mzeiya
Elder Lister
A map showcasing the tree cover in Kenya (average canopy height of 3m).
While Kenya has limited forest cover (only 6%) the country has a significant canopy coverage that is not necessarily forested. @KeForestService classifies forests as areas having > 30% tree cover.
It goes without saying that the areas with the highest average canopy height and forest coverage are the main water towers in the country (Mt. Kenya, Aberdares, Mau and Cherangany Hills).
Mt. Elgon on the Uganda border also ranks in this category.
The main water towers are highland areas. In adjacent localities, highland relief rainfall and good soils support agricultural activities. While limited in size, these areas are some of the most densely populated. Kericho (pictured) adjacent to Mau is an example.
Areas with limited canopy coverage tend to be savanna or (semi) deserts. Aside from Chalbi & Taru deserts, the highlighted areas are low-lying savanna/semi-arid areas that support great pastoral herds. These include counties like Tana River, Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit & Turkana.
Mandela, Wajir and sections of Marsabit county (near Moyale) have significant canopy coverage relative to other areas in northern Kenya. Incidentally, these are also the areas with the largest camel herds which largely graze on trees.
Finally, the only areas in the North (outside of Wajir and Mandera) that have significant canopies are river valleys. These are found along Turkwel, Kerio, Ewaso Nyiro and Tana rivers.
The ever resourceful @GwiliGibbon is the cartographer behind this map.
Source: Kenyan Geography
While Kenya has limited forest cover (only 6%) the country has a significant canopy coverage that is not necessarily forested. @KeForestService classifies forests as areas having > 30% tree cover.
It goes without saying that the areas with the highest average canopy height and forest coverage are the main water towers in the country (Mt. Kenya, Aberdares, Mau and Cherangany Hills).
Mt. Elgon on the Uganda border also ranks in this category.
The main water towers are highland areas. In adjacent localities, highland relief rainfall and good soils support agricultural activities. While limited in size, these areas are some of the most densely populated. Kericho (pictured) adjacent to Mau is an example.
Areas with limited canopy coverage tend to be savanna or (semi) deserts. Aside from Chalbi & Taru deserts, the highlighted areas are low-lying savanna/semi-arid areas that support great pastoral herds. These include counties like Tana River, Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit & Turkana.
Mandela, Wajir and sections of Marsabit county (near Moyale) have significant canopy coverage relative to other areas in northern Kenya. Incidentally, these are also the areas with the largest camel herds which largely graze on trees.
Finally, the only areas in the North (outside of Wajir and Mandera) that have significant canopies are river valleys. These are found along Turkwel, Kerio, Ewaso Nyiro and Tana rivers.
The ever resourceful @GwiliGibbon is the cartographer behind this map.
Source: Kenyan Geography
