Aberdare Range Forests

At the request of Rhino Ark, UNEP, Kenya Wildlife Service and the Kenya Forests Working Group undertook an aerial survey of the destruction of the Aberdare Range forests. The main objective was to provide factual documentation on the extent and nature of human impacts on those forests.  The report of the survey revealed wanton destruction brought upon this critical ecosystem. The report triggered a number of important responses to conserve the forests of the Range.

Partners

UNEP, Kenya Wildlife Service, Rhino Ark and the Kenya Forests Working Group

The Terrain

The Aberdare forests are one of Kenya's five main "water towers" and play a critical role in supporting the country's economy.  The Aberdares are the main water catchments for Sasumua and Ndakaini dams, which provide most of the water for Nairobi.

The northern slopes provide catchments for the Ewaso Nyiro River, the main river crossing the semi-arid Laikipia plateau and the Samburu plains and deserts beyond. The Malewa River, the major surface source of water for Lake Naivasha, originates from the north-western slopes.

In addition, the Aberdares are catchments of the Tana River, Kenya’s largest river, that supplies water to the Seven Forks hydropower plants where over 55 percent of Kenya’s total electricity output is generated.

The Aberdares hosts a rich diversity of 778 vegetation and plant species, subspecies and varieties in the National Park alone, thanks to the altitude and rainfall.  Common hardwood tree species include Camphor, Cedar, Podo and Hagenia.

The Aberdare Range forests host a number of threatened fauna species. The Jackson mongoose, endemic to Kenya’s montane forests and the rarely seen golden cat are two threatened mammals.

Other large threatened mammals of international conservation interest that occur in Aberdare forests are bongo, giant forest hog, black rhino, elephant, leopard and African hunting dog. In addition, the forest harbours bushbuck, mountain reedbuck, waterbuck, Cape buffalo, suni, side-striped jackel, eland, and varieties of duikers.