Semi-Circular Bunds and Community-based Conservation at the Naibunga Community Conservancy, Laikipia County, Northern Kenya: Final technical report for phases I & II July, 2024.

A team of experts from The University of Nairobi, National Museums of Kenya, Technical University of Kenya and Directorate of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing—in conjunction with the Wyss Academy for Nature—undertook dry and wet season biodiversity and socioecological assessments of local livelihoods at the Naibunga Community Conservancy, Laikipia County, northern Kenya in July/August 2023 and April 2024 respectively. Training was given to members of local women groups that include but not limited to Twiga mamas, Chui mamas, Wazee (elders) group, Balozi, Naisulu and Green Earth Warriors youth groups on various social and ecological aspects including but not limited to: governance, adopting sustainable livelihood strategies whilst monitoring key local natural resources including habitat restoration through the use of semi-circular bunds. In addition, a baseline dry and wet season biodiversity inventory for the area was undertaken by various taxon experts (plants, mushrooms, birds, mammals, invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians). Feedback at various tiers will be organized at a later date. Key highlights from our varied fieldwork components in the dry and wet seasons thus far include: (1) The Naibunga Community Conservancy merits periodic biodiversity monitoring in areas with and without semi-circular bunds during the dry and wet seasons annually to document the changes in vegetation structure and composition, water distribution, and dynamics in the key vertebrate and invertebrate species occurrence and distribution; (2) Human-wildlife conflict was a cross-cutting issue within the separate focus group discussions held with wazee (elders), women and local youth groups with a main focus on the Green Earth Warriors youth group. Even though community goodwill to coexist with wildlife in Naibunga Community Conservancy is evident, extensive community wildlife education and outreach is still vital to build a solid foundation for various increased participatory community approaches to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and foster human- wildlife coexistence in the conservancy; (3) Locals were trained on best practices of how and where to construct the semi-circular bunds for maximum efficiency in utilizing rain water flow. The semi-circular bunds create a conducive microclimate by harnessing runoff and increasing soil moisture giving an opportunity to increase plant diversity; (4) A total of 47 mushroom species were collected in the Naibunga conservancy landscape with some species being potentially new to science. A hands-on training workshop on mushroom farming was done in November 2023 where selected locals at Ilmotiok group ranch were engaged in activities that included but not limited to: construction of a mushroom house, collection and preparation of locally available elephant dung, pasteurization; inoculation, incubation, harvesting, cooking and post-harvest handling. Mushroom farming provides an incentive for the conservation of the environment thereby contributing towards mitigation of human-elephant conflict, while providing a reliable alternative source of livelihood; (5) Six hundred and forty-six invertebrate species were recorded. The invertebrate species of Isoptera (termites), Hymenoptera (ants, bees & wasps), and Coleoptera (beetles) are highly sensitive to changes in their environment. Their abundance in an ecosystem reflects the availability of their food sources, making them good indicators of ecosystem health. Their diversity and abundance can show how well sites have recovered within a region. Beekeeping was identified as a viable alternative livelihood strategy; (6) One hundred and ninety-two bird species were recorded. Raptors (birds of prey) recorded included: Critically Endangered species such as; Hooded Vulture, Rüppell’s Vulture and the White-backed Vulture. Endangered species included; Lappet-faced Vulture, Martial Eagle and Secretarybird; (7) A number of herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) species were observed to utilize the shade and/or refuge offered by semi-circular bunds. Amphibians and reptiles are sensitive bio-indicators of the impact of human activities such as overcultivation, overgrazing, deforestation and degradation of rangelands; (8) Seventy-two mammal species were recorded. Despite being identified as the animal taxon most prone to conflict with humans during focus group discussions, mammals play vital roles such as shaping regional and global ecosystems.