About Us

The concept for the Kenya Wetland Biodiversity Research Team (KENWEB) was developed in May 2010 bringing together a multi-disciplinary group of wetland experts and strengthening existing linkages among member institutions. The team so far consists of five permanent members from the National Museums of Kenya, University of Nairobi and Kenya Wildlife Services, three temporary members from the French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA) and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UK). Students in the project include:Â two undergraduates; two Master's and four PhD students mentored by various members of the team. Plans for linkage with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology are also under negotiation. Members of KENWEB are also involved in outreach to secondary schools science clubs through collaboration with programmes by the French Embassy in Kenya. Over the last fifty years, Kenyan wetlands have experienced major changes due to climate change, land use changes, upper catchment impoundments, agricultural development through irrigation schemes and species introductions. The effects of these changes have led to the loss of livelihoods for communities that are directly dependent on wetland resources. Rapid biodiversity loss in these wetlands has created a need for better assessments of the ecosystem functions, socio-economic values and important biodiversity.