UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND VETERINARY MEDICINE
FACULTY OF VETERINARYMEDICINE
BSc (WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION)
PROJECT REPORT: IMPACT OF REHABILITATION ON BIODIVERSITY IN HALLER PARK.
KIBE SIMON KIMANI
J42/3361/2011
[email protected]
PROJECT SUPERVISOR: HENRY KAHI
Chapter 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
About 240,000 years ago,the area covered by what is now Haller park,and much of the areas along the Kenyan coast were submerged under the Indian ocean, being so close to the equator the conditions for coral growth were optimal and diverse coral reefs formed .In sequence to the glacial and interglacial periodwater level rose and sunk and gradually the sea resided to its present level.it left behind the coral limestone bedswhich Bamburi is now quarrying form cement production.
Haller Park is a nature park in Bamburi, Mombasa, on the Kenyan Coast. It is the transformation of a quarry wasteland into an ecological paradise. Haller Park holds a variety of plant and animal species which serve as a recreation hot spot to tourists and locals. Up to March 2007 it held the famous attraction of Owen and Mzee – the friendship of a hippopotamus and a tortoise.
CEMENT PRODUCTION
In 1952an Austrian Dr Felix Mendel working for a Swiss company cementia holding Ag Zurich arrived in Mombasa and started construction of the cement factory,12 km north of Mombasa town behind the then undeveloped Bamburi beach hotel .Cement production began in 1954.
There are 6 quarries around the Bamburifactory and mining is at advanced stages in these quarries;(south,central,north,kikambala and vipingo quarries)thetotal rehabilitated area is approximately 200 ha.Three rehabilitated quarries are currently open to the public(south ,north and Ngunni shale quarry.
QUARRY REHABILITATION
IN 1959 the company hired Dr.Rene Haller a Swiss agronomist, to head a section of the company called the garden department .He was responsible for landscaping the area around the factory and producing food for the company's numerous employs on the mining reserve land ,however Dr Haller realised the need for greater landscaping -the restoration of the barren quarry floor .Thiswas real pioneering initiative at thetime as in the early 1970s there was no environmental regulation forcing mining industries to restore their quarries .
Dr Haller's rehabilitation process began in January 1971 when Bamburi finished quarrying ,the land left behind was barrenand hostile-limestone rock containing few nutrients ,sun scorching temps of up to 40 degrees centigrade and saline ground water only approximately one feet under the quarry floor.
There were very few species which were able to naturally colonise the hard limestone-a few ferns,shrubs ,and grasses.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Mining on the Bamburi south quarry area led to the destruction of many exotic species of both flora and fauna. Exhaustion of the coral limestone left the land bare and barren, temperatures could reach 40 degree Celsius. Soils were highly alkaline and only a few shrubs and ferns could grow. Rehabilitation was proposed as a remedy.
Before and after rehabilitation
Justification of the study
The rehabilitation process has led to:
The preservation and conservation of many endangered species
It being used as a template for many extractive and mining industries
Availability of fuel for the neighbouring poor community
Availability of building materials for the surrounding community.
Moderation of climate hence establishing a microclimate within the Bamburi area.
1.3objectives
1.3.1 General objectives
To assess whether the rehabilitation process has had a direct relation to the diversity of species in the former quarries.
1.3.2 specific objectives
To estimate the population of small mammals.
To estimate the species of birds within the park.
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 THE PIONEER TREE SPECIES
After Dr. Rene Haller was given the mandate of rehabilitating the south quarry area ,he went round the world looking for species that could colonize the barren inhospitable area .Out of the 22species that he tried only 3 were able to survive,they included ;casuarina (casuarina equisetifolia,cornocarpuslancifolis,prosopisjuliflora)this was the first succession (Murithi, Sheena, Mueni, 2008)
2.2 SECOND GENERATION OF TREES
This generation of trees was introduced in the park to break the monotony of the casuarinas and conocarpustrees i.e. the ecosystem monoculture. It was aimed at creating a biodiversity of trees. Some of the agents of forest succession were the monkeys ,fruit eating bats and birds and also the wind that acted as a dispersal agent .These trees are both exotic and indigenous and they included fig trees ficussycamorus,neem tree azadirachtaindica,fever tree acacia anthophloeax,sausage tree kigeliaAfricana,baobatrees,large leafed fig ficusbussei. (Haller, Baer, 1995)
2.3 EFFECT OF CEMENT PRODUCTION
In 1952, Cementia Holding searched for a site at the East African Coast to build a cement factory. Dr. Felix Mandl found an ideal location 12 km (7.5 mi) north of Mombasa. Over the years cement production grew to 1.2 million tons per 25 million tons. The area soon became inhospitable arid wasteland with brackish water. The Bamburi Cement company decided to rehabilitate the quarries which seemed to be an inconceivable task. No plants had been able to establish themselves in the quarries. In 1959, Dr. Rene Haller was hired as manager of the garden department and given the task to beautify the area. In the 1970s Rene embarked on the reforestation project.(Haller, Baer, 1995)
2.4 TASK
The vital task was to find pioneer plants which could survive the limestone desert. The plants had to survive the fierce tropical sun. After planting 26 plants only 3 of them survived: The damas, coconut palm, and thecasuarina.(Murithi, Sheena, Mueni, 2008)
2.5 CASUARINA
The casuarina was used initially to colonise the barren quarry floor. The casuarina is adapted to grow under severe conditions. Its branch lets look like pine needles and have a strong outer surface skin which protects the tree against loss of water. The casuarina could tolerate salty water which seemed perfect for the environment. However, due to the causarina's high tannin content its needles are too tough and bitter to be broken down by bacteria into humus for other plants to grow in. (Murithi, Sheena, Mueni, 2008)
2.6 INTRODUCTION OF THE MILLIPEDES
Dr Rene Haller observed a red legged millipede (Mombasa trains) feeding on dry casuarina needles and introduced hundreds of millipedes into the quarry forest. The droppings of the millipede while feeding on the Casuarina needles made it easier for bacteria to break down resulting in a rich layer of humus allowing other plant species to grow.
After 5 years the Casuarina began self-seeding and colonising the surrounding area. After 10 years the casuarina trees reached a height of 30 m. After 20 years some of the trees had a trunk circumference of 2.4 meters and the humus layer was 10 cm deep. Many of the trees began to collapse after 20 years. However they had accomplished their task and created a friendly environment conducive to new plants. The tree trunks were used for building timber and firewood. (Haller, Baer, 1995)
2.7 EFFECT ON VEGETATION
More plants distributed by wind and animal established themselves in the quarry. The next tree species were carefully selected. The quarry slowly developed into a sanctuary for endangered species of plants. Over the years, over 180 species of indigenous trees and bushes have been planted. Modes of propagation of plants however vary, all in the aim of ensuring succession. Vervet monkeys, insects and particular bird species have participated actively in succession within the ecosystem. They feed on fruits of the ficus sp. trees, whose seeds must travel through an alimentary canal to completely break dormancy. If this step does not take effect, the seeds have to be boiled to achieve the same. When the three above-mentioned animals excrete, seeds are dispersed in their feces and those that hit fertile ground germinate after some time. This has helped achieve growth in parts of the forest that are not easily accessible by humans.(Haller, Baer, 1995)
2.8 ANIMALS
Dr. Rene Haller believed animals should play an equally important role in the forest ecosystem as plants. The introduction of the millipedes into the casuarina forest triggered a chain reaction of colonisation by plants and animals. The creation of new habitats attracted a number of birds, insects and mammals. Some larger mammals were introduced while others moved in.
The mammals had a huge impact on the environment. For example, the bush pig which feed on roots, maggots, and insects helped to aerate the trees root system. The female giraffes feed on leaves and dispersed plants seeds while their faeces acted as fertiliser. The dung beetles also played an important role by helping bring the manure underground where it is broken down by micro-organisms creating further plant life.
2.8.1 Elands
The Eland were chosen for domestication at Haller Park because of its usefulness. The Eland produces milk which is nutritious and has antibiotic properties which allows the milk stay fresh for months. Elands are also resistant to most livestock diseases and tame easily. (Haller foundation)
2.8.2 Oryx
Rene Haller also introduced Oryx to supplement the Eland group. The Oryx adapt to cope with poor grazing. They feed on dry, nutrient poor grasses. They have a great capacity to digest fibres. During droughts and desert conditions, the Oryx can survive. They are independent of permanent water sources. The Oryx were the perfect candidates for the condition of the park. (Haller foundation)
2.9 Aquaculture
Water was an essential resource for the development of the plant life in the quarry. Water played an important role in the economical and ecological development of the project. The aquaculture system at Haller Park is a commercial viable unit. The unit consists of the fish farm, crocodile area, and the biological water treatment area (Nile cabbage ponds and rice paddy fields). TheNile cabbage is a special plant which removes excess nutrients and impurities form the water body.
2.9.1 Fish Farm
The fish farm is a crucial part of Haller Park. In 1971, The fish farming project started alongside the reforestation project. Rene Haller created a fish tank system. The purpose of the tank system was to give the fish a chance to swim in a constant current. A Tilapia farm was also created in 1980 because of the success of the fish tanks. It produced 30–35 tons per year. (Haller foundation)
List of animals and plants
Mammals
Wahlberg's Epauletted Fruit Bat
Vervet Monkey
Sykes' Monkey
Serval cat (FelisServal)
Giraffe
Hippopotamus
Sitatunga
Defassa Waterbuck
Zebra
Buffalo
Eland
Oryx
Suni
Reptiles
Bush snake (Philothamus)
Strip bellied sand snake (Psammophissubtaeniatus)
Crocodiles
Fish
Tilapia
Lungfish
Catfish
Birds
Crowned crane
Yellow billed stork
Marabou
Oxpecker
Egyptian geese
Guineafowl
Arthropods
Spider
Red-legged millipede
Wasp
Butterfly
Dung beetle
Weaver ant
Honey Bee
Plants
Casuarina
Algaroba
Neem
Orchids – cyrtotchisarcuata
Asystaciagangetica
Tamarixnilotica
Phyncholythrumrepens
PaspalumVaginatum
Coral hibiscus
Cyads
Fernandoamagnifica
Other
Plankton
Fungi (including mushrooms)
CHAPTER 3
3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 STUDY AREA
Figure 1
Haller park is locatedapproximately 12 km from Mombasa town.it is situated on theMombasaMalindi high way opposite city mall .It is situated near the beach line at Nyali and pirates area .Its is believed that the areawas under shallow sea aroundtwo thousand years ago,for this reason the giant clam shells are scattered all over the park they were excavated during the mining process .The other reason for this belief is the fact that coral limestone can be found in the area and hence the possibility of mining for the same taking place in the area.Haller park became the first park to be awarded The united nations environmental program global 500 roll of honour award for the unique ecologically sound and successful rehabilitation undertaken .It is accessible to the public from Monday to Sunday 8.00 am to 6.oo pm.visitors are given guided tours and they can also have picnics within the park
3.2 DATA COLLECTION
3.2.1 BIRD COUNTS
Bird counts were undertaken every last Saturday of the month from 6 am to 8.00am.This was done by the ornithological department in conjunction with Nature Kenya Mombasa office.
3.2.2 BIRDWALKS
Bird walks were done within Haller park with groups of visitors every Saturday beginning 6.00 am under the guidance of Murengi and Mutua James
3.0.3 Focused group discussions
These discussions mainly involved the botany department under BakariGona. He was the specialist in trees growing with Haller park. He took the attaches through the species found growing within Haller park and the other quarries.
3.2.3 OBSERVATION
Most of the observations were made as we took visitors round the park. We also took study walks around the park to establish any new plants.
3.2.4 SIMPLE ROUTINE COUNTS
Simple routine count werecarried out to establish the number of animals like eland oryx and the water bucks
3.3DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Guided by the study objectives the following data collection methods were employed in collecting both primary and secondary data.
Primary data was generated by mostly discussing with the staffs who have worked there for so long .Other methods included bird counts and walks. Secondary data was collected from Haller park research Office database. This was data on the number of species that were first used and the others that were later used had and those that had survived in the previous e restoration project and had been collected and stored in a computer by the research office staff. The data was entered into Microsoft Excel 2007.The percentages were automatically calculated in MS Excel. A bar graph was generated.
CHAPTER 4
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results below show the number of different species at Haller Park represented by a table and graph after analysis.
Table 1
Name of species
Frequency
Percentage
Blue duiker
23
6.1
Bush buck
27
7.1
Eland
30
7.9
Oryx
75
19.8
Dik diks
84
22.2
Water bucks
140
36.9
Total
379
100
Figure 2
NAME OF SPECIES
4.1 CHALLENGES ON BIODIVERSITY IN THE PARK
Illegal logging
There is rampant cutting down of trees indiscriminately by the members of the surrounding community and beyond .This has led to destruction of huge area of trees and also to the reduction of the number of plant species
Illegal hunting
Small mammals within the park are under threat due to the high no of poaching cases within the park. Snares are the preferred method of catching these animals.
Feral dogs
Feral dogs are able to access the park from the neighbouring community; these dogs have hunted the small mammals within the park almost to extinction locally.
Pollution of the park
There is a lot of dumping of garbage within the park from outside especially all along the walls of the park; this garbage is chocking some of the vegetation in the park.
CHAPTER 5
5.0 CONCLUSIONS
Rehabilitation of the quarry has led to the increase in biodiversity within Hallerpark and the surrounding area. Most of the spp of indigenous and exotic flora and fauna has been on an upward trend since the inception of the park way back in 1971.monkesy,arthropods, herbivores and other mammals have led to dispersal of many species of trees. The increasing biodiversity of flora has led to improved habitats for most species the park faces numerous challenges in preserving the biodiversity attained,theseinclude illegal poaching,illegal logging and pollution due to dumping
5.1 RECOMMENDATIONS
Haller Park should embrace the following recommendations:
Improve security
More guards should be employed to reduce the cases of poaching and illegal logging
Utilization as a form of security
The dense parts of the forest can be utilized for tourismand camping activities to keep a check on the loggers
Local participation
The local communities should be highly involved in the park to minimize cases of poaching in terms of employment and other activities.
Establish a tree nursery
This would be for the purpose of planting more trees and give some to the locals to enhance their own source of fuel or self-reliance
REFERENCES
Haller Foundation
Baobab Trust Website
Dr. Haller, R, Baer, S,1995. Wasteland to Paradise
Murithi, Sheena, Mueni, 2008. Lafarge Ecosystems guide notes report
APPENDIX
