The ecology and conservation of the Arabuko-Sokoke forest: some interim highlights: papaer presented on first annual conference.

Abstract

The Arabuko-Sokoke Forest in Kilifi district is one of the last reminants of lowland forest on the East African coast (Kelsey and Langton, 1984). It covers an area of approximately 42,000 hectares; 4,330 of which comprises a gazetted Nature Reserve. It is the largest of Kenya's coastal natural forests within the Ecozone III with an average rainfall of 800 mm which tends to increase in North-west and South-east direction. Mean temperatures are high, ranging from 24°C to 30°C. The diverse soils vary between white to pale-brown sandy soils and the red, lateritic soils characteristic of the Magharini Ridge (Kelsey and Langton, 1984). For hundreds of years, the forest was the source of timber for furniture, boat building and other construction material to the Arabs and local Giriama people, but this was on a smaller scale. However, from early to mid 20th century, there was increased exploitation of the forest for timber by European merchants to supply their market locally and abroad. There was also increased utilization of the various forest products due to the increasing population of Giriama and Arabs, hence increased local demand for construction poles, wood for boat-building, firewood, gum copal, vines and medicinal extracts (Kelsey and Langton, 1984). Clearing of the forest for cultivation and establishment of exotic plantation (compensatory forestry) has also contributed to an overall reduction in the forest size under natural vegetation. This reduction has called for strict rules governing the legalised activities in the forest by the Forest Department. Harvesting of timber has been declared illegal and foresters supervise deadwood collection outside the nature reserve and guard against theft.