School of Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management

Economic Viability of Agricultural Carbon Sources on Asian Rice (Oryza sativa Lejeunia 1753.) and Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Production in a Flocponic System

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Economic Viability of Agricultural Carbon Sources on Asian Rice (Oryza sativa Lejeunia 1753.) and Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Production in a Flocponic System Rono, Kenneth; Matolla, Geraldine; Manyala, Otieno Julius; Masese, Onderi Frank A flocponic system is a fish and plant-based system that uses carbon sources. However, the economic viability of using carbon sources for production remains unknown. Hence, the study assessed the economic viability of utilizing agricultural carbon sourc es in a flocponic system. A complete randomized design was employed in five treatments (wheat-bran, rhodes-hay, maize-cob, maize-stables, lucerne-hay, agricultural carbon sources, and a control (no carbon), each in triplicate. Each treatment and control had Nile tilapia and rice densities of 98 m-3 fry and 250 m-2 rice, respectively. The fish yield differed among the treatments and control, with lucernehay showing the highest output (2.53±0.02 kgm-3 ) and control having the lowest. The rice yield component also showed variability. Lucerne-hay had the highest grain yield of 5.70±0.25 kgm-3 , followed by wheat-bran, rhodes-hay, maize-cob, and maizestables treatments. The control yielded the lowest weight of grains and rice straws. The flocponic system's profitability varied between the treatment and control groups. Lucerne-hay, wheat-bran, and rhodes-hay generated positive net income, amounting to 1338.39, 474.69, and 266.1, respectively. The benefit-cost ratios for the lucerne-hay, wheat-bran, and Rhodes-hay treatments were greater than one, with lucerne-hay having the highest value (1.72). There was a slight variation in the expense structure ratio; wheat-bran had the lowest value of 0.88. The gross revenue ratio varied between the treatments and the control group; the control had the highest ratio of 145.39, and lucerne-hay had the lowest. The lucerne-hay, wheat-bran, rhodes-hay, and maize-cob treatments yielded a positive return on investment, while the maize-stable treatment and control had a negative return on investment. The proximate composition and cost of the carbon source may have impacted the profitability of the flocponic production. Wheat-bran, lucerne-hay, and rhodes-hay are suitable for flocponic output because of their high productivity and profitability, resulting in a favorable return on investment. These options are economically viable.

Effects of Agricultural Carbon Sources On Water Quality and Phytoplankton Community Composition in Flocponic System

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Effects of Agricultural Carbon Sources On Water Quality and Phytoplankton Community Composition in Flocponic System Rono, Kenneth; Matolla, Geraldine; Manyala, Julius Otieno; Masese, Frank Onderi Carbon products promote aggregate floc-rich plankton, with diverse roles in flocponic production. Availability, low-cost, and chemical composition of agricultural by-products make them ideal substrates for phytoplankton production. Phytoplankton maintains water quality by reducing toxic substances, but it is problematic under some conditions. Therefore, the study evaluates how agricultural carbon sources affect flocponic phytoplankton community composition and water quality. Five treatments (wheat-bran, Rhodes-hay, maize-cob, maize-stables, and lucerne-hay) and a control (no byproduct) were employed in a complete randomized design, each in triplicate for nine weeks. Each treatment and control had Nile tilapia (0.155 ± 0.01 g) and rice (seeds) densities of 98 m-3 and 250 m-2 , respectively. Temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and salinity levels did not differ significantly between treatments and control. However, TDS, soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate showed significant differences (p<0.05) between treatments and control. Lucerne-hay exhibited the highest nitrate levels (0.9 ± 0.06 mg L-1 ), SRP (0.6 ± 0.05 mg L-1 ), and the lowest ammonia and nitrite levels compared to other treatments and control. Lucerne-hay had the highest phytoplankton diversity (2.48), while the control (1.37) had the least. Further, there were significant differences in phytoplankton abundance, with lucernehay having the highest Charophyta (1.45 ± 0.02 indsL-1 ), Chlorophyta (1.60 ± 0.02 indsL-1 ), and Ochrophyta (1.64 ± 0.03 indsL-1 ) abundance, while the control had the least. The result of the study revealed that carbon sources influence flocponic water quality and phytoplankton. The composition and solubility of lucerne-hay and wheat-bran may have improved water quality and phytoplankton. The study suggests that lucerne-hay and wheat-bran are the best flocponic carbon sources for phytoplankton and water quality.

The Application of Integrated Water Resource Management Principles in Urban Kenya: The Case of Kapsabet Town

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT

The Application of Integrated Water Resource Management Principles in Urban Kenya: The Case of Kapsabet Town Chemutai, Janet; Daudi, Fatuma; Nge’tich, K. Job Water is life, as societies need sufficient amount of it to drive their economic and social development. The environment needs water too for its ecological functions. Water issues like shortages and supply deficits are every day challenges that call for an integrated approach to its management taking into account stakeholder participation, institutional integration and catchment protection. The study examined the application of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) principles in Kapsabet town. Kapsabet town has experienced water shortage due to increasing urban migration, setting up of industries and businesses like hotels that require water in their day-to day running of the activities. A sample of 384 respondents obtained from both simple random sampling and purposive sampling were drawn from 12 administrative locations were randomly selected from Emgwen and Chesumei sub-counties for interviews and counterchecked by key informant interviews. The target population was household-holds, business people and officers from county government of Nandi, National Environment Management Authority and Water Resources Authority. The results obtained from data collection were analysed using frequencies and percentages. The research instruments were tested using Test-retest reliability and content validity. The study established that there was water shortage in the study area as pointed out by 68% of the respondents at the backdrop of a high demand for water as 45% of the respondents indicated they would use 70 litres of water per day per person. The sources of water in the study area were; river, borehole, rain- water and piped- water out of which the first three sources were easily available and accessible. In addition, the components of IWRM practised in Kapsabet Town involved stakeholder participation whereby public meetings on water management were done twice per year according to zones. The National Environmental Management Authority and Water Resources Authority institutions are involved in water conservation initiatives. A major factor that supports IWRM practice is the issue of water resource information management system facilitated by Kapsabet/Nandi water supply Company. The IWRM challenge cited was inadequate funding to support water management activities. The study concludes that full implementation of IWRM in Kapsabet Town is yet to be achieved a result of inadequate funding to improve water infrastructure to increase in water supply to Kapsabet residents and hence the need to increase funding towards water resources management.

Significance of Carbon Farming for Improved Household Incomes in Baringo County, Kenya

Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Significance of Carbon Farming for Improved Household Incomes in Baringo County, Kenya Kiprop, John; Sumukwo, Joel; Odwori, Paul Baringo County experiences high poverty rates of 40 percent which is above national rates of 36 percent. Climate change has aggravated this by negatively impacting farm productivity especially because of the high dependency on farming. Despite this, sustainable carbon farming is with potential of generating income through carbon trade. This study analysed the significance of agroforestry in generating carbon incomes among households in the county. It used survey data of 380 households collected mainly through stratified random sampling. The two sub-counties of Eldama Ravine and Baringo central were chosen for this study because of their ecological diversity, economic significance, and vulnerability to climate change. The results showed majority (56%) of the smallholder farmers had very low awareness on carbon farming and selling of carbon credits. In spite of this, a majority (90%) of them had implemented farming activities that would meet the threshold for carbon trading. Among the 90% of respondents that practiced carbon farming, a majority of them (43%) practiced exotic and indigenous tree agroforestry, and 37% did fruit farming agroforestry. Results also indicate that the area provides an annual carbon sequestration of approximately 25,982.2 tCO₂e/ year, translating to an annual carbon income of 259,822 USD/year (KSh. 33,776,860), or USD. 56.98 (KSh. 7,407.4) per month. In conclusion, carbon farming and trading presents potential tangible income to smallholder farmers in Baringo County. This study recommends for improved sensitization of farmers on carbon farming and its potential in enhancing household incomes.

Analysing The Factors Influencing Climate Information for Improved Carbon Farming Among Smallholder Farmers in Baringo County, Kenya

Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Analysing The Factors Influencing Climate Information for Improved Carbon Farming Among Smallholder Farmers in Baringo County, Kenya Kiprop, John; Sumukwo, Joel; Odwor, Paul Smallholder agriculture has been a mainstay of livelihoods in Baringo County for decades, but due to climate change effects, it’s dependency is extremely challenged. Using survey data of 380 households collected using stratified random sampling, factors influencing climate information for improved carbon farming among smallholder farmers were analysed. Eldama Ravine and Baringo central sub-counties were chosen for the study because of their ecological diversity, agribusiness significance, and vulnerability to climate change. Results revealed that the best media to use in sharing climate information in Baringo county was television (78%) while the least was newspapers (0.3%), probably because of affordability of newspapers. Gender influenced awareness and access to climate information since that male (64%) had higher awareness and access than female (55%). it was also noted that Most (89%) of the respondents agreed and strongly agreed that accessibility of smallholder farmer to agricultural extension services played important role in accessing climate information. ANOVA and Multiple regression (R2 , 0.54) results displayed age(B = -0.44,p = 0.104), gender(B = 0.014, p = 0.048), education level(B = 0.021, p = 0.058), and household income(B = 0.062, p = 0.007) were significant in influencing climate information. This study concludes agricultural extension information to be important in accessing climate information and the need of empowering women in farm decision-making. It is recommended that gender-sensitive approaches be incorporated into agricultural extension services to empower women in decision-making and bridge the gender gap in climate information access.

Effect of the ebb-and-flow constructed wetland operation, media type and celery (Apium graveolens L.) growth on nutrient removal from a pre-treated brewery effluent

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Effect of the ebb-and-flow constructed wetland operation, media type and celery (Apium graveolens L.) growth on nutrient removal from a pre-treated brewery effluent Obado, Elizabeth; Kaise, Horst; Taylo, Richard; Mabasa, Nyiko; Agembe, Simon; Liti, David; Manyala, Julius Breweries face a high cost of wastewater treatment to meet environmental discharge standards. Constructed wetland (CW) design and operation have been optimised for sustainable wastewater treatment. An ebb-and-flow CW was used to investigate the effect of media on nutrient removal from a brewery effluent. Eight media (clay pebbles, clay bricks, sand, bioballs, recycled plastic and gravel sizes), either alone or mixed, were tested. A 2:1:1 ratio of each media, pine bark and granular activated carbon, respectively, was used for mixed treatments. A uniform celery planting density of eight seedlings per m2 and 12-min effluent retention time was used. There were significant differences between unmixed and mixed media on nutrient removal (p , 0.05). The unmixed media of clay pebbles had the highest mean COD reduction of 7.5% and ammonia 8.1%. Mixing resulted in better overall mean removal efficiency of nitrite-N (7.6%), nitrate-N (15.3%), total inorganic nitrogen (29.9%), orthophosphate (12.7%) and plant biomass (11158.5 gm 2 ) than unmixed media. Media porosity, surface area and chemical composition and celery plant enhance nutrient removal through synergistic interactions. The study recommends unmixed clay pebbles, bioballs and 19-mm gravel for improved ammonia-N removal and mixed media for multiple pollutant removal and celery productivity.

Fuelwood Supply Consumption and Dynamic on Forest Resource in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Turkana County Kenya

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Fuelwood Supply Consumption and Dynamic on Forest Resource in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Turkana County Kenya kandie, Kipkemboi; Kipkore, Wilson k.; Odwor, P. O. Forestry is a source of livelihood for many farmers and rural households in developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the utilization of fuelwood in Africa contributes greatly to desert encroachment and consequently has implications with regard to climate change. Its, little to understand about the drivers and dynamics of fuelwood consumption in Kenya and other African countries. This study is to analyze determinants of refugee camp forest resource utilization efficiency Kakuma refugee camp Turkana county. It accomplishes two broad objectives:( 1) To analyse utilization of fuelwood from indigenous tree species supplied to the camp, the profitability of firewood supplied to the local market and a growing body of evidence on the influence of utilization of fuelwood in the camp in the refugee camp, as the host community get cash from the refugees and food ration in exchange with the resource (Fuelwood) in a household’s level. It embraced a mixed methods approach embedded with an explanatory research design for concurrent triangulation. The study interviewed a total of 296 respondents through HH questionnaires, the KII Tool and FGD Guide. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic framework approach while quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential (correlations) statistics on SPSS. Results suggest that even with minimal investment in both productive and non-productive assets (M=2.40) and SD=0.99) from cash purchase of fuelwood from agencies, there is significant negative effect (r=0.139) and P=0.05) between asset accumulation and poverty reduction among targeted household. study reveals that the provision of alternative sources of energy has the potential to reduce overdependence on wood fuel by the refugees in Kakuma Kenya. Therefore, the government ought to support other cheaper energy alternatives like alternatives gadgets and energy-saving cooking technologies, while the local administrators should integrate the refugee needs in the development plans for equal distribution of resources at large

Macroinvertebrate functional responses to human disturbance and flow cessation in Afromontane-savannah rivers

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Macroinvertebrate functional responses to human disturbance and flow cessation in Afromontane-savannah rivers Owade, Christine A.A.; Kaiser, Horst; Simiyu, Gelas M.; Owuor, Godfrey; Sicharani, Evans; Gettel, Gretchen M.; Masese, Frank O. Wildlife, people, and livestock rely on riverine ecosystems in arid and semi-arid areas as primary water sources. Studies on the influence of human activities and livestock on the ecological health of these seasonal systems are thus necessary. This is more relevant given the increasing demand for water as human populations grow, which leads to over-abstractions and, sometimes, cessation of flows in streams and rivers during the dry periods. Although the structural composition of macroinvertebrate communities has been utilized to indicate the ecological integrity of streams and rivers, macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups (FFGs) are less studied, especially in intermittent Afrotropical streams. We used macroinvertebrate FFGs as indicators of water quality and ecological integrity of streams influenced by different levels of human disturbance and flow variability in the Afromontane-savanna Bura and Wundanyi rivers in Taita Taveta County, Kenya. A total of 18 sampling sites were identified for sampling and grouped into three (3) disturbance categories (low– n = 7, moderate - n = 4, and disturbed - n = 7) and two categories of flow permanence (permanent – n = 9, and seasonal – n = 9). At each site, sampling of physicochemical water quality parameters and macroinvertebrates was done twice during the wet and dry seasons. Ratios of five FFGs (collector-gatherers, collector-filterers, scrapers/grazers, predators, and shredders) were used to derive five metrics that are surrogates of ecosystem attributes in the rivers. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon, total phosphorus, pH, and electrical conductivity between the three site categories. Seasonal sites recorded higher electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids compared to permanent streams. Total suspended solids and particulate organic matter were higher during the dry season. FFGs responded to the disturbance gradient, seasonality, and flow variability in the study area with high numbers of predators and scrapers during dry season, suggesting that the human disturbance influenced the functional composition of macroinvertebrates in the rivers. The findings also show that flow variability (seasonal vs flow permanence) played a important role in structuring communities and determining ecosystem functioning. Therefore, in addition to general human disturbance, there is also a need to study the impact of excessive water withdrawals or changes in natural flow regimes of streams and rivers on aquatic communities and the development of indices to assess their effects.

Spatio-Temporal Changes in Land Use and Land Cover in Kipkunurr Forest and Its Adjacent Landscapes, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya

Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Spatio-Temporal Changes in Land Use and Land Cover in Kipkunurr Forest and Its Adjacent Landscapes, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya Jepkoech, Gladys; Sang, Catherine Chebet; Ngetich, Job Kipkurgat The essential status of forests for climate control and biodiversity protection together with supporting local subsistence requires tracking their spatial and temporal patterns. The process of studying land use and land cover dynamics provides fundamental information for proper forest conservation practices along with sustainable resource management schemes. This study focused on spatial-temporal land use and land cover assessment of Kipkunurr Forest and adjacent landscapes in Kenya during the period from 1995 to 2024. The need is to identify the causes behind forest cover changes together with their conservation consequences. Data was collected using remote sensing, household surveys, and key informant interviews. A GIS process applied supervised classification methods to multi-temporal Landsat 5 images (1990, 2004), Landsat 7 images (2014), and Landsat 8 images (2024) to conduct land use land cover changes and change detection analysis. The examined forest data reveals Kipkunurr Forest lost about 12,702 hectares of its original 30,053 hectares during the 1995 to 2004 period due to agricultural development, illegal logging, and settlement expansion. A minimal forest recovery took place fro m 2014 through 2024, where forest area expanded to about 19,345 hectares. The recovery stems from enhanced conservation rules, reforestation programs, and decreased human encroachment. Shrubland and grassland areas rose slightly while forest areas improved during this period despite ongoing human pressure in activities like firewood collection, illegal logging, and grazing. Geospatial technology use for forest monitoring reveals both the benefits of tracking changes effectively and supports the immediate requirements for integrated forest conservation approaches. The study brings evidence-based findings which help guide local policies and community participation toward sustainable forest practices in the important water catchment areas such as Kipkunurr.

Land Use and Cover Change Patterns in Lower Moiben Sub-County Catchment Area, Kenya

Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Land Use and Cover Change Patterns in Lower Moiben Sub-County Catchment Area, Kenya Koech, Jemutai Mercy; Sang, Catherine Chebet; Daudi, Fatuma Abdi The changes in land use patterns in Lower Moiben Sub-County catchment area are examined in this study, with a focus on the change between 1995 and 2024. Major land use changes have occurred in the Sub-County catchment area because of socio-economic developments, farming activities, and increased population. Changes in land use that result from the conversion of forests to agricultural land, especially for livestock grazing and increased crop lands, growth of built areas, among others, have affected water supplies and hydrological balance for communities within the catchment. The study used GIS and remote sensing data to assess land use patterns over time and space and also household interviews to understand the observed land use changes. The results shows that there is expansion of croplands (from 51.48% to 77.67%) and built areas (from 0.80% to 4.21 %). Some had slight increase in general, such as, forests (30.53% to 31.22%) and rangeland (12.69% to13.65%) though it is reduction from previous years. The results shows how human activity affects land use/land cover change (LULCC), indicating that whereas certain changes such as increase in built areas mean better development, others changes such as reduced forests may lead to water scarcity. These findings shows that efficient land use management are required in the catchment. These results are useful to policymakers, local communities, and environmental organizations who are strategizing on balancing between development and sustainable land use practices.