Understanding how forest ecosystem services — including biodiversity, water, timber, and medicinal resources — support human wellbeing through food, water, and employment, while helping local communities adapt to climate change.
Challenges
The Cherangani Hills (1°16’S, 35°51’E) lie in Kenya’s Rift Valley region, spanning Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot and Trans-Nzoia Counties. Covering approximately 95,600 hectares at altitudes of 2,000–3,365 metres above sea level, this Afromontane forest is part of a global biodiversity hotspot and a Key Biodiversity Area. It provides vital ecosystem services including water supply, climate regulation and flood control.
However, the forest faces severe threats from human activities driven by rapid population growth and poverty. Communities encroach on the forest for settlements, farming, timber, charcoal, firewood and grazing, causing significant watershed degradation. This has sparked conflicts between upstream and downstream communities over increasingly scarce water resources.
Insights
The project asks: How can Cherangani Hills forests be used sustainably to maintain biodiversity, ecosystem resilience and the benefits they provide under changing climate conditions?
The project links forest ecosystem services (biodiversity, water, timber and medicine) with human wellbeing (food, water and employment) while helping communities adapt to climate change. This promotes long-term positive impacts for biodiversity, poverty alleviation and ecosystem resilience.
Ecosystem Services Assessment and Restoration Opportunity Mapping have been completed, providing robust evidence on sustainable forest management benefits. These studies demonstrate how forests, biodiversity, climate and human wellbeing interconnect, and identify interventions that benefit both biodiversity and poverty reduction. Building on these insights, our research-based solutions are being applied by government agencies, local communities and relevant actors to protect and sustainably use biodiversity for climate adaptation whilst improving resilient livelihoods and natural resource management.
Collaboration
The project’s success relies on strong partnerships between Nature Kenya, Kenyatta University, Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Kenya Forest Service, National Museums of Kenya, and Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Kenyatta University is completing the Ecosystem Services Assessment and Restoration Opportunity Mapping. The Kenya Forestry Research Institute conducts biophysical assessments to gather social-ecological evidence for sustainable forest management planning. The Kenya Forest Service uses these findings to develop participatory forest management plans implemented jointly with local communities. National Museums of Kenya biodiversity experts carry out studies assessing the ecosystem services Cherangani provides.
Local communities are both beneficiaries and essential contributors, sharing knowledge on indigenous forest use, climate adaptation and management practices that reduce threats to the forest and its biodiversity. This collaborative approach ensures research translates into practical action that benefits both people and nature.
The Cherangani Hills Forest provides essential services (water catchment, biodiversity and livelihoods) to thousands of community members, yet faces growing threats from deforestation and climate change. Our study reveals that at least 34% of the gazetted forest is already degraded and urgently needs restoration. This project offers solutions grounded in solid scientific evidence, showing how collaboration among academia, government, civil society and local communities can drive meaningful change. Local communities are central to this effort as both beneficiaries and essential partners in protecting the forest.
Dr. Paul Matiku, Executive Director, Nature Kenya,
Dr Paul Matiku is Executive Director of Nature Kenya, the East Africa Natural History Society, where he has led conservation efforts since 2001. Under his leadership, Nature Kenya has grown into a conservation powerhouse, identifying and documenting 68 Key Biodiversity Areas and establishing 30 community-based site support groups across 26 sites. His innovative approach combines scientific rigour with community engagement, protecting habitats for globally threatened species whilst empowering local communities. Dr Matiku’s strategic vision has attracted partnerships with local, regional and international organisations. He leads a dedicated team of 50 staff members driving impactful biodiversity conservation across Kenya.
Images show 2) a panoramic view of Kapolet landscape 3) Chesoi landscapes and 5) a degraded forest Chesoi
