Digital Knowledge of Kenyan Succulent Flora and Priorities for Future Inventory and Documentation

Biodiversity inventory in Kenya has been ongoing for about a century and a half, coinciding with the arrival of naturalists from Europe, America, and elsewhere outside Africa. Since the first collections in the mid-to-late 1800s, there has been a steady increase of plant surveys, frequency of inventory, and discovery of new species that have considerably increased knowledge of faunal and floristic elements. However, as in all other countries, such historical biological collection activities are more often than not, ad hoc, resulting in gaps in knowledge of species and their habitats. While Kenya is relatively rich botanically, with a succulent flora of about 428 taxa, it is apparent that the list is understated owing to, among other factors, difficulty of preparing herbarium material and restricted access to some sites. This study investigated completeness of geographic knowledge of succulent plants in Kenya, with the aim of establishing species distribution patterns and identifying gaps that will guide and justify priority setting for future work on the group. Species data were filtered from the general BRAHMS database at the East African Herbarium and cleaned via an iterative series of inspections and visualizations designed to detect and document inconsistencies in taxonomic concepts, geographic coordinates, and dates of collection. Eight grid squares fulfilled criteria for completeness of inventory: one in the city of Mombasa, one in the Kulal–Nyiro complex, one in Garissa, one in Baringo, and four grid squares in the Nairobi–Nakuru–Laikipia area. Poorly-known areas, mostly in the west, north, and north-eastern regions of the country, were extremely isolated from well-known sites, both geographically and environmentally. These localities should be prioritised for future inventory as they are likely to yield species new to science, species new to the national flora, and/or contribute new knowledge on habitats. To avoid inconsistencies and data leakage, biodiversity inventory and documentation needs streamlining to generate standardised metadata that should be digitised to enhance access and synthesis

Ethnobotanical Uses of Sansevieria Thunb (Asparagaceae) in Coast Province of Kenya

Sansevieria Thunb. is a genus with diverse ethnobotanical uses in its geographical range. The current study reports on findings from an ethnobotanical study carried out on the genus Sansevieria in Coast Province of Kenya. Collating of ethnobotanical uses of Sansevieria from existing literature has been complicated by the fact that the ethnobotany of the genus is poorly documented with most species misidentified due to the nomenclatural confusion and the unresolved taxonomy of the genus Sansevieria. The aim of the current study was to correctly identify various Sansevieria species from their natural habitats and type localities where possible, to observe the plants in situ, and to document ethnobotanical uses of different Sansevieria species that occur in Coast Province of Kenya. Indigenous knowledge on the use of the plants by the local communities was captured by interviewing people residing in the study area. Purposive sampling and snow ball sampling were employed in the selection of informants. Direct observation, open ended, informal, and semi structured interviews covering questions on local names of species, plant uses, mode of administration, and the specific plant parts used were carried out with thirty respondents. Responses were documented for ethnobotanical uses of 9 Sansevieria species: S. conspicua N.E.Br., S. dumetescens L.E. Newton, S. fischeri (Baker) Marais, S. kirkii Baker, S. nitida Chahin., S. perrotii Warb., S. powellii N.E.Br., S. raffillii N.E.Br., and S. volkensii Gürke. A total of four broad use categories were identified from the study: medicinal use, horticultural use, food additives, and materials. Materials category was the most prevalent category with 49% of the total responses, followed by Medicinal category that accounted for 27%, the Horticultural use category that accounted for 21%, and the Food additives category that accounted for 3% of the total responses. The current study contributes to documentation of the ethnobotany of genus Sansevieria species in Coast Province of Kenya and provides a basis for a broader inquiry on the ethnobotany of genus Sansevieria based on wider sampling.

The uses of Kenyan aloes: an analysis of implications for names, distribution and conservation

Background The genus Aloe is renowned for its medicinal and cosmetic properties and long history of use. Sixty-three Aloe species occur in Kenya, of which around 50 % are endemic. Several species of aloes are threatened with extinction and knowledge about their use is of major importance for sound conservation strategies. The main aims of this study were to assess the biocultural value of Aloe in Kenya by documenting local uses of aloes and evaluating how the vernacular names reflect the relative importance in different ethnic groups. Methods Ethnobotanical and ethnotaxonomical data were collected using field observations and semi-structured interviews. Information was collected by interviewing 63 respondents from nine different ethnic groups, representing different ages, gender and occupations. Statistical analyses were performed using R version 3.1.2. Results A total of 19 species of Aloe were found in the study area, of which 16 were used. On the generic level Aloe was easily distinguished. At species level, the local and scientific delimitation were almost identical for frequently used taxa. Aloe secundiflora, with 57 unique use records was the most important species. The two most frequently mentioned Aloe treatments, were malaria and poultry diseases. In our study area neither age nor gender had a significant influence on the level of knowledge of Aloe use. Finally, no correlation was found between extent of use and people’s perception of decrease in local aloe populations. The aloes are highly appreciated and are therefore propagated and transported over large areas when people relocate. Conclusion Biocultural value is reflected in the ethnotaxonomy of Aloe in Kenya. Different ethnic groups recognise their most-valued Aloe at the genus level as “the aloe” and add explanatory names for the other species, such as the “spotted aloe” and the “one-legged aloe”. Widespread species of Aloe have the highest number of uses. There is no obvious correlation with high use and decrease in abundance of aloes locally, and we found no compelling evidence for local uses causing devastating damage to populations of the 19 species in use, whereas habitat loss and commercial harvesting appear to be of urgent concern for these important plants

Aloe kilifiensis (aloaceae) newly recorded for Tanzania

No Abstract.Journal of East African Natural History Vol. 95 (2) 2006: pp. 227-22

Distribution, diversity and conservation of the genus Aloe in Kenya

The genus Aloe is common in Kenya, with about 60 taxa recognised. Observations from this study indicate that most of the taxa have a restricted distribution, with only Aloe secundiflora var. secundiflora being widespread in the country. The diversity patterns indicate a high concentration of taxa in three areas that are identified as Aloe hot spots and thus of high priority for conservation of the genus: The Kulal–Nyiro–Ndotos–Marsabit area in the north, the Taita-Shimba Hills zone to the southeast and the Naivasha–Baringo area in the Rift Valley. Most of the microendemic taxa are concentrated in the Kulal complex, a few in the Taita complex while the Naivasha complex includes mainly the widespread ones. Based on the computed Extent of Occurrence (EOO) and the threats to individual populations of endemic taxa about 36% were assessed as being Critically endangered, 32% as Endangered, 12 % as Vulnerable, 12% as being Near Threatened and 8% of Least Concern, according to IUCN (2001) Red Listing Criteria.Keywords: mapping; endemic; extent of occurrence; species richness; terrain diversityJournal of East African Natural History Vol. 95 (2) 2006: pp. 213-22

Ethnobotany of Aloe L. (Asphodelaceae) in Tanzania

The genus Aloe (Asphodelaceae) is well known in Tanzania for its medicinal uses, yet its ethnobotany has not previously been systematically studied in the region. To document the indigenous knowledge of Aloe species, data were collected using semi-structured interviews from 180 respondents of different gender and age groups at four study sites in Tanzania. Thirty-seven uses of Aloe were recorded for 11 species; the majority were for human medicine (73%), and the most frequently mentioned ailment treated was malaria. Leaves were the most frequently used part of the plant. Respondents in the 21–45 and 45 + age groups reported the greatest diversity of uses of Aloe species across the sites, suggesting that the transmission of plant use traditions to younger generation in the 15–20 age group may be waning. Perceived declines in wild populations of Aloe indicate the vulnerability of species and associated indigenous knowledge, and the need for their conservation. © 2019 South African Association of Botanist

A roadside survey of the invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) in East Africa

From its origins in the South and Central American tropics, Parthenium hysterophorus has invaded locations in Australia, Asia and Africa, often with devastating impacts on health and livelihoods. Following studies on the distribution of parthenium in Ethiopia and southern Africa and subsequent recommendations for regional surveillance, this project investigated the actual extent of invasion by the weed to provide baseline data for its management in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Roadside surveys undertaken on the basis of the CLIMEX simulation recorded parthenium in drainage trenches, dumpsites, abandoned buildings, construction sites, residential areas, rangelands and crop fields, thus emphasising the fact that successive dispersal and establishment of the weed closely follows patterns of disturbance. Results from this survey reiterate the need for immediate control of infestation in critical ecosystems and development of effective policy guidelines and strategies for management of this invasive species.Keywords: Dermatitis; early warning; eco-climatic index; conservation areas; invasivespecie