The Kenya Forest Research Institute has begun research on a new disease caused by barnacles which has led to the death of thousands of mangrove trees along the Coast.
The strange disease was discovered by community conservationists who reported to the research agency for action in order not to affect the ongoing campaign to restore mangrove cover and plant over 2 billion trees nationwide.
Experts have revealed that the disease is caused by marine crustaceans which have external shells that attach themselves permanently to trees.
In the process, the shells lead to the death of mangrove plants which has contributed to the loss of thousands of trees that are important to the environment.
Environment and Forestry Chief Administrative Secretary Mohamed Elmi said the research will help identify the cause of the disease to address the problem.
Speaking after leading a team of Kefri officials and the community in mangrove tree planting at Mida creek he said this year’s theme for world wetlands day was on mangrove restoration as they are very important for marine life.
“Kefri is researching on a disease that is affecting mangrove and we expect they will be able to get a solution soon,” he said.
Elmi said Kefri would buy 200,000 mangrove seedlings at the Mida creek which will be planted by the women groups and urged Kenyans to plant trees as they could earn money and assist in addressing climate change.
One mangrove is equal to 10 trees.
The 200,000 mangrove tree seedlings raised by community conservation groups in Mida will cost between Sh5 million and Sh10 million.
Joshua Cheboiwo, Kefri director, said they had employed four ecologists who will work together with the Kenya Marine Research Institute to research mangroves along the Kenyan coastline.
He said apart from researching the disease, the experts will also seek to know how climate change had affected marine life.
The research team will be led by Jane Njuguna, Senior deputy director of research and development-Kefri during the period of investigation of mangrove disease.
Njuguna said mangroves have been affected and they will continue conducting the investigation and come up with a solution so that mangroves continue growing healthy and get the benefits of the mangroves.
She said they will continue working with the community to increase mangrove cover so that everyone gets to benefit from the trees.
“Mangrove has a lot of benefits as the CAS said mostly they produce timber, poles for roofing, furniture, and its a source of food for sea animals, humans and climate change,” she said.
Arafa Salim Baya a community conservationist and patron of Bidii na Kazi women group in Mida creek thanked Kefri for deploying the researchers to find a solution to the barnacles that are killing mangroves.
She said they were happy as Mida community as the Ministry of environment had bought all their 200,000 seedlings which had been set up by the groups.
“We had lodged complaints to the authorities about the barnacles and we are happy that researchers have begun investigations to get a solution,” she said.
Currently, KEFRI is keen to ensure by next year they plant 2 billion trees to meet the recommended 10 per cent forest cover.
Cheboiwo said the country has attained 7.2 per cent cover and will be planting 45 million seedlings in every county to meet the recommended 10 per cent cover.
''Kefri had already identified areas where the trees would be planted and we are optimistic the target will be met,” he said.
Among the areas where trees will be planted in the country are schools, government land, and private farms.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
