Biological Science
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.chuka.ac.ke/handle/chuka/1196
Browse
Browsing Biological Science by Issue Date
Now showing 1 - 20 of 473
- Results Per Page
- Sort Options
Item Implication for in situ conservation of indigenous species with special reference to wild Coffea arabica L. population in Mount Marsabit Forest, Kenya(Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), 2011) Eunice W. Githae; Charles K. K. Gachene; David W. OdeeMt. Marsabit forest is the only forest in Kenya where Coffea arabica L. (Rubiaceae) occurs naturally in wild populations. This forest however is highly fragmented and decreasing at a rapid rate due to anthropogenic activities. This study assesses the diversity and structure of species of conservation concern with reference to wild coffee as basis for management, conservation and use of wild genetic resources in Kenya. A botanical inventory and diversity study identified 52 species of trees and shrubs, 12 species of herbs and six species of climbers and lianas were recorded and belonged to 35 families and 64 genera. Rubiaceae (Coffee family) was the richest family with nine species followed by Euphorbiaceae with six species. Rinorea convallarioides (Bak.f.) Eyles ssp. marsabitensis Grey-Wilson (Violaceae), an endemic species, and Drypetes gerrardii Hutch. (Euphorbiaceae), were the two most important species, accounting for more than third of the combined importance value. Coffea arabica was dominant in the forest undergrowth with a higher density occurring in the open patches where it was competing with other shrubs and small trees in the undergrowth. The success and future management and conservation strategy of this forest depend on how to conserve the forest genetic resources especially of this wild species.Item Soil physicochemical properties under Acacia senegal varieties in the dryland areas of Kenya(Academic Journals, 2011-08) Eunice W. Githae; Charles K. K. Gachene; Jesse T. NjokaAcacia senegal is a multipurpose drought-tolerant tree or shrub legume and is commonly used in agroforestry systems in sub-Saharan Africa for gum arabic production and soil fertility improvement. Despite its wide distribution in Kenya, there has not been exhaustive evaluation on the effects of the extant varieties (kerensis, leiorhachis and senegal) on soil properties under their canopies for sustainable utilization of the species. Three sites in the drylands of Kenya representing the three varieties were selected for assessment. Soil samples were collected under tree canopies at a depth of 0 to 25 cm and were compared with the soils from the open canopies. There were significant differences in soil physicochemical properties among the three varieties (P<0.05 and P< 0.01). Soil nutrients under the canopies were higher than in the open canopies mainly due to effects of litter accumulation. The three varieties have beneficial effects on soil nutrient status in their natural ecosystems and would most likely improve crop productivity in agroforestry systems as well as enhance herbage productivity in the rangelands. The varieties growing under different soil types may have an effect on their gum Arabic production and quality.Item Ethnobotanical and vegetation survey of Kiango’mbe and Kianjiru Hill Forests in Embu County, Kenya(International Scholars Journals, 2015-11-10) Waiganjo, B. W.; Githae, E. W.; Warui, C. M.; Opiyo, E. A.Ethnobotanical study and vegetation survey was carried out in Kiang’ombe and Kianjiru hill forests of Embu County to evaluate the indigenous knowledge relevant to malaria cause, diagnosis, treatment and prevention as well as to establish the hills’ medicinal plants species diversity. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to gather ethnobotanical information while trees with diameter at breast height ≥5 cm, shrubs and herbs were sampled by use of 20×20, 5×5 and 1×1 m plots respectively. Malaria symptoms mentioned in this study were in concurrent with the widely acceptable ones and they included: headache, vomiting, loss of appetite, joint pains and fever. Mosquito was recognized as the main malaria vector. Fifty six species belonging to 31 families were documented from the ethnobotanical study. Achyrothalamus marginatus, Dombeya rotundifolia, Monanthotaxis schweinfurthii and Premna resinosa were documented for the first time in this study indicating high endemism. Barks, roots, trees and shrubs were the most commonly harvested parts and growth forms respectively. Charcoal burning, timber harvesting, grazing and forest fires were observed. Kianjiru had significantly (P≤0.001) higher diversity index (H’=2.92) than Kiango’mbe (H’=2.63). The two hill forests are major sources of medicinal plants and therefore the need to conserve them.Item BOTA 241: TAXONOMY OF HIGHER PLANTS(Chuka University, 2017-12-04) Chuka UniversityItem BIOL 00100: BOTANY AND ZOOLOGY(Chuka University, 2017-12-04) Chuka UniversityItem ZOOL 232: CELL BIOLOGY(CHUKA UNIVERSITY, 2017-12-04) CHUKA UNIVERSITYItem BOTA 302: BIOSTATISTICS(Chuka University, 2017-12-04) Chuka UniversityItem ZOOL 330: ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY(CHUKA UNIVERSITY, 2017-12-05) CHUKA UNIVERSITYItem BOTA 271/202: PLANT PHYSIOLOGY I(Chuka University, 2017-12-05) Chuka UniversityItem ZOOL 311: FRESHWATER BIOLOGY(CHUKA UNIVERSITY, 2017-12-06) CHUKA UNIVERSITYItem ZOOL 410: ICHTYOLOGY(CHUKA UNIVERSITY, 2017-12-06) CHUKA UNIVERSITYItem ZOOL 210: ECOLOGY(CHUKA UNIVERSITY, 2017-12-06) CHUKA UNIVERSITYItem MICB 220: MICROBIAL ECOLOGY(CHUKA UNIVERSITY, 2017-12-07) CHUKA UNIVERSITYItem ZOOL 443: IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY(CHUKA UNIVERSITY, 2017-12-07) CHUKA UNIVERSITYItem ZOOL 100: GENERAL ZOOLOGY(Chuka University, 2017-12-07) Chuka UniversityItem BOTA 232: PHYCOLOGY(Chuka University, 2017-12-08) Chuka UniversityItem BOTA 111: GENERAL GENETICS(Chuka University, 2017-12-08) Chuka UniversityItem BOTA 473: PLANT BIOCHEMISTRY(Chuka University, 2017-12-08) Chuka UniversityItem ZOOL 101: LOWER INVERTEBRATES(CHUKA UNIVERSITY, 2017-12-08) CHUKA UNIVERSITYItem BOTA/MICB 131: GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY(Chuka University, 2017-12-08) Chuka University