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Savannah Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystems Center

Savannah Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystems Center

Savannah, Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystem Department (SASAE) is headquartered at Tsavo Research Center in Tsavo East National Park. It has sub- centers in Ruma National Park, Maasai Mara National reserve, Meru National Park, Tsavo West National Park, Nairobi National Park, Amboseli National Park, Nakuru National Park and Marsabit National Park. Spatial coverage is mainly the National Parks and Reserve and their influence zones. Arid or semi-arid Savannah cover at least 60% of the Kenyan land space, are fragile ecosystems characterized by large herds of fauna and livestock, natural resources dependent rural human communities, scattered trees or shrubs mixed with grass, distinct wet season and dry season, hot conditions, large fires which play a key role in maintaining vegetation.

SASAE undertakes research and disseminates skills and knowledge around the seven (7) WRTI programmes including facilitating students’ field-based practice for sustainable conservation of wildlife and habitat resources.

  • Savanah, Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystem Centre in Tsavo. It has five (5) sub-centres in Maasai Mara, Meru, Nairobi, Amboseli and Marsabit;
  • Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Centre in Malindi with a subcenter in Shimba Hills NR;
  • Montane/Forest Ecosystem Centre in Mweiga (Nyeri) with sub-centres in Kitale & Kakamega
  • Inland Waters and Wetlands Centre in Naivasha with sub-centres in Kisumu and Lake Nakuru National Park.

The core areas of research in future will focus on:

  • Elephant demography and group structure in Tsavo East National Park as a result of frequent droughts
  • Modelling the spatial distribution and occurrence of Prickly Pear (Opuntia Stricta) in the Southern part of Tsavo East National Park and Its adjacent areas, Kenya
  • Understand the impact of translocated species on habitats and their management implications
  • Population dynamics of endangered wildlife species
  • Distribution, threats and population dynamics of carnivores in the savannah arid and semi-arid ecosystem.
  • Carrying capacity of the savannah arid and semi-arid ecosystems especially on the elephants and other ungulates.
  • The reproductive ecology of endangered and vulnerable species in savannah Arid and semi-arid ecosystem.
  • Effects of habitat degradation, fragmentation and loss to biodiversity in savannah arid and semi-arid ecosystems.
  • Spatial and temporal dynamics of critical mammalian populations in the savannah ecosystem.
  • Forage availability and carrying capacity assessment for giraffe and Roan antelopes in Ruma National Park
  • Understanding the Ungulate and Primate ecology in the Kibwezi Forest Reserve

Past and ongoing research projects include:

  • Understanding the inter & intra species interaction dynamics and demographic status of Topi (Damaliscus lunatus jimel) anthropogenic pressures and habitat change induced factors influencing its population growth in the Maasai Mara Ecosystem.
  • Examination of a terrestrial predator guild (between lions, spotted hyenas, and leopards) on carrion- In collaboration with University of Minnesota
  • Understanding how urbanization and its fencing has affected the conservation of biodiversity in savannah arid and semi-arid ecosystem
  • Modelling the Distribution of Dik-diks in Tsavo Conservation Area
  • Spatial and temporal distribution of birds of prey in savannah arid and semi-arid ecosystems and the threats that are limiting their population growth
  • Understanding effects of infrastructure development on wildlife movement and their habitats- In collaboration with University of Minnesota and Save the elephants
  • Understanding the distribution and habitat preference of the big Tusker in Tsavo Conservation Area- In collaboration with University of Minnesota and Tsavo Trust

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