A Framework for Community Monitoring of Rangeland Productivity in Amboseli, Kenya

Faculty Mentor

Erica Garroutte and Dr. Fernando Galeana-Rodriguez

2025 Student Researchers

Leah Connell '27, Majors: Biology and Data Science

Thomas Lohmann '28, Major: Undeclared

Project Description

Maasai pastoralists have long been regarded as stewards of Kenya’s rangeland pastures and biodiversity, yet their practices are increasingly threatened by climate change and agricultural development. The rapid expansion of commercial agriculture, the rising frequency and intensity of droughts, and shifts in land tenure have heightened human-wildlife conflict and strained water resources and rangeland ecosystem processes in the Amboseli region. These changes in rangeland productivity and quality have prompted Maasai pastoralists to diversify their livelihoods and adapt their herding practices to build resilience to these challenges.

Maasai pastoralists possess valuable knowledge in managing dynamic rangeland resources, and while considerable research on rangeland dynamics in Amboseli exists, there is no unified framework to monitor changes in rangeland function that are relevant to both wildlife conservation and Maasai pastoralists. Community science presents an opportunity to support landscape-scale monitoring of rangelands, enabling Maasai pastoralists and researchers in Amboseli to collaborate on tracking and adapting to changes. In partnership with the Amboseli Ecosystem Trust, a team of W&M students will explore community science methods used in Kenya and globally to monitor shifts in rangeland productivity and quality amidst these changes.

 

Project ID - Format

25-005-25 - CRP Year