Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Understanding the drivers of seagrass loss in Kenya: Evidence for the impacts of population and fishing

Mwikamba, Edward M.; Githaiga, Michael N.; Huxham, Mark; Briers, Robert A.

Authors

Michael N. Githaiga



Abstract

Seagrass ecosystems are crucial for supporting biodiversity and serve as vital fishing grounds. Unfortunately, their cover is declining globally. In Kenya, seagrass cover is falling by ~ 1.6% annually but the causes are unknown. This study investigated the possible anthropogenic drivers of seagrass decline along the Kenyan coastline. Satellite and large‐scale geographic data on population growth, chlorophyll α trends, housing, and road density were used to explore their effects on seagrass cover loss along the whole coastline. Direct investigations were conducted into the effects of seine netting and basket trapping within seagrasses. There was an average loss of 1.9 km2 per 25 km2 seagrass cover between 2000 and 2016 and a weak but significant relationship between population growth and seagrass decline, with losses concentrated in areas with the highest population density. In contrast with studies elsewhere, there was no evidence implicating eutrophication, supporting the suggestion that declines are linked to direct anthropogenic impacts such as fishing. A field experiment showed that a single instance of seine netting caused a significant loss of seagrass cover of 8.3% within the area fished, while no significant changes were observed with basket traps. These findings support the evidence that declines in seagrass in Kenya and in other African countries are anthropogenic and are linked with fishing pressure and endorse existing efforts to restrict use of seine netting within seagrasses. Understanding the status, changes, and drivers of change in seagrass ecosystems in Africa is crucial for developing effective national and local seagrass conservation plans, and for compliance with international commitments on seagrass conservation.

Citation

Mwikamba, E. M., Githaiga, M. N., Huxham, M., & Briers, R. A. (2024). Understanding the drivers of seagrass loss in Kenya: Evidence for the impacts of population and fishing. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 34(7), Article e4229. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.4229

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 5, 2024
Online Publication Date Jul 24, 2024
Publication Date 2024-07
Deposit Date Jul 16, 2024
Publicly Available Date Jul 25, 2024
Print ISSN 1052-7613
Electronic ISSN 1099-0755
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 34
Issue 7
Article Number e4229
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.4229
Keywords anthropogenic drivers, basket traps, eutrophication, fishing, population, seine netting

Files





You might also like



Downloadable Citations