Assessing composition and diversity of woody vegetation in mined arid and semi arid lands of Kerio valley, Kenya

  • Authors

    • Abraham Barsosio Egerton University, Njoro
    • Bernard Kirui Egerton University, Njoro
    • Nelson Maara Egerton University, Njoro
    2016-08-16
    https://doi.org/10.14419/ijbr.v4i2.6239
  • Composition, Diversity, Mined, Rehabilitated, Woody Vegetation.
  • The woody vegetation in semi-arid area is important in providing ecosystem services and goods. However, it faces threats manifested in land-use changes such as mining. This study aimed at assessing the composition and diversity of woody vegetation as well as inherent soil physico-chemical parameters in a previously mined area and comparing it with a semi-pristine adjacent area.  Six transects containing five plots each were established within two blocks separated by a river. In each plot, data was collected on woody tree growth characteristics and soil parameters. Thirteen woody species were recorded in the rehabilitated mined and twenty two in semi-pristine sites with Ficus sycomorus L Moraceae being the dominant species at the two sites. Woody vegetation diversity was higher in semi-pristine site than in the rehabilitated mined site. However, this was not significant (t-test, =D.F=1 P=0.767). Mean soil nutrients (F2, 7. = P=0.821), pH (F2, 7. =109.88, P=xxx), was higher in rehabilitated mined sites while mean soil temperature (F2, 7. =9.08, P=0.011) was higher in mined areas. Rehabilitating mined sites can bring back species diversity, composition, however what is not clear is whether ecosystem functions are restored. 

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  • How to Cite

    Barsosio, A., Kirui, B., & Maara, N. (2016). Assessing composition and diversity of woody vegetation in mined arid and semi arid lands of Kerio valley, Kenya. International Journal of Biological Research, 4(2), 129-137. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijbr.v4i2.6239