The aim of my project is to understand the effects of various social and ecological factors on the densities and richness of specific indicator species in Kakamega Forest, Kenya. To do that I will construct regression equations describing how rates of change, for the variables examined, are influenced by ecological and anthropogenic factors. Because these regression analyses will share independent variables they can be considered as coupled. This means that the set of regression equations can be combined and considered as a model of the effects of anthropogenic activity on ecological aspects of the system. Sensitivity analysis can then be used to examine how altering one, or more, parameters influences the dynamics of the system. This could prove useful in developing management plans. I plan to use densities and species richness of birds as one of the measures of the effects of anthropogenic activity on biodiversity. This is because, Kakamega Forest is considered an Important Bird Area (IBA) with unique and rich avifauna and because birds have been suggested to be good biological indicators of disturbance since they respond to habitat degradation and perform important ecological functions in forests.