Assessment of Ecosystem-Health in Tropical-Montane Forest Reserves

The book describes an assessment of forest ecosystem health in relation to human disturbance in the Southwestern Mau forest reserve Kenya. A determination and comparison of tree species composition and structure, regeneration potential and capacity, litter production and nutrient fluxes between disturbed and undisturbed sites is done. A socioeconomic appraisal of the inhabitants is outlined. Forest cover change analysis of the greater Mau forest for the period between 1984 and 2003 using Landsat satellite images is elaborated. The vertical stratification of the forest reserve depicts secondary growth in the reserve. The potential for natural regeneration of trees after natural or anthropogenic disturbance exists despite a poor soil seed bank. High litter annual turn over in disturbed sites, coupled with lower nutrient content and nutrient use efficiency as well as higher fine litter C: N and C: P ratios defines them as poorer sites. A chronological degradation in the condition of the forest over time is apparent with current land uses having negative significant effects. Thematic change and image difference analysis indicated a significant change in closed canopy forest.