Abstract:
Deforestation of ecosystems is a major aspect of rapid ecological and climatic change globally.
Kenya faces the risk of unproductive land due to deforestation. Water scarcity amongst other
impacts of deforestation such as unpredictable weather patterns has become very evident. Habitat
loss for fauna and extinction of flora is also notable. The purpose of this research was to evaluate
the level of deforestation in Kiritiri. The increase in human population has led to increased
rangeland disturbances through encroachment into these vital ecosystems. This alteration of
vegetation patterns has significantly contributed to habitat loss for wildlife besides forage loss
for livestock as invasive plants have also found their way into the grazing areas.
Overexploitation of Kiritiri rangelands has contributed to rangeland deterioration over the past
ten years. Unregulated exploitation compromises rangeland sustainability. The study also
employed socio-economic survey that involved the use of questionnaires and interviews to
ascertain the perceptions of the community regarding the level of extraction, the short term
effects and long term impacts of the same. The study site was divided into blocks whereby
quadrats were used to quantify the relative abundance of vegetation, and the derived sample
estimated. The random and purposeful sample was used to determine the frequency and
distribution of vegetation in the area using analytical methods. The great reduction in rangeland
quality calls for combined efforts of range managers and communities to manage the rangeland
ecosystems through dryland agroforestry, community-based wildlife conservation, preservation
of endangered flora and fauna, awareness on rangeland economic value, waste management and
Water-soil conservation.
