School of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies
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Item Fishing power of conventionally harvested wetland baitworms compared to black soldier fly larvae as alternative baits in tropical artisanal hook fishery(2018) Kihia, C. M.; Gitonga, L. M.; Tembo, J. E.; Kanyeki, E.; Munguti, J.; Muli, B.Extensive and intensive, harvesting of earthworms and polychaetes from wetland substrate, for artisanal hook fishery, affect structural and functional integrity of these critical habitats. Cultured Black Soldier Fly larvae (BSF, Hermitia illucens), are suggested as sustainable alternatives. This study compares bait and landed fish properties of wild earthworm (Eisinia sp) and polychaete (Marphysa mossambica), with cultured BSF larvae as bait, in hook fishery. Participating fishers, were supplied with known quantity of bait, and the duration and quantity of fish obtained, monitored. Hook casting, attractiveness and killing power, as well as fish quality and quantity, were computed and compared among sites and bait. Results reveal significant (P<0.05) differences in bait and landed fish properties. Lower bait casting (8.8%), but higher attractiveness (0.96) and killing power (55%), were obtained using polychaete in marine habitats, than either earthworms or BSF. Similarly, higher fish landings s (0.59 kg.hr-1), were obtained using polychaete, than comparable BSF or earthworm (<0.1 kg. hr-1. We surmise that wild baitworms, are easier to handle, attract and land more fish, leading to higher variety and abundant landed fish, than cultured BSF larvae. Lower performance of BSF is attributed to; poor response of target fish to imprinted physical and chemical attributes of the bait. This may imply that fishers, have limited justification for substituting cultured BSF, with conventional wild baitworm in artisanal fishery. Further elucidation of drivers to bait choice and performance coupled with improvement in cultured bait quality might, provide sustainable solutions.Item Globalization and Biodiversity Conservation Problems: Polycentric REDD+ Solutions(MDPI, 2019-02-19) Githiru, Mwangi; Njambuya, Josephine W.Noise barriers are the most widespread solution to mitigate noise produced by the continuous growth of vehicular traffic, thus reducing the large number of people exposed to it and avoiding unpleasant effects on health. However, conventional noise barriers present the well-known issues related to the diffraction at the edges which reduces the net insertion loss, to the reflection of sound energy in the opposite direction, and to the complaints of citizens due to the reduction of field of view, natural light, and air flow. In order to avoid these shortcomings and maximize noise abatement, recent research has moved toward the development of sonic crystals as noise barriers. A previous review found in the literature was focused on the theoretical aspects of the propagation of sound through crystals. The present work on the other hand reviews the latest studies concerning the practical application of sonic crystal as noise barriers, especially for road traffic noise mitigation. The paper explores and compares the latest developments reported in the scientific literature, focused on integrating Bragg’s law properties with other mitigation effects such as hollow scatterers, wooden or recycled materials, or porous coating. These solutions could increase the insertion loss and frequency band gap, while inserting the noise mitigation action in a green and circular economy. The pros and cons of sonic crystal barriers will also be discussed, with the aim of finding the best solution that is actually viable, as well as stimulating future research on the aspects requiring improvement.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 290IMPACTS OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES: THE POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPING PAYMENT SCHEMES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES(VDM Dr Muller Gmbh and co, 2011-01) Kiptum, Andrew; Kipkoech, Anderson; Omondi, Humhprey; Adano, Wario R.; Osano, Odipo; iryahwaho, Byamukama B; Agasha, AnnahNatural resources have continued to be degraded largely because of lack of well-defined property rights, population pressure, high levels of poverty and the lack of proper understanding of deleterious impacts of human activities on forest and watershed resources depletion. The social cost of exploiting the resources is larger than the private benefits and individuals have incentives to excessively extract natural resources at an expense of conservation. This study considers the socio-economic aspect, farm size and activities, water availability, the distance of the agricultural activities to the edge of the forest and riverbank and agricultural management practices employed by the population in Mt. Elgon District of Western Kenya. A proxy price was obtained using hypothetical structured question on willingness to pay and willingness to accept. The sample of 236 households was used to obtain data. Field surveys, structured questionnaires, interviews with key informants, and review of secondary sources were the main tools used for data collection. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) and Excel was the main software for data analysis. The results reveal average household of 8 persons, with most households living below poverty threshold (one dollar per person per day) and on average farm size holdings of 3.105 acres per household. The results also show that most farms are within the edge of the forest and riverbank at a distance ranging about 8 km and 1 km, respectively. More than 50% of the sample population do not practice water and soil management, resulting in reduced physical properties of the water such as volume of water, turbidity, taste and smell to undesired state. The contingent value of ecosystem pricing from willingness to pay (WTP) and willingness to accept (WTA) exercise yield mean prices of the responses Ksh. 728.82 and Ksh. 6,631.44, respectively. In conclusion, the household activities of the community in Mt Elgon landscape encourage resource depletion. Therefore, adoption of sustainable agriculture and ecosystem management that consider conservation of natural resource in order to have desired qualities of the ecosystem products and to reduce the costs to the population living downstream and around are recommended. There is need to educate the local population living around the forest and watershed areas to practice sound farming practices.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 Floristic Composition, Affinities and Plant Formations in Tropical Forests: A Case Study of Mau Forests in Kenya(International Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 2015) Mugo, Mware J.; Mutiso, Festus M.; Cheboiwo, Joshua; Sang, Francis; Tarus, George K.In the past, Mau forest complex has faced a wide range of disturbances majorly anthropogenic in nature. In this paper, the ecosystem floristic composition, richness, diversity and affinities are evaluated. Diameter at breast height (dbh) was measured and types and levels of disturbances recorded in plots, dbh of saplings measured in subplots and seedlings counted in microplots. To obtain the floristic composition and richness, we categorized species based on their families, development stages and life forms. Shannon-Wiener information index (H’) and Jaccard (JIA) and Sorensen(S) similarity indices were used to evaluate the species diversity and similarity respectively Trees, recorded belonged to 52 species, 45 genera and 31 families for seedlings; 43 species, 38 genera and 29 families for saplings and 55 species, 48 genera and 31 families for mature trees. The most species-rich family was rutaceae with six species followed by moraceae and flacourtiaceae with five. Western Kedowa had the highest diversity. Northern and Western Kedowa were the most similar pairs. Past and present disturbances and aggressive proliferation of the invasive; Trichocladus ellipticus (Eckl. and Zeyh) are the main causes of low species diversity and richness. In conclusion, the sites are floristically dissimilar but at varying degrees. The post-disturbance recovery on different sites is following different trajectory successional pathways. We recommend that the on-going disturbances should be curtailed to promote regeneration and successful recruitment of non-pioneer species.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 Influence of Adherence to Quality Management System Standards on Access to Water and Sanitation Services in Kenya(IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science, 2018-02) N, Edward; B, Patrick; Ng’ang’a, Stephen I.In Kenya, over 3,100 children die annually for using unsafe water and poor sanitation. In the 2015/2016 financial year, access to water in Kenya stood at 54% for urban and 51% for rural areas. This low access to water and sanitation services could be as a result of the management practices in the water services providers. Previous studies have revealed the unsuccessful attempts to improve access of water and sanitation services through privatization and structural reforms in the water sector. These studies did not assess how management practices such as the quality management system can enhance access to water and sanitation services. The objective of the study was to determine the influence of the level of adherence to quality management system standards on access to water and sanitation services. The study adopted a combination of descriptive and explanatory research designs. The target population consisted of the 86 water service providers in Kenya. The sample comprised 70 water service providers who were selected using the stratified random sampling. The respondents of the study included the 70 general managers of the selected water service providers. Primary data was collected by the use of questionnaires. Secondary data was obtained from the 2016 /2017 WASREB report. The instruments were tested for validity and reliability through the content validity index (CVI=0.833) and the Cronbach alpha’s internal consistency index (a=0.773) for reliability. The study found that thelevel of adherence to quality management system standards significantly influenced the access to water and a sanitation service in Kenya (t=15.7, p<0.05).The study recommended that the management of the water service providers should strengthen the level of adherence to quality management system standards to enhance access to water and sanitation services to the members of the public.Item Impact of aquaculture development on water quality of fish ponds in gatundu North and south sub-counties, Kenya(International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 2019-06) Ngugi, CC; Kitur, Esther; Wairimu, Theuri Olive; Mwangi, BM; Nzeve, JKAquaculture development in Kenya has increased in the recent past due to Government support, however, information on its influence on water quality is scanty. This study looked at the influence of fish culture on water quality in fish ponds. Water samples were collected from pond inlets and fish ponds and physico-chemical parameters analyzed. Means of measured parameters at the pond inlets were; Temp(21.27±3.31 °C), DO(4.45±0.73mg/l), EC(27.38±17.21µS/cm), TDS(368.61±135.21mg/l), pH(7.31±0.45), N-NO3(2.06±2.38mg/l) and PO4-P(0.29±0.41mg/l) while mean values inside the ponds were; Temp (23.58±3.85 °C), DO(4.89±1.09mg/L), EC(34.63±19.50µScm-1) TDS(493.13±136.67mg/l), pH(7.68±0.50), NO3(2.76±2.35mg/L) and PO4-P (1.71±1.50mg/L). Values of measured parameters were within acceptable limits for aquaculture as per WHO standards. All parameters significantly increased in pond water as compared to inlet water showing that aquaculture was contributing to deterioration of the water quality in fishponds. This calls for effluent treatment, regular monitoring and sensitization of farmers on good aquaculture practices.