Aframomum orientale

There are a number of threats impacting coastal forests along the Kenyan and Tanzanian coasts, in particular habitat clearance for expanding agriculture and widespread logging for charcoal production.

Expanding urbanization is also a problem in some areas, but it is not known if this threat impacts this species. The species has been recorded from the Shimba Hills National Reserve in Kenya, however, high elephant density in the park has impacted the vegetation (Kahumbu 2002, Luke 2005), in addition gingers are often eaten by elephants (M. Newman pers. comm.), so this species is likely to have been impacted by elephants.

The species has been recorded from Buda Forest Reserve which has suffered from extensive logging in the past and is adjacent to a titanium mine that will probably affect the water regime.

The species occurs in the Shimba Hills National Reserve in Kenya, where not much protection was provided from the impacts of elephant foraging. Management of elephant numbers, including exclusion from forested areas, was suggested as a conservation measure for Shimba Hills; however in the present, the elephant numbers have been reduced drastically both by translocation and poaching.

Although recorded from a second protected area, the Buda Forest Reserve has also been affected by logging in the past and could be indirectly damaged by mining activities occurring in the proximity. Further efforts to protect the coastal forests from the numerous threats are required.

Further research on this poorly known species is required, it may be more widespread than is currently thought and it is not known if the species is used or not. The population and habitat trends should be monitored. No plants are recorded to be in ex situ conservation (BGCI 2018).