Biodiversity of Laikipia (Kenya)

Laikipia County (c. 9,700 km²) is demarcated by Mount Kenya (5,200 m asl) to the east and southeast, Aberdares Range (4,000 m asl) to the south and southwest, Eastern (Gregory) Rift Valley (c. 970 m asl) to the west, Karisia Hills (2,580 m asl) to the north-west, Mathews Range (2,688 m asl) to the north, and Samburu National Reserve (c. 900 m asl) to the north-east.

Through Laikipia County there is considerable variation in geography, altitude, rainfall, soil, flora, fauna, human population density, and land use. Laikipia ranges in altitude from 1,260 m (Mukutan Gorge) to 2,400 m (Enghelesha Hill). Much of Laikipia is covered by the Laikipia Plateau (c. 1,600–2,400 m asl), an area composed of a mix of flat ground mostly), undulating plains, rolling hills, steep hills (some with extensive erosion gullies), and scattered, often steep, granitic inselbergs (or “kopjes”). There are several small perennial rivers—the largest being the Ewaso N’yiro— and many seasonally dry stream channels and gullies, some of considerable size (Butynski & De Jong 2014).

A good understanding of the distribution, abundance, and ecology of the landscape's biodiversity is important to the development of effective conservation and management plans. Lolldaiga Hills Research Programme and the Laikipia Wildlife Forum initiated this Project to document the occurrence and distribution of Laikipia's impressive biological diversity. You can help by submitting your valuable observations. Thank you very much, your help is much appreciated! less ↑