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Kaya forests: nucleus of cultural and biological diversity and functionality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 May 2023

Jan Christian Habel Open the ORCID record for Jan Christian Habel [Opens in a new window] ,
Kathrin Schultze-Gebhardt ,
Halimu S. Shauri ,
Ali M. Maarifa ,
Marianne Maghenda ,
Maria Fungomeli  and
Mike Teucher
Jan Christian Habel*
Affiliation:
Evolutionary Zoology, Department of Environment and Biodiversity, University of Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
Kathrin Schultze-Gebhardt
Affiliation:
www.schultze-gebhardt.de, Facilitator, Organisational Advisor, Coach, Bernhardstraße 15, 50968 Köln, Germany
Halimu S. Shauri
Affiliation:
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Pwani University, Box 195-80108, Kilifi, Kenya
Ali M. Maarifa
Affiliation:
The School of Environmental and Earth Sciences, Pwani University, P.O. Box 195, Kilifi, Kenya
Marianne Maghenda
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Science, Taita Taveta University, P.O. Box 635-80300, Voi, Kenya
Maria Fungomeli
Affiliation:
Coastal Forests Conservation Unit, Centre for Biodiversity, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box Kilifi, Kenya
Mike Teucher
Affiliation:
Department of Geoecology, Institute of Geosciences and Geography, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06099, Halle (Saale), Germany
*
Corresponding Author: Jan Christian Habel, Email: Janchristian.habel@plus.ac.at
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Abstract

The Kaya forests in Southern Kenya are valuable habitats for rare animal and plant species and provide various ecosystem services. The Kaya forests are also centres of cultural life and are of great relevance to rites, traditions, and the social order of the community of people. During the past decades, these forest remnants become under extreme pressure due to land use and resource exploitation and are in danger of disappearing completely during the next years. This negative trend is progressing with the increasing population density. In addition, the relevance of the former cultural rites is increasingly being forgotten, and with it the relevance of these places. In order to preserve these forest remnants in the long term, it is important to make the population aware of the numerous and valuable ecosystem services, as well as to bring the former cultural life back into the centre of society. A general prerequisite to efficiently conserve Kayas might be the improvement of communication among generations, such as between the elders of Kayas and the youth, as well as among elders from different Kayas to harmonize conservation strategies and the sustainable use of these forest remnants. In addition, strengthening the communication between state institutions and the elders of the individual Kayas might help to find a common strategy to conserve Kaya forests.

Keywords

Biodiversity hotspotforest conservationecosystem servicesculturestakeholderscommunication
Type
Comment
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 39 , 2023 , e21
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press

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