Population Status, Distribution Patterns and Conservation Needs of Endangered <i>Croton alienus</i> Pax in Kenya

Mary Nyawira Muchane

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13

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Population Status, Distribution Patterns and Conservation Needs of Endangered Croton alienus Pax in Kenya

Mary Nyawira Muchane

Published in International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (Volume 4, Issue 5)

Received: 24 June 2019 Accepted: 23 July 2019 Published: 23 August 2019

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Abstract

Kenya has a very rich plant biodiversity, many which are economically important. However this rich botanical resource continue to decline at an alarming rate as a result of over-exploitation through unsustainable human activities and unpredictable effect of changing climate. Endemic species with restricted geographic ranges and specific habitats are most vulnerable to extinction under the changing environmental and climatical conditions. To aid in their conservation, sound knowledge on their population status, distribution and conservation is urgently needed. The population status, distribution pattern, economic uses and conservation needs of Croton alienus Pax 1909, an endemic and endangered plant species in Kenya are reviewed. This was achieved through screening of herbarium specimen at East Africa Herbarium and detailed review of published and un-published research articles. The result indicates, Croton alienus has restricted area of occupancy occurring mainly in high altitude region between 1500-1800 m above sea level. Due to its narrow altitude range, Croton alienus is restricted to forests in central Kenya (Aberdare forest, Mt Kenya forest), Nairobi region (Karura forest, Ngong forest, Arboretum) and Western Kenya (Kakamega forest). Very low population density of 1 species per hectare in Karura forest suggests urgent conservations needs. Earlier conservations efforts included seed propagation activities to produce seedling, but their sustainability may have been halted by its limited usage. The species is medicinal with antibiotic properties against Croton alienus and Leishmania donovanii micro-organisms which can be tapped to aid its domestication and conservation. This review highlights need for urgent conservation measures for endemic species with restricted geographic ranges and specific habitat needs like Croton alienus in awake of climate change.

Published in	International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (Volume 4, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13
Page(s)	120-128
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2019. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Croton alienus, Endangered, Distribution, Conservation, Endemic

References

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Mary Nyawira Muchane. (2019). Population Status, Distribution Patterns and Conservation Needs of Endangered Croton alienus Pax in Kenya. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 4(5), 120-128. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13

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Mary Nyawira Muchane. Population Status, Distribution Patterns and Conservation Needs of Endangered Croton alienus Pax in Kenya. Int. J. Nat. Resour. Ecol. Manag. 2019, 4(5), 120-128. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13

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Mary Nyawira Muchane. Population Status, Distribution Patterns and Conservation Needs of Endangered Croton alienus Pax in Kenya. Int J Nat Resour Ecol Manag. 2019;4(5):120-128. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13,
  author = {Mary Nyawira Muchane},
  title = {Population Status, Distribution Patterns and Conservation Needs of Endangered Croton alienus Pax in Kenya},
  journal = {International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management},
  volume = {4},
  number = {5},
  pages = {120-128},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnrem.20190405.13},
  abstract = {Kenya has a very rich plant biodiversity, many which are economically important. However this rich botanical resource continue to decline at an alarming rate as a result of over-exploitation through unsustainable human activities and unpredictable effect of changing climate. Endemic species with restricted geographic ranges and specific habitats are most vulnerable to extinction under the changing environmental and climatical conditions. To aid in their conservation, sound knowledge on their population status, distribution and conservation is urgently needed. The population status, distribution pattern, economic uses and conservation needs of Croton alienus Pax 1909, an endemic and endangered plant species in Kenya are reviewed. This was achieved through screening of herbarium specimen at East Africa Herbarium and detailed review of published and un-published research articles. The result indicates, Croton alienus has restricted area of occupancy occurring mainly in high altitude region between 1500-1800 m above sea level. Due to its narrow altitude range, Croton alienus is restricted to forests in central Kenya (Aberdare forest, Mt Kenya forest), Nairobi region (Karura forest, Ngong forest, Arboretum) and Western Kenya (Kakamega forest). Very low population density of 1 species per hectare in Karura forest suggests urgent conservations needs. Earlier conservations efforts included seed propagation activities to produce seedling, but their sustainability may have been halted by its limited usage. The species is medicinal with antibiotic properties against Croton alienus and Leishmania donovanii micro-organisms which can be tapped to aid its domestication and conservation. This review highlights need for urgent conservation measures for endemic species with restricted geographic ranges and specific habitat needs like Croton alienus in awake of climate change.},
 year = {2019}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Population Status, Distribution Patterns and Conservation Needs of Endangered Croton alienus Pax in Kenya
AU  - Mary Nyawira Muchane
Y1  - 2019/08/23
PY  - 2019
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13
T2  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JF  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JO  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
SP  - 120
EP  - 128
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-3061
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13
AB  - Kenya has a very rich plant biodiversity, many which are economically important. However this rich botanical resource continue to decline at an alarming rate as a result of over-exploitation through unsustainable human activities and unpredictable effect of changing climate. Endemic species with restricted geographic ranges and specific habitats are most vulnerable to extinction under the changing environmental and climatical conditions. To aid in their conservation, sound knowledge on their population status, distribution and conservation is urgently needed. The population status, distribution pattern, economic uses and conservation needs of Croton alienus Pax 1909, an endemic and endangered plant species in Kenya are reviewed. This was achieved through screening of herbarium specimen at East Africa Herbarium and detailed review of published and un-published research articles. The result indicates, Croton alienus has restricted area of occupancy occurring mainly in high altitude region between 1500-1800 m above sea level. Due to its narrow altitude range, Croton alienus is restricted to forests in central Kenya (Aberdare forest, Mt Kenya forest), Nairobi region (Karura forest, Ngong forest, Arboretum) and Western Kenya (Kakamega forest). Very low population density of 1 species per hectare in Karura forest suggests urgent conservations needs. Earlier conservations efforts included seed propagation activities to produce seedling, but their sustainability may have been halted by its limited usage. The species is medicinal with antibiotic properties against Croton alienus and Leishmania donovanii micro-organisms which can be tapped to aid its domestication and conservation. This review highlights need for urgent conservation measures for endemic species with restricted geographic ranges and specific habitat needs like Croton alienus in awake of climate change.
VL  - 4
IS  - 5
ER  -

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Mary Nyawira Muchane

Botany Department, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya

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Mary Nyawira Muchane. (2019). Population Status, Distribution Patterns and Conservation Needs of Endangered Croton alienus Pax in Kenya. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 4(5), 120-128. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13

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ACS Style

Mary Nyawira Muchane. Population Status, Distribution Patterns and Conservation Needs of Endangered Croton alienus Pax in Kenya. Int. J. Nat. Resour. Ecol. Manag. 2019, 4(5), 120-128. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13

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AMA Style

Mary Nyawira Muchane. Population Status, Distribution Patterns and Conservation Needs of Endangered Croton alienus Pax in Kenya. Int J Nat Resour Ecol Manag. 2019;4(5):120-128. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13,
  author = {Mary Nyawira Muchane},
  title = {Population Status, Distribution Patterns and Conservation Needs of Endangered Croton alienus Pax in Kenya},
  journal = {International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management},
  volume = {4},
  number = {5},
  pages = {120-128},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnrem.20190405.13},
  abstract = {Kenya has a very rich plant biodiversity, many which are economically important. However this rich botanical resource continue to decline at an alarming rate as a result of over-exploitation through unsustainable human activities and unpredictable effect of changing climate. Endemic species with restricted geographic ranges and specific habitats are most vulnerable to extinction under the changing environmental and climatical conditions. To aid in their conservation, sound knowledge on their population status, distribution and conservation is urgently needed. The population status, distribution pattern, economic uses and conservation needs of Croton alienus Pax 1909, an endemic and endangered plant species in Kenya are reviewed. This was achieved through screening of herbarium specimen at East Africa Herbarium and detailed review of published and un-published research articles. The result indicates, Croton alienus has restricted area of occupancy occurring mainly in high altitude region between 1500-1800 m above sea level. Due to its narrow altitude range, Croton alienus is restricted to forests in central Kenya (Aberdare forest, Mt Kenya forest), Nairobi region (Karura forest, Ngong forest, Arboretum) and Western Kenya (Kakamega forest). Very low population density of 1 species per hectare in Karura forest suggests urgent conservations needs. Earlier conservations efforts included seed propagation activities to produce seedling, but their sustainability may have been halted by its limited usage. The species is medicinal with antibiotic properties against Croton alienus and Leishmania donovanii micro-organisms which can be tapped to aid its domestication and conservation. This review highlights need for urgent conservation measures for endemic species with restricted geographic ranges and specific habitat needs like Croton alienus in awake of climate change.},
 year = {2019}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Population Status, Distribution Patterns and Conservation Needs of Endangered Croton alienus Pax in Kenya
AU  - Mary Nyawira Muchane
Y1  - 2019/08/23
PY  - 2019
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13
T2  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JF  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JO  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
SP  - 120
EP  - 128
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-3061
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20190405.13
AB  - Kenya has a very rich plant biodiversity, many which are economically important. However this rich botanical resource continue to decline at an alarming rate as a result of over-exploitation through unsustainable human activities and unpredictable effect of changing climate. Endemic species with restricted geographic ranges and specific habitats are most vulnerable to extinction under the changing environmental and climatical conditions. To aid in their conservation, sound knowledge on their population status, distribution and conservation is urgently needed. The population status, distribution pattern, economic uses and conservation needs of Croton alienus Pax 1909, an endemic and endangered plant species in Kenya are reviewed. This was achieved through screening of herbarium specimen at East Africa Herbarium and detailed review of published and un-published research articles. The result indicates, Croton alienus has restricted area of occupancy occurring mainly in high altitude region between 1500-1800 m above sea level. Due to its narrow altitude range, Croton alienus is restricted to forests in central Kenya (Aberdare forest, Mt Kenya forest), Nairobi region (Karura forest, Ngong forest, Arboretum) and Western Kenya (Kakamega forest). Very low population density of 1 species per hectare in Karura forest suggests urgent conservations needs. Earlier conservations efforts included seed propagation activities to produce seedling, but their sustainability may have been halted by its limited usage. The species is medicinal with antibiotic properties against Croton alienus and Leishmania donovanii micro-organisms which can be tapped to aid its domestication and conservation. This review highlights need for urgent conservation measures for endemic species with restricted geographic ranges and specific habitat needs like Croton alienus in awake of climate change.
VL  - 4
IS  - 5
ER  -

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