Department of Environmental Studies
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Item Faecal Bacterial and Parasitic Contamination of Drinking Water in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya(2012) Olunga, Maureen StellaFaecal contamination of water can introduce a variety of pathogens into water ways, including bacteria, viruses, protozoans and parasitic worms. Poor excreta disposal is often associated with lack of adequate water supplies, poor sanitation facilities and low economic status populations. In this study water samples were collected from wells, taps and harvested rain water containers in Kimumu area of Eldoret municipality in Kenya and analyzed using standard bacteriological and parasitological methods. The quality of tap and rain water was found to be acceptable. The presence of Escherichia coli in well water was an obvious indication of faecal contamination. Faecal parasites observed were Entamoeba histolytica, Ascaris lumbricoides, Giardia lamblia, Necator americanus, Ancyclostoma duodenale, Fasiola hepatica, Taenia saginata and Taenia solium. To control infestations with faecal intestinal parasites, provision of treated piped water to all homesteads, consultation of water engineers and/or health inspectors before well construction and creation of public awareness are recommended. Scholars of microbiology and parasitology and parasitologists will find this book resourceful.Item Environmental Determinants of Choice of Sustainability Strategies Adopted by Group Ranches in Samburu County, Kenya(2017) Kithumbu, Eustace N.; Huho, Julius M.; Omondi, Humphrey R.The group ranch system is one of the best land ownership and livestock production strategies Page | 153 in the dry lands of the world where the potential for rain-fed agriculture is limited. This has resulted in numerous studies on the establishment of group ranches, their dissolution and coping strategies but with less focus on the sustainability of the group ranches. It is against this background that this study investigated environmental characteristics influencing choice of sustainability strategies adopted by group ranches in Samburu County, Kenya. The investigation adopted a descriptive survey research design employing use of Questionnaires, Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions and observation as primary data collection methods. The study used content validity and Cronbach’s alpha methods to measure validity and reliability of the research instruments, respectively. The target population for the study was the 16,611 registered members in 38 group ranches spread out in the County. The study sampled twelve group ranches with approximately 5,643 members from which 374 respondents were systematically sampled. Purposive sampling was used to select Key Informants and the participants in the Focus Group Discussions. The study employed Multi-linear Regression to analyse environmental characteristics determining choice of sustainability strategies. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the hypothesis and p-value of 0.00 was obtained, indicating that environmental characteristics significantly determined choice of sustainability strategies adopted by group ranches in the County. Overall, rainfall patterns were the predominating environmental characteristic with a regression coefficient of 0.317 while diseases had the least influence on choice of sustainability strategies adopted by group ranches in Samburu County, with a regression coefficient of 0.029. The study recommended integration of environmental characteristics in formulating policies for sustainability of group ranches.Item Financing provision of environmental services in Mt. Elgon region for the protection of watersheds(VDM Dr Muller Gmbh and co, 2011-01) Sumukwo, Joel; Kipkoech, Anderson K.; Roba, Adano W.; Mwima, Polycarp M.; Omondi, Humhprey; Kairu, Gerald; Osano, Odipo; Matere, StellaThis study examined direct payments for environmental services (PES) as a program for supporting the conservation of forest resources and services where environmental conservation is financed on the basis of beneficiaries pay for the environmental services (ES) they enjoy, while contributors to these services are compensated for their provision. The objective of the study was to determine distribution of forest resource benefits among different interest groups and assess impacts of PES on conservation efforts and total value of forest utilisation in terms of improved environmental service provision. Data was obtained through administration of a questionnaire to 376 households in two districts adjacent to Mt. Elgon forest. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Results show that conservation impacts are indirect and realized with considerable efforts only in the long term. In order to implement PES schemes, there is need to build a strong legal and institutional frameworks that consider land use decisions affecting both forest and non-forest land cover. Payments for restoration and conservation would help landowners have long term obligation to accelerate forest re-growth and gains in water services. The other benefit of PES includes lessening competition between conservation efforts and improving local community welfare.Item Ecological, Recreational and Educational Potential of a Small Artificial Wetland in an Urban Environment(African Journal of Aquatic Science, 2019-11) Ndiritu, GG; Gitau, PN; Gichuki, NNPertinent questions remain on whether small, artificial wetlands, such as abandoned quarries play any ecological or socio-economic role in the environment. To increase information on roles played by small-sized artificial wetlands in the environment, an assessment study was carried out in the Lily Wetland, an abandoned flooded quarry in Karura forest in Nairobi City, Kenya. This study was guided by the idea that artificial wetlands can develop over time to acquire ecological characteristics similar to those of natural wetlands. Ecological information was collected on water physico-chemical characteristics, vegetation, birds and macroinvertebrates, whereas questionnaires were administered to assess recreational and educational values of the Lily Wetland. Inspection of Google Earth maps showed that the pond has not dried in the past fifteen years, with its area remaining relatively constant between dry (0.29 ± 0.03 ha) and wet (0.36 ± 0.06 ha) seasons. Water quality of the wetland was good: pH of 7.5–7.8; dissolved oxygen = 8.73 ± 0.43 mg l−1; and clarity (Secchi disk reading) = 24.00 ± 0.43 cm. The biological component included 12 wetland plant species, 11 aquatic macroinvertebrate taxa, four species of wetland birds, and viable populations of fish and frogs. An assessment of the recreational and educational importance of the Lily Wetland, based on 34 respondents showed that 24 of the respondents visited Karura forest for recreational purposes, whereas 10 were there for educational purposes. Further analyses between the different benefits showed that the value of the forest, walking trails and wetland were significantly ranked important, when compared with the value placed on playing in fields and visiting the restaurants. Specifically, the Lily Wetland was regarded as important, because of its scenery, nature and recreational attributes. This study concluded that the Lily Wetland and other small wetlands in the urban environments have potential for recreational and educational use as in situ laboratories and demonstration centers, where benefits of conserving urban biodiversity can be communicatedItem Climate Change Perception Among the Pastoralist Women in Narok County(Academic Research International, 2018-03) Mashara, Janet NaisoiWith regards to the effects of climate change, Kenya has identified its ASALs as the most vulnerable areas to climate change with huge impacts on livestock rearing, small-holder agriculture and tourism, which are the dominant sources of livelihoods in these areas. Despite their limited ownership, women control most of the productive livelihoods including land and livestock. Despite the role played by women in livelihood activities, the attention given to them is still insufficient. More importantly is their vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change. For appropriate national and county climate change adaptation strategies to be formulated, it is imperative to establish already existing mechanisms which are likely to form basis for some entry points. This study was aimed at assessing the perception of climate change and the response strategies of the pastoralist women in Narok County. A sample of 51 respondents was used and data analyzed qualitatively through content analysis. The findings revealed that a majority of the women are aware of climate change and its effects. There are a number of livelihoods embraced by women as adaptation strategies.Item Diversity and Altitudinal Distribution of Understorey Corticolous Lichens in a Tropical Montane Forest in Kenya (East Africa)(research gate, 2018) Ndiritu, George G.; Kirika, Paul M.; Mugambi, George K.; Newton, Leonard E.; Lumbsch, H. ThorstenLichens constitute an important component of tropical forest biodiversity. This study inventoried corticolous lichens and examined their variation in various forest types with varying climatic conditions in Mt. Kenya, East Africa. Specifically we evaluated variation of lichen assemblages in relation to forest types and tree diversity along an altitudinal gradient (1800-3100m). Ten study sites were established on two contrasting sides of Mt. Kenya in the indigenous forest: six of them at Chogoria which is on the humid southeastern windward side of the mountain and four sites on the Sirimon side located on the drier northwestern leeward side. Overall 242 lichen taxa were documented; with Chogoria and Sirimon forests having 148 and 94 species that translated to an adequate sampling effort of 74 % and 68 %, respectively. The two contrasting forest types (Chogoria and Sirimon) supported slightly different lichens assemblages. Meanwhile lichen assemblages were found to significantly vary with elevation (or forest types) and with tree host. Posterior analyses showed that the differences were significant among sampling sites (or forest types) on the Chogoria side and insignificant on the Sirimon side. Similarly the number of lichens differed significantly among the host tree species. This study stresses the urgent need to upscale the sustainable management of the presently threatened tropical forests in order to preserve their structural heterogeneity.Item Combined effects of photoperiod and temperature on growth and survival of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822) larvae under laboratory conditions(Taylor and Francis, 2016) Okoth, Elijah Oyoo; Orina, Paul Sagwe; Rasowo, Joseph; Musa, Safina; Munguti, Jonathan M.; Karisa, Harrison CharoThe effect of photoperiod (24L:00D, 12L:12D, and 00L:24D) and temperature (22 ± 1°C and 28 ± 1°C) on performance of Clarias gariepinus larvae was tested. Larvae weighing 3.2 ± 0.24 mg were cultured in aquaria at a stocking density of 20 fish L−1 and fed twice a day on catfish starter diet (40% CP) at 10 % BW day−1. Highest mean weight gain (31.00 mg), SGR (7.56% day−1), and survival (83%) were achieved at photoperiod and temperature combination of 00L:24D and 28 ± 1°C. Percent survival of larvae differed significantly (p < .05) among treatments with optimal survival of (83%) in treatment combination of 28 ± 1°C and 00L:24D, while lowest survival (40%) in treatment combination of 22 ± 1°C and 24L:00D.Item Assessing Climate Variability Adaptation and Coping Strategies Among Rural Households in Kenya.(Journal of Water Sciences & Environment Technologies, 2018) Musyimi, Peter Kinyae; Nduru, Gilbert M; Huho, Julius M; Opiyo, Francis EThe aim of this study is to assess the adopted water scarcity adaptation and coping strategies of rural households to climate variability. It also identifies suitable strategies that minimize the impact of climate variability on water sources in arid and semi-arid (ASALs) in Kenya. The study was carried out in Makindu Sub-county, Makueni County, Kenya. Data collection techniques such as questionnaires and in-depth interview with 370 households, key informants interviews were used to assess the adaptation and coping strategies of rural households and identify the most suitable strategies for the study area. Rainfall data was collected from Makindu Meteorological station and used for meteorological drought characteristics analysis. Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was used to analyze drought severity in the study area between 1980 and 2011. SPI was used to quantify precipitation deficit for various time scales. Drought Intensity (DI) was used to determine decadal drought intensities. SPI results showed that 18 years out of 31 with negative SPI values an indication of drought severity occurrence. The year 2005 was the driest in the area with an SPI of -1.76. The study also showed increasing drought intensities from 1990s to 2000s. The study showed that the rural households had adopted varied adaptation and coping strategies to cope with impact of drought extremes on water sources. However, increase in drought characteristics occurrences minimized their resilience and adaptive capacities. The study observed that the strategies employed are unlikely to enable them cope with recent climate change and variability regimes, therefore need for most suitable and viable ones. The study identified viable strategies such as rainwater harvesting and sinking boreholes as long term measures that can enhance rural households’ resilience to climate change extremes in ASALs of Kenya.Item Spatial scales influence long-term response of herbivores to prescribed burning in a savanna ecosystem(CSIRO PUBLISHING, 2017-01) Kimuyu, Duncan M.; Sensenig, Ryan L.; Chira, Robert M.; Githaiga, John M.; Young, Truman P.Both wild and prescribed fire in savanna ecosystems influence habitat use by herbivores by creating or maintaining spatial and temporal heterogeneity in forage quality and vegetation cover. Yet little is known about how spatial scales influence long-term persistence of fire effects. We examined changes over a 6-year period in herbivore preference for experimentally burned patches that varied in spatial extent and grain. Avoidance for the burns by elephants andpreferencefortheburnsbyimpalaandGrant’sgazelledecreasedsignificantly.Fortherestofthespecies(zebra,eland, oryx, hartebeest, warthog and hare), there were no significant changes in preference for the burns. Changes in preference for the burned areas depended on the spatial extent and grain of the burn, with intermediate-size (9-ha) burns and large (8-ha) patchy burns being more preferred 6–7 years after fire. Grain, but not the spatial extent of the burned area, influenced changes in grass height. Fire resulted in a delayed reduced tree density irrespective of the spatial scale of the burn. Results of this study indicate that, depending on the scale of fire prescription, the impacts of fire on herbivores may last longer than previous studies suggestItem Impact of human activities on land degradation IN Lugari subcounty, Kakamega county, Kenya(E3 Journals, 2016-10) Kinyanjui, Mwangi James; Wanjala, Wanyonyi RaphaelThis study investigated the impact of human activities on land degradation in Lugari Sub-County, Kakamega County in Kenya. The study sought to analyze the extent of land degradation; identify the causative factors for land degradation and analyze the effect of implemented land conservation measures and propose sustainable land use options in Lugari Sub-County. The study used four Landsat satellite images; A Multi Spectral Scanner (MSS) of 1973, Landsat Thematic Mapper, TM of 1988, Enhanced Thematic Mapper, ETM of 2003 and Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus, ETM+ of 2010 to develop time series land use and land use change maps of Lugari SubCounty. Data was confirmed by historical data and ongoing human activities from a socio economic survey and secondary sources. Soil erosion, soil fertility loss and pollution of the environment were associated with land use change. Correlations and regression were used to identify the human activities that have significant contribution to land cover change. Findings revealed that poor cultivation methods and traditional livestock grazing methods are the major factors contributing to land degradation. The study proposes the adoption of modern agricultural technologies to meet the nutritional, developmental and energy demands of the rural communities and ensures sustainable productivity of the land.
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