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 Additional data were obtained from published and unpublished sources.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 The major problem facing ruminant livestock production in semi-arid ecological zone is lack of adequate feed and of good quality throughout the year. The problem is more critical in the dry season. In semi-arid ecological zone leaf litter of shrubs and bushes are an important feed resource during the dry season. Grewia bicolor is the main deciduous indigenous browse shrub dominating the western lowland areas of Mwanga district. This study aimed at investigating the influence of seas...
ABSTRACT Water scarcity is globally getting worse in the light of increase in demand for water use. Human and ecosystem health and economic development are affected by problems of water scarcity and water pollution. This study was carried out to assess the current net benefit of water resource in different land uses around the Kilombero Valley Ramsar Site in Tanzania. Specifically the study was conducted to identify different land uses related to water, to determine and estimate costs and be...
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 Highland catchments of Lake Manyara basin are undergoing degradation through human activities from the adjacent communities. This study was conducted to assess the impact of farming systems on vegetations in the highland catchments of Lake Manyara basin namely Chemchem and Endabash rivers. The specific objectives were to identify the farming systems used and their sustainability with regard to wetland conservation, assess and compare the plant species composition and diversity betwe...
ABSTRACT Local communities in Tanzania have been struggling to adapt to climate change and variability and have already adopted use of different local knowledge and practices under various adaptation mechanisms to respond to climate change impacts in different ecological zones and livelihoods. The role of local knowledge and practices in enhancing adaptation are not well studied and documented. This study aimed to assess roles of community-based institutions, partnerships, networks and pract...
ABSTRACT This study was conducted in Lake Mweru-wantipa aimed at assessing abundance of zooplankton and its relationships with physico-chemical parameters. Four sampling stations were selected, two on each side of the Lake; the National Park and settlement. Five physico-chemical parameters including, temperature, turbidity, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen were measured monthly using portable instruments concurrently with collection of duplet zooplankton samples at each sampling point at d...
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 This study aimed at determining the quality of wild vegetables under different growing conditions. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and single time collected samples from planted wild vegetables were laboratory tested to determine nutrient values. SAS statistical tool was used to analyse the data. Vitamin C content was found to be highest in Solanun scabrum (3.40 ± 0.1mg/100gm) under forest conditions, followed by Launaea cornuta (3.1 ± 0.1mg/100gm) under...
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 Climate change is among the great challenges facing pastoralistse specially milk producing pastoralists in Tanzania. The main objective of this study was to assess the climate change effect on grazing land and quantity of milk produced by pastoralist in Mvomero District. Specifically, the study aimed at determining rainfall and temperature trends of Mvomero District over the past 30 years and their consequence on pasture resources and the quantity of milk produced by pastoralists. A...
ABSTRACT A study was conducted to evaluate housefly maggots (HFM) and earthworms (EW) as protein sources in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus diets. HFM and EWM were raised in three different culturing substrates. Cow manure, fermented maize bran and chicken manure were used to culture HFM while cow manure, rabbit manure and chicken manure were used for culturing EW. Yields of HFM and EW from chicken and cow manure respectively were significantly higher (P
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...