Molecular characterization of wood ear mushrooms [Auricularia sp.] from Kakamega Forest in Western Kenya

Applications of object-based image analysis results for the farmland surrounding Kakamega Forest in western Kenya

For 473 km2 of farmland surrounding Kakamega Forest in western Kenya, QuickBird satellite imagery has been analyzed by an object-based image analysis approach. Preprocessing involved atmospheric/orographic correction as well as mosaicing and was followed by ground truthing and visual interpretation. Segmentation was optimized using a newly introduced ‘area fitness rate’ as a discrepancy method ...

Local indigenous knowledge about medicinal plants in and around Kakamega forest in western Kenya

Kakamega forest is Kenya's only rainforest and is distinguishably rich in biodiversity but threatened by agricultural encroachment and other forms of human activity. It is also one of Kenya's Important Bird Areas and a significant source of natural products to neighboring rural communities, such as medicinal plants, food, wood and other fibers. By using structured questionnaires for direct inte...

Cadmium in forest mushrooms after application of wood ash.

Use of Sleeve Nets to Improve Survival of the Boisduval Silkworm, Anaphe panda, in the Kakamega Forest of Western Kenya

Prospects for development of a wild silk industry in Africa would be improved if silkworm survival during mass production could be improved. A study on the survival of the Boisduval silkworm, Anaphe panda (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae) was conducted with and without protection by net sleeves in two different forest habitats (natural and modified) in the Kakamega forest of western Ke...

Factors influencing local communities' satisfaction levels with different forest management approaches of Kakamega forest, Kenya.

Satisfaction of communities living close to forests with forest management authorities is essential for ensuring continued support for conservation efforts. However, more often than not, community satisfaction is not systematically elicited, analyzed, and incorporated in conservation decisions. This study attempts to elicit levels of community satisfaction with three management approaches of Ka...