The Juvenile Hormone Analogue W-328 Affects Adult Development and Emergence in the Tsetse Fly, Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (Diptera: Glossinidae)

The tsetse fly Glossina fuscipes fuscipes Newstead (Diptera: Glossinidae) transmits protozoan parasites of the genus Trypanosoma, which cause human trypanosomosis

Rodent pest management in East Africa—an ecological approach

Rodent Pest Management in East AfricaRodents are by far the greatest vertebrate pest problem in East Africa. They are responsible for substantial damage to food and cash crops, structures and industrial and domestic property. More than 25 species of rodents have been recorded as pests in agriculture, causing a wide range of damage and losses in cereals, legumes, vegetables, root crops, cotton and sugarcane. Pest species occupy a diversity of habitats, including cultivated fields, urban environments and domestic areas. Other than being instrumental in crop damage, they are also reservoirs and carriers of zoonotic diseases, which in some areas of East Africa have claimed many victims. The management of rodents has focused on conventional methods, mainly the use of rodenticides as a symptomatic treatment approach. These methods are supported by government, especially to contain outbreaks. However, conventional control methods have remained largely ineffective. An ecological approach for management of rodent outbreaks is not widely practiced for lack of basic experimental data to substantiate its efficacy. Measures that are practiced on a limited scale but have a wide scope for future management of rodents in East Africa include various techniques of environmental manipulation that specifically focus on altering the suitable habitats for rodents to reduce their carrying capacity. Strategies for management of rodent populations in urban areas, in post-harvest crop systems and in response to disease outbreaks are not well developed. For the future, a more pragmatic approach is required, involving among other things, better planning of urban housing schemes, sanitation and hygienic measures; improved storage structures and practices; and ecologically focused rodent management techniques. Recent studies on rodent ecology in East Africa have enabled the development of models to forecast outbreaks. These, when incorporated in development and implementation of control activities, may assist in alleviating the damage and losses due to rodents in the future

Environmental Factors Influencing the Sustenance of the Camel Milk Value Chain in Isiolo County, Northern Kenya

Dryland areas in northern Kenya experience challenges due to various factors, including environmental degradation associated with unstable weather conditions and climate change. These and related risks and stressors are threats to the sustenance of camel milk production for many of Kenya’s northern communities. We conducted a study among the pastoral communities in Isiolo County whose principal source of livelihood is dependent on camel production. In this paper, we discuss the drivers of the environmental factors influencing the resilience and sustainability of the camel milk value chain in Isiolo County, northern Kenya. We analyzed (i) the internal factors that influence the system, which includes: the categories and economic contributions of livestock-based value chains, the occupation of the camel milk value chain micro players, and land-use practices in Isiolo County, and (ii) the external factors influencing the system: the climatic variability (2014–2017) and its effect on the camel milk value chain, and the vegetation condition index (VCI) indicating drought trends for Isiolo County (2002–2020). The study adopted a field survey through interviews with randomly selected households involved in the camel milk value chain by using a survey questionnaire and a survey guide for focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews (KII). The results from the study showed camel milk as a dominant value chain among the livestock-based value chain products in Isiolo County, the variations in quantities of camel milk supplied due to changes in seasonality, and we show that the current system is not sustainable. We conclude with recommendations to establish a modernized camel milk value chain based on improved natural resources management for a resilient and sustainable system

Community Perceptions of Ecosystem Services and the Management of Mt. Marsabit Forest in Northern Kenya

Identifying and characterizing ecosystem services (ES) has been shown to have an important role in sustainable natural resource management. However, understanding communities’ perspectives is critical in determining opportunities and constraints for ES management in multi-use landscapes. To do so, a study was conducted around Mt. Marsabit forest, a multiuse landscape in Kenya. Using stratification, participants from 11 administrative locations adjacent to the forest were selected. A total of 265 households were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The study analyzed local communities’ perceptions of ES derived from the forest and their involvement in its management. Respondents identified trees, forage, water, fallback land cultivation, aesthetic enjoyment, and shade as key services derived from the forest. However, overexploitation of forest resources has led to degradation. Degradation and insecurity were perceived as the major threats to the ecosystem. The local communities were minimally involved in developing governance structures or management of this forest. Family size, education level, and age were important predictors of level of involvement in management. Lack of involvement in the forest management may have largely contributed to the unsustainable extraction of resources by local communities. We suggest that meaningful engagement of communities in the management of this forest will be critical to its sustainability