Abstract: In Kenya, several water reservoirs located in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) are undergo the trouble of accumulation of sediments. Kalundu Dam in Kitui County is a typical reservoir located in ASAL that has been experiencing periodic siltation since 1950s when it was commissioned. However, the patterns of siltation within the dam including the hydrological processes influencing sedimentation processes have not been investigated in this reservoir as with other reservoirs in Kenya�...
Abstract: Arid and Semi-arid lands (ASALs) in Kenya are rich in diversity of indigenous plants that have the potential to supply marketable commodities on a sustainable basis such as gums, resins and essential oils, among others. In the recent past there has been rampant unsustainable harvesting of Osyris lanceolata in Kenya to produce raw material to support manufacturing industries. The objectives of this study were to map out O. lanceolata growing zones in targeted sub – counties, asses...
Abstract: The variability of background radiation from primordial radionuclides has led to the exposure of human beings to radiation doses of different ranges. Prompt or delayed harmful effects as a result of radiation exposure have been reported in areas with enhanced levels of radioactivity. The residents of Kitui County near Tyaa River and the surrounding regions heavily mine sand and rocks from its riverine for construction purposes despite the scanty information on the potential harm in...
Abstract: Forests are believed to play critical ecological, social, cultural, and economic role to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Kenya and even all over the world. Forestry Provisioning Ecosystem Services (FPES) contribute significantly to smallholder farmers‘ livelihoods though this contribution is sometimes not accounted for. Understanding the role played by FPES to the livelihood of smallscale farmers is crucial for sustainable management of the forest resources. This study ...
Abstract: Many of the rural households use traditional stoves which have low energy efficiency leading to wastage of wood fuel. This study focused on understanding the sustainable utilization of wood fuel in two (2) sub-locations namely Mwala and Kibauni. The primary objective of this study was to establish if wood fuel utilization styles by the households in the study areas is sustainable. The specific objectives of the study were to: document the types of cooking stoves used by households ...
Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of water pollution on riparian community along River Athi in Makueni County. Specific objectives included; documenting the causes of pollution of the River Athi in Kathonzweni Sub County, to establish the health effects resulting from the pollution of the River Athi and finally to assess and document interventions put in place by the government and residents in the study area to control the pollution of the River Athi. Data was col...
Abstract: Water scarcity is an emerging threat to human security in contemporary time. Cases of natural resource conflicts arc on the increase 4-sin-daily in the Africa region which is home to more than 80 shared fresh water resources. Water insecurity in this respect is a growing international relations discipline arising from the ever evolving international politics .The negative climatic variations being currently experienced in various parts of the World as a result of a general increase...
Abstract: Vehicle exhaust fumes emission, as one of leading major source among smoke producing air pollutants, was examined in this study. Nairobi, a mega-city with increasingly high levels of air pollution was studied with special emphasis on one of its roads, Waiyaki Highway. Objectives were to find if there is air pollution, air pollution effects growth and stress of plants. This road was investigated to gain scientific understanding of the effects of vehicle fumes on plants. Hotspots (IC...
Abstract: Vehicle exhaust fumes emission, as one ofleading major source amongsmoke producing air pollutants, wasexamined in thisstudy. Nairobi,a mega-citywith increasingly high levels of air pollutionwas studied with special emphasison one of its roads,Waiyaki Highway. Objectives were to find if there is air pollution,air pollution effects growth and stress of plants. This roadwasinvestigated to gain scientific understanding of the effects of vehicle fumes on plants. Hotspots (ICEA building,...
Abstract: Kenya is one of the tobacco growing countries in Africa with most tobacco being produced in South Nyanza, Eastern and Western parts of Kenya. Despite the increasing deterioration of the environment caused by tobacco farming, very little is known about the measures in place to manage the situation. It is not clear to what extent the environmental management practices are employed in tobacco growing zones.Furthermore, it is not known how widespread the environmental degradation and e...
Abstract: The surface of the earth is undergoing rapid land use and land cover changes (LULCC) due to various socio-economic activities and natural phenomena. The main aim of this study was to gain a quantitative understanding of LULCC in Makueni County between 2000 and 2016, and analyze the relationship between these changes and their possible underlying drivers in the County. ArcGIS 10.3.1 and ERDAS IMAGINE 2014 were used for the digital image processing and GIS analyses. Image pre-process...
Abstract: Mass tourism as the dominant form of tourism practice has for decades caused environmental, socio-economic and cultural impacts to tourist destinations. Responsible tourism which is underpinned by sound environmental, social and economic principles, offers a way to mitigate the impacts of conventional tourism. Certification as a toolhelps set standards, put benchmarks to be met by tourism actors and has been one of the strategies used to reduce these impacts. Certification is belie...
Abstract: Human appropriation of natural resources, and the consequent loss of habitats, means that ecological restoration may in the future become a vital conservation tool. For this to happen, we have to understand the processes and factors that govern community assembly, and their management. Here I analyze data on community structure (richness, evenness, diversity, composition) of assemblages (millipedes, spiders, dung beetles, plants, birds, rodents), and on soil chemical and physical p...
Abstract: Surface water concentrations of inorganic nutrients and suspended particulate matter (SPM) components were examined and compared between Mtwapa and Shirazi creeks in Kenya. This was aimed at assesing the ecological situation of the two creeks and determine the influence of sewage discharge. The results obtained were further compared with those from Ramisi, an estuarine system. Mtwapa recorded higher nutrient, chlorophyll a and phytoplankton carbon concentrations than Shirazi. The t...
Abstract: This study was conducted to assessing of selected heavy metals (Cr., Cd, Zn, Hg and Pb) accumulation in the edible portions of cabbage, tomato and onion cultivated around Wonji in eastern part of Ethiopia. The concentrations of the same heavy metals were determined in water samples collected directly from industry discharge and also three irrigation sites Varied between sampling points. Vegetable Samples were first optimized through wet digestion procedure and contents of heavy met...