Is Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei a fire-dependent species in Kenya’s Altimontane zone?

Sharpe's Longclaw (Macronyx sharpei), an Endangered Kenyan endemic, may be fire-dependent in Kenya's altimontane zone. Surveys conducted between 2008 and 2009 recorded low population densities of the species at high elevations (3,490–3,592 m) on Mount Elgon and Mount Kenya, suggesting suboptimal habitat conditions. The study found widespread shrub encroachment in grasslands, leading to a hypothesis that controlled fire management could be crucial for maintaining these habitats. The research highlights the need for further population estimates and testing of the fire-dependence hypothesis in Kenyan high montane massifs.

Borghesio, L., Muchai, M., Ndang’ang’a, P. K., & Njoroge, P. (2013). Is Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei a fire-dependent species in Kenya’s Altimontane zone? Bulletin of the African Bird Club, 20(2), 149–155. https://doi.org/10.5962/p.310021