Applicant notifications on access to genetic resources
Application for Access permit
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND CO-ORDINATION ACT
(No. 8 of 1999)
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
INVITATION FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
Pursuant to legal notice No. 160 of Environmental Management and coordination (Conservation of Biodiversity and Resource, Access to Genetic resources and Benefit Sharing) regulations, 2006 the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received application for access permit for the following
- DETAILS OF THE APPLICANT:
Dr. Jens Zinke
Research assistant professor, UWA/AIMS
University of Western Australia, 35 stirling Highway – WA 6009 crawley.
PROJECT TITTLE:
Evaluating Current Responses and Projecting the Effects of Climate Change on WIO and Reef Ecosystem from Historical Variability.
SPONSOR:
The project is supported by a WIOMSA MASMA grant and the advanced Geochemical Facility for Indian Ocean Research at the University of Western Australia in collaboration with Stanford University (US) and RWTH Aachen (GERMANY)
ACTIVITY:
Drilling of cores from living massive porites sp. Corals along a transect covering Mombasa, Malindi and Tana Coral Reefs.
Sample coral fragments from ancient Swahili ruins to date the Swahili settlements precisely and to simultaneously reconstruct the climate that prevailed during the various settlement periods for the past 1000 years.
The primary objective is to determine the seasonal variability in sea surface temperature (SST), the hydrological balance and sediment river discharge due to climate changes, foremost of year and decadal-scale variability. The climate baseline includes hydrological re-organization during e.g. the medieval warm period around 800-1200 AD, the Little Ice Age around 1550-1850 AD.
METHODS TO BE USED
Use commercially available hand-held pneumatic air tool (RODCRAFT) with a working pressure of 6 bars. One dive cylinder of 220 bars is needed to drill 30cm of coral core section. Each 30cm core section is broken at the base to remove the single pieces. The drill holes in the massive corals will be plugged with concrete cylinders to prevent bio-eroding organisms to damage and weaken the corals.
The element analysis will be done at the advanced Geochemical Facility for Indian Ocean Research (AGFIOR) at the University of Western Australia in Perth and at the RWTH Aachen in Germany.
Stable isotopes will be measured at Stanford University (US) in the lab of Prof. Rob Dunbar.
PROJECT DURATION
13th June 2014 to 31st may 2017
PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH:
The study proposes to examine the spatial and temporal environmental changes affecting coastal ecosystems and livelihoods in the western Indian Ocean on a historical time scale covering the last 1000 years.
- DETAILS OF THE APPLICANT:
Prof. Susan Claire Alberts
Department Of Biology
Duke University, 2813 Mcdowellrd-27705 Durham,Nc.
PROJECT TITTLE:
Research on Demography and behavior of baboons in Amboseli Ecosystem, Kenya
ACTIVITY:
Designing sampling protocols and analysis of samples that include blood, feaces, hair and tissues from the study populations of baboons in Amboseli Ecosystem.
PROJECT DURATION
11th September 2015 to 30th September 2018
PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH:
The study will generate data and information to enhance conservation and management of species in Amboseli Ecosystem
- DETAILS OF THE APPLICANT:
Dr. Daniel Rubenstein
Department Of ecology and evolutionary biology
Princeton University
25 East Frank Line Road, Pennington, New Jersey, USA 08534
PROJECT TITTLE:
Research on Wildlife behavior, ecology and ranging about vegetation, predation and livestock in the greater Laikipia-Samburu ecosystem.
ACTIVITY:
I am collecting fecal specimens from a variety of wildlife species including equine, bovine, elephant, hippopotamus, caprine, porcine, murine, canine, reptile, feline, and laporidae species.
They will be collected non-invasively after the animal has deposited the feces. The feces will be used for DNA analysis to identify the specific species fed upon.
A sample of the collected feces to be thoroughly dried and analyzed for nutrients contents. Sample of the vegetation to be collected as baseline reference, which will be similarly dried and tested for nutrients.
METHODS TO BE USED
Deploy 16 radio collars, divided evenly between the two species, and between the sexes, and distributed across the geographic area where population survey is conducted.
Use permutation tests to identify differences between the two species in their movement responses to bottom-up, top-down, and competitive forces. Used an array of statistical techniques to learn much from the rich data set primarily focusing on permutation tests and Bayesian Monte Carlo Approaches.
Test the balance between forage and water use by measuring various spatiotemporal statistics relating to water use and proximity, including distance from water, temporal correlations in such distances, and interval between successive visits to water.
PROJECT DURATION
The project will run for 5 years
PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH:
The study proposes to investigate the forces shaping interindividual interactions as well as interspecies interactions as affected by bottom-up factors ( food and water), top-down factors (predation and diseases) , and side-ways factors (completion fir resources and mutualism) , among the community of herbivorous in central Kenya.
NOTE:
The full documentation of the proposed activities is available during working hours at national environmental authority (NEMA) headquarters, popo road, off Mombasa road, P.O. BOX 67839-00200 Nairobi, Tel 020-2183718. Email: dgnema@nema.go.ke Web : www.nema.go.ke
Prof. Geoffrey Wahungu
Director General
National Environment Management Authority
ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES
Details of Applicant: Finote Aster Gijsman Kelemu
Project title
Disentangling Ecological Cascades. How the Loss of Megafauna affect Dung Beetle Food Webs and Ecosystem Services in African Savanna.
Sponsor
Rufford Foundation (6,000 Euros) and the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (5,200 Euros).
Activity
Disentangling Ecological Cascades.
Genetic Resource to be accessed
Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaedae) (Tissues, Microbial gut contents).
Specific Site in which access will be undertaken
Mpala Research Centre, Laikipia, Kenya (00 17’ N 370 52’ E)
Methods to be used
Pitfall traps consisting of cups buried flush with the ground and baited with 20g of fresh herbivore dung.
Project duration
July 2023-2025
Purpose of Research
- Characterize Dung Beetle communities across seasons and environmental gradients to; Establish which species of dung beetles are present at Mpala Research Center, Describe dung beetle food preferences across seasons and environmental gradients to understand patterns of community assembly and Facilitate dung beetle taxonomy and species identification by creating a barcode library of specimens collected at Mpala Research Center.
- Uncover the chemical mechanisms driving Dung Beetle interactions with Large Mammalian Herbivores to; Characterize the odor profiles of LMH dung and identify diagnostic chemicals and assess the attractiveness of dung and their diagnostic odors to dung beetles.
- Examine the effects of species richness on species-mediated ecological processes to; Evaluate ecosystem services (dung removal, nutrient cycling) provided by dung beetle assemblages of different sizes (i.e., species numbers).
The research aims at understanding of the structure and composition of dung beetle communities in African savannas.
ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES
Details of Applicant: Charles Kivasu Maingi
Project title
Social and Environmental Factors Affecting Fecal Glucocorticoids in Wild Female Tana River Mangabeys (Cercocebus galeritus).
Sponsor
Support from the Rutgers University (Internal funding).
Activity
Social and Environmental Factors Affecting Fecal Glucorticoids.
Genetic Resource to be accessed
Wild Female Tana River Mangabeys (Fecal samples).
Specific Site in which access will be undertaken
Lower Tana River forest fragments, Tana River Primate National Reserve.
Methods to be used: Habituation of groups and follow-up where samples will be collected non-invasively - Opportunically once feaces are dropped from a known individual.
Project duration
Saturday, July 01, 2023
Purpose of Research
- Determine the effect of environmental factors on the social behaviors of female Tana River Mangabeys.
- Determine effect of social behavior on the fecal glucocorticoids (GCs) metabolites levels among the Tana River Mangabeys.
- Determine effect of reproductive state on the seasonal variation of fecal GCs metabolites of female individuals.
The research aims at understanding the social and environmental factors affecting Fecal Glucocorticoids in Tana River.
ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES
Details of Applicant
Name: Dr. Ben Jonathan Evans
Project title
Sex chromosomes of the Marsabit Clawed frog, Xenopus borealis and other insights into frog diversity in Kenya.
Sponsor
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
Activity
Sex chromosomal determination in frogs Xenopus borealis.
Genetic Resource to be accessed
Frogs (Xenopus borealis).
Specific Site in which access will be undertaken
Taita Taveta, Kwale and Kakamega.
Methods to be used
Baited traps made from buckets, and hand held nets.
Project duration
June 1, 2022 – May 31, 2032
Purpose of Research
Study how sex determination works in X. borealis.
Contribute to understanding and documentation of amphibian (frog) diversity in Kenya.
The research aims at studying and understanding sex chromosomes in frogs.
ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES
Details of Applicant
Name Dr. Nicholas Pilfold
Project title
Social and Environmental Factors Affecting Fecal Glucocorticoids in Wild Female Tana River Mangabeys (Cercocebus galeritus).
Sponsor
Zoological Society of San Diego d/b/a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA).
Activity
Integrating ecological and social science into community- based conservation.
Genetic Resource to be accessed
African Leopard (Panthera pardus pardus)
Specific Site in which access will be undertaken
Laikipia, Isiolo and Samburu counties.
Methods to be used
Non- invasive collection in the environment and immobilization.
Project duration
September 2023 – August 2024
Purpose of Research
- Mitigate Human Leopard conflicts in Northern Kenya’s rangelands.
The research aims at understanding the drivers of Human- Wildlife conflicts.
ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES
Details of Applicant
Name :Paul Odhiambo Mireji
Project title
Expanding the Toolbox for Tsetse control in Kenya.
Sponsor
National Institutes of Health - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH-NIAID), (Grant No: R01AI169503)
Activity
Tsetse control in Kenya.
Genetic Resource to be accessed
Monitor Lizards, Bush Pigs, Warthogs, Antelopes and other bovines and angulates
Specific Site in which access will be undertaken
Ndere Island National Park, Shimba Hills National Reserve, Arabuko Sokoke National Reserve
Methods to be used
Bait traps.
Project duration
Friday, September 01, 2023
Purpose of Research
- Expand the toolbox available for tsetse population control.
- Develop Decision Support System (DSS) to monitor tsetse transmitted disease risk in Kenya.
The research aims at controlling tsetse fly transmitted diseases in Kenya.
ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES
Details of Applicant
Name :Save The Elephants
Project title: Elephant Program of Save The Elephants.
Sponsor: Save The Elephants
Activity
Tracking the African Elephant through collaring.
Genetic Resource to be accessed
Elephants
Specific Site in which access will be undertaken
Samburu County, Marsabit County, Meru County, Laikipia County, Taita Taveta County, Kajiado County, Isiolo County
Methods to be used
Elephant Immobilization.
Project duration
Continuous
Purpose of Research
Determine the eco-evolutionary causes underlying the peculiarity of elephant social and reproductive behaviors.
Determine the environmental and anthropogenic factors affecting large-scale elephant movements in the Samburu-Laikipia and Tsavo ecosystems
Investigate the impact of human activities as drivers of elephant population dynamics, with special attention to illegal killings due ivory poaching and human-elephant conflicts, among other objectives.
The research aims at developing viable and innovative long term strategies for Elephant conservation.
ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES
Details of Applicant
Name
Prof. Marina Ann Cords
Project title
The Kakamega Monkey Project: Blue monkey population monitoring for life history and
social behavior.
Sponsor
None
Activity
Monitoring the study population, including the life history and behavioral trends of
individual animals, in the unique ways possible when a population has a substantial
history of study.
Genetic Resource to be access
Blue monkey
Specific Site in which access will be undertaken
Kakamega forest station, Kakamega County
Methods to be used
Observational data collection
Project duration
Monday, January 15, 2024 to 2025
Purpose of Research
1. To enhance understanding of the reproductive biology and life history of
Kakamega Forest blue monkeys, including how these biological traits change
with age, social circumstances and environment.
2. To enhance understanding of the extent and significance of social variation, both
between and within groups, focusing on group size and within-group variation in
social profiles, and to see how such factors influence reproduction and survival.
3. To document rare but important social changes in the study animals and the
groups in which they live, such as group fissions, migrations and dynamic male
residence patterns; this documentation may contribute to Goals 1 and 2.
ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES
Details of Applicant
Name
Regina Wamuyu Kihagi
Project title
Phytochemical and pharmacological assessment of isolates from Kenyan medicinal
plants.
Sponsor
KAAD
Activity
To evaluate the phytochemicals and screen for anticancer and neuropharmacological
activities of isolates extracted by ligand from the selected Kenyan medical plants.
Genetic Resource to be access
All plant parts: seeds, leaves, fruits, stem and root bark (Craterispermum schweinfurthii,
Vismia orientalis)
Specific Site in which access will be undertaken
Kakamenga Forest station
Methods to be used
Sample collection of seeds, stem, leaves and fruits.
Project duration
June, 2023 to end June, 2024
Purpose of Research
To determine the anticancer and neuropharmacological activities of crude extracts of
selected plant species from Kenyan flora
To determine the structures of the compounds isolated by chromatographic method
from extracts of selected plant species using spectroscopic methods.
To design nanoparticles from human serum albumin for ligand fishing of compounds
from the extracts of selected Kenyan flora.
To determine the anticancer and neuropharmacological activities of the compounds
isolated by chromatographic techniques and by ligand fishing.
ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES
Details of Applicant
Name :Ms Maria Gorreti Onyango
Project title
Developng aedes aegypti saliva barcodes as a risk assessment tool for dengue
outbreaks in Kenya
Sponsor
American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Activity
To assess the prevalence of Dengue virus field-infected mosquitoes in Busia,
Mombasa, Nairobi and Lodwar.
Genetic Resource to be access
Aedes species mosquitoes
Specific Site in which access will be undertaken
Mombasa and Busia
Methods to be used
BG sentinel trapping
Project duration
January 2024 to December 2024
Purpose of Research
To determine the transmission efficiency for Dengue virus of mosquito population from
these regions and to profile the salivary microbiome of both mosquito population and
associate this to the Dengue virus transmission patterns of those regions.