ABSTRACT The continuous mining of soil nutrients with inadequate replenishment and improper soil management has resulted in poor fertility levels leading to poor harvests. Even so, researchers have come up with information and new technologies that can reverse the status of poor soils but the concern is that information on the uptake and use of these technologies is inadequate in Embu County. The objectives of this study were therefore to: (i) determine how household demographic and socioecon...
ABSTRACT Payment for Environmental Services is a concept that is increasingly being adopted as anincentive-basedapproach in natural resource management. It links the suppliers and consumers of environmental goods and services in a way that both parties can contribute to improved delivery. The main environmental goods and services traded are carbon, biodiversity, aesthetics and water. The predominant attitude towards watershed management in many parts of the world is that water will always fl...
ABSTRACT Motivation is considered as an important tool for enhancing worker’ productivity. Construction sector is not an exception. It has been empirically established that motivation has positive impact on construction worker’s productivity. Moreover, empirical studies have shown that productivity in the sector has been decreasing globally. This study therefore aims at examining the relationship between motivation, resistance and productivity and develops a model of this relationship as...
ABSTRACT Crop production in Central and Western Kenya is mainly restricted by nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) deficiency and limited investment capacity in N and P inputs by smallholder farmers. Nutrient inputs to the soil are often utilised inefficiently due to environmental factors, soil related factors (e.g., P fixation by sesquioxides) and management factors. Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) practices aim at maximizing the use efficiency of applied nutrients. This study sought ...
Abstract At present, fruit consumption in Kenya is well below Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommendations, and promotion of a diversity of indigenous fruit tree species could thereby bring significant enhancements in nutritional security, especially in rural areas. Despite the importance of IFTs in the livelihoods of rural communities and wide natural occurrence in dry areas of Kenya, their promotion has not been adequately fostered. Consequently, they remain underutilized. A surv...
ABSTRACT Over-dependence on unsustainable wood fuel and other forms of biomass energy as the primary source of fuel to meet household energy needs has contributed to environmental drawbacks. Adoption of biogas as alternative source of energy has many advantages including conserving trees, being cheap and clean. Biomass energy contributes 68% of the national energy requirements and is expected to remain the main source of energy in the foreseeable future. The main purpose of the study was to a...
ABSTRACT This research was carried out to investigate the challenges and opportunities of incorporating and teaching Environmental Education in adult literacy curriculum in Kisau Division in Mbooni-East District. The study was extended to the entire Makueni County to acquire comprehensive data regarding general administrative and management practices of the curriculum. A total of 100 adult education learners, 18 adult literacy teachers, 10 Division Adult Education Supervisors, and 3 District...
Abstract Information on heavy metals in sewage sludge is important as it forms a vital baseline for among others the detection of undesirable effects when used in agriculture as a fertilizer. The aim of this study was to determine the suitability of waste water sludge from Ruai waste water treatment plant for agricultural use. The study was carried out over a period of four months from November 2012 to February 2013. The objective of the study was to find out the levels and variations of heav...
ABSTRACT Information on wetland function in waste water treatment is very important as the information can be used to detect undesirable qualities of water. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of natural wetlands in the treatment of waste water. The study was carried out for a period of four months (November 2012 to February 2013). The objectives of the study was to find out the physico-chemical parameters of water from Limuru water and Sewerage Company and Bata Shoes Company...
ABSTRACT Kaya Mudzimuvya is one of the Mijikenda sacred forests along the Kenya Coast, whose sanctity has, to some extent contributed to its conservation. However, due to gradual detachment from the Kaya culture and attempts to sustain livelihoods, these forests have continually undergone degradation. Consequently, this has tremendously reduced the forest cover thus resulting in the loss of biodiversity. This study sought to establish the relationship between the social, cultural and eco...
ABSTRACT Small land holdings and poverty in Central Kenya have made it difficult for farmers to adequately conserve and replenish soil nutrients in their farms. Soil erosion and leaching of nutrients leading to soil acidity have been the inevitable outcome. This study was designed to determine the effect of inoculating soyabeans (Glycine max) with both mycorrhiza and rhizobium as a biological means of improving soil fertility in the acidic soils in Gatanga, Thika District. Field experiments w...
ABSTRACT Climate change is viewed as one of the greatest challenges facing humanity manifested in form of variation in amount and distribution of precipitation, ocean salinity, wind patterns and aspects of extreme weather leading to droughts and flooding, among others. These changes threaten community livelihoods, economy, ecosystems and social cohesion. Africa is particularly viewed to bear the brunt of the climate change threats mainly due to its poor economic development and low instituti...
ABSTRACT Information on the quality of water is important as it forms a vital baseline for among others the detection of undesirable change in water quality. Diatoms often are used as water quality bio indicators in European countries, however there is limited use of these microalgae in most African countries yet they are suitable for quantitative research as they respond strongly to environmental changes. The physico-chemical and diatom properties were investigated along River Kisat that dr...
ABSTRACT Forests are valuable for environmental, ecological, cultural, social and economical support to natural systems and improvement of human welfare. The world‟s forest cover is estimated to be about 3.6 billion ha. Out of this portion, 57% is located in developing countries and indirectly supports about 1.6 billion people where at least 400 million are directly dependent on forest resources for their livelihood. Kenya is classified as a low forest cover country, where the closed canopy...
ABSTRACT Drought and famine, in sub-Saharan Africa, are among the leading causes of vulnerability within resource poor households in Arid and Semi-Arid agro-ecosystems. Accordingly, understanding how these communities cope with drought-driven food insecurity is critical for mitigation planning. This study was conducted in Makamini location in Kwale County, an area with a long history of food insecurity. Purposive sampling was used to identify twenty key informants and 30 respondents in each s...