Environmental Studies and Community Development
Effects of Community Livelihood Practices and nutritional
value on the Conservation of Melia Volkensii Gűrke in
Makueni County, Kenya
Sarah Muthenya1*, Paul Mbugua2, Fuchaka Waswa2 and Josiah Kinama3
Kenyatta University, 2Kenyatta University; 3University of Nairobi
Author of correspondence Email:
Abstract
Due to its unique qualities and increasing demand in timber and fodder production, the
population of Melia volkensii in dry land ecosystems of Makueni Kenya has been declining over
the last decade. Accordingly, this study focussed on assessing options of integrating tree
conservation measures and M.volkensii plant parts nutrition in community livelihood practices at
the community level. Data was collected using a variety of methods including questionnaire
surveys, Focus Group Discussions, environmental checklists and laboratory analysis of the plant
as a livestock feed. A sample size of 400 households representing people directly interacting
with the tree was targeted. Focus Group Discussions were carried out in different areas as a
means to verify questionnaire output and build consensus on emerging issues. In-depth
interviews were carried out with key informants who were chosen on the strength of their wealth
of knowledge on the tree. Data was analysed using standard descriptive and inferential statistics.
Regression results between livelihood practices and decline in M. volkensii yielded an R-value of
-0.799, which indicates that community livelihood practices particularly timber, poles, fuel wood
and fodder productions are responsible for the decline of M. volkensii in the study area.
Laboratory analysis showed that M. volkensii leaves and bark can be of high nutritional value to
cattle. The leaves had the highest value of crude protein (12.64%) while crude fibre content was
14.98%. The bark had 11.98% crude protein and 42.72% crude fibre. In vitro digestibility of the
leaves and bark was 89.34% and 57.03% respectively. In sacco degradability in 72 hours was
93.95% and 48.27% in leaves and bark respectively. As such M. volkensii can be adopted as an
important agroforesty tree species in dry land livestock production systems. Increasing
accessibility to seedlings and technical skills on breaking seed dormancy are a great opportunity
in scaling-up the conservation of the tree.
Key Words: M. volkensii, Conservation, Agri-business, Dry lands, Kenya
1
, 1. Introduction
1.1 Background
Melia volkensii Gűrke is a tree which is endemic to the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) of
Eastern Africa (Milimo, 1989). Its distribution extends from Southern Somalia to Northern
Tanzania (Milimo, 1986), and seems to thrive between 400 and 1600 metres above sea level. It is
normally found in well-drained sandy, clay and stony soils though it is also found on sites
classified as imperfectly drained soils (Muok et al., 2001). The plant is polygenic; it portrays
differently phenotypically with population variability. As Kamondo et al. (2006) argue,
conservation of plant genetic diversity has recently generated a lot of interest in the tropics
because of many years of mismanagement, adverse environment and socio-economic changes.
Genetic diversity provides the potential for a species to adapt to changing environments, resist
pests and avoid negative consequences of inbreeding.
M. volkensii being drought resistant would be ideal to grow in areas. It can lower carbon dioxide
concentration which has resulted from global warming, climate variability and change that has
occurred. Conservation of M. volkensii is a major problem due to uncontrolled and unsustainable
felling of M. volkensii trees-of-good form with respect to hardwood termite-proof timber. This
has resulted in depletion of the superior gene pool with respect to timber (Kamondo et al., 2006).
1.2 Problem Statement and Justification
M. volkensii is an important drought resistant tree in the dry areas of Kenya including Makueni.
Despite its multiple uses such as fodder for livestock, source of timber/poles and curving
material, its population has been declining in recent years, thus jeopardizing the availability of
these uses in future (Burley and Von Callowitz, 1984 and Mulatya, 2000). As an animal feed M
volkensii is believed to be of high nutritious value. However, no research-based information on
its nutritive value has been documented so far. Conservation of M volkensii is also attributed to
the difficulty in its propagation and management of seedlings. The dry land areas of Kenya have
high poverty levels and lack income generating activities (Nguluu et al., 1998).
2. Methodology
2.1. Study Area Characteristics
This study was carried out in Makueni County and Kibwezi Sub-county was sampled, and it is
situated about 200 kilometres South East of Nairobi (Figure 3.1). The Sub-county has dense M.
volkensii distribution compared to other parts of Makueni County, (Kamondo et al., 2006).The
altitude of the area ranges from 600m to 1100m above sea level and lies within ASALs
(Mwangombe et al ., 2011).
Geologically, the Sub-county is composed of recent volcanic rocks under the basement complex
system. Granitic rocks are found around the Chyullu Hills. The rocks of the area can be broadly
subdivided into basement rocks, volcanic and superficial deposits (Touber, 1983). The major
land form in the Kibwezi area includes the Chyullu hills which lie along South-western border of
the Sub-County.
2
Effects of Community Livelihood Practices and nutritional
value on the Conservation of Melia Volkensii Gűrke in
Makueni County, Kenya
Sarah Muthenya1*, Paul Mbugua2, Fuchaka Waswa2 and Josiah Kinama3
Kenyatta University, 2Kenyatta University; 3University of Nairobi
Author of correspondence Email:
Abstract
Due to its unique qualities and increasing demand in timber and fodder production, the
population of Melia volkensii in dry land ecosystems of Makueni Kenya has been declining over
the last decade. Accordingly, this study focussed on assessing options of integrating tree
conservation measures and M.volkensii plant parts nutrition in community livelihood practices at
the community level. Data was collected using a variety of methods including questionnaire
surveys, Focus Group Discussions, environmental checklists and laboratory analysis of the plant
as a livestock feed. A sample size of 400 households representing people directly interacting
with the tree was targeted. Focus Group Discussions were carried out in different areas as a
means to verify questionnaire output and build consensus on emerging issues. In-depth
interviews were carried out with key informants who were chosen on the strength of their wealth
of knowledge on the tree. Data was analysed using standard descriptive and inferential statistics.
Regression results between livelihood practices and decline in M. volkensii yielded an R-value of
-0.799, which indicates that community livelihood practices particularly timber, poles, fuel wood
and fodder productions are responsible for the decline of M. volkensii in the study area.
Laboratory analysis showed that M. volkensii leaves and bark can be of high nutritional value to
cattle. The leaves had the highest value of crude protein (12.64%) while crude fibre content was
14.98%. The bark had 11.98% crude protein and 42.72% crude fibre. In vitro digestibility of the
leaves and bark was 89.34% and 57.03% respectively. In sacco degradability in 72 hours was
93.95% and 48.27% in leaves and bark respectively. As such M. volkensii can be adopted as an
important agroforesty tree species in dry land livestock production systems. Increasing
accessibility to seedlings and technical skills on breaking seed dormancy are a great opportunity
in scaling-up the conservation of the tree.
Key Words: M. volkensii, Conservation, Agri-business, Dry lands, Kenya
1
, 1. Introduction
1.1 Background
Melia volkensii Gűrke is a tree which is endemic to the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) of
Eastern Africa (Milimo, 1989). Its distribution extends from Southern Somalia to Northern
Tanzania (Milimo, 1986), and seems to thrive between 400 and 1600 metres above sea level. It is
normally found in well-drained sandy, clay and stony soils though it is also found on sites
classified as imperfectly drained soils (Muok et al., 2001). The plant is polygenic; it portrays
differently phenotypically with population variability. As Kamondo et al. (2006) argue,
conservation of plant genetic diversity has recently generated a lot of interest in the tropics
because of many years of mismanagement, adverse environment and socio-economic changes.
Genetic diversity provides the potential for a species to adapt to changing environments, resist
pests and avoid negative consequences of inbreeding.
M. volkensii being drought resistant would be ideal to grow in areas. It can lower carbon dioxide
concentration which has resulted from global warming, climate variability and change that has
occurred. Conservation of M. volkensii is a major problem due to uncontrolled and unsustainable
felling of M. volkensii trees-of-good form with respect to hardwood termite-proof timber. This
has resulted in depletion of the superior gene pool with respect to timber (Kamondo et al., 2006).
1.2 Problem Statement and Justification
M. volkensii is an important drought resistant tree in the dry areas of Kenya including Makueni.
Despite its multiple uses such as fodder for livestock, source of timber/poles and curving
material, its population has been declining in recent years, thus jeopardizing the availability of
these uses in future (Burley and Von Callowitz, 1984 and Mulatya, 2000). As an animal feed M
volkensii is believed to be of high nutritious value. However, no research-based information on
its nutritive value has been documented so far. Conservation of M volkensii is also attributed to
the difficulty in its propagation and management of seedlings. The dry land areas of Kenya have
high poverty levels and lack income generating activities (Nguluu et al., 1998).
2. Methodology
2.1. Study Area Characteristics
This study was carried out in Makueni County and Kibwezi Sub-county was sampled, and it is
situated about 200 kilometres South East of Nairobi (Figure 3.1). The Sub-county has dense M.
volkensii distribution compared to other parts of Makueni County, (Kamondo et al., 2006).The
altitude of the area ranges from 600m to 1100m above sea level and lies within ASALs
(Mwangombe et al ., 2011).
Geologically, the Sub-county is composed of recent volcanic rocks under the basement complex
system. Granitic rocks are found around the Chyullu Hills. The rocks of the area can be broadly
subdivided into basement rocks, volcanic and superficial deposits (Touber, 1983). The major
land form in the Kibwezi area includes the Chyullu hills which lie along South-western border of
the Sub-County.
2
