The research center is based in Malindi, Kilifi County. It focuses on coastal and marine ecosystems research to provide scientific evidence based information to support decision-making on both marine and coastal species population dynamics, habitat status and on marine protected area (MPA) management. The center engages in long-term ecological monitoring within six MPAs including Kisite-Mpunguti, Diani-Chale, Mombasa, Watamu, Malindi and Kiunga MPA. Coastal protected areas namely; Shimba Hills National Reserve (SHNR); Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve; Tanariver Primates National Reserve (TPNR) and Boni-Dodori National Reserves in Lamu County are monitored for distribution, abundance & population structures of sable antelopes that are endemic to SHNR, elephants, primates, and for small mammals of conservation concern. Further, the research centre is responsible for the evaluation of the management effectiveness of protected areas, to identify deficiencies in management and inform on enhancing their sustainability.
This includes biannual monitoring surveys conducted in all MPAs within the coast during the North-East and South-East monsoon winds season. It helps assess current status and how populations of key marine species such as sea turtles, whales and sharks, dugongs, dolphins, coconut crabs among others change over time; if habitats within MPAs change with time; track climate change indicators, such as ocean acidity and sea surface temperature; evaluate shoreline changes; understand water quality conditions, such as in relation to clarity and pollutants; determine how people are using MPAs such as for fishing or recreation; establish fish biomass in MPAs; determine if invasive species are increasing or decreasing or showing up in areas they were not found previously; understand how extreme events, such as floods or oil spills, may affect marine ecosystems; to assess the impact of beach litter on MPAs. This provides useful information to guide in adaptive management of the marine protected areas. Recent marine megafauna aerial census in March 2023 established over 1000 dolphins and more than 400 sea turtles exist within Kenyan waters.
Currently, the centre in collaboration with Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), the Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) are engaged in a coral restoration project in Kiunga MPA.
The project is aimed at repairing and restoring coral reefs that are damaged, either naturally or as a result of human activities, so as to provide positive ecological impacts and offer socio-economic benefits such as improved community income sources through sustainable marine tourism, as well as enhancing education and awareness to tourists and the public regarding coral-friendly activities.
The programme was initiated in January, 2022 with an aim of generating more ecological information about the remaining sable antelope population in the reserve, as outlined in the National Recovery and Action Plan for the species.
Some of the population information targeted through the programme include the species population structure, distribution and identifying individuals/herds in the population. The programme is implemented through routine monitoring and seasonal counts.
A monitoring project aimed at evaluating foraging ecology and dispersal patterns of Red Colobus monkey (Piliocolobus ruformitratus) in natural and agroecosystems in TRPNR is ongoing. This entails monthly data collection on behavioral parameters, vegetation surveys and collection of home range data on the species. The project is specifically aimed at;
Findings from the study will provide an understanding on the species ecological needs such as habitat and food sources and basis to supporting conservation of agro-ecosystems as alternative habitats for Red Colobus monkey and other sympatric primate species while raising awareness to local communities on the plight of the species.
The coastal and marine protected areas are significant part of the nationally renowned habitats for rare and endangered wildlife species. However, effectively managing these protected areas is a key challenge considering lack of information among park managers on the strengths and weaknesses in management strategies.
The coastal and marine research centre reviews conservation objectives of the protected areas’ management plans, and evaluates achievements of the objectives’ indicators. This informs protected area managers on what is and is not working, and on management adjustments to make to keep on target. Currently, the centre is engaged in review and evaluation of Kisite-Mpunguti MPA management plan.