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Kenya: Tree Threatens Water Levels, Says Expert
Nairobi - Environmental experts fear that the fast expansion of eucalyptus plantations in the Lake Nakuru water catchment is likely to reduce water tables.

According to a research scientist, Mr Jackson Raini, small-scale farming in both gazetted and non-gazetted forests in the Lake Nakuru water catchment areas had increased the number of eucalyptus trees.
 
Several farmers and timber traders started growing eucalyptus after the ban on logging in government forests in 1999.

The fast-growing varieties of the eucalyptus species planted a year after the ban are now being harvested for wood and electric posts.

Impact assessment

The trees have raised concern to conservationists because they draw a tremendous amount of water.

Mr Raini says a mature eucalyptus tree draws an average of 200 litres of water per day.

In a paper on conservation of the catchment, he calls for a comprehensive ecological impact assessment to forestall decline in water supplies around the Lake Nakuru catchment.

Mr Raini, who is the managing director of FlamingoNet, an environmental conservation organisation in Nakuru, says that eucalyptus trees were known to lower the water table and to reduce salination of the soil.

Intensified forestry had been introduced to improve the rural environmental conservation, initially through the Miti Mingi Mashambani Project.

Intensified forestry is a land use system that combines trees, crops and livestock production on a single farm at the same time.

According to Mr Raini, economical returns and better ecological benefits were higher using the system compared to mono-culture farming.

Use as ornament

"The Eucalyptus grandis species is particularly being marketed and planted indiscriminately as a wonder tree that will transform the catchment from the many desirable characteristics for use as ornament, timber, firewood and pulpwood," Mr Raini said.

Fast growth also makes eucalyptus suitable as windbreak.

The tree has also been used to drain swampy areas which provide a habitat for mosquitoes that cause malaria.


http://allafrica.com/stories/200801210025.html
 

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