Biodiversity in Kenya

Biodiversity or biological diversity is the diversity of life, meaning plant and animal species richness and abundance in an area. Biodiversity is commonly identified at three levels.

1. Genetic diversity is the diversity of genes within a species. Genetic variability exists among the populations and individuals of the same species.
2. Species diversity or diversity among species in an ecosystem. "Biodiversity hotspots" are excellent examples of species diversity.
3. Ecosystem diversity, diversity at a higher level of organization, the ecosystem. This has to do with the variety of ecosystems on Earth.

   Kenya is a mega bio-diverse country with over 35,000 species of flora and fauna. Insects dominate the species diversity. This diversity is served by the variable ecosystems ranging from marine, mountains, tropical, drylands, forests, and arid lands. In addition to these are some 467 inland lake and wetland habitats covering about 2.5% of the total area. Kenyan forests are endowed with a rich array of plant and animal life. Some of the species endemic to the forest habitats are found nowhere else in the world. Since species richness tends to correlate with the annual rainfall, wetter forests are richer in species. Consequently, Kakamega Forest has the richest plant diversity in Kenya. However, coastal forests have more value as centers of endemism with many plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world.

Kenya covers a land area of approximately 583,000 square kilometers. Kenya straddles the Equator between approximately 4.5 degrees South and 4.5 degrees North latitude. With a coastline of approximately 640 km, the total area of the Kenyan Marine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extending 200 nautical miles is about 230,000 square kilometers. Thus, by area, about 28% of Kenya’s ecosystems are marine and 72% are terrestrial. About two thirds of Kenya’s land is less than 900 meters above sea level and one third is comprised of highlands. The highlands, mainly in south-western Kenya, surround five major areas of mountains or hill ranges (Mount Kenya, Mount Elgon, the Aberdares Range, the Mau Escarpment, and the Cherangani Hills). The Great Rift Valley, stretching north- south across the country, splits the highlands into a western and eastern part. The Rift Valley contains numerous closed basin saline lakes and some freshwater lakes, including Lake Naivasha and Lake Baringo in the eastern branch of the Rift, and Lake Victoria, which lies between the two Rift branches. Freshwater and saline ecosystems cover about 8% of Kenya, including rivers, lakes and wetlands with Lake Victoria, Lake Turkana, Lake Naivasha, and Lake Baringo being the four largest inland water bodies.

Kenya is endowed with diverse ecosystems and habitats that are home to unique and diverse flora and fauna. . Kenya’s rich biodiversity can be attributed to a number of factors, including a long evolutionary history, the country’s varied and diverse habitat types and ecosystems, diversity of landscapes and variable climatic conditions. About 70% national biodiversity resources are found outside the protected, while the 30% are within protected areas that include national parks, reserves, sanctuaries, gazetted forests, and heritage forests.

Kenya is rich in biological diversity. Around 25,000 species of animal and 7000 species of plants have so far been recorded, along with at least 2000 fungi and bacteria. An enormous species of plants and animals inhabit the country’s varied habitats, from its crowded and colorful coral reefs to icy alpine moorlands.

Vertebrates richness patternsViewed in Global perspective, eastern Africa is biodiversity-rich in terrestrial vertebrates, especially mammals and birds. Eastern Africa is shown in the red box. Orange and red areas indicate areas of high species richness, green and blue areas of low richness. Source: Walter Jetz.Biodiversity Atlas Kenya

Plant biodiversity

The Kenyan vascular plants diversity consisting of 7004 species comprises 1720 genera and 240 families.

Plant and fungi diversity in Kenya Kenya's 7 004 vascular plants comprise 1 720 genera and 240 families. The plant families are dominated by angiosperms (flowering plants), most of which are legumes (708 species) and grasses (576species). Other species-rich families are the Compositae (494), Euphorbiaceae (341), Rubiaceae (330),Orchidaceae (249), Acanthaceae (225), Labiatae (218) and Cyperaceae (211). Source: NMK, Biodiversity Atlas Kenya

Animal Biodiversity

Kenya retains a remarkable variety of globally important and locally valuable flagship animal species. These include birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. The diversity of Kenya's wildlife has garnered international fame.Animal biodiversity hold medicinal, agricultural, ecological, commercial, aesthetic and recreational value and is protected and saved so that future generations can experience their presence and value.

Kenya has one of the richest avifauna diversity in Africa, with around 1100 bird species recorded (Bird committee 2009).

Kenya possesses a remarkable variety of globally important and valuable animal species. These include birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.

The wildebeest annual migration: A herd of wildebeest crosses the Mara River during the great annual migration.  Due to its greatness and uniqueness, this annual crossing has been dubbed the eighth wonder of the world and makes the Maasai Mara Game Reserve a “Tourist Mecca”. © Katie Hunt/flickr. Source Biodiversity Atlas