Perceived effects of climate change on plants in Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Abstract

Contemporary news is inundated with messages of climate change and its potential harmful effects on human and natural systems. Vegetation forms the great majority of the biomass on earth today, and hence, the greatest impacts of climate change in the country could operate through its influence on plants. However, despite the barrage of information on climate change, it is not clear how people, especially those living in marginal areas. This study investigated the perceived causes and manifestations of climate change on plant community by the Maasai around Maasai Mara National Reserve. The study employed a survey design to collect the pertinent data. The target population was all the 1,500 people who consisted of opinion leaders of the local community, local community members, and managers of the MMNR. The study found that practically every respondent drawn from both the employees of the MMNR (96%) and the neighbouring Maasai community (97%) had heard of climate change and most respondents (77%) considered themselves as ‘somewhat knowledgeable’ about climate change. Perception of climate change was influenced by their gender, age and education level, with older age, better education and being female being associated with greater knowledge. Most respondents (81%) considered deforestation to be the cause of climate change, followed by overharvesting of indigenous trees (72%), and human settlement (71%). Erratic rainfall were the most important manifestation of climate change by 78% , followed by droughts (72%), floods (53%), and increased temperatures (46%). Most respondents felt that climate change influenced changes in plant species composition, species distribution patterns, changes in plants’ adaptation strategies, changes in plant species diversity, emergence of alien plant species, and changes in vegetation cover. The study recommends dissemination of knowledge about climate change to its citizens and stop habitat destruction. Key words : Climate change, Plants, Tourism, Perceived Effects