Bulletin of the EANHS 29(3) 
14 
is widely separated from the others and differs in both 
structure and composition They all. however, have 
similar dry forest dominated by Podocarpus and 
dampens (Lus.gi. 198-1 and Wass. 1995). Marsabit 
forest is partially scmi*dcciduous. the main vegetation 
being trees, forming dense stands over large areas of 
approximately 3.000 hectares, with their own 
biocllmatcs (MALDM. 1995 and Schwartz ei at .. 
1991). 
The forest is rich in biodiversity, habitats and 
complex ecosystems that are crucial not only to the 
local community, but also rest of the world (Kirubt. 
1998) The- commonest large trees are Casaena. Croton 
megalmarpus, Stromhnxta. Diospyros abyssimca. Olea 
afneana Olea capenus, Cassipaurea and Apodstes. 
Among the commoner shrubs and smaller understory 
trees are the Canihmm spp , Orhna spp . lechlea 
nohilis. Riirhiea and Rinorea (Lusigi, 1984) Important 
animals in the forest include elephants, buffaloes, 
baboons and antelopes ( MPND. 199-1) Moreover, it is 
estimated that 350 bird species arc found within the 
loresi (lUCN'UNEP. 1987) Nature reserves are key 
areas lor protecting forest diversity (Anon 1992) 
Marsabit forest is situated as an isolated forested 
mountain within the Marsabit National Reserve of 
113,200 ha ilUCN/UNEP. 1987) 
As a result of increased settlements and human 
population in the resent years within die semi-humid 
zone and on the semi arid slopes of Marsabit Mountain, 
there is increased demand tor the woody resources from 
the loresi It is extensively used for collecting firewood 
and building material tlPAL. 1983) As no Idling ot 
large trees Is allowed in the forest and poles required 
lor building must be thin (5-30 cm) people cut young 
frees with no replacement (Lusigi, 1984) Deluresiaifon 
and the attendant loss of the indigenous biodi versify 
are the key ecological impacts observed by Kitubi 
(1998) and are attributable directly to the demand of 
5 MX) tonnes of tuelwood per year These effect* are 
compounded further by the pressure from farming land 
which now forms part of the major land use on Marsabit 
Mountain 
For the purpose of attaining the goal of protecting 
this key resource, there is a need for all the stakeholders 
to appreciate both the productive and protective roles 
it plays 
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) 
Marsabit with financial support from the EU-KARI 
is currently undertaking a project that is examining the 
socio-economics and environmental impact of the 
changing land use practices on Marsabit Mountain This 
is with a focus on the woody resources, especially 
around the settlemcnt/forcsi interface The ultimate 
output will be a contribution to developing appropriate 
and sustainable utilisation ot fhc woody vegetation in 
the vicinity of Marsabit forest 
H. M. VVarui 
Natural Resources Management Programme. 
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute-Marsabit. 
P O Box 147. Marsabit. Kenya 
References 
Anon. (1992) Kenya In J A Sayer. C S Harcout 
and M.N Collins. (Eds.) The Conservation Atlas 
of Tropical Forests. Africa Macmillan. UK. Pp. 
152-155 
I PAL 1 1983) Integrated Resource Assessment and 
Management Plan for Western Marsabit District. 
Northern Kenya. Pan II. UNESCO. Integrated 
Project on Arid lands. Marsabit. Kenya Pp. 608 
610. 
IUCN/UNEP. (1987) In World Bank (1993). 
Ecologically Sensitive Sites in Africa [Exist Africa). 
Vol. II. Washington DC. USA 
Kirubi. C , (1998) Impact of Woodfuel Demand on 
Marsabit Forest. Thesis for Masters in 
Environmental Studies 
Klinken. V and L Mutharia. (1998) Resource 
Utilisation, Management and Conflict on Marsabit 
Mountain A situation review and Assessment of 
possible SNV Involvement Consultancy Report. 
Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV). 
Lusigi. W J (cd.). (1984) Integrated Resource 
assessment and Management Plan for Western 
District. Marsabit Kenya. Part 1 Integrated 
Resource Assessment UNESCO. Integrated Project 
in Arid Lands. Marsabit. Kenya Pp 125 434 
MALDM. (1995). Range Management Handbook of 
Kenya. Vol. II. Nairobi. 
MPND. (1994) Marsabit Development Plan (1994-96), 
Nairobi 
Schwartz. H J and W. Schulta. (1995) Range 
Management Handbook of Kenya Vol. 111. 9 A 
compendium of Important Forage Plants in the Scmi- 
Arid and Arid Rangelands of Kenya.. 
Agricultural Research Support Programme (ARSPI1) 
Table 1 . Tbe more w.s.ble slakeholde.s ol Ihe Marsabit loresi as observed by Ki.nken and Mulharia H 9981 
Stakeholders 
Basis 
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) 
Forest Department 
County Council 
income from utilisation 
GTZ 
development project 
Local Community 
Government Departments 
Wildlife present in the forest 
income from utilisation of forest resources 
Jurisdiction over reserve, need for land for expansion. 
Forest resource utilisation concern, integrated 
Access to resources for subsistence 
Resource management mandate development needs. 
