CERK Team: Andrew Gichira, Jonathan Jenkins Drive Kenya Restoration

This team profile from CER-K showcases Andrew Gichira as Botanist & Research Manager, holding a PhD in Botany specializing in conservation genetics and an MSc in Botany, alongside Jonathan Jenkins, Director with an MSc in Land and Ecosystem Restoration. It details practical regenerative techniques applied at CER-K's Highland Hub since 2019, including restoration design for botanic gardens and forests, culminating in accrediting Brackenhurst Botanic Garden and Forest as Kenya's first BGCI site in 2021. Key methods involve ecological assessments using Gichira's genetic tools—e.g., AFLP markers for population structuring—to select propagules matching local genotypes, preventing outbreeding depression. Jenkins' leadership implements phased restoration: site preparation via mechanical scarification and biochar amendments, planting pioneer species (e.g., Acacia spp.) for nitrogen fixation, transitioning to climax communities with canopy trees like Podocarpus. Monitoring protocols track 25 biodiversity indicators, including herbivore pressure and mycorrhizal colonization rates (>60% target). Practical insights include adaptive strategies like rotational grazing to mimic wildebeest migrations, enhancing soil fertility (N increase 15-25 kg/ha) and resilience to droughts. CER-K's projects restore degraded farmlands by integrating agroecology: intercropping with high-value natives, establishing seed orchards for 50+ species, and community training in vermicomposting for nutrient cycling. Outcomes: 200% increase in bird diversity, bat foraging hotspots driving pollination, and ecosystem services valued at $5,000/ha/year. Gichira's research informs fire management—prescribed burns at 2-3 year intervals to reduce fuel loads and promote serotinous species germination. For practitioners, it provides blueprints: hub-based scaling models, genetic protocols (e.g., minimum 50 individuals per population), and social integration via cooperatives managing restored areas. This resource excels in depth, linking team expertise to replicable techniques for biodiversity hotspots, emphasizing regenerative principles like holistic grazing and functional diversity to rebuild ecosystem services in human-impacted tropics.