research

The Center for Ecosystem Restoration Kenya (CERK) is dedicated to the advancement of ecosystem restoration practices within the Kenyan landscape. Founded on the principles of sustainability and biodiversity conservation, CERK strives to address the challenges posed by environmental degradation and habitat loss through action-oriented research initiatives and evidence-based ecosystem restoration. The overarching goal is to strengthen ecological restoration knowledge base through collaborative partnerships to benefit our organisation, the scientific community, and practitioners fostering a comprehensive understanding and informed decision-making in the ecosystem restoration process.

Research Areas

Forest restoration and monitoring

Building on the ongoing restoration work at the Brackenhurst Indigenous forest, we aim to investigate and document best practices in reforestation and afforestation. To develop strategies for restoration of degraded forest ecosystems and assess the impact of such interventions on biodiversity.

Wetland and aquatic restoration

Studying the ecological functions of wetlands in the highlands and savanna landscapes to understand their role in biodiversity conservation while also implementing and evaluating wetland restoration projects.

Savanna grassland restoration

Investigating methods to restore degraded savanna grasslands while maintaining the natural ecosystem savanna woodland and grassland balance and the dynamics of plant-animal communities in these ecosystems. The overall aim is to enhance resilience of grasslands and savanna ecosystems to the inevitable impacts of climate change and humans.

Soil health Restoration

Focusing on soil degradation processes, their impacts ecosystem health, and understanding the impact of restorative activities on soil health. Particularly, using indicators such as soil fatality and  microbiota as bio-indicators to monitor ecosystem restoration.

Invasive species management

Generally seeking to identify and control invasive species that threaten native biodiversity. The overall aim being to develop sustainable management strategies for effective invasive species control and uplifting of native biodiversity. 

Biocultural restoration

Understanding the existing Traditional Ecological Knowledge and formulating ways to integrate it in ecosystem restoration by engaging locals in restoration projects. Evaluating socio-economic benefits/impacts of restoration on local communities by conducting surveys to identify biocultural core species that have since disappeared from the ecosystem as a result of habitat destruction or overexploitation.