Red List of Ecosystems in Kenya

Coral Reefs in Kenya

Kenya’s coral reefs have been assessed using the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems framework, with a significant study published in November 2024 in Conservation Science and Practice. Led by Mishal Gudka of CORDIO East Africa, this study conducted a 50-year evaluation of Kenya’s coral reefs and classified them as Endangered. Key findings include:

  • Degradation Trends: Over the past five decades, there has been a marked decline in key ecological components such as hard corals, macroalgae, parrotfish, and groupers. More than half of the monitored sites saw parrotfish and grouper populations drop by over 50%, and coral cover decreased by at least 30%.

  • Contributing Factors: Overfishing, climate change-induced rising sea temperatures, and pollution have been identified as major threats. These factors disrupt biotic processes and degrade the abiotic environment, pushing the reefs toward collapse.

  • Management Insights: Some sites with healthier ecosystems benefited from measures like no-take zones, which improved fish populations. The study recommends prioritizing these areas for protection and targeting degraded sites with restoration potential (e.g., coral gardening) to align with global biodiversity goals, such as those in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

This assessment highlights the reefs’ critical role in supporting food security, job creation, and coastal protection in Kenya, underscoring the urgency of tailored conservation actions.

Mangrove Ecosystems

Kenya’s mangroves, found along the coast in counties like Lamu, Tana River, Kilifi, Mombasa, and Kwale, have also been evaluated under the RLE framework. A global assessment published in May 2024 indicated that 50% of mangrove ecosystems worldwide are at risk of collapse by 2050, with Kenya’s mangroves included in this vulnerable category:

  • Risk Status: While specific RLE classifications for Kenya’s mangroves (e.g., Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered) vary by region, they face significant threats from deforestation, development, pollution, and climate change impacts like sea-level rise and severe storms.

  • Extent: Lamu hosts the largest mangrove forests in Kenya (92,293 acres), followed by Kilifi, Kwale, Mombasa, and Tana River. These ecosystems are vital for carbon storage, coastal protection, and fisheries support.

  • Conservation Needs: The global study emphasizes the need for coordinated efforts to restore lost mangrove forests and protect existing ones, a priority relevant to Kenya given its coastal dependence on these ecosystems.

Broader Context in Kenya

Kenya’s diverse ecosystems—ranging from savannahs and forests to freshwater lakes and grasslands—have not all been systematically assessed under the RLE at a national scale. However:

  • Forests: Kenya’s forests, critical for agriculture, tourism, and water catchment, face threats from degradation, fires, and climate change. Over 350 vascular plant taxa are classified as threatened, with coastal forests like Arabuko Sokoke and Kaya forests being particularly at risk.

  • Grasslands and Savannahs: These support Kenya’s iconic wildlife and national parks, but their RLE status remains less documented compared to marine ecosystems.

  • Freshwater Systems: Covering about 8% of Kenya’s surface area, lakes and wetlands are biodiversity hotspots, yet they are under pressure from human activity and climate shifts.

Connection to Global Goals

The RLE assessments in Kenya align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, supporting targets like enhancing ecosystem resilience (Goal A), spatial planning (Target 1), restoration (Target 2), and sustainable harvesting (Target 5). The Red List Index of Ecosystems (RLIE), a summary metric, helps track progress toward these goals by quantifying collapse risk across ecosystems.

Conclusion

As of March 02, 2025, Kenya’s coral reefs are explicitly classified as Endangered under the RLE, while its mangroves are part of a globally threatened group, likely ranging from Vulnerable to Endangered depending on local conditions. Other ecosystems, such as forests and grasslands, require further systematic RLE assessments to provide a comprehensive national picture. Conservation efforts, informed by these assessments, are critical to reversing degradation trends and securing Kenya’s ecological and economic future. For the latest updates or specific ecosystem statuses beyond coral reefs and mangroves, ongoing research and national RLE initiatives would need to be consulted.