Woody plants of the University of Eldoret: a Taxonomic Perspective
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This study was conducted at the University of Eldoret for a period of one year ending March 2013.The primary objective was to develop a checklist with taxonomic key of the woody plants and ascertain their common usage including levels of diversity at extra genera level. The research design involved stratifying the study area into four blocks and several transects from each developed after a reconnaissance survey. Interlocking transects was used to ensure the taxonomic integrity of the data collected and reduce margins of error as data collected can’t be extrapolated. The actual data collected was: Photographs, voucher specimens, diagnostic characters that remain on site and those volatile on specimens, Plant uses, and scientific names. To identify specimens, standard methods were used .To generate the identification key, a taxa character matrix was developed for identified species using botanic Latin vocabulary. The final compilation and analysis was achieved through use of several instruments, The Microsoft excels and PAST soft wares proved handy. Descriptive data was presented has been presented in tables, lists, graphs etc. One hundred and thirty six species in one hundred and fifteen genera representing forty two families were identified of which eight three and fifty three were of exotic and native origins respectively. The main life form was trees with pseudo arboreus being the least in representation. The ornamental use was most predominant and swamp block was most diverse in species composition but the residential area was the richest in species population most probably due to non-interference at the earlier and size (area) factors at the later. The final submissions of the investigator are that the findings of the study be adopted as part of the teaching and testing curriculum either in fully or in modified version. and to redesign the plant labels in the campus to in cooperate plant nomenclatural details , also the institution should subscribe to services like BRAHAMS, Global plants and virtual field herbarium to simplify plant taxonomy research, and lastly conservation measures in the so far only undisturbed ecosystem be instituted.
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