A standard for establishment of permanent sample plots in the mangrove forests of Kenya

Abstract

Permanent sample plots (PSPs) have been used in forestry to gather long term data that guide development and review of management plans. Mangrove ecosystems face multiple threats due to both anthropogenic and natural causes, and establishing status and trends would go a long way to guide sustainable management. KMFRI came up with simple guidelines in 2014 for establishing PSPsin mangroves and has since applied the same in setting up plots in Lamu- Matondoni, Malindi-Marereni, Mombasa-Tudor Creek, as well as in Kwale- Sii Island and Upper Mwena. Borrowing from the lessons learnt over the years while monitoring, the institute has no.•.~ prepared this standard to facilitate replication of PSPsin all mangrove patches along the coast of Kenya. While the standard has been prepared for Kenya, it could be modified and applied to the Western Indian Ocean (WID) due to the numerous similarities known to exist in the mangrove ecosystems across the region KMFRI takes cognizant of the challenges facing the marine environment and that keep escalating by the day. As a result, the institute has been in the forefront of conducting innovative research to enhance sustainable utilization of all aquatic resources in the country while enhancing their resilience in the face of emerging threats. This standard provides a step by step approach to setting up sample plots in ma ngroves for collection of long term biodiversity data