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In this lesson we are going to discuss the importance of forests to Kenya

Answer Text:
Importance of Forests to Kenya
1. Forests are water catchment areas which supports agriculture and H.E.P. generation.
2. Forests provide us with wood fuel e.g. firewood, charcoal and saw dust.
3. Forests prevent soil erosion by their roots binding the soil together, reducing run off thereby reducing incidents of flooding and dam siltation.
4. Forests are habitats of wild animals which are a tourist attraction which brings foreign exchange used to
import goods and services and fund development projects.
5. Forests are a disposal system for carbon dioxide which they use in photosynthesis and release oxygen thereby purifying air and reducing global warming.
6. Forests increase soil fertility when leaves fall and rot forming humus.
7. Forests regulate the climate of an area by creating a micro climate causing heavy and frequent rain by
evapotranspiration and lowering temperatures.
8. Forests are a source of timber for construction and furniture making.
9. Forests beautify the environment by flora (plants) and fauna (animals).
10. Some forest’s trees are a source of medicine.
11. Presence of forests has led to the development of infrastructure as roads have been constructed to make
forests accessible.
12. Forests provide employment to people e.g. forest guards, forest officers, lumberjacks, carpenters and
timber merchants.

Importance of Forest Products
1. Forests are a source of food e.g. fruits, honey, mushrooms and bamboo tender leaves which are used for vegetables.
2. Forests provide wood used for manufacture of paper, soft boards, ply wood etc.
3.Animals in forests are hunted for food, skins and horns.
4. Leaves of trees and forest undergrowth are used as livestock fodder.
5. Forests provide wood which is used in cottage industries for making carvings and wooden utensils which are
sold locally and exported.
6. Forest flora and fauna are a rich reservoir for research.