Conservation of the endemic and Critically Endangered Vangueriopsis shimbaensis in coastal Kenya

Collins Wafula Masinde

Other project team members: Abey Mohamud Abdi, Mercy Jebiwot Korir, Titus Kipruto Cheruiyot

Vangueriopsis shimbaensis is endemic and restricted to the Shimba Hills National Reserve (SHNR), Kenya. This species is critically endangered and only six individuals are known. Its population is under threat due to habitat fragmentation, over-exploitation, and climate change. Additionally, there is a lack of awareness and cooperation among stakeholders on its conservation. The specific threats facing V. shimbaensis, and information on its ecology within the SHNR are inadequate. This project aims to determine the ecology of V. shimbaensis to enhance its long-term conservation by (1) mapping its population, distribution and threats (2) creating awareness among stakeholders on its critical status and the importance of collaboration for biodiversity conservation, and (3) capacity building of stakeholders through training on its conservation strategies, seed collection, and tree nursery establishment. This will be achieved through ecological surveys, Geographical Information Systems, interviews, focus group discussions, awareness creation campaigns and training workshops. The projects’ expected outputs are (1) population status and distribution maps of the target species, (2) an outline of specific threats to V. shimbaensis (3) training reports on capacity building and awareness creation. This will provide critical information required for the future conservation of V. shimbaensis while enhancing collaboration among stakeholders.