Traditional Uses and Ex-Situ Conservation of Warburgia ugandensis around Katimok Forest Reserve, Kenya

Abstract

Different tree species provide a wide range of local livelihood options, including firewood, timber, and medicinal uses, among others. Specifically, traditional medicine significantly contributes to primary health care with a sizable number of people heavily depending on traditional medicine, while many others have used medicinal plants at one time or another. For instance, Warburgia ugandensis is mainly utilised for its medicinal value in many rural areas. Furthermore, people living in rural areas depend on the herbal medical system due to their firm beliefs and limited access to allopathic medicine. Traditionally, indigenous plant species are used to treat diseases that affect both humans and livestock. Consequently, the wide use of medicinal plants such as Warburgia ugandensis has increased commercial collection, unregulated trade, and habitat loss, with the imminent danger of the plant species being threatened. To further compound the problem, few or no medicinal plant species are cultivated on farms. Therefore, the study aimed to analyse traditional uses and examine ex-situ conservation measures of Warburgia ugandensis around Katimok Forest Reserve in Baringo County, Kenya. The primary data was collected using household survey questionnaires and key informant interviews. The key informant interviews and household surveys were done by randomly sampling 345 respondents. One-way ANOVA and SPSS version 28.0.1 were used to analyse the data. Tables, charts and a histogram were used to present data in frequencies and percentages. All the statistics were considered at 95% confidence levels. The results revealed a significant difference in existing ex-situ conservation measures (F (2,9) =63.55, P-Value=4.92) and traditional uses of Warburgia ugandensis in the study blocks around Katimok Forest Reserve (F (3,12) = 109.66, P-Value=5.49). Medicinal use is the most predominant among the other uses. Additionally, there are limited ex-situ conservation measures for important plant species. Therefore, there is an immediate need to promote the ex-situ conservation of invaluable medicinal plant species to enhance the sustainability of traditional uses.