Abstract:
Mangrove forests provide harvestable wood and non-wood resources to human society globally. The current
study evaluated value chain of mangrove wood products from Lamu, Kenya, and how these impacts on resources’
sustainability. Results show that, exploitation of mangrove wood products in Kenya involves several actors,
including national regulator, licensees, cutters, transporters, stockists and the consumers. Based on the differences
between allowable and harvest data, Lamu mangroves can be said to be under-exploited. For the
1992–2018 period, an average of 223.5 scores ha
of mangrove poles were target for harvesting from Lamu.
During the same period, the harvest data indicate an average of 6.2 scores ha
1
1
yr
of mangrove poles were
removed. However, based on stand level data generated as part of this study, mangroves in Lamu are over-
exploited and stocked with non-merchantable poles. There are differentiated net income among various actors
in mangrove trade in Kenya. Mangrove cutters are among the ‘losers’ in mangrove trade value chain earning a
monthly net income of USD118.6 ±
17.9. Winners in mangrove trade is the Kenya Forest Service, Licensees,
transporters, and mangrove dealers (or stockists) in urban centers. The findings of this study are critical in
development of the harvesting plan for Lamu mangroves. The results will provide insights toward streamlining
mangrove trade for community development, revenue generation and environmental sustainability.
