ABSTRACT In the last three decades, wetlands have received much attention worldwide due to their declining coverage and spatial distribution with more than 50% lost since the 1950s. Like other wetlands worldwide, Nyando Wetland, the second largest lacustrine wetland ecosystem on the Kenyan shores of Lake Victoria, is facing a major threat of degradation from both the fluctuations of Lake Victoria water levels and anthropogenic factors operating in its neighbourhoods. This study was conducted ...
Africa was once known for abundant populations of the now Critically Endangered Black rhino (Diceros bicornis). However, large-scale poaching in many parts of this continent during 1970- 1980 led to a 95% decline in the rhino numbers. Like in other countries that host remnant populations of the Black rhino, Tanzania’s Black rhinos are now largely restricted to protected areas such as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). This study sought to map the spatial distribution of the Black ...
The potential role of anti-herbivory mechanisms involving use of qualitative and quantitative compounds in minimizing herbivory is well known. However, synergistic responses to grazing and interactive effects on herbivores are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to quantify the interaction between cyanogenic glycosides in grasses with cattle grazing in Lake Bogoria (00°28'N, 35°59'E), Baringo County. Field experiments were carried out in ten 50×10m exclosures to quantify infl...
Hotel service quality has long been a concern for scholars and practitioners. Previous researches indicate that the service quality of hotels in Kenya is yet to match international standards. It has been argued that one reason why hotels do not deliver quality service is due to the substantial gap of the living standards of Kenyans and international tourists and the lack of proper investment in the sector due to fluctuations in growth in the past. With the recent growth in the economy, s...
Abstract This thesis quantifies the economic values of East Mau forest ecosystem using Market based, Contingent Valuation and Benefit Transfer techniques. Data was collected from households, sawmills and forest product traders within and adjacent to East Mau forest. Additional data were obtained from published and unpublished sources. Descriptive statistics and parametric tests were applied to describe forest ecosystem values. Difference in forest incomes across locations; ethnicity and wealt...
ABSTRACT Kenya's forest sector is undergoing major changes, which are attributed to the rapid depletion and degradation of natural resources, as well as viable actions on remedial measures. The demand for forest products and ecosystem services continue to increase against a declining supply from afforestation, reforestation and the dynamics of work. This emerging challenge necessitates improving the institutional capacity of organisations that are involved in, or support forest conservation ...
ABSTRACT The fast pace of economic growth in Kenya has created a large demand for meat products. This stands at an annual average of about 600,000 metric tonnes of red meat which is expected to continue rising according to global animal product consumption trends. Consequent challenges in management of increasing volumes of high strength wastewater have necessitated ardent research into sustainable technologies, for which vertical flow wetlands offer a promising solution. Three month experime...
ABSTRACT The attainment of green economy and low carbon climate resilient development in Kenya may be hindered by competing human interest on forests and other natural resources. Eastern Mau forest has experienced anthropogenic disturbance through encroachment and forest fires; that situation prompted the deployment of heterogeneous forest management. This study aimed at comparing the soil carbon stocks and soil CO2 effluxes in different forest management regimes on as well as how soil tempe...
ABSTRACT Wetlands are among the most valuable natural resources providing a number of ecosystem services (ES) such as food, raw materials, water supply and space for recreation. Since wetlands provide a variety of ecosystem services including providing food and water, many stakeholders rely on this ecosystem for their livelihoods. This reliance and continued use may lead to a decline in ecosystem services provided by these wetlands. Lutembe Bay wetland in Uganda situated on the shores of Lake...
ABSTRACT The fragmentation of forests into smaller isolated patches is a threat to biodiversity conservation. Fragmentation reduces the forest area and increases forest edge effect. Reduction in forested area may lead to increased local species extinctions, while effects of increased forest edge alter species interactions by increasing the degree of interaction among edge and forest interior species. Intensification of land uses surrounding forest patches resulting from population increase ex...
ABSTRACT Forest ecosystems have been a valuable source of economic wellbeing of human populations for centuries, particularly to the forest adjacent communities. The relationship between human wellbeing and ecosystems consist of complex systems that are mostly nonlinear, uncertain and often not clearly understood. To enhance forest sustainability, the deliberate evaluation of ecosystem services, human interactions and appropriate ways to involve the public in management is imperative. However...
ABSTRACT Prosopis juliflora was introduced in Kenya to address the increasing demands of forest resources and to improve the vegetation cover. The extent and spread of Prosopis juliflora is a threat to ecosystem (erosion of biodiversity, allopathic interactions and negative health on both animals and human) that supports livelihoods in Marigat Sub-county. To control its spread, several management and control technologies were promoted in the area in early 2004. They include clearing and plant...
ABSTRACT The Kenya rangelands are characterized by low income, poverty, low and unreliable rainfall and conflicts. Pastoral communities in these areas have developed land use diversification and livelihoods mechanisms to help them cope with these challenges. Ecotourism is one of the strategies these communities engage in with the aim of conserving the environment as well as generate income. However, there has been no empirical study done on issues about attitudes and perceptions of local comm...
ABSTRACT The woody vegetation in arid and semi-arid area is of immense importance performing a myriad of ecosystem services and providing a wide array of goods. However, the woody vegetation is threatened by both natural and anthropogenic activities at global, national and local levels. In Kerio Valley, the threat is manifested in the form of overexploitation for fuel wood and land-use change due to mining activities. This study aimed to assess the effects of mining activities on the composit...
ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine variations in concentration of Pathogen Indicator Organisms (PIOs) namely total coliforms Escherichia coli and heterotrophic bacteria; Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in Egerton University Wastewater Stabilisation Ponds (WSPs) and the effect of substrate sizes on wastewater treatment. Sampling at the WSPs was done on weekly basis for one month from mid-Nov to mid-Dec 2017 using standard procedures for examination of water and wastewater. A mesoc...