The Kenya Forestry Research Institute is working on strategies to save an ancient plant from vanishing from the face of the earth.
The critically endangered tree Euphorbia tanaensis is found only in Witu Forest Reserve in Lamu county.
The cactus-like plant is among the 100 most endangered tree species on the planet, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The organisation is mandated to track the survival of the earth’s species.
Research and subsequent naming of the Euphorbia tanaensis began in the 1970s.
The research led to the location of only four mature individuals that were reported to be surviving within Witu Forest Reserve.
Speaking to the Star on Friday, Kefri research scientist and project investigator Henry Komu said restoration and conservation drives have been going on to multiply Euphorbia tanaensis in coming years.
Komu said had it not been for the efforts of the forestry research agency, the plant would have by now vanished from the face of the earth.
He thanked the local Community Forest Associations (CFAs) and other partners for their dedicated efforts to save the critically endangered Euphorbia tanaensis.
He said Kefri has continued to provide more information and develop further restoration and conservation strategies fostered towards increasing the Euphorbia tanaensis population in the region.
“I can attest that Euphorbia tanaensis is a difficult tree to propagate with limited viable germplasm. Kefri is currently developing propagation technologies to raise seedlings for enhancing the population of the tree,” Komu said.
The Kefri official said efforts outside Lamu county have also seen the tree multiply.
“For instance, we have a private botanical garden in Malindi, Kilifi county, where two mature Euphorbia tanaensis were planted in the 1990s and a few other seedlings can be found to date," Komu said.
"In Kwale county, Base Titanium has also raised a few seedlings in the nursery and planted some stems as well.”
He said the planting of 51 nursery-raised seedlings in Witu and Kilifi’s Arabuko Sokoke forests back in 2018, was a major milestone in the conservation and protection efforts of the ancient tree.
Komu also revealed that Kefri had won The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Funds fostered towards supporting the ongoing conservation initiatives and studies of Euphorbia tanaensis.
“In our recent assessments of the species, we were able to identify and document an additional mature tree, increasing the tally of mature live individuals in Witu forest to five. Unfortunately, we also came across another mature individual that had been cut down,” he said.
Komu commended Witu and Lamu residents, saying they are of great assistance.
He said residents have been able to point out new locations, where the species could be found.
He called for more search and inventory of Euphorbia tanaensis in Witu Forest Reserve and its environs.
“So far, all the existing mature trees and surviving seedlings were geo-referenced and their physical attributes documented,” Komu said.
Kenya Forest Service Conservator Peter Mwangi said they have initiated talks with Kefri and community members concerning the rare Euphorbia tanaensis.
“We have the obligation of creating awareness to the community around us to help us in conserving the species. We also need to plant more stems of Euphorbia tanaensis in this place,” Mwangi said.
Faraji Bakari said he came across Euphorbia tanaensis while working as a forest officer in Witu in 1995.
“Some botanists came searching for the species in Witu’s Mambo Sasa Forest. I wasn’t aware but after the description, I even helped them to locate the tree. Most people around don’t know the species," Bakari said.
"Locally, we burn the dried pieces of Euphorbia tanaensis to act as a mosquito repellant. We need to be equipped with knowledge about this rare plant species.”
Nuru Salim, a member of the Witu Community Forest Association, said there is need to protect, conserve, and plant more Euphorbia tanaensis in the forest.
“Fencing, as well, needs to be done around Witu Forest Reserve to protect this species from extinction,” Salim said.
Kalama Nzaro said continued destruction of the forest is a major threat to the environment.
“Instead of cutting down trees every day, people need to be informed to plant more trees in their farms to save our ecosystem,” Nzaro said.
