Alfayo Koskei
Other projects
24 May 2023
Potential of Community-Based Ecotourism Project for the Conservation of Two Endangered Reed Frogs, A. sylvaticus & H. rebrovermicalatus in Shimba Hills, Kenya
Worldwide, 41% of the known 6,638 amphibian species are classified as threatened (Walls et al., 2016; Grant et al., 2020). According to the IUCN (2010), the number of threatened amphibian species surged from 124 in 1998 to 1,898 by 2010 (Hamer & Parris, 2011), representing 29% of all amphibian species listed on the IUCN Red List and surpassing other animal categories in terms of extinction risk.
This project aims to involve local communities in the conservation of habitats for endangered species within the Shimba Hills Ecosystem (SHE), situated in Kenya's southern coastal forests. As part of the East African biodiversity hotspot, SHE boasts high levels of endemism, including two target species in this project: the Shimba Hills reed frog (Hyperolius rubrovermiculatus) [EN] and the Forest spiny reed frog (Afrixalus sylvaticus) [VU]. Both amphibian species are in decline and face significant extinction risks (Malonza et al., 2018).
Primary threats to their survival include habitat loss driven by rapid human population growth, urban and agricultural expansion, unplanned infrastructure projects, and unsustainable wetland and riparian zone use, including grazing, burning, drainage, and the introduction of exotic tree species (Bwong et al., 2017; Koskei et al., 2022).
This project aims to assess species distribution, evaluate habitat conditions, promote community education and awareness, and implement nature-based ecotourism initiatives to support habitat restoration and protection.