Distribution and population status of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) and its contribution to livelihood in Makueni County, Kenya
Adansonia digitata L. commonly known as baobab is a globally known high valued multipurpose tree. The current study was designed to map the distribution and determine the effects of different land use systems (cropland, grazing land and settlement area) on the species population density, composition...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Trees, Forests and People |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666719322000772 |
| _version_ | 1818239884513509376 |
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| author | Josephine K. Musyoki Magrate M. Kaigongi Sylvia M. Uchi Stephen M. Kiama Joseph Githiomi George M. Muthike Albert M. Luvanda |
| author_facet | Josephine K. Musyoki Magrate M. Kaigongi Sylvia M. Uchi Stephen M. Kiama Joseph Githiomi George M. Muthike Albert M. Luvanda |
| author_sort | Josephine K. Musyoki |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Adansonia digitata L. commonly known as baobab is a globally known high valued multipurpose tree. The current study was designed to map the distribution and determine the effects of different land use systems (cropland, grazing land and settlement area) on the species population density, composition, health and productivity in Makueni County. Livelihood potential of baobab in the studied area was also assessed. Two sub counties; Kibwezi East and West in Makueni County where baobab populations occur were purposely selected for this study. A reconnaissance study was carried out followed by selection of three contrasting representative land use systems: Namely cropland, grazing land and settlement area/homesteads using Google Map through a desktop study. Plots of 0.5 km long and 0.25 km wide were used to assess the population and health status of baobab trees. Market centers and chiefs’ camps were randomly sampled for a household and market survey where a total of 423 informants were interviewed. Baobab growth characteristics across the three land use systems in the two sub counties as well as household and market data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism version 8.4.3. The waypoints were downloaded from the Garmin etrex 10 GPS handset into Arc Map 1.0 of Arc Geographic Information System (GIS) (ESRI, Redlands, CA) where the baobab distribution maps were generated. The findings revealed that the baobab populations occurred in clusters of high to low density. Density and fruit production of baobab trees were statistically different across the three land use systems in the two sub counties while height, DBH and crown diameter did not differ significantly. No saplings were found in the study area. The study revealed that there is a huge potential for baobab fruits in diet especially during food scarcity. Therefore, farmer training is advisable to augment local knowledge and skills for enhanced value addition of baobab products. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T13:04:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c51dd9fd3d5f41eaa47e507eefe77f18 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2666-7193 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T13:04:38Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Trees, Forests and People |
| spelling | doaj.art-c51dd9fd3d5f41eaa47e507eefe77f182022-12-22T00:23:41ZengElsevierTrees, Forests and People2666-71932022-06-018100270Distribution and population status of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) and its contribution to livelihood in Makueni County, KenyaJosephine K. Musyoki0Magrate M. Kaigongi1Sylvia M. Uchi2Stephen M. Kiama3Joseph Githiomi4George M. Muthike5Albert M. Luvanda6Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Nairobi P. O Box 20412-00200, KenyaCorresponding author.; Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Nairobi P. O Box 20412-00200, KenyaKenya Forestry Research Institute, Nairobi P. O Box 20412-00200, KenyaKenya Forestry Research Institute, Nairobi P. O Box 20412-00200, KenyaKenya Forestry Research Institute, Nairobi P. O Box 20412-00200, KenyaKenya Forestry Research Institute, Nairobi P. O Box 20412-00200, KenyaKenya Forestry Research Institute, Nairobi P. O Box 20412-00200, KenyaAdansonia digitata L. commonly known as baobab is a globally known high valued multipurpose tree. The current study was designed to map the distribution and determine the effects of different land use systems (cropland, grazing land and settlement area) on the species population density, composition, health and productivity in Makueni County. Livelihood potential of baobab in the studied area was also assessed. Two sub counties; Kibwezi East and West in Makueni County where baobab populations occur were purposely selected for this study. A reconnaissance study was carried out followed by selection of three contrasting representative land use systems: Namely cropland, grazing land and settlement area/homesteads using Google Map through a desktop study. Plots of 0.5 km long and 0.25 km wide were used to assess the population and health status of baobab trees. Market centers and chiefs’ camps were randomly sampled for a household and market survey where a total of 423 informants were interviewed. Baobab growth characteristics across the three land use systems in the two sub counties as well as household and market data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism version 8.4.3. The waypoints were downloaded from the Garmin etrex 10 GPS handset into Arc Map 1.0 of Arc Geographic Information System (GIS) (ESRI, Redlands, CA) where the baobab distribution maps were generated. The findings revealed that the baobab populations occurred in clusters of high to low density. Density and fruit production of baobab trees were statistically different across the three land use systems in the two sub counties while height, DBH and crown diameter did not differ significantly. No saplings were found in the study area. The study revealed that there is a huge potential for baobab fruits in diet especially during food scarcity. Therefore, farmer training is advisable to augment local knowledge and skills for enhanced value addition of baobab products.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666719322000772Adansonia digitataBaobabDistributionPopulationsLivelihood |
| spellingShingle | Josephine K. Musyoki Magrate M. Kaigongi Sylvia M. Uchi Stephen M. Kiama Joseph Githiomi George M. Muthike Albert M. Luvanda Distribution and population status of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) and its contribution to livelihood in Makueni County, Kenya Trees, Forests and People Adansonia digitata Baobab Distribution Populations Livelihood |
| title | Distribution and population status of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) and its contribution to livelihood in Makueni County, Kenya |
| title_full | Distribution and population status of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) and its contribution to livelihood in Makueni County, Kenya |
| title_fullStr | Distribution and population status of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) and its contribution to livelihood in Makueni County, Kenya |
| title_full_unstemmed | Distribution and population status of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) and its contribution to livelihood in Makueni County, Kenya |
| title_short | Distribution and population status of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) and its contribution to livelihood in Makueni County, Kenya |
| title_sort | distribution and population status of adansonia digitata l baobab and its contribution to livelihood in makueni county kenya |
| topic | Adansonia digitata Baobab Distribution Populations Livelihood |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666719322000772 |
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