potential of biofilms in aquatic environmental bioechnology applications and diversity studies in Kenya30Establishing a “Microbial–Plant” Interface As a Means to Control Rice Blast Disease ............................. 31Molecular Variation and Genetic Structure in the Kenya’s Black Rhinoceros Meta population:Implications for Conservation ................................................................................................................ 32The Kenya coastal forests: biodiversity, values, threats and opportunities ............................................. 33Day 3 ..................................................................................................................................................... 35Keynote Address: Termite guts – world's smallest bioreactors .............................................................. 35Global Repositioning African indigenous Vegetables and Fruits into the Food Basket to Feed the World inthe 21st Century .................................................................................................................................... 35Biodiversity Informatics: an emerging science, promoting conservation ................................................ 36Natural Products Research as a Tool for Poverty Alleviation .................................................................. 37Bioprospecting for microorganisms symbiotic with halophytes to provide genes for salt tolerance fromsaline environments. ............................................................................................................................. 38Kenya’s unique plant diversity: investing in modern botanical gardens .................................................. 38Web 2.0 tools: Their Application in education and research ................................................................... 40Environmental Impact Assessment Process for Biodiversity Conservation Projects in Kenya .................. 44Disturbances in a mangrove ecosystem – implications in the long term recovery patterns and Climatechange .................................................................................................................................................. 45Poster Presentations ............................................................................................................................. 46Litterfall in a peri-urban mangrove receiving raw domestic sewage, Mombasa, Kenya? ......................... 46Are mangroves sustainable as peri-urban forests? A Case Study of Mombasa, Kenya ............................ 48

Prioritization of Tanzanian medicinal plants for conservation purposes: a case study of Bukoba ruraldistrict, Tanzania ................................................................................................................................... 48Enhancing the Mkilua utilisation through value addition to indigenous knowledge ................................ 49Relating Maize Yields with Vegetative Index and Meteorological Droughts in Ruvu Basin, Tanzania ....... 51Knowledge, Attitude and Perceptions on malaria by the brick makers on Nyabondo Plateau ................. 52Organizing Committee ........................................................................................................................... 53ProgramDate/Time Topic/Activity Speaker17 th July 2012TuesdaySession I-Opening Day7.00-12.00 Arrival and Transfer to Taita Taveta University College Omar Rais, TTUC12.00-14.00 Campus Tour and Lunch at TTUC Ms Mary Senewu, TTUC14.00-15.30 Transfer to Sarova Taita Hills Lodge HM Mruttu and Team15:00-16:15 Checking In and Rest Dr Benard Juma, MMUST/Prof.BogaChair: Dr Calvin Onyango, KIRDI, AvH AlumnusRapporteur: Dr Mohammed Pakia, Pwani University College17.00-17.15 Preliminaries/Welcoming remarks Prof. Hamadi Iddi Boga, TTUC17.15-18.00 Opening Lecture-1: Developing a Bioscience Policy for Kenya Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, SecretaryNCST18.00-18.45 Opening Lecture-2: The State of the Environment and its impact on Biodiversity inKenyaDr Kennedy Ondimu, DirectorPlanning and Research, NEMA19.30-21.00 Bush Dinner with the Man Eaters of Tsavo (Guten Appetit) in the Wild. Guest: Hon Calist Mwatela,Assistant Minister for Education18 th July 2012WednesdaySession II08:00-08:30 Registration Continued HM Mruttu and TeamChair: Prof. Dr John Okumu, Kenyatta University/AVH AlumnusRapporteur: Dr Najya Mohammed, Pwani University College08:30-09:00 Introductory Remarks/Objectives of workshop/Explaining AvH and its programs Prof. H.I. Boga, HumboldtAmbassador Scientist09:00-09:30 Official Opening-Opening Remarks Mr. Oliver Schwartz, ThirdSecretary, Press and Cultural Affairs,German Embassy09:30-10:15 Key Note Address: Microbial Biodiversity and Bioresources-Challenges, Approachesand Perspectives10:15-10:30 TEA/Lunch BreakProf. Dr Joerg Overmann, DSZM,Germany10:30-11.00 Domesticating the CBD and the ABS and its implications for Biodiversity Research Dr Patrick Omondi, Assistant

Director, KWS11:00-11.30 Microbial Ecology of the Kenyan Soda Lakes R. Mwirichia & Prof. Hamadi I.Boga, JKUAT11.30-12.00 Biopesticides: Emerging Approaches in Crop Pest and Disease Control Wekesa Vitalis Wafula, KenyaPolytechnic University College12:00-12:30 Development and Assessment of Technologies for exploration of Genomic andMetabolic Diversity of Extremophiles from Kenyan Soda Lakes12:30-13:00 Phytoplankton biomass and species composition changes in the alkaline saline lakes ofKenya13:00-14:00 Lunch Break (Poster Session)Session IIIChair: Prof. Charles Omwandho, UoN, Humboldt AlumnusRapporteur: Dr Ziporrah Osiemo Lagat, JKUAT14:00-14.30 Poster Session ContinuedProf. Francis Mulaa, University ofNairobiProf. Kiplagat Kotut, KenyattaUniversity14.30-15.00 Supporting Science and Research in Africa: DAAD programs in Capacity Building Anja Bengestorff, RepresentativeDAAD Regional Office for Africa,NairobiSession IVGroup AChair: Dr Dan MasigaRapporteur: Dr Lelmen Elijah15.00-15.20 Cactus Pear Genetic Resources:opportunities for livelihoodimprovement in dry`lands of KenyaDr Eunice Githae,15.20-15.40 Prioritization of Tanzanian MedicinalPlant for Conservation. A case studyof Bukoba Rural District, Tanzania,Dr Daniel Kasingau, SEUCO15.40-16.00 Disturbance in a mangrove ecosystem-Implications in the long term recoverypatterns and climate change, Dr.Mohammed Omar Said16.00-16.20 Assessment of Sedimentation inMasinga Reservoir and itsimplications on the Capacity of thedam for Hydropower Generation, DrSimon Onywere Mangérere16.20-16.40 The Effect of Land Conversion onselected Soil Organisms. Dr. PeterWachira, University of Nairobi16:40-17.00 Plant species richness alters theemission of volatile organiccompounds, Rose N. KigathiGroup BChair: Prof. Kiplagat KotutRapporteur: Dr Regina Nyunja, BUCPotential Cyanide cassava toxicity andassociated dieases. Dr Sauda Swaleh,Kenyatta UniversityThe role of the Horticultural Association ofKenya in conservation and utilization ofBiodiversity in Kenya Dr John MwibandaWesongaGroup CChair: Prof. Mary Abukutsa-ORapporteur: Dr J.O Odalo, MPUCImpact of prolonged application ofXenobiotics on Indigenous Microbes inSoil. Dr Anastasia Ngigi, MMUSTCryptic Termite species diversity inKakamega Forest, Kenya, Dr ZipporahB. Osiemo, JKUATMolecular variation and genetic structure in Archael biodiversity of Higherthe Kenya‟s Black Rhinoceros MetapopualtionImplications on Conservation. Dr.Termites, James Nonoh, MPI MarburgS.M. Muya, JKUATGenotype independent embryogenic callusinduction and incompetence of maizeimmature embryo to Agrobacteriuminfectivity, Dr Sylvester Anami, MombasaPolytechnic University CollegeThe Kenya Coastal Forest: Biodiversity,Values, Threats and Opportunities, DrMohamed Pakia, Pwani UniversityAdsorption, Desorption, Leaching andDissipation Kinetics of Metribuzin inSoil: Effects of Microbial ActivityProf. J.O. Lalah, Kenya PolytechnicUniversity CollegeBiofilms and Biodiversity: theirpotential applications in environmentalbiotechnology in Kenya Dr WairimuMuiaClimate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Microbial enzymes: industrialStrategies in the Coastal Region: The Coastal applications and current status inand Marine Ecosystem Perspectives, Dr Kenya, Dr Suhaila Hashim, PwaniMaarifa Mwakumanya, Pwani University University CollegeCollege17.00-17.20 The Role of Policy in Conserving Green Chemistry: biocatalysts fromForests: The case of Kakamega Forest. metagenomes for application inDr Nyunja Regina A. Ochieng‟,Bondo University Collegepharmaceutical and fine chemical industries,Dr. Najya Muhammed, Pwani UniversityEstablishing a “Microbial-Plant”Interface as a Means to control RiceBlast Disease DR Njiru

College17:20-18.20 Humboldt Round Table with Alumni and Potential Applicants (Moderated by Prof. Charles Omwandho (UoN), Prof. JosphatMatasyoh (Egerton U) and Dr Benard Juma, MMUST)16.15-17.00 Tea Break and End of the Day18:30-20:00 Dinner19 th July 2012ThursdaySession VChair: Dr Nancy Budambula, JKUATRapporteur: Dr Vitalis Wafula Wekesa, Kenya Polytechnic University College08:30-09:15 Termite guts-world‟s smallest bioreactors Prof. Dr. Andreas Brune,Max Planck Institute for TerrestrialMicrobiology, Marburg, Germany09:15-09:45 Global Repositioning of African Indigenous Vegetables and fruits into the foodbasket to feed the world in the 21 st CenturyProf. Mary Abukutsa O.Onyango,JKUAT9.45-10.15 Biodiversity Informatics: an emerging science, promoting conservation Dr Dan Masiga, ICIPE10:15-10:30 TEA BREAKSession VIChair: Dr Deogratius Mulungu, University of Dar es SalaaamRapporteur: Dr Suhaila Hashim, Pwani University College10:30-11.00 Natural Product Research as a tool for poverty alleviation Prof. Josphat Matasyoh, EgertonUniversity11:00-11.30 Bioprospecting for microorganisms symbiotic with halophytes to provide genes forsalt tolerance from saline environments.Dr Lelmen Elijah Kipkorir, KenyaPolytechnic University College11.30-12.00 Kenya‟s unique plant diversity: investing in modern botanical gardens Dr Wahiti Gituru, JKUATSession VII-Podium DiscussionChair: Dr Simon Onywere, KDSA Chairman, Kenyatta UniversityRapporteur: Dr Sichangi Kasili, SEUCO12.00-13:00 Topic: Implementing the CBD and the Nagoya Protocol in Kenya: Addressing theoverlapping mandates to facilitate ResearchMr. Kavaka Watai-Kenya Wildlife ServiceVeronica Kimutai-National Environmental Management Authority (TBC)Dr Benson Kanyigia-National Council for Science and Technology13:00-14:00 Session VIII: Lunch (Poster Session)Session IXChair: Prof. Francis Mulaa, UoNRapporteur: Dr Peter Wachira, UoN14:00-14.30 Web 2.0 tools and scholarly e-resources for education and research Dr Pamela Marinda, ITOCA14.30-15.00 Final Report of the GBRCN project and future plans Dr Dagmar Fritze, DSMZ, Germany(TBC)15:00-18.00 Excursion: Biodiversity of the Tsavo West Ecosystem Habib Mruttu, TTUC/Sarova TaitaHills Guides19.00-21.00 Farewell cocktail followed by Dinner20 th July 2012FridaySession XChair: Prof. Dr. Andreas Brune, MPI Marburg

Rapporteur: Dr Eunice Githae, SEUCO09:00-09:30 Key Note: Microbial Diversity of the Red Sea Prof. Dr. Ulrich Stingl, KAUST, SaudiArabia09.30-10.00 Environmental Impact Assessment Process for Biodiversity Conservation Projects inKenyaProf. Jacob Kibwage, South EasternUniversity College10:00-10.30 Strategies and Incentives for Promoting Excellence in Research at JKUAT Prof. Mabel Opanga, Vice-Chancellor,JKUAT10.30-10.45 Tea Break10:45-11.3011.00-11.30The future of Science and Technology in KenyaFormal Closing CeremonyProf. Chrispus Kiamba, PS Ministry ofHigher Education, Science andTechnology12.00-13.00 Early Lunch and Departure by Bus to Voi Town HM Mruttu & TeamPosters1. Enhancing the Mkilua utilisation through value addition to indigenous knowledge, Dr Najya Mohammed, Pwani University College2. Knowledge, Attitude and Perceptions on malaria by the brick makers on Nyabondo Plateau, Imbahale S., ICIPE and KPUC3. Relating maize yields with vegetative index and meteorological drought in Ruvu Basin, Tanzania, Dr. Deogratius Mulungu4. The growth, seed yield and oil content of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) as influenced by variety and nitrogen Dr Peter Masinde,JKUAT5. Litterfall in a peri-urban mangrove receiving raw domestic sewage, Mombasa, Kenya? Mohamed Omar Sai, Kenya Widldlife Service.6. Are mangroves sustainable as peri-urban forests? A Case Study of Mombasa, Kenya. Mohamed Omar Said, Kenya Wildlife Service

Day 2Keynote: Microbial Biodiversity and Bioressources - Challenges, approaches andperspectivesJörg OvermannLeibniz – Institut, DSMZ-Deutsche,Sammlung von Mikroorgaismen und Zellkulturen, InhoffenstraBe 7B38124 Braunschweig, GermanyCurrent estimates of prokaryotic diversity on the planet amount to values between 10 6 to 10 17different species. Whatever the species number might be, it has major implications for (1)functional studies, (2) species concepts, (3) cultivation and collection, and (4) thebiotechnological exploitation of microbial diversity. Microbial ecology studies revealed thatmicrobes dominating natural communities often exhibit previously unknown physiologicalproperties, as exemplified by the extremely low maintenance energy requirements of bacteria inthe deep biosphere, or the high substrate affinities of soil methanotrophs. In fact, entire phylawithin the bacterial radiation that have been defined based on their 16S rRNA gene sequenceshave so far largely escaped cultivation. Next generation high throughput sequencing technologymeanwhile provides a comprehensive insight into the diversity of natural microbial communities.Comparative analyses are beginning to identify patterns of distribution and interdependencieswith abiotic and biotic factors. Together with functional measurements, this approach bears thepotential to reveal how microbes control soil fertility, element cycling and climate. While anincreasing number of microbial species become accessible, cultivation efforts intrinsically lagdramatically behind culture-independent surveys of microbial diversity, and typically yieldisolates that are closely related to previously described species. Collecting and archiving noveltypes of microbes represent major future tasks of biological ressource centers that can only beaccomplished, however, by establishing improved and high throughput cultivation methods andin a concerted effort worldwide. These novel approaches will help to improve our understandingof microbial diversity and at the same time are indispensable for an improved bioeconomicalexploitation.Microbial Ecology of Soda Lakes of the Kenyan Rift ValleyRomano Mwirichia 1 , Anne Kelly Kambura 1 , Odilia Salano 1 , Francis Ndwiga 2 , Anne Muigai 2 , Erko Stackebrandt andHamadi Iddi Boga 1, 21Institute for Biotechnology Research, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya2Botany Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenyahboga@fsc.jkuat.ac.ke

The Soda Lakes of Kenya have attracted much interest from researchers over the years. They areamong the most productive ecosystems in the world with a primary productivity of 10g cm -2 day -1 and are very rich in microbial diversity. Due to the highly extreme conditions of pH,temperature and salinity, microorganisms from soda lakes have great promise for exploitation inBiotechnology. Using a combination of culture dependent and culture independent techniques,the microbial diversity of several soda lakes was explored. Clone Library studies of LakeElmenteita using bacterial and archeal primers revealed major groups of bacteria and archaea. Aclone library of bacterial 16S rRNA genes revealed the presence of 37 orders in the DomainBacteria. Cyanobacteria were the most abundant clones followed by the phylum Firmicutesgroup. The firmicutes had the most diverse genera represented. All clones affiliated to the classBetaproteobacteria originated from DNA obtained from the water samples. BLAST analysisshowed that 93.1% of the sequenced clones had similarity values below 98% to both culturedand as yet uncultured bacteria. Comparative sequence analysis of archaeal clones affiliated themto a wide range of genera including Natronococcus, Halovivax, Halobiforma, Halorubrum, andHalalkalicoccus. The highest percentage (46%) of the clones, however, belonged to unculturedmembers of the Domain Archaea in the order Halobacteriales. In a recent study, water, wetsediments, dry sediments, mats and grassland soil were collected at different sampling pointsfrom lakes Bogoria, Magadi, Crater lake Sonachi and Elmenteita in Kenya. The V3 to V5 regionof the 16S rRNA gene was analyzed using 454 pyrosequencing-based approach to assess thebacterial and archaea diversity in the collected samples. Within the domain Bacteria, a total of 47phyla were detected. A total of 198 cultured genera were represented in the bacteria dataset. Inthe domain Archaea, the Crenarchaeota and Euryarchaeota were predominant. The PhylumKorarchaeota was detected only in the dry sediments from Lake Bogoria (sample Arc-17B). In13 samples, the Halobacteria were the most abundant while classes Thermoplasmata andMethanomicrobia. A total of 30 cultured genera were represented in this dataset. Rarefactionanalysis shows that the water samples and the samples from Lake Magadi were the least diversein terms of the number of species. The low diversity in the Magadi samples may be attributed tothe high salt and pH which may promote growth of specific group of organisms that haveadapted to the harsh conditions. Isolation of bacteria and fungi from Lake Magadi, Elmenteitaand Nakuru led to the recovery of previously isolated as well as yet unrecovered groups. Novelspecies are in the process of being described. The results show that the archaeal and Bacterialdiversity in the Soda Lakes could be higher than previously reported.ReferencesMwirichia, R, Cousin, S; Muigai, AW, Boga HI and Stackebrandt, E (2010) Bacterial Diversity in the HaloalkalineLake Elmenteita, Kenya. Curr. Microbiol. 62(1):209-21Mwirichia, R, Muigai, AW, Tindall, B, Boga HI and Stackebrandt, E (2010) Isolation and characterization ofbacteria from the haloalkaline Lake Elmenteita. Extremophiles 14(4):339-48Mwirichia, R, Cousin, S; Muigai, AW, Boga HI and Stackebrandt, E (2010): Archaeal Diversity in the HaloalkalineLake Elmenteita in Kenya. Curr. Microbiol. 60:47–52Kambura AK (2011) Isolation,characterization and screening of bacterial isolates from lake Magadi for Exoenzymesand Antimicrobial Activity. MSc Thesis, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya

Odilia AS (2011) Isolation and Characterization of Fungi from Lake Magadi of the Kenyan Rift Valley. MSc Thesis,Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, KenyaGreen Chemistry: biocatalysts from metagenomes for application in pharmaceutical and fine chemical industriesBiopesticides: Emerging approaches in crop pest and disease controlWekesa Vitalis WafulaDepartment of Biological Science and Technology, Kenya Polytechnic University College, (A constituent college ofthe University of Nairobi), P.O Box 52428-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.Email: ewekesah@yahoo.com or vwekesa@kenpoly.ac.keOver the past decades, growers have over-relied on synthetic pesticides for the control pests anddiseases. Pesticides are expensive from the economic as well as environmental point of view andthe target pests rapidly develop resistance to new products. In addition, continued use of thesepesticides adversely affects the diversity of natural enemies. The demand for a reduction inpesticide use and the requirement for residue-free food have resulted in an increasing interest inbiological control systems.Among the biological control agents used are the pathogens that cause disease among pestpopulations. The most common types of pathogens are bacteria, fungi, nematodes, viruses andprotozoa. Some of these pathogens are highly lethal and can kill large populations of insects on avery short period while others can retard their development, shorten their life cycle or preventreproduction. Therefore, development of biopesticides that target pests and diseases has recentlybeen advocated because they are environmentally friendly, are pathogenic to specific groups ofpests or frequently very specific to small groups of closely related species and are known toprovide a long term solution as they can easily recycle in the environment.Because of the specificity of these pathogens, bioprospecting and selection of new strains is akey process in development of novel products for control of emerging pest challenges. Thisprocess also helps to add to the market, products that provide all sorts of options in terms of cropprotection and include direct use of microorganisms that are quick in eliminating the pests, areharmless to non-target hosts like other arthropod natural enemies as well being sustainable andtherefore reducing the cost of production. These products can be used for direct control of thepests by killing them using their toxins, causing disease among pest populations as well asrestricting pests never to reach economic injury levels.The latest approaches involve the use of microorganisms such endophytes that immunizes thecrops against arthropod pests as well as diseases. Additionally, endophytes can be used for seedcoating making their application easier and economical to growers. Other pathogens like mycovirusesattack disease causing fungal pathogens and therefore bioprospecting and selection ofnovel strains is important in targeting fungal pathogens that attack high value crops thereforeminimizing use of fungicides and reducing environmental contamination.

Development and Assessment of Technologies for Exploration of Genomic and MetaboliteDiversity of extremophiles from Kenyan Soda LakesFrancis J. Mulaa, Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nairobimulaafj@uonbi.ac.keThe study highlights, technologies aimed at the mining of enzymes and metabolic pathways fromextremophilic organisms and metagenomes from microbial communities from peculiar sodalakes environments and consequent funneling the new enzymatic reactions and processestowards new biotechnological applications are. The technologies are build up on the scientificand technological application of the state-of-the-art technologies for archiving, molecularactivity screening, enzyme engineering and directed evolution and establishing newbiotechnological processes including biocatalysis and pathway engineering for the synthesis offine chemicals. The central approach of the biocatalysis and metabolic engineering is based onthe “Activity First” principle, allowing to directly access metabolic reactions of biotechnologicalrelevance. This approach contrasts with the massive sequencing and consequent“genome/metagenome gazing” approach which can only reveal those genes encoding theenzymes of already known protein families. Designed and/or directed evolution methods areemployed to improve the performance and specificity of the enzymes. A comprehensivebioinformatic approach throughout the whole tree of cellular life is used to suggest newcandidates homologous to the discovered new proteins, from other organisms to be cloned andassayed.Amongst other highlights include: Molecular methods to identify and quantify bacteria witheconomic potential directly in any given soil sample and to assess their state of activity. Wecombine quantitative PCR and DNA-chip technology to retrieve specific gene sequences andassess their amounts in soil samples. 16S rRNA sequences serve to identify species.The studies also show the development of a versatile fermentation platform, using the oleaginousyeastYarrowialipolytica, for the conversion of lipid feedstocks into diverse added-valueproducts. Relevant enzymatic properties for the production of compounds of interest are derivedfrom marine hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria. Research directed at elucidating the lipid metabolismof the yeast, together with available genomic data make it possible to intercept its lipidmetabolism for biotechnological purposes.Genomic and phenotypic analyses are performed to characterize the new species and to allowreliable identification. The geographical dissemination of extremophiles strains can be monitoredby 16S rRNA directly extracted from soil samples. The presence of soda lakes bacteria will beunveiled by cloning and sequencing of PCR-amplified 16S rDNA. Their species richness andabundance in microbial communities of different environmental soils will be spatially monitoredby 16S rDNA analysis. We show how extremophile strains recalcitrant to cultivation can beenriched by cell sorting methods. The show how specialised high-throughput screening for novel

drug compounds, can reveal secondary metabolite diversity by mass spectrometry. Automatedtests for antibiotic, cytostatic and other compounds and spectroscopic structure resolution toidentify novel drug candidates. Soda lakes microdiversity will be assessed on the genome level.Phytoplankton biomass and species composition changes in the alkaline saline lakes ofKenyaKiplagat KotutPlant and Microbial Sciences Department, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844 GPO 00100 Nairobi, KenyaTel. 254-20-788250, kkotut63@yahoo.comInvestigations on phytoplankton composition and biomass in five alkaline-saline lakes of Kenya(Elementeita, Bogoria, Nakuru and Oloidien, Sonachi and Simbi) where carried out on diversedates between 2001 and 2009. The phytoplankton biomass varied widely with a range from 13 to3159 mg L -1 . In all the lakes investigated, the most common phytoplankton species was thecyanophyte Arthrospira fusiformis. However, the dominance A. fusiformis was interrupted atirregular intervals in each lake and replaced partly by populations of the nostocaleanAnabaenopsis div. spec. or the picoplanktonic chlorophyte Picocystis salinarum. Lake Bogoriawas regularly dominated by A. fusiformis while in Lakes Nakuru and Elmenteita, thephytoplankton mainly consisted of A. fusiformis, A. abijatae and Anabaenopsis arnoldii. In L.Nakuru an unknown Anabaena sp. was also recorded. Lake Sonachi was mainly dominated by A.fusiformis while the characteristic species of Lake Simbi were A. fusiformis and A. abijatae.Phytoplankton biomass (wet weight) varied widely reaching high values of 777 mg L -1 in L.Bogoria, 104 mg L -1 in L. Nakuru, 202 mg L -1 in L. Elmenteita, 3159 mg L -1 in L. Sonachi and348 mg L -1 in L. Simbi. The impacts of these changes on the lakes‟ primary consumers arediscussed.The Role of Policy in Conserving Forest Biodiversity; the Case of Kakamega ForestNyunja Regina A. Ochieng’. Bondo University College P O Box 210 40601 Bondo, Kenya,reginanyunja@yahoo.comKakamega Forest is an easternmost remnant equatorial forest. The natural forest is endowed withflora and fauna both micro and macro. The plants have been used by many communities whoonce lived in the forest and those who now border it. When population was low, the forest couldsustain itself through nutrient recycle. Today research indicates that there is over extraction inthe form of fuel wood, wood, poles, fruits, vegetables and phytomedicines among others. Thereis paucity of information on plants used as medicine yet traditional medicine continues to fill inthe gap left by modern medicine. The study sought to survey and document plants used asmedicine from the forest and to investigate the impact of forest policy „ types‟ on forest plantsresource use. Field observations and open ended interviews were preferred to gather information.

Random stratified sampling technique was used. Transects, 10m by 20m., were set in equalmagnitude in the forest section under the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) and The Kenya ForestServices (KFS) (the then Forest Department). Standard herbarium techniques were used tocollect and preserve specimens. A total of one hundred and twenty herbal practitioners above theage of eighteen years were interviewed. Simple descriptive statistics and Non ParametricCanonical Discriminant Analysis were used to analyse data. About one hundred and sixty eightplant species were documented excluding those that could not be identified. The research showedthat phytomedicines are used by the people and that the people have contributed to thedegradation of the forest with the greatest impact felt most on the KFS side and the impact risingwith distance from the „forest Headquarters‟ on either side (KFS or KWS). Certain taxa wereevidently preferred for medicinal use for instance Zanthoxylum gillettii , Trichilia emetica, Oleacapensis and Entadda abyssinica among others. A selected few could serve as flagship speciesfor the conservation of this forest. The project recommends in situ and ex situ conservation,phytochemical profiling and bio-prospecting of target taxa in addition to strengthening of studieson society and culture It is hoped that the knowledge will help policy makers make policydecisions bordering on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.Key words: Phytomediciines, medicines, traditional medicine, herbal practitioners, biodiversity,conservation, Forest PolicyCactus pear genetic resources: opportunity for livelihood improvement in the drylands ofKenyaEunice W. Githae, School of Tourism and Natural Resource Management, Narok University College, P. O. Box,861-20500, Narok, Kenya. Email address: egithaeh@gmail.com, Mobile phone: +254 725 286 095The genus Opuntia (cactus pear) belongs to the Cactaceae family and is highlighted as apotential drought tolerant plant group that is suitable for promoting sustainable cultivationsystems and landscape conservation. It contains about 150 species that are generally dry-habitatspecialists. It is native to Mexico and widely distributed in the Mediterranean area, Central andSouth America, South Africa but some species introduced elsewhere have naturalized and areinvasive. It is most common and widespread in the arid and semi-arid regions due to theirpeculiar adaptations to water scarcity and sun irradiation. Cactus pear was introduced in Kenyain the 1940s-50s as a hedge plant and has now been naturalized in several areas. The plant iscommonly found in agro-climatic zones VI to VII (semi arid to very arid, with average annualrainfall ranging from

Except under extreme drought conditions the plant is hardly used as a source of food but iscommonly used as a protection fence for homesteads and agricultural fields where it is known asa cactus fence. In places where cactus pear has become invasive, its spread has been controlledby various means or, in some cases; the invasiveness has been managed by improving resourceutilization and value-adding initiatives. Any attempt to increase the contribution of cactus pear tohousehold food security and income in Kenya requires a clear understanding of its sustainableutilization and proper management. This knowledge is hereby discussed for genetic resourceconservation and for strengthening the capacity of local people in order to improve and sustaintheir livelihoods. In addition, this information will form the basis for policy development andresearch on documentation of cactus pear genetic resources in Kenya.ReferencesChessa, I. 2011. Cactus pear genetic resources conservation, evaluation and uses. In: Nefzaoui, A., Inglese, P.,Belay, T. (Eds.). Improved utilization of cactus pear for food, feed, soil and water conservation and otherproducts in Africa. Proceedings of International Workshop held in Mekelle, Ethiopia, 19 to 21 October2009. Pp 43 – 58Felker, P and Inglese, P. 2003. Short-term and long-term research needs for Opuntia ficus-indica utilization in aridareas. Journal of the Professional Association for Cactus Development 5: 131 – 151Feugang, J.M., Konarski, P., Zou, D., Stintzing, F.C and Zou, C. 2006. Nutritional and medicinal use of Cactus pear(Opuntia spp.) cladodes and fruits. Frontiers in Bioscience 11: 2574 – 2589Tesfay, B., Mulugeta, G., and Tadesse, A. 2011. Description of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.)cultivars from Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Research report No. 1. Tigray Agricultural Research Institute,Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia.Potential Cyanide Cassava Toxicity and Associated DiseasesW.Njue* 1 , F. W. Mburu 1 , S. Swaleh 1 ,F. Nguyo 21 Chemistry Department – Kenyatta University, P. O Box 43844, Nairobi, Kenyatta.2 Makueni District Health Officer, Eastern Province*Corresponding author. wilsonnjue@yahoo.comCassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) is a cyanogenic plant, when consumed without sufficientprocessing is toxic. Cassava is characterized by presence of linamarin, a cyanogenic glycosidewhich, when acted upon by the enzyme linamarase is hydrolyzed to release hydrogen cyanide. Itcoexists with its ethyl homologue called lotaustralin. If hydrodylis does not occur, thecyanoglycoside remains intact and the food becomes safe.Several diseases are associated with the toxic effects of cassava. Its causative role has beenconfirmed in pathological condition of acute intoxication causing death and goiter. Two types ofparalysis, tropical atoxic neuropathy and epidemic spastic paraparensis are associated withchronic cyanide intake and low sulphur intake.The study aimed at determining levels of cyanide in cassava collected from different districts inKenya and from fatal cassava meal in Makueni District in Eastern Province. Determination ofcyanide levels was carried spectrophotometrically using modified pricrate paper method. Levelsof cyanide in cassava varied significantly (p

while from Kisii had the lowest cyanide concentration (43.27 mg/kg). Nairobi and Thika hadmoderately high concentration of 66.00 and 54.84 mg HCN equivalents/kg cassava fresh weight.During the period of study, two families, a family of six(6) and of seven(7) from Makueni andKathonzweni districts in Eastern Province were effected after consuming raw and cookedcassava in the month of September 2011, where two (2) children aged four(4) and five(5) diedand other family members were taken ill to Makueni District Hospital. The cyanide levels in thecassava were high, and ranged between 46.03 and 53.37 mg HCN equivalents/kg fresh cassavaweight. Cassava from all the regions registered high levels of cyanide compared to therecommended accepted level of 10 mg/kg per body weight by WHO. There is need for publicawareness on processing of cassava before consumption.Impact of Prolonged Application of Xenobiotics on Indigenous Microbes in SoilAnastasia Ngigi 1 , David Ndalut 2 , Hamadi Boga 3 , Zachary Getenga 21 Masinde Muliro University of Science & technology, P.O. Box Box 190 – 50100, Kakamega.2 Chepkoilel University College, 3 Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologyEmail: anjokingugi@yahoo.comThe environmental fate of herbicides is a matter of major concern given that only a small fractionof the chemicals reach the target organisms. This leads to potential negative impacts of residualherbicides on human, animal and crop health. Herbicides affect microbes indirectly, causingphysiological changes, increased enzymatic production or, when applied in high doses, death ofsusceptible groups of microorganisms. In most cases they lead to the indigenous microbesgetting adapted to the xenobiotics by utilizing the same for energy and growth. In soil systems,biodegradation is a fundamental attenuation process for pesticides. This study reports themicrobial adaptation to atrazine and diuron herbicides in soils. Atrazine (6-chloro-N 2 -ethyl-N 4 -isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) and diuon [N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N,N-dimethylurea]herbicides are extensively and frequently applied in sugarcane-cultivated soils. Soils have beenscreened for the rapid degradation of the xenobiotics by evolution of 14 CO 2 from the utilizationof the 14 C-labelled compounds, by measuring bacterial cell density through optical densitymeasurements and by measuring the residual levels of the xenobiotic at different time intervals.For instance, two model compounds (diuron and atrazine) have been extensively studied withsubsequent isolation and characterization of the key microorganisms which have been adapted tothe utilization of the xenobiotics for energy and growth. In this study, liquid culture experimentswith atrazine and diuron led to isolation of different bacterial strains that could degrade the twoherbicides. This confirms the adaptation of indigenous microbes to herbicides after repeatedapplications.Key words: atrazine, diuron, biodegradation, adaptation, liquid culturesThe Role of Horticultural Association of Kenya (HAK) in Conservation and Utilization ofBiodiversity in KenyaJohn Mwibanda Wesonga

Department of Horticulture, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000 – 00200Nairobi. Email: jwesonga@agr.jkuat.ac.keProfessional associations or societies are established voluntarily by members from disciplineswith the main objective of promoting the subject/discipline/ in which they have common interest.The Associations or societies are largely self-supported and carry out their activities with fundsraised through subscription/membership fee, voluntary contribution of time by office bearers etc.Professional Associations can play key roles. According to Bickel (1997), “professionalassociations form a living matrix where minds meet and engage and where trusted colleaguespool their knowledge, helping each other to glimpse and plumb larger forces at work, to seeconnections among events, and to imagine the future.” Professional associations can thereforeplay a critical in influencing research and development in a given subject matter. The purpose ofthis paper therefore is to demonstrate the extent to which the Horticultural Association of Kenya(HAK) has played in the promotion of conservation and utilization of biodiversity. HAK wasestablished in 1999 to promote horticulture in Kenya. The Association‟s objectives includepromotion of sustainable and environment friendly horticultural production in Kenya amongothers. Since inception, the Association has held 11 workshops and published five volumes of ajournal. Through the workshops and the journal, the association has facilitated meeting ofscientists who have discussed topics that have resulted in greater understanding of biodiversity.During the workshops a total of 60 papers were presented on various aspects of biodiversity. Themain focus of the papers was on African Traditional Vegetables and aspects covered include:genetic characterization, domestication, optimization of production practices (fertilizer, waterand pest management), utilization (consumer behaviours and recipes) and marketing. Otheraspects of biodiversity covered include: indigenous soil microbes and natural biological controlagents (pathogens, parasitoids and predators). Three papers on African Traditional Vegetableshave also been published by the association in the African Journal of Horticultural Sciences. TheAssociation has therefore played a key role in creating fora for meeting by scientists whereissues on biodiversity especially African Traditional Vegetables has been discussed. Throughpublication of proceedings and the journal, the Association as consolidated information onbiodiversity which is readily available to the greater scientific community. While no directevidence exist to link the recent dramatic increase (Irungu 2007) in demand for Africantraditional Vegetables, it is possible to speculate that the association may have contributed to theincrease in demand. HAK has therefore played a key role in the development of AfricanTraditional Vegetables.Keywords: agrobiodiversity, genetic resources, professional associations, societies.ReferencesBickel J. (2007). The Role of Professional Societies in Career Development in Academic Medicine. AcademicPsychiatry, 31(2):91-94Irungu C. 2007. Analysis of markets for African leafy vegetables within Nairobi and its environs and implicationsfor on farm conservation of biodiversity. A report of the Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species(GFU) , Rome, Italy.Price, DA ( 1980). The Role of the Professional Association, The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 21: 33-38Lalonde AB, Perron L. (2006)Enhancing the Leadership Role of Professional Associations in Maternal Health: TheInternational Experience of SOGC, Journal of Obstetrics Gynaecology 28(11):1009–1010Greenwood R, Suddaby R Hinings CR (2002). Theorizing change: the role of professional associations in thetransformation of institutionalized fields, Academy of Management Journal 2002, Vol. 45, No. 1, 58-80.

Klingner, DE (2000). The Role of Professional Associations in Strengthening the Professionalization of PublicAdministration. Congreso Internacional del CLAD sobre la Reforma del Estado y de la AdministraciónPública, Santo Domingo, Rep. Dominicana, 24 - 27 Oct. 2000Cryptic termite species diversity in Kakamega Forest, KenyaZipporah B. Osiemo 1, 2* , Andreas Marten 1 , Godfrey H. Kagezi 4 , Johanna P.E.C. Darlington 5 , Manfred Kaib 3 , LinusM . Gitonga 2 , Hamadi I. Boga 6 and Roland Brandl 11 Animal Ecology, Department of Animal Ecology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.2 Department of Zoology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.3 Department of Animal Physiology, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.4 Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute, Kampala, Uganda.5 Zoology Department, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK.6 Department of Botany, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.*Corresponding author zbisieri@yahoo.com or zlagat@jkuat.ac.keTermites are among the keystone species of tropical ecosystems and contribute to ecosystemprocesses and carbon and nitrogen cycles. The role of termites for soil processes dependsstrongly on the species composition and their feeding habits. Termite workers aremorphologically rather uniform, and thus exhibit only few traditional taxonomic characters forspecies identification and yet they dominate in ecological surveys. Therefore, the diversity oftermites is poorly understood, especially in tropical forests which are hotspots of biodiversity andthreatened by disturbances. Recently, the use of DNA-sequences (barcoding) has become moreimportant for inventory and biodiversity assessment of hyperdiverse taxa and those which aredifficult to identify. An approach towards establishing a DNA barcode library for termite speciesidentification and biodiversity assessment using sequences of the mitochondrial COII gene ispresented in this study. Kakamega forest is the remnant of the Congo-Guinean Forest reachingKenya. This isolated forest is a hotspot of biodiversity which is threatened by the increasinghuman population. Depending on the land use, along a gradient from primary rain forest tofarmlands, the species composition among the termites varied greatly, dominated by termitespecies feeding on wood in the primary forests and by grass feeding termites in farmlands.Hence, to interpret the role of termites in different land-use habitats, the species compositionneeds to be understood. Here we present termite biodiversity assessment using sequences of themtCOII gene. 854 sequences of a 681bp fragment of the COII gene of termites were extractedfrom GenBank and used to define molecular thresholds for termite species delimitation by usingmeans, medians and a threshold method.A threshold value of 0.058 K2P-sequence divergence per site was calculated for termite speciesdelimitation, using COII sequences of termites from GenBank. A family-specific threshold of0.056 was calculated to delimit the species for termites from Kakamega forest, all belonging tothe family Termitidae. Morphological assessment of 240 samples suggested that at least 16morphospecies occur along the gradient. A sequence-based analysis revealed existence of 22

Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) using a termite sequence divergencethreshold of 0.056. Extrapolation termite species numbers in Kakamega forest using Chaoestimates gave higher species numbers (17 and 26 for morphospecies and threshold respectively)than observed numbers. All species assessed were belonging to the family Termitidae (highertermites), and among them the fungus-growing Macrotermitinae were most prevalent with atleast eight putative species, which were all cryptic within their three different genera(Microtermes, Pseudacanthotermes and Odontotermes) whereas Promirotermes andForaminitermes were ranked as less abundant species in the forest. Their abundance in thesamples suggests that they play an important ecological role which is completely unstudied alsodue to the lack of reliable identification means. Our study highlights the advantage thatmolecular based species delimitation that reveals some morphological cryptic species.Obviouslybarcoding provides a more comprehensive picture of the diversity of termites. This is a firstapproach towards establishing a DNA barcode library for termite species identification andbiodiversity assessment using sequences of the mitochondrial COII gene.Key words: DNA barcoding, species delimitation, COII, diversity, termites, MOTUReferencesBignell, D.E., Eggleton, P., 2000. Termites in ecosystems. In: Abe, T., Higashi, M.,Dordrecht, Bignell, D.E. (Eds.),Termites: Evolution, Sociality, Symbioses, Ecology. Kluwer Academic, pp. 363–387.Collins, N.M. (1981). The role of termites in the decomposition of wood and leaf litter in the Southern GuineaSavanna of Nigeria. Oecologia 51:389–99Eggleton, P., Tayasu, I., 2001. Feeding groups, lifetypes and the global ecology of termites. Ecol. Res. 16, 941–960.Hausberger et al., 2011. Uncovering cryptic species diversity of a termite community in West African savanna.Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics 61, 964-969.Hebert, P.D.N., Cywinska, A., Ball, S.L., Dewaard, J.R., 2003. Biological identifications through DNA barcodes.Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond., Series B 270, 313–321.Inward, D.J.G., Vogler, A.P., Eggleton, P., 2007. A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of termites (Isoptera)illuminates key aspects of their evolutionary biology. Mol. Phylogenet. Evolut. 44, 953–967.Meier, R., Shiyang, K., Vaidya, G., Ng, P.K.L., 2006. DNA barcoding and taxonomy in Diptera: a tale of highintraspecific variability and low identification success. Syst. Biol. 55, 715–728.Archaeal biodiversity of higher termitesJames Nonoh, K. Paul, and A. BruneMarks Planck Institute for terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Karl Von FricshStrabe 10, D-35043, Marburg, GermanyMethanogenesis in termite guts contributes 2–4% to the global budget of this greenhouse gas.Most of the methane is produced by phylogenetically higher termites, particularly the soilfeedingtaxa. Although diversity and community structure of archaea is more complex than in thewood-feeding lower termites, little is known about the symbiotic methanogens colonizing theirhighly compartmented guts. In order to understand the environmental drivers of methanogenesisand the functional roles of the different symbionts, we conducted a comparative 16S rRNA-

ased study of archaeal community structure in various higher termites, including wood-feeding,soil-feeding, and fungus-cultivating species. Highest diversity of methanogens was observed inthe soil feeders, where representatives of almost all major lineages were present, including aclade of uncultivated archaea distantly related to the Thermoplasmatales, which represent anovel lineage of methanoarchaea (K. Paul, J. Nonoh, and A. Brune, in preparation). The densityand distribution of archaea in the different termites and gut compartments was compared byqPCR analysis. Experimental stimulation of methanogenesis in gut homogenates of Cubitermesugandensis indicated that community structure in the different compartments microenvironmentsis shaped by exogenous factors, such as oxygen status and the availability ofmethanogenic substrates.Assessment of Sedimentation of Masinga Reservoir and its Implication on the Capacity ofthe Dam for Hydropower GenerationBunyasi, Muzungu Martin¹ and Onywere, Simon Mang’erere²¹ ²Department of Environmental Planning and Management, Kenyatta University, KenyaContact email: martinsembie@gmail.comMasinga Dam was commissioned in 1981 and has a full operation surface area of about 125 km 2that extends about 45 Km upstream. The Dam is the largest of the Seven Forks Hydro ElectricPower (HEP) project dams with a design capacity of 1,560 million m 3 . Masinga catchment ispart of the Tana River basin and covers an area of about 6,255 Km 2 traversing 9 countiesnamely; Murang‟a, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Laikipia, Machakos, Kitui, Nyeri and Embu.The Dam has installed capacity of 40 MW and also plays the role of regulating water flow intosubsequent dams and controlling downstream flooding. Masinga Dam therefore directly affectsthe seven forks hydropower project with about 55% of Kenya‟s generated energy. The Dam isthreatened by loss of water storage capacity due to increased dam sedimentation which is linkedto the watershed agriculture activities and land use patterns, river characteristics, and reservoirlocation and design. Rapid human population increase in the region at a rate of about 13.6%between 1969 and 2009, has led to increased catchment settlement and farming on steep slopeswithin the catchment, leading to rapid soil erosion. The dam‟s high trap rate of up to 98%yielded about 23 million m 3 loss of water storage volume annually in its initial years. By 1988about 6% (93.9 million m 3 ) of the dam‟s storage capacity had been lost due to sedimentationresulting in rapid loss of a stable hydraulic head. This raised concerns on HEP capacity of theTana hydro-dams. To develop an effective catchment management strategy to improve the dam‟ssedimentation regime, this research assessed how Masinga catchment activities have affectedMasinga Dam‟s storage capacity and hydropower generation. The study assessed the level andtrend of sedimentation of Masinga Reservoir and the relationship between Masinga catchmentvegetation cover change and sediment loading into Masinga Dam. The study also determined thecorrelation between Masinga Catchment precipitation and temperature trends, and Masinga daminflows and sediment loading and its effects on hydropower generation capacity. The dataanalysis methods utilized included the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) usingArcGIS 10.0 and ERDAS IMAGINE 9.1, statistical analysis using SPSS software for correlationanalysis, and descriptive and inferential statistics. The research findings indicated that thecatchment temperate is rising by 0.02 0 C annually, the rains are declining by 3.9 mm annually,Masinga reservoir inflow is dropping by 0.74 cumecs annually, catchment forest is shrinking by

about 528.7 hectares annually, and thus the average power output operates below capacity by upto 16 GW Hour annually. Based on the research findings, Masinga dam has lost about 215.26 Mm 3 (13.59 %) of its design water storage capacity of 1,560 M m 3 to sedimentation by 2011. Theaverage annual dam sediment inflow continues to rise at an annual rate of 0.063 million m 3 . Thisdrastically affects Masinga dam storage capacity, HEP generation levels and operation of theSeven Forks power project. These trends puts the Tana catchment water resources, the largestriver in Kenya and it‟s energy sector at stake.Genotype independent embryogenic callus induction and incompetence of maize immatureembryos to Agrobacterium infectivityJoseck Akoyi 1 , Olive Sande 1, 3 , Jesse Machuka 1 , Mieke Van Lijsebettens 4 , Catherine Taracha 2 , Allan J. Mgutu 1 , andSylvester E. Anami 3 ()e-mail syanakuti@gmail.com1 Plant Transformation Facility, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, P.O. BOX43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya2 Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), P.O. BOX 57811, Nairobi, Kenya3 The Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Systems Biology, Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, the MombasaPolytechnic University College, P.O.BOX 90420-80100 G.P.O. Mombasa, Kenya4 Department Plant Systems Biology, VIB-Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, B-9052 Gent, BelgiumMaize is one of the most important cereal crops in Sub-Saharan Africa and an important sourceof energy for humans. However, the difference in the dedifferentiation frequency of immatureembryos among various genotypes indicates that callus induction and genetic transformation isdependent on the genotype. Here, five tropical maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes were tested forcallus induction and subsequent regeneration on MS medium supplemented with a growthregulator Dicamba. In addition, we hypothesized that tropical maize immature embryos producechemicals that inhibit the optimal subsistence and ultimately attachment of Agrobacterium toimmature embryos. Genotype-independent embryogenic calli were induced from immaturezygotic embryos, 12 days after pollination, of maize inbred lines, CML216, CML144, A04, E04and TL21 on MS medium supplemented with different levels (1-5 mgl -l ) of growth regulatorDicamba. The optimal concentration of Dicamba for induction of embryogenic callus in all thegenotypes was 3 mgl -l . 3 mgl -l was also the concentration at which non embryogenic callusformation was lowest. The frequency of embryogenic callus induction ranged from 34%–79%,with CML 216 having the highest frequency at the optimal concentration of Dicamba. Somaticembryos obtained germinated plantlets and produced normal R 1 progeny of regenerants (R 0 ).Agrobacterium attachment to immature embryos is key to successful T-DNA transfer into thetarget plant cells; therefore, Agrobacterium EHA101 at different titers (0%, 25%, 50% and 100%relative to 48 hrs culture) was evaluated for its ability to grow around immature embryos oftropical maize genotypes. Immature zygotic embryos at 25% and 50% titers from all thegenotypes inhibited Agrobacterium growth around the embryo compared to regions further awayfrom the embryo. Genotype A04 had the highest inhibition while genotype CML395 the lowest.This regeneration method is expected to facilitate the development of a more efficient genotypeindependentAgrobacterium mediated transformation system for the genotypes reported in thisstudy. Furthermore, we present evidence that Agrobacterium attachment to immature embryosfrom tropical maize genotypes is the limiting factor for T-DNA processing and delivery as the

embryos failed in transient GUS expression. The elucidation of the chemicals secreted by theimmature embryos might be instrumental in designing of their inhibitors/effectors to enhanceAgrobacterium attachment, infectivity and ultimately transformation of tropical maizegenotypes.Adsorption, Desorption, Leaching and Dissipation Kinetics of Metribuzin in soil: Effects ofMicrobial activity.1 Lagat S., 2 Lalah J.O., 3 K’Owenje C., 3 Chepkui R.1 Department of Chemistry, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 190-50100 Kakamega,Kenya.2 Department of Chemical Sciences and Technology, Kenya Polytechnic University College, P.O. Box 52428-00200City Square, Nairobi, Kenya.3 Department of Chemistry, Maseno University, P.O. Box 333-40105 Maseno, Kenya.Due to changes in land use patterns and increased application of agrochemicals in Kenya, there isconcern of the fate of pesticide residues in the catchments. Residues of pesticides which areapplied in the farms find their way into nearby rivers and pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems andto human beings due to their potential toxicity. There has been an increase in the use of herbicidemetribuzin, particularly in the commercial farming activities within the Lake Victoria basin.Metribuzin (4-amino-6-tert-butyl-4, 5-dinylthio 1, 2, 4 triazin-5-one) is a systematic and contactherbicide. It has moderate mammalian toxicity but is known to contaminate the environment andpose threat to aquatic organisms. Large quantities of metribuzin are used to control weeds inNzoia sugarcane fields, Mumias Sugar belt and Sony sugarcane fields as well as in wheat andmaize farming in Eldoret. The movement and fate of metribuzin residues from the point ofapplication are influenced by their adsorption, desorption, leaching and dissipation properties.These properties are used in evaluating their environmental persistence, potential contaminationand in modelling their mobility and toxicity in various compartments. Although metribuzin is apopular herbicide in Kenya, its adsorption/desorption kinetics, leaching and dissipation kineticsin Kenyan soils had not been studied to be able to determine the fate of its residues. The soiladsorption, desorption, leaching and dissipation kinetics of metribuzin, determined recently invarious soil types from Kenya, will be discussed during our presentation. We shall also discussits microbial and chemical degradation mechanisms and the potential effects of these degradationmechanisms on its adsorption, desorption, leaching and dissipation from soil.The effect of land conversion on select soil organisms in Kenya1 Wachira, P.M., J.W. Kimenju, 1 N.K. Karanja, 1 S.A. Okoth, 2 J.P.H. Kahindi, 3 J.M Jefwa, 1 G.N Nyamasyo, 4 E. Muya,1 B. Mutsotso, 3 M. Gikungu, 3 M. Kibberenge, and 5 H. Roimen1 University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya2 United States International University, Nairobi, P. O. Box 14634 - 00800, Nairobi, Kenya3 The National Museums of Kenya P.O Box 45166, -00100, Nairobi, Kenya4 Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 14733, -00100, Nairobi, Kenya5 Department of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing, P.O. Box 47146, -00100, Nairobi, Kenya

Biodiversity is usually defined as the variety and variability of living organisms and theecosystems in which they occur. Although biodiversity loss has been given prominence all overthe world in the last 2-3 decades, most of the conservation efforts have been directed to largeplants and animals. The soil represents a favourable habitat for microorganisms and is inhabitedby a wide range of them (Davet and Francis, 2000). Invisible to the naked eye, soil is one of themost diverse habitats on earth with the most diverse assemblages of living organisms (Giller etal., 1997). Soil biodiversity although huge, it is largely unstudied and unexplored.These soil microorganisms are very important as almost every chemical transformation takingplace in soil involves active contributions from each of them. In particular, they play an activerole in soil fertility as a result of their involvement in the cycle of nutrients like carbon andnitrogen, which are required for plant growth. For example, soil microorganisms are responsiblefor the decomposition of the organic matter entering the soil and therefore in the recycling ofnutrients in soil. Soil organisms have particularly received little attention appearing insignificantdespite their overall value in soil ecology and contribution to the maintenance of soilproductivity. Soil biodiversity is under threat from anthropogenic processes such as land usechange (European commission, 2010). Land use change leads to soil degradation andconsequently to loss of biodiversity and more specifically to soil biodiversity.A study was undertaken to assess the effect of land use change on selected soil organisms atEmbu and Taita Taveta benchmark sites in Kenya. Soil samples were collected from georeferencedpoints located in natural forest, plantation forest, tea, coffee, napier grass, agroforestry,fallow, maize/beans intercrop and land under horticultural crop production. The soilorganisms were grouped into three main categories based on their morphology and sizes asfollows; microbes, mesofauna and macrofauna.A general decline in diversity and abundance of beneficial microbes was observed with increasein land use intensity where richness and abundance of Trichoderma with soil under napier grassand coffee having the highest and lowest abundance at the two benchmark sites, respectively(Sheila et al., 2009). Land use intensification had no significant effect on arbuscular mycorrhizalfungi (AMF) populations and their diversity. Results also confirm that land use has a significanteffect on the diversity of rhizobia. It was also observed that the frequency of isolating nematodedestroying fungi (NDFs) increased with increased in land use intensity (Wachira et al., 2009).An increase in abundance of plant pathogenic microbes was associated with intensity of land usewhere the abundance of Fusarium and Pythium spp.was significatlty (P

Davet Pierre and Rouxel Francis, 2000. Detection and Isolation of Soil Fungi. Science Publishers, Enfield NewHampshire, USA. 188 pp.European Commission - DG ENV. Soil biodiversity: functions, threats and tools for policy makers, February 2010.Giller, K.E., Cadisch, G., Ehaliotis, C., Sakala, W.D. and Mafongoya, P.L. 1997. Building soil nitrogen capital inAfrica. In: Buresh, R.J., Sanchez, P.A. and Calhoun, F. (eds). Replenishing Soil Fertility in Africa. SSSA Specialpublication Number 51 pp. 151-192.Sheila A. Okoth, P. Okoth, P.M. Wachira and H. Roimen, 2009. Spatial distribution of Trichoderma spp. In Embuand Taita regions, Kenya. Tropical and Subtropical Agro ecosystems. Vol. 11 No. 2. 291 – 302.Wachira, P.M. and Sheila Okoth, 2009. Use of nematode destroying fungi as indicators of land disturbance in TaitaTaveta, Kenya. Tropical and Subtropical Agro ecosystems. Vol. 11 No. 2. 313 – 321.The growth, seed yield and oil content of linseed (linum usitatissimum l.) as influenced byvareity and nitrogen applicationLilian W. Kariuki 1 , Peter W. Masinde 1 , Arnold Onyango 2 , Kenneth Ogila 3 , Githiri Mwangi 11. Department of Horticulture, JKUAT, 2. Department of Food Science Technology, JKUAT 3. Department ofZoology, JKUAT. P.O. Box 6200 – 00200, NairobiLinseed is both a fibre and oil crop. Its oil has various uses and is known to contain omega-6 andomega-9 essential fatty acids. Linseed can therefore be incorporated in fish feed to raise theomega-3 fatty acid oils in fish. However, the crop has remained largely neglected in Kenya,despite it potential health benefits. An experiment was conducted to determine the influence oflocally available varieties and nitrogen application on the growth, yield and oil content oflinseed. The experiment was set up in a split plot design with five linseed accessions („Summit‟,„S19/21‟, „Raja‟, „Jawhar‟ and „S19/12‟) as sup-plots and three fertilizer regimes (0Kg N/ha(control), 75Kg N/ha and 150Kg N/ha) as main plots. The experiment was replicated threetimes. Plant height, number of leaves, number of tillers and the plant‟s dry weight were notsignificantly different between the accessions as well as at different nitrogen concentrations.Jawhar started flowering earliest while Summit was the last to start flowering. Higher nitrogentreatment resulted in higher incidences of lodging of plants. Maturity of plants was dependent onthe level of nitrogen applied with the plant under control maturing faster than plants treated with150KgN/ha. The results indicate equal performance of the accessions in terms of growth andyield. Whereas the application of nitrogen did not influence the growth and yield significantly,its effect on the oil content needs to be investigated.Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies in the Coastal Region: The Coastaland Marine Ecosystem Perspectives.Maarifa Mwakumanya 1 , Coordinator, RCE – Pwani University College, P.O. Box 195-80108, KILIFI.maarifaali@yahoo.com1

Climate change is real as it has been manifested by the many environmental challenges thathumanity has been experiencing. Kenya is still wondering what appropriate mitigation andadaptive mechanisms to undertake against the adverse effects of climate change. As the countryis grappling with the socio-economic challenges, the effects of climate change have alwaysskipped our minds, while it is a fact that the socio-economic challenges have been exacerbatedby these effects. At the same time, the poor resource use management, unemployment, increasedpopulation growth and the high poverty levels have enhanced the effects of climate change.Literature review and observations conclude that the coastal regional has not been spared either.The coastal and marine ecosystems have been adversely affected by climate change. The coralbleaching and the extinction of marine organisms have been identified as some of the effects ofclimate change that have adverse effects on the tourism sector. The encroachment of the semiaridconditions to the previously arable land has had an effect on food sufficiency and security.The rainfall variability has seen pastoralists move to areas of reliable rainfall and pasture,causing inter-clan and resource use conflicts, especially in the lower Tana delta. The governmentefforts in enacting legislation and regulations have provided a basis for finding sustainablemitigation and adaptation measures to climate change effects. Indigenous conservation measuressuch as the protection of the Kaya shrines should be adopted to curb rainfall variability andprovide carbon sink systems. Innovative seaweed farming has been introduced to communities asa source of livelihood and a measure to conserve the marine environment by reducing thedestruction of the mangrove ecosystem. Alternative sources of energy including the energysaving Jikos are being adopted at the community level to reduce on wood fuel usage. The manywoodlots of Casuarinas and eucalyptus are adaptive strategies that need support.There is need to devise integrated mitigation measures that will address the causes andconsequences of the effects of climate change in the coastal region. Mitigation and adaptivemechanisms should be integrated in the country‟s governance systems to address wide range ofissues on climate change and that more resources should be allocated to combating andadaptating to climate change effects as they affect all sectors of the economy.Microbial enzymes: industrial applications and current status in KenyaSuhaila Omar HashimPwani University College P.O. Box 195-80108,Kilifi, Kenya, sohashim@yahoo.comMicroorganisms are able to grow in unique environments such as hot springs, geysers, deep sea,hydrothermal vents, highly saline and alkaline lakes, which man considers as “extreme”. Thisimplies that they are capable of producing enzymes that are active and stable in these “extreme”environments. Such biocatalysts are of great interest due to their potential applications inindustrial processes.

Kenya and the Eastern African region isendowed with unique ecological niches such as the hotsprings and soda lakes.Several enzymes have been reported from microbes isolated from suchlakes such as alkaline active thermostableamylase [1], lipases [2],pectinaseand catalase [3],notably from Bacillus halodurans species, one of the common species found in soda lakes [4,5].These microbes were isolated from soil and water samples collectedfrom Lake Bogoria, Kenya,using classic screening techniques [2, 5]. This has its own limitations due to the fact that over 99% of the microbes present in many environments are not readily culturable by conventionalmethods. There is thus need to apply metagenome-based approaches in order to tap the vastresource of genes coding for novel biocatalysts and chemicals from the unique environmentswithin the region.The enzymes reported from Bacillus halodurans exhibit remarkable activity and stability at highpH and high temperature and thus have potential application in various industries such as thedetergent, food, leather, pulp and paper industries, to mention a few. Currently, within the EastAfrican region, substantial quantities of enzymes are imported for use in the brewing, leathertanning and textile industries. However, many other industries have not adopted the use ofenzymes in their industrial processes due to the high cost of enzymes. Thus, commercializationof industrial enzymes at affordable prices will encourage more local industries to take upenzymes for application in industrial processes. Furthermore, a lot of industrial processescontribute to environmental pollution due to the toxic/harsh chemicals used, which are releasedto the environment. Thus, application of novel enzymes to replace the toxic chemicals inindustrial processes will greatly reduce environmental pollution. Proper legislation andguidelines on commercial production of industrial enzymes, intellectual property issues also needto be addressed.References[1]Hashim, S.O., Delgado, O., Martinez, A., Hatti-Kaul, R., Mulaa, F.J. and Mattiasson, B., (2005). Alkaline activemaltohexaose forming α-amylase from Bacillus halodurans LBK 34.Enzyme and MicrobialTechnology 36: 139-146[2] Vargas, V.A., Delgado, O.D., Hatti-Kaul, R. and Mattiasson, B.,(2004).Lipase-producing microorganisms from aKenyan alkaline soda lake.Biotechnology Letters 26: 81-86[3] Oluoch, K.R., Wilander, U., Andersson, M., Mulaa, F.J., Matiasson, B. andHatti-Kaul, R., (2006). Hydrogenperoxide degradation by immobilized cells of alkaliphilicBacillus halodurans.Biocatalysis and Biotransformation,24.(3): 215-222[4] Duckworth, A.W., Grant, S. Grant, W.D., Jones, B.E. and van Steenbergen, R., (2006). Phylogenetic diversity ofsoda lake alkaliphiles. FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 19: 181-191[5] Hashim, S.O., Delgado, O., Hatti-Kaul, R., Mulaa, F.J. and Mattiasson, B., (2004). Starch hydrolyzing Bacillushalodurans isolates from a Kenyan soda lake. Biotechnology Letters 26: 823-828Plant species richness alters the emission of volatile organic compoundsRose N. Kigathi 1,2,3 , Sybille B. Unsicker 2 , Jonathan Gershenzon 2 , & Wolfgang W. Weisser 1,31 Institute of Ecology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Dornburgerstraße 169, 07743 Jena, Germany2 Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Biochemistry, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, 07745 Jena,Germany3 Current address; Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany

Plant species richness and plant community composition have been shown to affect arthropodpopulations and levels of herbivory in the field. The mechanisms behind these trends have rarelybeen studied. Using a series of greenhouse and field experiments, we investigated the effect ofplant species richness, plant species identity and composition on an important direct and indirectdefense trait- the emission of plant volatile organic compounds. In field experiments, emissionwas measured from Trifolium pratense (red clover) growing in a range of plots of varyingspecies diversity with neighbors including Dactylis glomerata (orchard grass) and Geraniumpratense (meadow cranesbill). Plants growing in three- and nine- species mixtures were found toemit higher amounts of volatiles than those in single species plots. In the greenhouse emissionwas studied in T. pratense in monocultures, and in two- or three-species associations with D.glomerata, and G. pratense before and after herbivory. T. pratense plants growing in mixturesemitted higher amounts of total volatiles when compared to T. pratense growing inmonocultures. This effect was strongest in mixtures containing D. glomerata. Specific changesin volatile emission based on the identity of neighboring plants may be widespread in nature.These have the potential to alter a plant‟s defensive status and could explain many of the patternsin herbivore damage observed in natural communities. Additionally, the finding that plantvolatile emission is lower in monocultures as compared to mixtures may be of importance in anagricultural context where crops are usually grown in monocultures.Green Chemistry: biocatalysts from metagenomes for application in pharmaceutical and finechemical industriesNajya Muhammed and Suhaila Omar Hashim, Pwani University College, P.O. Box 195-80108, Kilifi, Kenya,najy21@hotmail.comVarious industrial processes release hazardous chemicals or heavy metals into the environment,and chemicals that cause eutrophication or other negative effects on the environment. Theconcept of Green chemistry was launched in the early 90‟s by the American EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA) in order to promote the design of chemical technologies that reduce oreliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. The 12 guiding principles of GreenChemistry were formulated by the organic chemists Paul Anastas and John Warner [1].Industrial biotechnology involves the use of whole microbial cells or enzymes for the processingand production of various chemicals, materials and even energy. It is a cleaner, moreenvironmentally friendly technology because it employs natural catalysts which operate at mildconditions and predominantly utilize raw material from renewable resources. Furthermore,enzyme-catalyzed reactions exhibit higher enantioselectivity, regioselectivity, substratespecificity, and stability. Use of enzymes also results in higher reaction efficiency and productyields, thus making them ideal for application in production of chiral pharmaceuticals and finechemicals. For instance, esterases and lipases are increasingly being applied in production of finechemicals because of their enantioselectivity and stereoselective properties [2]. Novozym® 435,a commercial preparation of Candida antarctica lipase B (CalB), which is well known for its

emarkable substrate diversity and stability has been used for the chemo-enzymatic epoxidationof vegetable oils and fatty acids in solvent-free medium. The resulting fatty epoxides are used asenvironment-friendly PVC stabilizers, plasticizers, cross-linkers in powder coatings, surfactantproduction and additives for lubricating oils [3].A number of novel biocatalysts have been obtained from metagenomes. An example is themetagenomic esterase from the deep-sea hypersaline anoxic basin which has been characterizedand found to be most active at alkaline pH [4]. Metagenomics has also greatly enhanced thediscovery of novel pharmaceutically important small molecules as reviewed by Steele et al [5].Indeed, the use of biocatalysts in industry has indeed increased exponentially over the last fewdecades. For examples, companies such as DSM (Netherlands), Lonza (Switzerland) and BASF(Germany) use enzymes in some of their industrial processes.However, in Kenya, there is very limited use of enzymes in industrial application, andmetagenomic derived biocatalysts are yet to be tapped from the unique ecological niches such asthe soda lakes and hot springs in Kenya. There is thus need for a concerted, multidisciplinaryeffort to address this issue.References[1] Anastas, P.T. and Warner, J.C., 1998. Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice. Oxford, UK: Oxford UniversityPress.[2] Jaeger, K-E. and Eggert, T., (2002). Lipases for biotechnology. Current Opinions in Biotechnology 13: 390-397

Potential of biofilms in aquatic environmental bioechnology applications anddiversity studies in KenyaMuia Anastasia WairimuAddress: Department of Biological Sciences, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536-20115 Egerton, KenyaEmail: wairimumuia@yahoo.comIn natural environments microrganisms including bacteria do not occur singly but rather as microbialconsortia. In this assemblage individual cells from the same species or different species are enclosedwithin a slimy matrix of extracellular polysaccharides (Marshall 1984, Characklis and Marshall 1989). Thisextracellular polymeric substance (EPS) attaches the cells to each other and surfaces in an aqueousmedium. Attachment of cells to surfaces confers numerous advantages to their survival and existence.They are able to withstand adverse environmental conditions in which individual cells would not exist.EPS also enhances acquisition of nutrients, removal of toxic wastes from the environment throughbinding degradation and transformation to non-toxic metabolic products (Decho 1990). Biofilm adsorbsorganic and inorganic nutrients dissolved in water and transfer these to higher trophic levels.Furthermore due to its high nutritional quality biofilm is a food resource for grazing macrobenthicorganisms in benthos of streams and other aquatic habitats whereby such grazing influences thebiodiversity and abundances of species in the biofilm. Biofilm acts as a suitable site for horizontal genetransfer encouraging evolution of species (Kokare et al 2009). Growth of biofilms on surfaces attachedto water and metal water pipes causes biofouling. Such growths especially with coliform and ironbacteria cause deterioration of drinking water in water distribution systems (Kokare et al 2009). Theseobservations offer opportunities to study species habitats in the ecosystems for diversity patterns andalso offer opportunities to biotechnological studies (Frederick, 2000). For example interaction ofbiofilms and invertebrates is used as indicator for assessing environmental health of aquatic systems.Understanding biofilms in water distribution systems can be utilized in devising methods for control ofwater pollution. Biofilms have potential use in bioremediation of sites polluted with xenobiotics.Despite these possible application of biofims microbial diversity studies and applications of microbialbiotechnologies environmental remediation in Kenya and Africa as a whole is a neglected area ofresearch (Muia, 2011). This paper is intended to promote application of biofilms in diversity andenvironmental biotechnology studies in Kenya. It will also encourage researchers to explore the use ofbiofilms in waste water management, control of biofilms in biofouling, corrosion of equipmentsubmerged in water and biofilm growth in many other situations.ReferencesCharacklis WG, Marshall KC. 1989. Biofilms a basis for an interdisciplinary approach. In: Characklis WG,Marshall KC (eds), Biofilms. New York: John Wiley. pp 3–15.Fredrick JA, Jacobs D and WR Jones (2000) Biofilms and biodiversity: An interactive exploration of aquatic microbialbiotechnology and ecologyJournal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology334-338.Kokare CR., S. Chakraborty, AN Khopade and KR Mahadik (2009) Biofilms: Importance and applications, IndianJournal of biotechnology 8, 159-168.Marshall KC. 1984. Microbial adhesion and aggregation.In: Silke B(ed.), Dahlem Konferezen Berlin: Life ScienceReport 31. Berlin:Springer Verlag. pp 5–19.Muia AW, G Bretschko and GJ Herndl (2011) An overview of the structure and function of microbial biofilms,with special emphasis on heterotrophic aquatic microbial communities African Journal of AquaticScience 2011, 36(1): 1–10.

Establishing a “Microbial–Plant” Interface As a Means to Control Rice Blast DiseaseNjiruh Paul Nthakanio 1* , Kanya James Ireri 2 , Kimani John Munji 3. Wajogu Rapheal Kinyanjui 41 Kenya Polytechnic University College, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology. Po Box 52428-00200Nairobi. Cell phone +254720487126 Email: nnpanj@yahoo.com2 University of Nairobi, School of Biological sciences, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi. Cell phone +2540722307387:Email: jiykaya@uonbi.ac.ke3 Kenya Agricultural research, Institute (KARI), P. O. Box 298, Kerugoya, 10300; Tel: +254-202028217, or Box402-10303 Wang’uru. Cell phone +254729853035; E-mail: kimanijm@yahoo.com4Mwea Irrigation Agriculture Development (MIAD) Centre. Unyunyuzin House, Lenana Road Nairobi; Cell phone+254722865449; Email: wanjogurk@yahoo.comAs evidenced by recent food donations and incidences of hunger, Kenya is faced with seriousfood insecurity. To reverse this, there is need to increase food crop productivity or yield perhectare. This will involve plant genetic transformation, disease control and improvement ofagronomic practices. One way of increasing rice yield without increasing the acreage under rice(Oryza sativa L.) cultivation is the use of hybrid rice technology. Two genetically fixed varietiesare cross-pollinated to produce filial generation one (F 1 ) or hybrid seeds. Even with this rice blast(Pyricularia grisea) continue to erode yields and its is responsible for over $5 billion in yieldloss. In ongoing project we intend to produce hybrid rice that is resistant to blast. Our mainobject to create a microbial-plant interface that enables transfer of high yield and blast resistancegenes such as RCC2 ha into rice plant using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Additionallyhybridization, by exploiting rice plant diversity and heterosis, will bring about a multi-geneinterplay under a single rice plant hence further boost in blast resistance. Material to be utilizedwill be rice plants; Basmati370; Photoperiod sensitive geneic male sterile (PGMS); andThermosensitive genic male sterile (TGMS). PGMS and TGMS are sterile when grown underlong day-light length and high temperature conditions respectively and revert to fertility innormal day-light length and low temperature growth conditions. Te develop biological guardagainst P. grisea bacteria (Actinomyctes, Bacillus and Pseudomonas) and fungal antagonists(Trichoderma spp., Penicillium, Myrothecium verrucaria, Chaetomium globosum and Laerisariaarvalis) will be used while nitrogen fixing bacteria Rhizobium oryzae sp. Nov. will be includedto test ability of rice to fix nitrogen. Methods to be used will include isolating bacteria fromvarious soil samples that will be assayed through serial dilution. Bacteria will be multiplied inbroth medium and their single and combined effects against P. grisea will be evaluated inlaboratory and field conditions. Successful combination will be tested and packaged forcommercial use. To exploit plant genetic diversity in blast resistance, Basmati 370 will bebackcrossed with blast disease PGMS/TGMS varieties up to BC 4 F 1 and then anther culture willbe done to fixed the genes using doubled haploid approach. These will be used as male parents tobe cross with blast disease PGMS/TGMS in hybrid rice seed production programme.Additionally, bacterium of rhizobium genus (Rhizobium oryzae sp. Nov) will be inoculated inBasmati with a view of determining its efficacy to fix nitrogen in Basmati370 rice backgrounf.Pollen from F 1 will be cultured to produce callus which will be transformed by co-cultivationwith Rhizobim spp with an aim to regenerating plantlets with nitrogen fixing ability. Ourexpected product is high yielding hybrid Basmati370 that is disease resistant (or guarded to blastdisease attack). This will increase farmers‟ income and food security in this Country.

ReferenceEmslie RH, Amin R, Kock R (2009) Guidelines for the in situ Re-introduction and Translocation of African andAsian Rhinoceros eds. Emslie RH, Amin R, Kock R), p. vi+115p. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.Merz A (1994) Rhino: at the Brink of Extinction, 176-179.Okita-Ouma B, Amin B, Kock R (2007) Conservation and management strategy for the black rhino (Dicerosbicornis michaeli) and management guidelines for the white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum) in Kenya(2007-2011), p. 157. KWS, Nairobi.The Kenya coastal forests: biodiversity, values, threats and opportunitiesMohamed PakiaPwani University College, P.O. Box 195, Kilifi, Kenya, pakiamohamed@yahoo.co.ukThe Kenya coastal forests are part of the „ancient coastal vegetation mosaic‟ of eastern Africa,which falls within the limits of Kenya‟s border with Somalia to the north and borders Tanzaniato the south. Together with the other East African coastal forests (as adopted after IUCN), Kenyacoastal forests constitute ancient forest fragments that were once an extensive and diverse lowlandforest within the Zanzibar-Inhambane Regional Mosaic, that extends from southern Somalia tonorthern coast of Mozambique (Robertson & Luke 1993).The East African Coastal Forests are rich in biodiversity and forms one of the most importantbiological systems of the World (Robertson & Luke 1993). In the whole EACF eco-region, thereare more than 4,500 plant species of which over 550 species are endemic (Burgess et al. 1998),190 are true forest tree species and some are rare or threatened species (IUCN Red List 2010).According to Burgess et al. (1998) East African coastal forests are ecologically important andhighly threatened centres of endemism, and unlike the large West and Central African forests, theEast African examples are highly fragmented and discrete „islands‟ surrounded by dry land. Theisolation of these forest fragments has resulted in the high levels of endemism (Burgess et al. 1998)and creation of disconnected species populations that may facilitate easy extinction of species.Among the tropical dry forest, the east African coastal forests are the most threatened forest habitat(Janzen 1988).The Kenya Coastal forests are diversified to include the mangrove forests of the salt-watercoasts, the lowland forest patches, and the forests of the mountain systems of Taita Taveta.Therefore, there are unique coastal forests of Kenya distributed throughout the Coast Regioncounties: Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, Taita Taveta and Tana River, each with strong local,regional and global values. Although they are fragmented and generally small, Kenya‟s coastalforests are still of critical importance to the country as they are situated at the centre of thecountry‟s tourism industry; they are important water catchment areas; they provide the basis for anumber of different forms and scales of economic activities, and they are centers of endemismfor a wide variety of globally threatened fauna and flora.Also, the rich biodiversity of the Coastal forests has and continue to be a source of both majorsocio-economic and ecological services, the conservation of these forests is extremely important.Noted also is that the forests biodiversity, generally, is a source of cultural development, as plantsand animals play specific major roles in the cultural evolution of the native human societies. ForKenya coastal forests, this is confirmed by botanical and ethnobotanical research conducted in EastAfrica (Kokwaro 1976; Pakia & Cooke 2000).

Notably though, the Kenya coastal forests are facing unprecedented threats from bothanthropogenic and natural forces. The threats on coastal forests include: excision, unsustainableforest resource collection, charcoal burning, industrialization, urbanization and mining, amongothers. These threats are caused partly by - increased human population and activities; poverty,unregulated use of forest resources, insufficient local and national institutional capacities, policygaps and weaknesses, lack of alternative means of livelihood, among others. These threats arecompounded by the effects of the rather new concept of climate change on Forests, which mayresult in unprecedented scenario in forest conservation, details of which may not be clearlypredicted nor comprehended. Given that Kenya is entering the devolved governance system, anda considerable responsibility of Environmental policy formulation will be shouldered on theCounty Governments, chances are that the Kenya Coastal forests will be managed in a discrete,myopic approach, serving the limited interests and understanding of the Counties. Consideringthe historical sectarian management of natural resources in Kenya, the Kenya Coastal Forestspatches are further likely to be segmented from an ecosystem perspective to forest fragments thatlack continuity or connections.The opportunities for conservation of Kenya Coastal forests lie in the reviewed managementregime, where regions are likely to take lead in conserving their ecological areas. The KFS hasalso mainstreamed Participatory Forest Management (PFM) system and increased communityparticipation in forest management through FCCs and CFAs. This is a positive score as theKenya Coastal communities have from time immemorial been custodians and conservationists ofthe forests. There is also an increased interest in conservation by various institutions (researchand academic institutions, government and non-government organizations). Institutions of higherlearning, e.g. Pwani University College, have included Botanic Garden with IK and Biodiversityconservation as one of the indices for their performance evaluation.ReferencesBurgess, N.D., G.P. Clarke, & W.A. Rodgers. 1998c. Coastal Forests of eastern Africa: status, species endemismand its possible causes. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 64: 337–367.Janzen, D.H. 1988. Management of habitat fragments in tropical dry forests. Annals Missouri Botanical Garden 75:105-106.Kokwaro, J.O. 1976. Medicinal Plants of East Africa. East African Literature Bureau, Nairobi, Kenya.Pakia M. & JA. Cooke 2003. The ethnobotany of the Midzichenda tribes of the coastal forest areas in Kenya: 1.General perspective and non-medicinal plant uses. South African Journal of Botany 69 (3): 370- 381.Robertson, S.A. & W. R.Q. Luke. 1993. Kenya Coastal Forests. WWF, Nairobi.

Day 3Keynote Address: Termite guts – world's smallest bioreactorsAndreas Brune, Dept. of Biogeochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology,Marburg, Germany. brune@mpi-marburg.mpg.deTermites digest lignocellulose – either sound or in various stages of humification. Digestion isaccomplished with the aid of a dense and diverse microbiota that is harbored in the enlargedhindgut. In wood-feeding lower termites, the bulk of the hindgut is occupied by an assemblage ofanaerobic, cellulolytic flagellates, whose surface and cytoplasm are colonized by numerousprokaryotic symbionts. In the strongly compartmented hindguts of higher termites, themicrobiota is purely prokaryotic, and many species have shifted to a humivorous lifestyle. Suchsoil-feeding termites are a particularly important component of the soil fauna in tropicalecosystems. The application of microsensors revealed an unexpected dynamics of thephysiochemical conditions in the gut, including an extreme alkalinity (up to pH 12) in theanterior hindgut compartments, and gave first indications of a spatial organization of metabolicactivities. Application of stable and radioactive isotopes allowed identifying the nutritional basisof soil feeders and key intermediates of microbial digestion. Molecular approaches uncovered anenormous diversity of prokaryotic gut symbionts, which comprises many deep-branching,termite-specific lineages. However, our understanding of the microbial processes in the differentgut compartments is still fragmentary, and the functional roles of many populations remainunclear.Global Repositioning African indigenous Vegetables and Fruits into the Food Basket toFeed the World in the 21 st CenturyProf. Dr. Abukutsa Mary O. OnyangoJomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) KenyaE-mail: Abukutsa.mary@gmail.com or mabukutsa@yahoo.comNature has provided us with a variety of plants that can be used as foods for nutrition and goodhealth yet challenges facing the world today include malnutrition, diet related diseases, povertyand climate change. There is inadequate consumption of vegetables below the WHOrecommended 73 kg/person/year especially in Africa. Yet the continent is endowed with manyindigenous vegetables and fruits that have not been fully exploited for nutrition, health andsustainable development. A multi-disciplinary research program to promote production andsustainable utilization of indigenous vegetables and fruits was initiated in 1992 at Jomo KenyattaUniversity of Agriculture and Technology and at Maseno University, in 1996. This studyentailed baseline, household and market surveys, germplasm collection and evaluation, seed,physiological, nutritional and agronomic studies. Results from the studies have indicated theseindigenous crops have a competitive Advantage over conventional exotic counterparts. They

have high micronutrient content and several health benefits that would contribute to reduction oflifestyle and diet related diseases like obesity, cancer and diabetes. They possess severalagronomic advantages and Climate resilience characteristics. Despite the advantages the studyfound that optimal production is curtailed by several constraints including: negative mindsets,inadequate knowledge sharing, inadequate quality seed and technical information. Strategies inRepositioning these Underutilized crops globally that were developed included: identification ofspecies with nutrition and economic potential; advocacy and promotion; recipe and productdevelopment, development of dissemination and knowledge sharing materials, development ofseed supply systems, capacity building and in-situ and ex-situ conservation of the priorityspecies. Commercialization, value Addition and product development should be enforced andupscaled for poverty alleviation and sustainable development in Africa. Indigenous vegetablesand fruits are high profile commodities with nutritional and unrivalled health benefits, they havea great potential to contribute to the food basket to feed the world in the 21 st century.Key words: Agro-biodiversity, nutrition, health benefits, repositioning, food basket andcommercializationBiodiversity Informatics: an emerging science, promoting conservationDaniel Masiga,Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics Unit, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, icipedmasiga@icipe.orgOver several decades now, there has been recognition that there are not enough taxonomists torecognize, identify and name new species and understand their taxonomic relationships. Thistaxonomic impediment has limited our ability to adequately study biodiversity, and thereforedevelop conservation plans. Although parataxonomists can be trained to make initial speciesidentifications, the lack of experts limits the ability to recognize exotic pests when firstencountered, or vectors of plant and animal disease pathogens and other species that influencethe wellbeing of ecosystems. In recent years, great technological advances, particularly ingenomics and computer technology have engendered generation of new approaches to describeand share biological information. A number of initiatives have been developed to catalyze theseadvances to enable access of biodiversity data over the Internet. With this, a new science knownas Biodiversity Informatics has emerged. Among the major initiatives are the GlobalBiodiversity Information Facility (GBIF: http://www.gbif.org), which was established bygovernments in 2001 to encourage free and open access to biodiversity data, via the Internet, andthe Encyclopedia of Life (EOL; http://www.eol.org). The new science of Biodiversity Informaticshas emerged to generate frameworks and approaches that can accommodate much morebiological information than bioinformatics, which is based on gathering, collating, displayingand analyzing molecular data. Biodiversity Informatics deals with morphological features,

populations, habitats (including occurrence, and spatial distribution data), in addition tomolecules. In parallel to this informatics infrastructure, the technique of using a standardizedsection of an organism‟s genome, known as DNA barcoding, emerged at the beginning of thelast decade. DNA, as the genetic material in most living organisms, is transferred fromgeneration to generation. Differences among organisms have their basis in this genetic material,and this can be used to distinguish them. DNA barcoding is an approach that uses standardizedsegments of nucleic material for species identification. Using DNA has the advantage of beinglife stage independent, allowing for example identification of immature stages (e.g. insect larvaewhich often have fewer diagnostic characters than adults), identifying the diet of an animal basedon stomach contents, cryptic species among disease vectors, matching parasitoids and pests,studying tri-trophic interactions (pests, plants and parasitoids), tracking invasive species, oridentifying products in commerce (for example, herbal supplements or wood). A „DNA-Barcode‟ is analogous to a product barcode in the supermarket, which carries information aboutthe product, including its contents, quantities and price. In a similar way, the barcode datastandard demands a set of requirements for acceptance that take into account the data quality andcompleteness in order to incorporate sequences and metadata. These data are aggregated in thebarcode of life datasystems repository (http://barcodinglife.org), which to date holds nearly 2million specimen records. These developments in biodiversity informatics are already increasingthe pace of species discovery, and influencing biodiversity conservation policy and practice.Natural Products Research as a Tool for Poverty AlleviationJosphat MatasyohChemistry Department, Egerton University, P. O. Box 536, Egerton – 20115. Kenya.Email address: josphat2001@yahoo.comAfrica is endowed with a lot of natural resources that can be utilized to solve a myriad ofproblems facing it. It has a rich biodiversity that remain untapped. In order for Africa especiallySub-Saharan Africa to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG‟s) and Kenya, inparticular, to achieve Vision 2030, there will be need for a sustainable use of local resources todevelop local solutions to our problems. Poverty in this region may be narrowed down to issuesof food and health security. While most peasant farmers harvest adequate food to last themthrough the season, nearly 30% of it is destroyed by storage insect pests and moulds. In the areaof health, malaria still remains one of the major killer diseases especially for children under theage of five years. The MDG‟s cannot, therefore, also be achieved without efforts towardseradication of this disease. In an effort to contribute to local solutions to the provision of foodand health security to Kenyans, we embarked on the search for biodiversity resources availablein Kenya that have utilizable bio-activity. Research findings towards the management of postharvestlosses due to insect pests and moulds; including the malaria vector control will be disc

Bioprospecting for microorganisms symbiotic with halophytes to provide genes for salttolerance from saline environments.Lelmen Kipkorir ElijahDepartment of Biochemistry and Biotechnology , The Kenya Polytechnic University College (A Constituent Collegeof the University of Nairobi) P.O. Box 52428 -00200 Nairobi KenyaE-mail: elijahlek@gmail.com or lelmenekl@yahoo.comArid and semi arid areas experience the excessive accumulation of salts which is a majorecological problem. This is worsened by the use of soil and irrigation water with a high contentof soluble salts for agricultural purposes. This acts as a major limiting factor for cropproductivity in these areas of the world.Excessive soil salinity affects the establishment, development, and growth of plants, resulting inimportant losses in productivity. Plants have evolved biochemical and molecular mechanismsthat may act in a concerted manner and constitute the integrated physiological response to soilsalinity. These include the synthesis and accumulation of compatible solutes to avoid celldehydration and maintain root water uptake, the regulation of ion homeostasis to control ionuptake by roots, compartmentation and transport into shoots, the fine regulation of water uptakeand distribution to plant tissues by the action of aquaporins, the reduction of oxidative damagethrough improved antioxidant capacity and the maintenance of photosynthesis at values adequatefor plant growth.Certain microorganisms can improve plant root growth, salinity tolerance, drought tolerance andstress in general. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis can help the host plants to cope withthe detrimental effects of high soil salinity. There is evidence that AM symbiosis affects andregulates several of the above mentioned mechanisms. Plants suffer much faster than bacteriaand fungi as salinity increases. Maintaining high soil biological activity is desirable as microbeshelp to maintain soil structure and includes many processes that help with plant nutrition.Genetic and the functional diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) is an importantecological issue that deserves greater research efforts specially when trying to use them intobiotechnological approaches in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and ecological restoration.It is in view of this that bioprospecting and developing new strain of AM is important especiallyfrom those that colonise halophytes in the natural existing saline environments. It is envisagedthat consortia of these microorganisms associating with these halophytes are responsible for theirextreme tolerance. Current approaches deal with use of AM strains as bioinuculants to helpalleviate environmental stresses but this should extend to the search for the genes responsible forsalinity tolerance from the AM fungi themselves to be used biotechnologically to improve cropplants to enable the be cultivated in salt affected soils.Kenya’s unique plant diversity: investing in modern botanical gardensRobert Wahiti GituruDirectorate of Sino- African Biodiversity Resource Conservation (SABREC)Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologyP. O. Box 62000-00200 Nairobi, Kenya

gituru67@yahoo.com Tel: +254 729937499Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) defines Biodiversity as the variability among livingorganisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystemsand the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species,between species and of ecosystems. Kenya is endowed with great plant diversity. This isattributed to the diverse local ecosystems and habitats. The flora of Kenya also has high presenceof endemic species. Biodiversity can indeed help alleviate hunger and poverty, can promotehuman health, and be the basis for ensuring freedom and equity for all. Changes in the lastseveral decades in human activities have had significant adverse effects on plant biodiversity.The demand for more land to facilitate rain-fed agriculture has caused diminished woodlands andforests. Other factors including urbanization, rising human population, uncontrolled spread ofinvasive species, and deforestation have exerted pressure on plant biodiversity. Furthermore theanticipated developments in Kenya‟s ambitious development and growth strategy the Vision2030 will precipitate habitat loss and transformation. The aims and objectives of conservationmanagement strategies for plant biodiversity may be realized by establishment of botanicalgardens. Currently botanic gardens (and arboreta) are defined as "botanic institutions holdingdocumented collections of living plants for purpose of scientific research, conservation, displayand education" Gardens are and have always been associated with a sense of peace and serenity.Gardens must have played a vital role for the survival of communities in human evolution. Theyserved as an indispensable source of food and medicinal herbs, shelter and clothing. Gardens theworld over have been recognized as tangible resources for the improvement of humans. Botanicgardens are innovative institutions that can help local populations in many ways. They canfacilitate introduction of new economically viable species of plants, create a pleasant and safeenvironment, improve and beautify settlements, green cities, restore and repatriate rare plants aswell as contribution to long term continuous education and public awareness, among othervalues. Both the tangible (material) and intangible (non –material) resources of botanic gardensare equally valuable for the sustainable development and linking biodiversity with publiceducation and other potential benefits such as nutrition, healthcare, poverty alleviation, socioecologicaland economical benefits for communities including commercialization. The world‟slargest international plant conservation network, the Botanic Gardens Conservation International(BGCI) has initiated a worldwide project review of the role of botanic gardens in linkingbiodiversity with four selected aspects of human-well-being namely nutrition, healthcare,poverty alleviation, community welfare. Gardens also play a role in the spiritual lives of manycommunities worldwide. Almost every ethnic community worldwide has plants representingtheir traditions and symbols. There exists a skewed distribution of botanic gardens in the worldtoday. About 60% of the world‟s botanic gardens are located in the Northern Hemisphere(Europe, North America, part of Asia). Ironically, the sites with the highest biodiversity are inthe south. Botanic gardens have a role to play in globalization owing to their place in bothintellectual and cultural centers. Every botanic garden, based on available resources and demandsfrom potential consumers, identifies the strategy and directions of development of scientific andeducational projects and also identifies its socio – ecological role in the region. The resultingimpact of any botanic garden on the society and on the environment is a function of its positionwithin the ministry of government, municipality, corporation or charity as well as its existinglinks with the public. Botanic gardens can effectively serve the needs of Academia while alsohonoring natural and cultural heritage. Botanic gardens working in field introduction and

selection of new plant species, varieties and forms and preserving the indigenous wild speciescan exchange resources to enrich the flora of other regions thereby enriching the regionallycultivated flora with new economically and environmentally important plants through theirmandate in mobilization of genetic resources. Botanic gardens engage in conservational projectson environmental restoration and protection of rare and endangered plants. In our country Kenyathe maintenance of peace especially among the youthful population has gained even moreurgency especially as we approach the forthcoming general elections. Owing to the intrinsicpeaceful nature and a positioning of botanic gardens in the society, they have an important factorof formation of peace traditions in young generation and steady transfer of these traditionsthrough generations. Ethno-botanical knowledge can also be passed along while fosteringinternational understanding through exchange of valuable resources. The worrying trend wheremany youths in several parts of the Kenya while their time away consuming alcoholic beveragesmay be slowed down by providing alternative wholesome entertainment such as that provided bywell functioning botanic gardens. Following the promulgation of the new constitution in Kenyaand the envisaged establishment of county governments, it would be a welcome move for theselocal authorities to establish and support botanic gardens in their areas of jurisdiction. TheNational government should also extend support to these institutions. Financial and otherresources available through international cooperation ventures should also be brought to bear onthe establishment of botanic gardens. A case in point is the proposed Jomo Kenyatta Universityof Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Botanic Garden and Sino-African BiodiversityResearch Center which will be jointly established by the JKUAT and Wuhan Botanic Garden,Chinese Academy of Sciences with support of the Government of China.ReferencesBarasa, A, The Role of Botanic Gardens in the Dissemination of Ethnobotanical Knowledge in Kenya, NationalMuseums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya.ILRI (2006), Biodiversity in Agricultural Productive Systems, Land Use Change Impacts and Dynamics East AfricaWorking Brief 3, Nairobi, Kenya.Ministry of Planning and Vision 2030 (2008), Kenya Vision 2030: A Globally Competitive and Prosperous Kenya,Government Printer, Nairobi, Kenya.United Nations Environment Programme (1992). Convention on Biological Diversity. Nairobi, Kenya.Victor Kuzevanov, Svetlana Sizykh (2006), Botanic Gardens Resources: Tangible and Intangible Aspects of LinkingBiodiversity and Human Well-Being, Hiroshima Peace Science Journal, 28, p.113-134Pitman, N.C.A. and Jorgensen, P.M (2002), “Estimating the size of the world‟s threatened flora”, Sci., 298:989.Tuli, S.M. and Jafari R. K. (2009). The Role of Traditional Management Practices in Enhancing Sustainable Use andConservation of Medicinal Plants in West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. Tropical Conservation Science Vol. 2(1): 88-105.Williams, C; Davis, K. and Chyne, P (2003), The CBD for Botanists: An Introduction to the Convention ofBiological Diversity (CBD) for People Working with Botanical Collections, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK.Web 2.0 tools: Their Application in education and researchPamela Marinda, Information training and Outreach Centre for Africa. P.O. Box 20617 – 0100 GPO, Nairobi.Email: pamela@itoca.org or ayiera@yahoo.co.ukAccording to the Internet World Statistics, by December 2011, Kenya was ranked fourth inAfrica among countries with the highest internet users (with 10.5 million users). The governmentof Kenya has placed a lot of emphasis on using ICT to improve the livelihoods of Kenyans.

There has been improvement in Internet infrastructure in the country. ICT in Kenya is developedin line with Vision 2030 - a development plan by which Kenya is to become a newlyindustrialized nation by the year 2030. The mandate of implementation is given to the KenyaICT Board and Kenya Education Network (KENET). With rapid improvement in ITinfrastructure in Kenya, many scholars are able to utilise the internet. At institutional level,academic and research institutions in the country have made significant improvements in the ICTinfrastructure within their institutions. This is demonstrated in the improvement of internetinfrastructure, access to equipment such as computers by researchers, scientists/faculty andstudents within the institutions.There has been rapid growth of social computing or web 2.0 applications and supportingtechnologies (e.g. blogs, podcasts, wikis, social networking sites, sharing of bookmarks, taggingand content syndication), both in terms of number of users/subscribers and usage patterns. Web2.0 tools can be used to foster communication, collaboration, and creativity between researchers,faculty, and students at research and institutions of higher learning in Kenya and across theglobe. The tools can be used for research and learning purposes in different settings (both formaland informal) and are an important driver of innovation in learning.In Kenya, the use of web 2.0 tools in research and education is limited. Students and youngresearchers are using the tools for socialising but not for sharing research materials andpromoting peer learning. The use of web 2.0 to enhance visibility and exchange of researchoutputs including metadata has not been widely embraced for sharing research outputs in Kenyanacademic and research institutions. In a study conducted in December 2011, involving fiveKenyan research and academic institutions namely: Kenya Agricultural Research Institute(KARI) Head Quarters, KARI - National Agricultural Research laboratories (NARL), JomoKenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Ministry of Agriculture andKenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), out of the five institutions, only KARI and JKUATwebsites made use of the RSS feed and alerts on their websites. The KEFRI website hadintegrated RSS feed on their website, however, by the time of the study this feature was not yetpublicly available. The MoA, KARI and JKUAT use YouTube to disseminate videos aboutevents at their institutions. At individual level, there were isolated cases of use of tools such asFacebook, blogs, twitter, and Skype by researchers, faculty and students. However, it could notbe established if such tools were being used to share research information, as most researchersand students reported to use this tools for socialising. At JKUAT, a number of trainings on web2.0 tools for students and faculty were held. The focus was on how to use the social networkingtools for sharing information. JKUAT and KEFRI have Facebook pages. However, not manyresearchers at the institutions were aware of their existence. Of the institutions that participatedin the study, KARI and JKUAT were found to be the most visible on the web as demonstrated bythe statistics from the Google Analytics, and in terms of sharing of their research outputs.Challenges facing researchers, students and faculty in making use of web 2.0 tools include:inadequate IT skills among researchers, culture and attitude, lack of policy framework relating toIntellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Information and Communication Management (ICM),unreliable internet connectivity, among others.This paper demonstrates the application of various Web 2.0 tools in biodiversity research andeducation in an effort to enhance collaboration among biodiversity researchers and otherstakeholders; increase visibility of researchers and their research outputs and increase institutions

web presence through sharing of research and other scholarly material that can enhance learning.Available biodiversity e-resources that can be used to enhance the quality of bio-diversityresearch will also be presented, in order to create awareness of some of the scholarly onlinecontent that is available.Networking BRCs in a Global Biological Resource Centre Network -An Infrastructure thatcan provide a Drive for InnovationDagmar Fritze, Leibniz Institut DSMZ-Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen undZellkulturen, Braunschweig, Germany and GBRCN Demonstration Project SecretariatBiological resources, such as microorganisms and their derivatives, are the essential raw materialfor the advancement of human health, food security, biotechnology, and research anddevelopment in all Life Sciences. They represent a hitherto untapped rich source. It is estimatedthat only a minute fraction (

coordinating and focussing activities on resource and service provision towards userdemanded key issuescross discipline cooperation with similar initiatives to foster synergiesThe Final Report for the Demonstration Project on a GBRCN presents the outcomes of theproject in six thematic chapters: (1) Management of the Project, Outreach and Communication(2) BRC Quality Management and Implementing Common Standards and Protocols (3) CapacityBuilding in Legal Background for Common Approaches Explored to Implement AgreedPrinciples on Biosafety, Biosecurity, Risk Assessment, Ownership and Management of IPEnforced by Existing National, Regional and Global Legislation (4) Long-term Sustainability forthe Network, Secretariat and BRCs (5) Capacity Building in Information Technology (6)Development of Project Portfolio. A Preamble outlines the background for the project. In aseparate section, Recommendations have been formulated for stakeholders on how to implementa GBRCN. Overall Conclusions and Expectations from the project partners provide furtherinsight into the lessons learnt during the project.In the course of the project, a strategy for setting up a GBRCN, an outline of its organizationalstructures and funding were developed as well as potential staffing of a central secretariat and theidentification of key elements of its activities. At the same time a number of issues of relevancefor the practical day-to-day management of BRCs were exemplarily tackled.Consensus was reached among partners that such an infrastructure needs to be science driven andbased on bottom-up activities, but that these could only be viable when accompanied andsupported by clear commitments from governments. Regional and national substructures shouldcomplement the global umbrella. Emphasis was laid on the fact that funding of a researchinfrastructure should be more closely connected to the funding of the research it should serve,and competition avoided. A general model for a cooperation structure was developed including alegally non-binding Memorandum of Understanding, to be signed by cooperating governments,and a Cooperation Agreement, to be signed by the cooperating entities. A Secretariat structure,requirements for the hosting institution and country, together with their mutual rights and duties,has been laid down besides other operational elements.While the goals of the project have been reached, no immediate commitment could be secured sofar from national governments to support the setting up of such a global umbrella infrastructure.However, several developments and examples on regional and national levels show an increasedawareness of the need for and an interest in supporting such research infrastructures. Forexample, on the regional European level a project MIRRI (Microbial Resource ResearchInfrastructure) had been first recognised by the ESFRI Council and is now being established asan EC funded project.

Key words: globalisation of research, knowledge-based bioeconomy, legitimate exchange ofmicro-biological material, BRCsDay 4Keynote Address: Biodiversity and Microbial Ecology of the Red SeaUlrich StinglKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) 4700, Saudi Arabia, uli.stingl@kaust.edu.saThe Red Sea is a harsh environment characterized by high temperatures, high salinity, high solarirradiation, and strong gradients from the North to the South. It also harbors at least 25 extremeenvironments at its seafloor, the deep-sea brine pools. These mostly anoxic brine pools arecompletely saturated with salt, and are among the most hostile habitats on earth. So far, studieson the microbiology of both, the water-column of the Red Sea and the deep-sea brine pools arescarce, mostly because of logistic and political reasons. King Abdullah University of Science andTechnology (KAUST) is a new, international world-class research university in the Kingdom ofSaudi Arabian that realizes the value of the Red Sea for the Middle East. The Marine MicrobialMicrobiology Group is part of the Red Sea Research Center at KAUST. In this presentation, Iwill summarize our work on the microbial communities of the Red Sea water-column, and thebrine pools, with a focus on potential biotechnological applications of novel microorganisms forcancer treatment.Environmental Impact Assessment Process for Biodiversity Conservation Projects inKenyaJacob K. Kibwage,South Eastern University College, School of Environment and Natural Resources Management , P. O. Box 170-90200, Kitui, Kenya. Cell No. +254 722 479061, Email: jkkibwage@yahoo.comEnvironmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as examination, analysis and assessment of plannedactivities with a view to ensuring environmentally sound and sustainable development. EIAProcess for Biodiversity Conservation Projects is a legal requirement under the EnvironmentalManagement and Coordination Act (EMCA) of 1999 Part V Section (50) and the Conservationof Biological Diversity and Resources, Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit SharingRegulations, 2006. An Environmental Impact Assessment Licence must be obtained from theNational Environment and Management Authority (NEMA) for any activity related to or mighthave an adverse impact on any ecosystem; (b) lead to the introduction of any exotic species; and(c) lead to unsustainable use of natural resources. According to the Second Schedule of EMCA1999, some of the key environmental conservation projects that must under the EIA processinclude: (a) creation of national parks, game reserves and buffer zones; (b) establishment ofwilderness areas; (c) formulation or modification of forest management policies; (d) formulationor modification of water catchment management policies; (e) policies for the management ofecosystems, especially by use of fire; (f) commercial exploitation of natural fauna and flora; (g)introduction of alien species of fauna and flora into ecosystems. The EIA process will includePreliminary activities (e.g. identification of key actors and decision-makers); screening, Terms of

Reference Development, scoping (i.e impact identification); baseline surveys (i.e. environmentalinventory); impact evaluation (i.e. attempts to determine the magnitude of the impacts to both thephysical and human environment); identification of mitigation measures; project alternativesassessment (i.e. comparative analysis of various alternatives); documentation (i.e. production ofReports); report review and approval and finally EIA Implementation and Supervision. Thisprocess requires good organisational planning, competent multi-disciplinary team-work andpatience to get approvals and achievement of results.Key Words: Biodiversity Conservation; Environmental Impact AssessmentReferencesEuropean Commission . (2009) European Commission Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines. EuropeanCommission , Brusseles, Belgium.Republic of Kenya. (1999). Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act, 1999. Government Printer, Nairobi.Republic of Kenya. (2006). Environmental Management and Coordination (Conservation of Biological Diversityand Resources, Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing) Regulations, 2006. Government Printer, Nairobi.UNEP. (2002). Environmental Impact Assessment Training Resource Manual, Second Edition. UNEP, Nairobi.World Bank. (2006).World Bank Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations and Strategic EnvironmentalAssessment Requirements. World Bank, Washington D.C.Disturbances in a mangrove ecosystem – implications in the long term recovery patternsand Climate changeMohamed Omar Said Mohamed 1 , Griet Neukermans, James Gitundu Kairo 2 , Farid Dahdouh-Guebas 3 , and NicoKoedam 41Kenya Wildlife Service, Coast Conservation Area, P.O. Box 82144-80100, Mombasa, Kenya,2Kenyan Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, P.O. Box 81651-80100, Mombasa, Kenya,3Complexity and Dynamics of Tropical Systems, Département de Biologie des Organismes, ULB, Av. F.D.Roosevelt 50, CPI 169, B-1050 Bruxelles, Belgium,4Plant Biology and Nature Management, Mangrove Management Group, VUB, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel,BelgiumCorresponding Author: msaid@kws.go.keStability of an ecosystem is determined by its resilience, regenerative capacity and numerousweak trophic links, amongst other natural and human induced factors. The Tudor creekmangroves, a typical peri-urban mangrove, are exposed to both episodic natural and recurrenthuman disturbances, including decades‟ long exposure to raw domestic sewage, sporadicunregulated-harvesting and episodic siltation. This study evaluates the regeneration patternswithin extended gaps and the understorey. An evaluation on species mix and regenerationpatterns is also done. Preliminary analysis of aerial photographs (1969 and 1992) and a satelliteimage (2005) indicate a 12.5% decline in closed canopy mangrove between 1969 and 1992, anda 55% decline between 1992 and 2005. Distribution of adult trees was variable, with mixedstands and large canopy openings in the mid intertidal range. Species composition of seedlingsand saplings did not always reflect the overstorey species composition and varied with gap sizes.Gap sizes range between 10 - 50m² have higher or mostly adequate regeneration, while gapssmaller than 10m² and bigger than 60m² have lower regeneration levels. R. mucronata seedlingsand saplings occurred in the understorey under all cover types and inundation regime, conferringadvantages to this species under the current disturbance regime. This may favour its

establishment in relation to other species. A. marina and C. tagal saplings and seedlings arerestricted to the forest edges and gaps. The current status of the forest is reminiscent of arecovery phase, a multiphase succession stage, after a major disturbance event, accompanied byrecurrent anthropogenic pressure. This study shows that species composition depends in part onthe balance between natural large-scale and recurrent small-scale human disturbances. Therefore,impacts of climate change, coupled with anthropogenic influences may have long termimplication in species composition and recovery rates in mangrove ecosystems.Keywords: mangroves, disturbance, anthropogenic, regeneration, understorey, climate changePoster PresentationsLitterfall in a peri-urban mangrove receiving raw domestic sewage, Mombasa, Kenya?Mohamed Omar Said Mohamed 1, 2, 4, 5 , Perrine Mangion 2 , Steve Mwangi 4 , James Gitundu Kairo 4 , Farid Dahdouh-Guebas 1, 3 , Nico Koedam 11 Laboratory of General Botany and Nature Management, Mangrove Management Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel,Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium;2 Department of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry (ANCH), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050Brussels, Belgium; 3Département de Biologie des Organismes Université Libre de Bruxelles - ULB Campus duSolbosch, CP 169, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50, B-1050 Bruxelles, Belgium;4 Kenyan Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, P.O. Box 81651-80100, Mombasa, Kenya;5 Biodiversirty Research and Monitoring, Mombasa Field Research Station, Coast Conservation Area, KenyaWildlife Service, P.O. Box 82144-80100, Mombasa, Kenya.Corresponding Author: msaid@kws.go.keThe productivity of an under-valued, over-exploited and sewage polluted peri-urban mangrovethrough litterfall studies. The study site has been exposed to raw domestic sewage for decades,dozed every tidal cycle, the loading exponentially reducing with distance from the source. Litterfrom three common mangrove species, R. mucronata, A. marina and S. alba were monitoredover a period of two years. Litter fall, in both content and quantity was seasonal, with high ratesoccurring in the dry North Easterly Monsoon (NEM) season, January-April (ca. 5.10 ± 1.36 gDW m -2 day -1 ) and lower rates in the cool and wet South Easterly Monsoon (SEM) season, June-October (ca. 2.53 ± 0.47 g DW m -2 day -1 ). Productivity varied significantly between species, R.mucronata recording the highest annual rate of 15.34 ± 3.34 t ha -1 yr -1 . No significant differencesin litter fall was observed between A. marina and S. alba, (11.44 ± 2.90 and 9.69 ± 5.26 t ha -1 yr -1respectively). Sewage exposure did not impact on litterfall rates for all species. However, astrong correlation exist between the leaf C:N ratio and leaf δ 15 N signature. Higher C:N ratio forR. mucronata corresponding with lower leaf δ 15 N (3.88 ± 0.64‰) signature, and lower C:Nration for A. marina and S. alba (6.48 ± 0.03‰ and 6.76 ± 0.24‰ respectively) correspondingwith higher δ 15 N signature, reflecting species specific response to sewage exposure. The foresthas a more open N cycle, favouring δ 15 N accumulation within the system. However, the level ofsewage exposure did not appear to impact litterfall rates. The mean annual litter fall wasestimated at 12.16 ± 2.89 t ha -1 yr -1 for the whole stand. This study shows that sewage exposure

does not necessarily translate into elevated productivity in mangroves, but may alter leaf totalnitrogen content depending on species, possibly altering the decay of litter, affecting nutrientcycling within the system.Keywords: mangroves, peri-urban, litter fall, sewage, nutrients, δ 15 N,

Are mangroves sustainable as peri-urban forests? A Case Study of Mombasa, KenyaMohamed Omar Said Mohamed 1, 3, 4 , Victor Alati Mwakha 1 , James Gitundu Kairo 3 , Farid Dahdouh-Guebas 1, 2 , NicoKoedam 11 Laboratory of General Botany and Nature Management, Mangrove Management Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel,Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium.2 Département de Biologie des Organismes Université Libre de Bruxelles - ULB Campus du Solbosch, CP 169,Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50, B-1050 Bruxelles, Belgium.3 Kenyan Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, P.O. Box 81651-80100, Mombasa, Kenya.4 Kenya Wildlife Service, Mombasa Field Research Station, P.O. Box 82144-80100, Mombasa, Kenya.omar_mohamed_said@hotmail.com or msaid@kws.go.keMangroves are robust life support systems in the tropics and the subtropics, endowed withappreciable level of resilience to disturbances. The emerging peri-urban nature of coastal areas isgradually becoming the norm, with little attention from researchers. The Tudor creek mangrovesin Kenya represent a typical peri-urban mangrove system. Our studies through questionnaire andfield surveys reveal that the mangroves have been exposed to raw domestic sewage for decades,subjected to unregulated wood exploitation and impacted by natural climatic events – theabnormal rains of 1997-98 and 2006 associated with the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)causing significant siltation in mangrove forests. We establish that in an urban setting, no link orbond exist between the resource user and the resource or the natural system. Under thesecircumstances resource exploitation is intense and “efficient”, driven by short term economicbenefits. This greatly undermines traditional or customary resource and biodiversity values andcompromise the indigenous management principles, promoting destructive unsustainableharvesting or exploitation practices. The outcome is the under-valuing of ecosystem goods andservices in addition to degrading the ecosystem structure, function and the capacity to recoverafter disturbance. Therefore management of mangroves for wood extraction in urban settingsmay not be a viable or sustainable option. This conflicts with functions of mangrove ecosystems,otherwise important in „resource limited‟ urban environments. It is recommended that aparticipatory and adaptive management approach, accounting for and considering multiple usesand users is the viable way to manage peri-urban mangroves. This will ensure social andecological resilience in the long-run. However, this may require specific legislative, educationand institutional interventions, scaling up and allocating costs as all levels of management.Keywords: firewood, utilisation, exploitation, mangrove, harvest, peri-urban, sustainablePrioritization of Tanzanian medicinal plants for conservation purposes: a case study ofBukoba rural district, TanzaniaDaniel P. Kisangau 1 , Herbert V. M. Lyaru 2 , Ken M Hosea 3 , Cosam C. Joseph 41Department of Biological Sciences, South Eastern University College, P.O Box 170-70200, Kitui, Kenya, Email:kisangau@yahoo.com Tel: +254 727 225 8142 Department of Botany, University of Dar es Salaam, PO Box 35060, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Email:hosea@amu.udsm.ac.tz3 Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, PO Box 35060, University of Dares Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Email: lyaruu@amu.udsm.ac.tz4 Department of Chemistry, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35061, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Email:cosam@chem.udsm.ac.tz

Globally, over 60,000 plant species have been evaluated for their conservation status accordingto internationally accepted criteria of which 34,000 are classified as globally threatened withextinction. The loss of biodiversity is now recognized as a global problem of significantmagnitude. Nearly 25% of the estimated 422,000 species of vascular plants in the world maybecome extinct within the next 50 years, and since such a loss will be irreversible, it isobviously a matter of prime human concern to avert it. Presently, issues of concern are centredon the acquisition of plant material for analysis, especially on how to ensure sustainable supplyand the survival of tropical forests where most of these plants are found. Many of the forests arecurrently under great pressure due to encroachment by human developmental activities likesettlements and agriculture, especially in the developing countries. As a result, many species arebeing lost at an unprecedented rate.In this study, ethnobotanical studies and field inventories were conducted using semi-structuredopen ended questionnaires, and nested quadrat sampling method, respectively to determinepriority medicinal plants for conservation purposes in Bukoba Rural District in Tanzania. A totalof 122 plant species belonging to 51 families were found to be used to treat 62 different ailments.A total of 441 plant specimens belonging to 47 species were sampled during field inventories.Five criteria (use value, mode of harvesting, growth form, endemism and IUCN red list status)were used to derive a list of priority medicinal plants. Seven species were considered of highestpriority for conservation, followed by 10 species of secondary priority. Species diversityestimates showed a Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Pielou‟s evenness index and a Simpson‟sdiversity index of 3.16, 0.82 and 15.64 respectively. It is concluded that there is need to put inplace appropriate conservation measures to ensure sustainable harvesting of the prioritymedicinal plant species not only in the study area, but also in other areas where over-exploitationof medicinal plant resources seems plausible.Key words: Conservation, Medicinal plants, TanzaniaReferencesKisangau, D.P. and Herrmann, T.M (2007), “Utilization and conservation of medicinal plants used for Primaryhealth care in Makueni district, Kenya”, Int. J. Biodiv. Sci. Manag., 3 (3):184-192.Krupnick, G.A. and Kress, W.J (2003), “Hotspots and ecoregions: a test of conservation priorities using taxonomicdata”, Biodiv. Conserv., 12:2237-2253.Enhancing the Mkilua utilisation through value addition to indigenous knowledgeNajya Muhammed, Mohamed Pakia, Moses WainainaPwani University, P.O Box 195-80108, KilifiThe biological diversity of the Kenya coastal forests has remained under-utilized in a heavilyimpoverished region. Consequently, the local communities have, in the current times, been partlyresponsible of the environmental degradation through timber products harvesting due to lack ofother tangible direct benefits from protected forest areas. This has been the case mainly becauseexisting and new potential economic opportunities, particularly entrepreneur potentials in nontimberproducts, have not been investigated.

The eastern Africa biodiversity form a source of both socio-economic and ecological services, butprojects that lead to both continued conservation and improved utilisation of forest resources are notcommon. Despite the biotic capital, Africa‟s poverty position has resulted to economic decline andfood insecurity, which is likely to lead to further loss of biodiversity (Mugabe & Clark 1998). InKenya, there are about 70 coastal forest fragments, covering about 660 km 2 , and although most ofthem are small < 0.5 km 2 (Burgess et al. 1998) and sacred used as worshipping and burial grounds,over 50% of the rare plant species in Kenya are found in these forests (Roberston & Luke 1993).These are in addition to some endemic species to the coastal area, such as Mkilua fragrans. Mkiluais a „true‟ forest species endemic to the east African coastal Inhambane regional mosaic. Thespecies is recorded as one of the globally threatened species (i.e. red list category) by IUCN. Thecream, yellow or orange flowers, with purple patch at the base (Bentje 1994) of the Mkilua has astrong scent that cannot be missed out where it grows.This study targeted to investigate potential ways to enhancing the use of non-timber forestresources, specifically Mkilua scent, through value addition of the indigenous knowledge. This wasto be achieved through a baseline survey, to capture socio-cultural knowledge and beliefs; followedby laboratory analysis. So far most of the socio-cultural survey has been conducted and minimallaboratory analysis completed.In the socio-cultural survey, it was noted that Mkilua fragrans Verdc., a small tree named afterits local names [Mkilua, Mlua (Swahili); Chilua (Digo)] and the strong scent of its flowers,which are also used as a perfume, by the rural Digo and urban Swahili women. The flowers areusually spread on bed to perfume the bed-room, and encourage men to remain in theirmatrimonial homes, rather than straining to outside world. Although only partially agreed amongrespondents, there was also the belief that the flower is an aphrodisiac, enhancing maleperformances in bed matters. Few respondents indicated that the trees are potential homes forspirits, and some people therefore prefer buying or borrowing from others rather than growingthe trees. Majority of the respondents indicated that flower scent differs from tree to tree, butwater used for washing fresh fish, when applied to the tree base, increased the flower scent.Flower production differed between seasons, with warm sunny days being the most productivetimes – but for watered trees as drought brings in water stress conditions to the plant. Thecommercial aspect on the flowers was recorded, but there was also a considerable hospitality andsharing between neighbours and friends, where free collections were allowed. Notably, oneserious commercial grower was noted in Mombasa, where the monthly income was estimated(by the researchers) to be at over Ksh. 50,000. In addition to domesticating Mkilua trees for theirflowers, the rural community also collected flowers from neighbouring forests during activitiessuch as firewood collection. Apart from Mkilua, most growers also had Jasmin, Ylanglang, Rose,Nargis, and Ocimum plants. All these were used individually or collectively e.g. in making ofkishada, koja and the Kikuba for a wedding.Analysis of the „fish-water‟ observed a high percentage of nitrogenous compounds, whichpresents the possibility of the enhancement of the plant performance and consequently theMkilua flower scent. This analysis proves that some aspects of the indigenous knowledge havescientific basis, and can be used as starting points where culture meets science. Further analysis

and investigation of the socio-cultural beliefs and practices are the immediate objectives of thisstudy.ReferencesBeentje, H. 1994. Kenya trees, shrubs and lianas. National Museums of Kenya, NairobiBurgess, N.D. 1994. The ecology of coastal forest birds. In Biology and conservation of the coastal forests of easternAfrica.Mugabe, J. & Clark, N. (Eds.). 1998. Managing biodiversity: National Systems of Conservation and Innovation inAfrica. Acts Press, Nairobi.Robertson, A. & Luke, Q. 1993. The vegetation and conservation status of kaya coastal forests in Kenya. A report toWWF – Nairobi and NMK. Unpublished.Relating Maize Yields with Vegetative Index and Meteorological Droughts in Ruvu Basin,TanzaniaD.M.M. Mulungu*, F. Sseguya and F. MashingiaUniversity of Dar es Salaam, Department of Water Resources EngineeringP.O. Box 35131 Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaTel. / Fax: +255 22 2410029*Corresponding author email: dmulungu@udsm.ac.tz; deo@wrep.udsm.ac.tzThe Ruvu River catchment extends within Morogoro, Coast, Dar es Salaam regions of Tanzania.The river catchment is important for agricultural activities in the regions and water supply to thecity of Dar es Salaam. These social-economic issues depend on the availability of rainfall, whichis influenced by meteorological characteristics that vary in space and time. Meteorologicaldroughts, which are associated with below normal rainfall can be detrimental to crop growth andsubsequently impact crop yields especially when occurred during critical growth stages.Accordingly, the study characterized meteorological drought events in terms of duration,frequency and severity, and related it with maize yield data in attributing impacts of droughts oncrop yields in the catchment. A rainfall station with recent data in the catchment was used fordetermination of drought events using a drought severity index. Also, Normalized DifferenceVegetation Index (NDVI), which shows vegetation vigour was used as proxy data for the cropyields and for prediction purposes. The intra-seasonal period of march-april-may (MAM), whichpresents a critical growth stage and wide growth of maize in the catchment was used in theanalyses as it greatly influences the agricultural year‟s yields. Results indicated that the seasonMAM had severe drought during 1994 and 2003. Based on drought occurrences, it was estimatedthat the drought for MAM is expected once every nine to fifteen years. Furthermore, theagricultural year 2002/2003 had a severe drought which attributed to low maize yields in thedistricts and the Morogoro region as a whole. Relating NDVI statistics and maize yields during2003-2005 showed a high correlation between NDVI and maize yields in the catchment. Themaximum and mean NDVI values in the catchment highly correlated with maize yields (R 2 >0.97) and it indicated a linear relationship. The derived relationship can be used for mitigationstrategy for drought impacts on maize yields in the catchment as NDVI data are readilyavailable.

These results can be used to better understand and monitor meteorological droughts so as toestablish appropriate adaptation and management measures that support food security andsustainable water supply in the catchment.Keywords: Agriculture, impacts, maize yields, meteorological droughts, NDVI, Ruvu RivercatchmentKnowledge, Attitude and Perceptions on malaria by the brick makers on NyabondoPlateauImbahale S 1,2 and Mukabana WR 1,31 International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772 – 00100 GPO, Nairobi, Kenya2School of Applied Sciences and Technology, Kenya Polytechnic University College, P.O Box 52428-00200,Nairobi, Kenya3 School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100 GPO, Nairobi, KenyaNyabondo plateau is located in western Kenya and brick-making is the main economic activity inthis area. The main malaria vector in this region, Anopheles gambiae sensu lato, breeds mostly inhabitats (i.e. pits) resulting from brick-making process. Brick-making process involves variousplayers: brick makers (those who make the bricks), land owners (those who lease their land tobrick makings), and the employees (those hired for labor). Therefore, effective control of themalaria vector would require involvement of all those players. However, there is a need to, first,establish a correlation between brick-making and occurrence of malaria. Here, an open-endedquestionnaire was used to establish level of knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of playersinvolved in brick-making process in respect of malaria occurrence. A total of 186 persons (i.e.brick makers, land owners, and employees) were interviewed. Majority of them (91.4%) weremen. Thirty four percent of all respondents‟ perceived malaria as a health risk associated withbrick-making. Brick- makers were 5 and 23 times more likely to associate their activities tomalaria risk than land owners and employees respectively. Twenty three percent perceiveddrainage of stagnant water as a measure to manage the health risks associated with brick making.When asked reasons for making bricks it was clear that the majority were making brick as asource of income i.e. 89.7% while 11.3% were involved in brick making due to unemployment.These results show that the majority of persons involved in brick-making are aware of the linkbetween brick-making and mosquito breeding, and that they are willing to take part in mosquitocontrol activities. However, the main drawback is a lack of alternative income generationactivities. The results provide an important link between disease control and the socio-economicactivities. As long as the community perceives a lack of alternative options for incomegeneration, their participation in malaria vector control remains a challenge and malariatransmission will continue.

Organizing CommitteeProf. Hamadi Iddi BogaHabib MruttuJohn LugovaneJoel WaninaMwandoe PongahArthur WainainaZipporah KinyanjuiRosaly WachiraBaraka RaisMary Senewu

List of Participants