The biodiversity of northern coastal Kenya is poorly understood because security problems and poor infrastructure have discouraged access to the area. However, the wooded areas in the region have great potential for harbouring unique and rare species, including sengis or elephant-shrews (Macroscelidea). Based on recent surveys of the Boni and Dodori National Reserves, which are between the Tana River and the Somali border, the ranges of the rufous sengi (Elephantulus rufescens) and four-toed sengi (Petrodromus tetradactylus) have been extended. Although the golden-ramped sengi (Rhynchocyon chrysopygus) of coastal Kenya south of the lower Tana River was assumed to occur in the Boni forest region, this now appears to be incorrect. The Rhynchocyon east of the lower Tana River is definitely not R. chrysopygus, but rather resembles taxa found hundreds of kilometres to the south. Determining the taxonomic status of what may be a new form of Rhynchocyon will require the collection of voucher specimens and DNA tissues for detailed analyses.

The dwarf succulent euphorbia Euphorbia brevitorta (Euphorbiaceae) is a localized and potentially threatened endemic species with limited distributed across rocky grasslands in central and southern Kenya. The pollination ecology and seed dispersal of E. brevitorta was investigated by direct observation. Euphorbia brevitorta relies on pollinators for fruit-set as it bears separate male and female flowers on the same plant, but appears to be self-compatible. Euphorbia brevitorta was found to have a generalist pollination system, with insects being the main pollinators. Pollinators of E. brevitorta comprise a wide range of insects from three different orders: true flies (Diptera), ants, bees and wasps (Hymenoptera) and beetles (Coleoptera). Flies, wasps and honeybees were found to be the most efficient transporters of pollen between different individual plants and carried the highest volumes of pollen. Observations of pollinators revealed adequate pollination and high visitation rates by pollinators. Seed dispersal was found to occur in two stages: localized dispersal from explosive capsules up to∼2 metres from the plant, followed by limited secondary dispersal by ants further away. Euphorbia brevitorta relies on both pollinators and seed dispersal for adequate recruitment and survival in its natural habitat.

Forest and woodland cover and change were calculated for the Zanzibar-Inhambane biogeographical region of Tanzania and Kenya from ∼1990 to ∼2000. A cover and change map was derived from high-resolution satellite imagery from Landsat and supplemental data from aerial overflights, field surveys, and local knowledge. Analyses showed that around 6820 km² of coastal forest habitat remained in ∼2000 (2260 km² in Kenya and 4560 km² in Tanzania). In terms of change, a total of 424 km² (6%) of forest was cleared between ∼1990 and ∼2000; 53 km² in Kenya and 371 km² in Tanzania. Rates of forest loss were 8 times higher in unprotected areas than in protected sites such as Forest Reserves and National Parks. Key Biodiversity Areas had forest loss rates 2.5 times faster than protected areas while Alliance for Zero Extinction sites had the slowest rates of forest loss for the region. These baseline forest cover and change estimates along with future updates can contribute to national and sub-national carbon emission baselines and assessments of species threat within the global Red List.

The group of forested mountains known as the Taita Hills are the northern-most montane blocks of the Eastern Arc Mountains, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot. They are surrounded by the dry Tsavo plains. Until the present study no comprehensive survey of the amphibian fauna of Taita Hills covering the entire altitudinal gradient had been conducted. In this study details on the distribution and life history of amphibians associated with montane forest are provided. The biodiversity importance of the Taita Hills lies with the number of endemics per unit of area of remaining forest, which is one of the highest among the Eastern Arc Mountains. Presented herein are data for these endemics and other amphibian species associated with montane forest based on our field surveys from 2005 to 2007. In addition we have included published data and those from previous collections housed at the National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi. The results indicate that the majority of the twenty-six amphibians species recorded from the Taita Hills are those of the widespread East African lowland fauna. Only six are those associated with montane forest, including three threatened endemics. Concern is raised for the protection of this endemic amphibian fauna associated with montane forest because of ongoing habitat degradation.

Kyllinga mbitheana, a new species, is described from eastern Kenya and its conservation status assessed. The species is a tufted perennial to 200 mm tall, with white inflorescences and glumes to 2.5 mm long. Kyllinga mbitheana is most similar to K. microbulbosa and K. brunneoalba, but is unique in Kyllinga, being the only species with a spikelet bearing up to ten fertile flowers. The spikelet has an indeterminate rachilla with distichously arranged glumes, and the floral ontogenetic pattern is similar to that of other Cyperoideae. The diagnostic laterally compressed nutlets can be observed in the ontogenetic phase, where the dorsiventrally orientated stigma primordia give rise to a laterally flattened ovary. The pollen grains have one distal pore and five lateral colpi, have micro-echinate sexine, and tapetum is covered by orbicules. This taxon is potentially insect pollinated.