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Mangrove forests play a very significant role along the coastal environment throughout the tropical coast. They provide ecosystem services that are able to sustain both flora and faunal organisms found in such ecosystems. They are store large quantities of carbon in their biomass hence referred to as carbon sinks. This carbon can be emitted into the atmosphere when mangrove forests are degraded through unsustainable utility. The main objective of this study is to quantify the amount of carbon sequestered by the managed mangrove forest of the Mida Creek, Kenya. Three sites were selected for this study; Kibusa Plantation, Green Island Plantation, and a Natural Stand. Plots of (10 x10) m2 were selected in each study site. Three carbon pools were investigated; aboveground carbon, belowground carbon, and soil organic carbon. Biomass for carbon determination in Kibusa and Natural Stands was estimated using a general equation. Mean total carbon stocks in Kibusa and Green Island Plantations was 424.52±11.68 Mg C/ha and 958.57±50.01 Mg C/ha while the natural stand contained significantly higher total Carbon stocks of 2159.77±31.09 Mg C/ha (ANOVA, F0.05(1),2,6 = 262.91, P 0.05). This study indicates that reforestation enhances structural development of replanted mangroves and that replanted mangroves are significant carbon stores. From these results, we can deduce that awareness should be raised among the community members on the need for conservation and management which will increase the amount of carbon sequestered since more mangroves increase the rate of carbon (IV) oxide capture. This will help in mitigating the issue of global warming at local levels.

The study assessed the structure, natural regeneration capacity and Biotic agents of Avicennia marina and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza species in Mida creek, Kilifi County. The study used both cross section and descriptive research design. Avicennia marina species was more dominant with a greater complexity index (A2.7, B0.4), basal area (A588cm2, B484cm2) and mean height (A26m, B10m) compared to Bruguiera gymnorrhiza species with both having an aggregate dispersion pattern. During dry season, Height, and diameter of Avicennia marina had a correlation of 0.56 while Bruguiera gymnorrhiza species had 0.78. During rainy season both had a correlation of 0.67. B. gymnorrhiza species had more straight poles than A. marina species, 75.3% of B. gymnorrhiza trees assessed had straight pole compared to 1.7% of Avicennia marina trees. Both Avicennia marina and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza species had fair regeneration capacity where the number of seedlings was greater than saplings and number of saplings was less than mature trees. Littoraria scabra fed mostly on micro-organisms and algae, Littoraria Glabrata fed mostly on mud surface, Sesarma guttata and Sesarma leptosoma fed on mangrove leaves, Cerithidea decollata fed on deposits and organic matter, Terebralia palustris and Selatium elongatium fed more on algae and leaves, Sesasrmi ortmanni, Metopograpsus oceanicus and Neosarmatium meinerti fed on leaves and young propagules, Barnacles and Oyster bunch on the roots and stems of B. gymnorrhiza species. Biotic agents were insignificant in affecting regeneration capacity of A. marina and B. gymnorrhiza species however combinations with climatic and anthropogenic factors affected Regeneration capacity of the two species.

Significant differences (P

The woody vegetation of Lake Nakuru National Park occurs along rivers, lakeshores and flood plains. Four different sites within the Acacia xanthophloea woodlands were selected for the study. Vegetation structure was not significantly different in the four woodlands used for the study, but these sites differed in the relative density of Acacia trees. Regeneration of A. xanthophloea differed in each site, with the highest regeneration rates found in the nonfenced plots where browsing took place.