Research Publications

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Using the Biological Condition Gradient Model as a Bioassessment Frameworks to Support Rehabilitation and Restoration of the Upper Tana River Watershed in Kenya
(Frontiers in Environmental Science, 2021-07) Ndiritu, George G.; Terer, Taita; Njoroge, Peter; Muiruri, Veronica M.; Njagi, Edward L.; Kosgei, Gilbert; Njoroge, Laban; Kamau, Peris W.; Malonza, Patrick K.; Muchane, Mary; Gathua, Joseph; Odeny, Dickens; Courtemanch, David
The biological condition gradient (BCG), a scientific framework that describes the change in ecosystem characteristics in response to human-induced levels of stressors, was modified and used to characterize watershed habitats in the Upper Tana River watershed, Kenya. The inbuilt utilities of BCG, including its simplicity, versatility, and its robust nature, allowed its use by seven taxonomic groups of macroinvertebrates, diatoms, fish, herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles), plants, macrofungi, and birds to assess and monitor landscape conditions in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The biological data were described using taxa abundance distribution measures followed by multivariate analyses to determine their relationship with water or soil quality and thereafter assessment of taxa tolerant levels in response to environmental stress and disturbances. Preliminary findings reported that the taxonomic groups complemented each other, with each taxonomic group reliably assessing ecological conditions to a certain degree that supported assigning all 36 sampled sites into BCG tiers. The BCG models developed for all taxonomic groups assisted in the identification and selection of taxa indicating varying levels of landscape conditions. These taxa, referred to as flagship or indicator taxa, assist in simplifying the BCG model and, hence, are possible for use by parataxonomists or ordinary citizens to assess and monitor the ecological health of habitats under consideration. Furthermore, the capability of BCG models to assess landscape conditions shows how they can be used to identify important habitats for conservation, direct investment for restoration, and track progress
Application Of Hydrological Models In Poorly Gauged Watersheds: A Review Of The Usage Of The Soil And Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) In Kenya
(International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 2017-08) Mwangi, Wambugu; Nyandega, Isaiah; Kıthiia, Shadrack
In water-scarce developing countries, river basins are some of the most valued natural resources, but many are poorly gauged and have incomplete hydrological and climate records. In the recent years, tropical rivers are increasingly becoming erratic, with many hydrologists attributing this variability to combined effects of landscape-specific anthropogenic activities and climate change. Uncertainties about the impacts of climate change compound the challenges attributed to poor and often inconsistent river monitoring data. Under data-scarce conditions and with the increasing land use intensification and urbanization, modelling approaches become a useful tool in planning and management of water resources. In this paper, we review the application and usability of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model in conventional planning practice in the management of water resources is poorly-gauged tropical watersheds of Kenya. We assess the technical implications of the model in Intergrated Water Resources management (IWRM) and its applicability as a planning and management tool for water resources in the era of climate change

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