The Potential Over-Use of Acacia mellifera by Conservancy Members and Browsers in the Former Kimana Group Ranch and Prospective Conservation Strategies 

Presenter

Jaclyn Renee Beaudoin

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Kelly B. Klingler, Department of Environmental Conservation, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 1, 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A25, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 2 (A21-A40) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Acacia mellifera is a shrub species in the Amboseli Ecosystem that is highly preferred by browser species (giraffes, elephants, impala, gerenuks, etc.). This plant is also heavily utilized by members of the Amboseli Land Owners Conservation Association (ALOCA conservancies) for firewood, fencing, housing, and medicinal purposes. Because of this overlap, the purpose of this study is to analyze the rate of mellifera consumption and what it means for the conservation of the plant population. Three surveys were constructed on kobocollect software to record browser species, the measurements of the plant species browsed on, the density of vegetation within the conservancies, and a community questionnaire to evaluate resource use. Key analyses included comprehensive calculations of browser distribution, vegetation density, and the frequency of Acacia mellifera use by humans. The results show that Acacia mellifera was the most dominant plant species within the conservancies. It was also the most browsed on plant species in the conservancies as well as the preferred tree for firewood within native communities. This means that there is a potential for the Acacia mellifera species to experience significant decline in the future. For the preservation of this plant species, existing conservancy rules should remain, with some exceptions being made for cultural practices involving plant use. To combat the exploitation of resources, wood burning stoves would cut down on wood use and carbon emissions, and planting palatable shrubs would reduce competition between wildlife and humans.

Keywords

Acacia mellifera, conservancies, browsers, surveys, resources

Research Area

Environmental Science and Sustainability

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