Examining the Diversity of Indigenous Woody Trees in Kitutu Chache North Sub- County, Kenya

Abstract

The main purpose this study was to examine the diversity of indigenous woody trees in Kitutu Chache North Sub-County, Kenya. The study applied a cross-sectional survey research design with a target population of 130 household heads in farmlands, 13 local leaders, 20 tree nursery owners and 10 forest officers. A sample size was 30% of the target population which translated to 53 respondents clustered into 39 household heads in farmlands, 5 local leaders 6 tree nursery owners and 3 forest Officers was used in the study. Stratified and simple random sampling procedures was used in the study. Questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data. The study applied quantitative data analysis techniques. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 was used to process the data. The study revealed that indigenous woody trees are important in farmlands due to their wide range of uses. It further revealed that indigenous woody trees have a very low diversity attributed to intensive farming practices that discourage their conservation. The study recommended the following: household heads in farmlands should encompass indigenous woody tree species in their agro-forestry activities; tree nursery owners should multiply seedlings of indigenous woody tree species using locally available seeds; the County Forest Department should establish a seed bank for indigenous woody tree species and sell to household heads at affordable prices; and local leaders should liaise with the Forest Department to disseminate valuable information on the improvement of the diversity of indigenous woody tree species in farmlands .