Significance of Bird Monitoring in Promoting Ecotourism Fred Barasa Munyekenye Nature Kenya

Outline Why birds IBAs Characteristics of Ecotourism Opportunities of avifauna in ecotourism Challenges to ecotourism

Why birds?—(1) Birds are a component of biodiversity, a global resource of immense value, largely ignored and abused. Birds are part of the human culture, e.g. honey-guides, national emblems, stamps, hotel names, etc Birds bring people together, especially through migration. Soaring birds (Eritrea and Ethiopia, Israel/Palestine)

Why birds..(2)? Economic development Ecotourism i.e. bird watching a big industry Food i.e. sustainable game hunting, domestication of chicken, Turkey, ostrich, Guinefowl. Ecological interactions i.e. seed dispersal and pollination, pest control : Immense value Problem species: Agriculture, air travel, diseases

Birds and the environment Indicator role: Where the most biodiverse sites are located _ IBAs/KBAs Indicators of the quality of the habitats on which life depends: DDT, climate change, Management effectiveness e.g. logging

Cashing in on birds Economic development Birds are beautiful, well researched and their distribution known and hence good for Ecotourism –i.e. Bird watching a big industry Why birds..(2)?

Why birds (3)

These elegant birds and other biodiversity need to survive

Birds are beautiful

The IBA programme is Worldwide project of BirdLife International Identifies, monitors and protects a network of critical sites for the world’s birds Nature Kenya’s conservation action for IBAs is both at national and site level i.e. Species actions plans Identification monitoring of IBAs The development and empowerment of Site Support Groups (SSGs) linking conservation with development and poverty alleviation thro income generating activities Birds & IBAs

Important Bird Areas (IBAs) The IBAs are sites of global biodiversity conservation importance, chosen using agreed-upon, objective, quantitative and scientifically defensible criteria. Aims at identifying, monitoring and protecting a network of critical sites for the worlds birds Sites with high diversity of birds ALSO show high diversity of plants, mammals and invertebrates life

What makes a Site Qualify? 1.0 Globally threatened bird species - species of global conservation concern/threatened with extinction 2.0 Restricted - Range species: Species whose total distribution range on earth is <50,000KM Biome restricted species - Birds Species restricted to particular broad habitat types Congregations of Bird Species-Where large population of birds occur together annually or seasonally

Kenya’s IBA sites

Ecotourism Is environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations

Characteristics of ecotourism Involves travel to natural destinations Builds environmental awareness Provides direct financial benefits for conservation Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people Respects local culture

Equipment & Training

Nature-based sustainable enterprises and forest conservation

19 Birdwatchers at IBAs

Birds, bird watching & Sustainable Natural Resources use and management Ecotourism is a form of tourism that can favour conservation The communities appreciate biodiversity because of the monetary benefits/income they get as –Small businesses –guides/naturalists –Income from accommodation/bandas –Curios/crafts Ecotourism also creates awareness about biodiversity conservation because of the little impact it has on the environment

Monitoring Basic Detailed Common Bird Monitoring

Bird Monitoring

Monitoring in Kinangop Grasslands

Monitoring Wetlands

Challenges & Threats to Ecotourism Lack of access to markets for local communities involved in ecotourism Lack of capital for local entrepreneurs e.g. Communities Changes in culture of local communities Mass tourism Poor infrastructure (roads, communications etc) Lack of capacity – ecotourism still remains a new concept therefore a lot of awareness raising on its opportunities needed Large areas remain almost unexplored by ornithologists Insecurity (e.g. northern Frontiers)

Loss and modification of habitat – forests, wetlands & moist grasslands. Land cover change that destroys/devalues the integrity of sites Challenges & Threats to Ecotourism

Threats and challenges to ecotourism Alien species (Water hyacinth, House crows) Conflict between economically sustainable and environmentally sustainable Pollution by agro-chemicals/industrial wastes i.e. Lake Naivasha Use of chemicals e.g. Furadan, Diclofenac in wildlife poisoning especially birds and mammals

Conclusion Sustainable natural resources is possible and feasible. Key ingredients are: –Good data –Good planning –Empowering stakeholders to take action –Good decisions at policy level

Acknowledgements Local Conservation Partners (LCPs)

Thank you!!