NATVKA] 60 Oif^Ass^oors i»h Seeds Pfttp ?M By Din artins dino lei org A crisp rustle permecf as the wind rushes With a whisper anc with bright red, winged forms. They dance crazily about, rubbing shoulders, falling, startling small butterflies, before being whisked far out above the speckled bush, until out of sight. The wind's voice ceases as suddenly as it began and they drift down, slowly settling in the dust. They will never soar again. These are the winged seeds of the spiny scrambler Pterolobium, (Pterolobium stellatum ) common throughout drier forests and T bush in East Africa. Each Pterolobium seed bears a curved wing that catches and coaxes the wind into carrying it away from its mother- plant. This seeded, winged being is botanically known as a Samara. The Earth Summit in Johannesburg ended on an unexpected upbeat note for the Green lobby. Russia and Canada announced they will seek to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on global warming. Their decision means the treaty, including its system of trading rights to emit carbon, should now be able to take effect. Other achievements of the summit included an agreement on water and sanitation. Governments pledged to halve the number of people (about 1.1 billion) lacking clean water and basic sanitation by 2015. Delegates also agreed that international trade deals will no longer be able to ignore environment treaties' development and ecology goals. And governments promised to take action to help the poor gain access to affordable energy, though they didn’t agree on targets to boost the share of energy produced from renewable from TIME magazine dated 16 September 2002 continued from page 4 Where's the Action? The Next Steps from Johannesburg BirdLife International: a unique grouping of southern and northern conservation NGOs make a statement The planet can only be sustainable if its ecosystems work. Without a healthy environment, the quality of life of people around the world is seriously undermined. ...Since Rio, environmental degradation, especially climate change and biodiversity loss, has continued unabated. Some small steps in the right direction have been made in Johannesburg but it would be seriously misguided for world leaders or anyone else to suggest that this is enough. The summit has not shown sufficient commitment to the people of the world to make real changes to the quality of their lives, especially in developing countries. This is why BirdLife International, a global alliance of conservation NGOs with 99 Partner organizations around the world, is calling for further action resulting from the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development. We call upon likeminded governments who want a more robust plan of action to commit to a tighter set of targets and timetables for real change. We suggest that these countries show leadership in the struggle to provide a better environment for current and future generations. Specifically, we call for: • a commitment to halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010. The intention to 'significantly reduce' biodiversity loss is simply not enough. continued on page 2 NATURE KENYA, P. O. Box 44486,00100 GPO Nairobi Tel: 3749957 / 3746090 Fax: 3741049 E-mail: office@naturekenya.org Illustration from The Safari Star Guide by Alex and Joy Mac Kay Where’s the action, continued from page I ■ adoption of the ecosystems approach and the precautionary principle in social, economic and environmental policy making, including in the areas of natural resource management and trade, • increased spending on biodiversity conservation programmes by the governments of the world, without delay, • the development, through the United Nations, of an open and consultative plan of action, using the WEHAB papers on water, energy, health, agriculture and biodiversity as a basis. • adoption of a set of measurable indicators by governments to monitor national and international progress Towards sustainable development. While voluntary partnerships are welcomed, they are clearly not enough to halt environmental degradation and the advance of poverty around the world. The alleviation of poverty depends on the sustainable use of natural resources. The nations of the world must make stronger commitments which governments, civil society and the private sector can take forward to make a real difference before it is too late. Partners of BirdLife International present at the Summit: BirdLife South Africa • Association Burundaise pour la Protection des Oiseaux (ABO), Burundi • Cameroon Ornithological Club (COC), Cameroon • Canadian Nature Federation (CNF), Canada • Fondation des Amis de la Nature (NATURAMA), Burkina Faso ■ Hellenic Ornithological Society (HOS), Greece • Hong Kong Birdwatching Society • Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO), France • Nature Kenya • Nature Seychelles • Nature Uganda • Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU), Germany • Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) ■ Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand • Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), Jordan • Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), UK SalvaNatura, El Salvador BirdLife Secretariat V BirdLife INTERNATIONAL BirdLife International is a global Partnership of national conservation NGOs, with 99 members. £V£NIN6i SKY By Alex and Ian MacKay and Fleur Ng'weno This column points out the brightest stars, constellations and planets that can be seen in the early evening (about 7 to 9 pm) in October 2002. For best viewing, choose a place with few trees, and a night with few or no clouds. October Stars Look north. The constellation CYGNUS, the flying swan, is a little to the west of north. Three bright stars mark the tail and outspread wings of the swan; the long neck stretches upwards. Further west is the bright white star Vega. The great square of PEGASUS, the flying horse, is a little to the east of north. A medium-bright star is at each corner of the great square’. Between Cygnus and Pegasus, and lower on the horizon, is a zigzag group of stars - the constellation CASSIOPEIA. In the southwest, the winding constellation SCORPIUS the scorpion, and the teapot shape of SAGITTARIUS the Archer, are getting lower in the sky. On a clear, dark night, you can see the Milky Way flowing across the sky from Cassiopeia, across Cygnus and Aquila, to Sagittarius and Scorpius. The Milky Way is made up of millions and millions of stars. Planets, October 2002 Bright Venus gets lower and lower in the western sky and disappears into the sunset at the end of the month. It will pass between the Earth and the sun. In the morning before dawn, the planets Jupiter and Saturn can be seen in the eastern sky. Jupiter is close to the waning moon on October 2. Moon, October 2002 6 Oct New moon • 13 Oct. First quarter (overhead at sunset) • 21 Oct Full moon ■ 29 Oct Last quarter (rises at midnight) Looking ahead The most dramatic of sky events, an eclipse of the sun, will take place on December 4. It will be seen as a partial eclipse in East Africa. In parts of Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa and Mozambique, it will be a total eclipse. f^N^WAUS Nature Kenya programmes require your support. Please consider renewing as a sponsor member @ 3000/- Become a sponsor! In appreciation of your support we gift you one of these beautiful, full colour, (unframed) prints by British artist Martin Woodcock 2 ACTIVITIES BIRD RINGING Meet at the Museum, Nairobi Botanic Garden, at 7:00 a.m, every Thursday. SUNDAY BIRDWATCH Members meet at the National Museum Nairobi car park at 9:00 a.m. the third Sunday of every month, i.e. 20 October The members decide where to go. Bring lunch TREE WALK Guided Tree Walks in the Arboretum on the last Monday, i.e. 28 October from 9 = 30 a.m. Meet at the FONA offices beside the Girl Guides HQ. Those who are not members of FONA or Nature Kenya pay Ksh 100/- fee on arrival at the gate. WEDNESDAY MORNING BIRDWALKS Bird watching walks at sites in and around Nairobi. Meet at the National Museum car park every Wednesday at 8:45 a.m. Return about 12:30 p.m. Those who are not members can get temporary membership at Ksh 100 per birdwalk, payable on arrival at the car park. ARABUKO-SOKOKE (COAST) The Saturday birdwatch with the Arabuko Sokoke Forest Guides Association is on the first Saturday of each month i e 5 October, at 6:30 a.m. from the Visitor Centre, Gede. Cost 100/- per person. FFJ Bird Walk (Coast) Friends of Fort Jesus birdwalks are held the third Saturday of each month i.e. 19 October, at 4:00 p.m. Please call Marlene Reid on (Oil) 491 648 to confirm Ngong Road Forest Walks, Nairobi The Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary Trust Nature walks are held on the first and third Saturdays of the month i.e. 5 4 19 October, at 9:00 a.m. Meet at the stairs leading to the Restaurant at the Racecourse. Sat 5 TsFTmd^lksTNRT^iP ____ J j-jj Succulenta Excursion & JU ' - - - ---"j Walk Sat 19 FFJ Birdwalk 4 NRF walk Sun 20 Sunday Birdwalk _ ~Fn 25 4 Sat 26 R^m^tI7_ - Harvest ing Exposition __ Mon 28 Tree~WaIk _- (Sat 2 Nov iOnangop Outing) Birdwalks every Wednesday Morning Bird ringing every Thursday Morning E>di for, Catherine Ngarachu Bird Hotline 3749957 Thekla Lark, Crested Lark, White- Crowned Starling, Northern Kenya/ Aug Itai Shanni House Bunting, Lake Turkana/ Aug Bernard Chege Maccoa Duck, African Snipe, Red- throated Wryneck, Little Rock Thrush, Grey-rumped Swallow, Lolomarik Farm, Timau/ Aug Anne Powys, Shailesh Patel Kenya Birds Volume 9 1 & 2 2001 is now out and available with the October issue of Nature net! Cl- ASSlflP-VS Advertise in Nature Net Reach over 1000 members by advertising in Nature Net Rates for Classifieds: • Up to 25 words 250/- • Up to 50 words 5007- Ads • 1/4 page @ I 750/- • 1/2 page @ 3000/- with image +500/- VPOPAPATXOH Nature Kenya does not accept any responsibility whatsoever in respect of negligence of any of its staff, volunteers or members organising the outings/trips or for any loss, injury, death or damage to property. PPAHT INPt&ZNDUS! • Attract Butterflies and Birds • We can supply one tree or a forest • Over 80 species of Indigenous trees and shrubs • Well grown in large polypots and ready to plant • Large trees for ‘special occasions' • Visit the nursery for individual advice • Delivery to Nairobi Contact: Carole Hemmings 0151 47332 hemmings@africaonline.co.ke and Cottage Budget Lodgings in idyllic Surroundings Sabald River Estuary, Kenya Coast Five miles north of Mallndi lies the Sabaki River, the second largest in Kenya. The site is renowned for its many beautiful birds--Madagascar Pratincole, Mallndi Pipit, Carmine Bee-eater, Zanzibar Red Bishop, Fish Eagle, flamingoes and thousands of migratory waders, gulls and terns. This diverse landscape of tall dunes, delta wetlands, lily-covered hippo ponds and Cfiriama Tribe farms offer infinite hikes and photo opportunities. Mallndi Camp and Cottage overlooks the Sabaki Estuary. The two large rooms have private shower and flush toilet and are US $ 15.00 for single, US $20.00 for double. The campsite Is US $5.00 per night per person. Meals are available. For Reservations Contact: Mr. Rodgers Karabu, PO Box 5289 Malindi, Kenya, East Africa Email: rodgers@malindiafricaonline.com Phone: International: 00254 722 797 213-In Kenya; 0722 797213 For more information see: www.malindicampandcottage.com 3 Xiilni'filiil \ Curlier cnnlinm'tlfrom piiye I Plants everywhere are faced with the problem of seed dispersal. As plants are as a rule immobile, they rely on 'dispersal agents' to carry their seeds out into the world. TlfF-LP TKIPS YOUTH Committee Excursion Saturday 12 October ‘02 9.00 a.m. The advantages of spreading seeds as far and wide as possible are manifold. Firstly, widely dispersed seeds reduce competition for light, food, water and space around the parent plant. If all seeds fell on the ground and germinated around their parent plants, few would survive due to limited resources Other reasons for wide seed dispersal are related to genetic investment and reproductive success of plants. Seeds carry the plant's genes, therefore, the further away these are established, the healthier for the population in the long run. This will allow for better .mixing of genetic material in subsequent generations. The wind will sow some seeds 'on stony ground,' where they will die and Some ‘on paths,' where they will be eaten by birds. However, the wind also plants some of these seeds on 'fertile ground,' where nourished by soil, sunlight, rain and air, they thrive. Therefore, in terms of reproductive success, the more seeds spread over the most space in a given habitat simply increases the overall chances of survival. Here in East Africa, hundreds of plant species, with seed structures as varied as the plants themselves, rely on wind dispersal. This includes many familiar trees, including Jacaranda, Nandi Flame, Combretum, Terminalia, Tipuana, and Markhamia. Their abundance points to the success of wind dispersal. The seeds themselves vary from the samara rotor- blades of Tipuana, to the multiple winged box-kites of Combretum, to the papery confetti flakes of the Jacaranda, Nandi Flame and Markhamia. Other species such as the tree Bombax, the milkweed Gomphocarpus, as well as the common dandelion, rely on a mesh of ultra-fine hairy fibres. These trap the slightest puff of breeze, sending the seed spiraling out into the great blue yonder, to face the perils and joys of the world. Meet at Kenya Cinema, Moi Avenue at 9:00 a.m. (those who will be using public means) or meet at the KWS main car park at 9;30 a.m. Bring a picnic lunch and some cash for your 50/- entry fees and bus fare. Book at the Nature Kenya front office by Friday 11 October '02 SUCCULENTA Excursion Saturday 12 October ‘02 10:00 a.m. Join up with the Kenya Horticultural Society (KHS), to visit Waridi Ltd. Athi River, and John Wright's garden. Bring along your own picnic lunch, chairs, hats and drinks. October is warm and sunny! £V£Nr$ 'Rainwater Harvesting for a Better Life' 3RD Rainwater Harvesting Exposition On Friday 25 & Saturday 26 October '02; At the National Museums, Nairobi, Louis Leakey Hall, car park; Entrance free ALL WELCOME Know Kenya Course Monday 4- Thursday 14 November ‘02 For more information contact Kenya Museum Society on tel 3743808/3750136 info@KenyaMuseumSociety.org; Offices open Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. or check out their website at www.KenyaMuseumSociety.org The plan is to assemble at John Wright's house at 10:00 a.m. John, assisted by Len Newton and other succulent specialists will guide us round the extensive collection of succulents and other interesting plants. Next is Andy Cameron, who has a very different garden, as his specialities are.indigenous trees, ornamental ponds and fish. By this time we should all be ready for our picnic lunch. After lunch we will be shown round the rose greenhouses of Waridi Ltd, and for those with enough energy at the end of the day, John Wright, Barry and Andrew Cameron will show us their greenhouse collection of ornamental plants and indigenous tree nursery. A selection of each will be available for sale. Directions: Proceed down the Mombasa Road for approximately 26kms from Nyayo Stadium roundabout, turn left onto rough dirt road with KHS sign and also a sign for Danana School There will be KHS signs all along the road. The Waridi farm is about 8 kms from the main Mombasa Road, please be careful on this rough road. Outing to Kinangop North Saturday 2 November '02 Take a picnic and come enjoy a relaxing day birdwatching and walking on the grasslands of the Kinanop Plateau and the gardens of a guest house with spectacular views. Book at the Kenya Museum Society office, with your Nature Kenya membership card and 300/- (chitdren 200/-) Meet at the National Museum, Nairobi car park to depart at 7:30 p.m. 4