Assessment of the Effect of Antropogenic Activities on Terrestrial Biodiversity Conservation in Matayos Division of Busia County, Kenya

Abstract

: Anthropogenic activities are fundamentally and to a significant extent irreversibly changing the diversity of life on Earth. Virtually all of the Earth‟s ecosystems have now been dramatically altered through human actions. In Kenya, rapid human population growth and the subsequent land degradation have affected biodiversity causing habitat fragmentation, resulting to modified or degraded landscape and thus disrupting animal and plant diversity. In Matayos division, anthropogenic activities have intensified which affect terrestrial biodiversity. In the past, plants and animals were abundant in the area and currently some species are rare possibly due to destruction of their habitats by human activities. However, there is no known study that has focused on assessing the effects of anthropogenic activities on terrestrial biodiversity conservation in the division. This study aimed at determining the effect of anthropogenic activities on terrestrial biodiversity conservation in Matayos division. Cross-sectional descriptive research design was used. A minimum sample size of 384 household heads was taken out of a study population of 56,186. Purposive sampling was used to get Key Informants such as village elders, chiefs and Sub chiefs. Primary data were collected through questionnaire administration, key informant interview, Focus Group Discussion, Field Observation and Photography. The findings indicated that among the activities undertaken in the division, farming, fuel wood harvesting and charcoal burning had the greatest impact on terrestrial biodiversity. Furthermore, 68% of the respondents regarded farming as a major socioeconomic activity which has led to reduction and loss of animals and birds habitat. The study concluded that some animals and bird species have emigrated and plant species have reduced in the division due to anthropogenic disturbances. There is lack of enforcement that leaves bad practices unchecked like vegetation clearance for agriculture and settlement, over harvesting of fuelwood, charcoal burning, wetland encroachment, bush burning and brick making. Alternative sources of fuel energy like biogas and use of sorghum husks and establishment of woodlots on individual farms could reduce cutting down trees for fuelwood in Matayos division. The entire community should be responsible for the wetland conservation in Matayos division.