A collaborative effort between Chinese and Kenyan scientists has culminated in the launch of Kenya’s inaugural national flora collection in Nairobi. This monumental achievement bridges the gap in plant resource research within the country.
The “Flora of Kenya,” a 31-volume compilation, will meticulously catalog nearly 7,000 plant species from 223 families found in this East African nation. The inaugural volume, “Rubiaceae,” was officially released on Monday, courtesy of the Hubei Science and Technology Press and the East African Natural History Society.
This groundbreaking project stems from a partnership involving scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC), and the National Museums of Kenya. Mary Gikungu, Director-General of the National Museums of Kenya, emphasized the significance of this publication in aiding conservation efforts and driving sustainable development, stating, “The book we have just launched is very important because it provides the identity of Kenya’s flora. It sheds light on vital plant species essential for conservation and potential socioeconomic benefits.”
Gikungu lauded the collaborative efforts of Chinese and Kenyan scientists, acknowledging their vital role in preserving species critical to food security and climate resilience. Through this collaboration, the National Museums of Kenya have bolstered their researchers’ capabilities to champion grassroots habitat conservation.
Liu Weidong, Director of the Bureau of International Cooperation of the CAS, highlighted how the Flora of Kenya will illuminate the country’s diverse array of plant species, aiding their sustainable preservation. The publication’s launch reaffirmed the pivotal role of Sino-Kenyan scientific collaboration in bolstering natural resource conservation and achieving sustainability goals.
The Flora of Kenya, a product of nearly a decade of field research, showcases China’s prowess in plant science, according to Wang Qingfeng, Director of the Wuhan Botanical Garden of the CAS. Wang explained that Chinese and Kenyan scientists have conducted extensive field surveys, collected specimens, and documented new species over the past decade, contributing to a deeper understanding of botany among scientists and the general public.
Geoffrey Mwachala, Chief Scientist at the National Museums of Kenya and Editor-in-Chief of the Flora of Kenya publication, described its launch as a significant milestone in Sino-Kenyan scientific cooperation aimed at conserving iconic plant species.
Huang Guobin, Chairman of Hubei Changjiang Publishing and Media Group, the parent company of Hubei Science and Technology Press, envisioned the Flora of Kenya as a new beginning. He expressed the hope that future Sino-African cultural products would foster further profound exchanges between China and Africa.
The Flora of Kenya research project, initiated in 2015, involved extensive fieldwork, including specimen collection and the photography of thousands of plants, contributing to this comprehensive plant species publication.
