Abstract
Background: Mangrove forests worldwide are highly valued for their social, ecological and environmental roles. Participatory forestry has been recognized as a tool for improvement of forest conditions. The current study assessed impacts of PFM implementation on structure and regeneration of mangroves at Gazi Bay, Kenya. Forest data was collected along belt transects perpendicular to waterline in both community and state managed blocks. Results: Basal area and standing density were significantly higher in the co-managed forests (16 m2 ha-1 and 4,341 tree ha-1) as compared to the state managed forests (eastern block 10.3 m2 ha-1 and 2,673 trees ha-1; western block 6.2 m2 ha-1 and 2,436 trees ha-1). There were significantly higher (p = 0.0068) densities of quality class poles in co-managed forest block as compared to state-managed eastern and western blocks. Natural regeneration values of 38,822 juveniles ha-1 in the co-managed central block and 23,556 and 35,061 juveniles ha-1 in the state managed eastern and western blocks respectively are considered adequate to support recovery of the forest. A higher complexity index (CI) recorded in the co-managed mangrove forest compared to the state managed eastern and western blocks is particularly due to improved stand density, tree height, and biomass resulting from increased surveillance and protection by the community. The results have wide implications in the management of mangroves for community and biodiversity benefits and climate change mitigation.Conclusion: The results support community participation for improved management of mangrove forests and are in conformity with sectoral policies on natural resources management in Kenya.
Participatory forestry improves mangrove forest management in Kenya
