Climate Change and the Environment Publications
Jacqueline Owigo
2018 PhD Scholar, Kenya
Return and (Re)Integration in Fragile Contexts: The Experiences of Somali Returnees- Jacqueline Owigo
Abstract
Given the increasing number of people returning to Somalia and the political, social and economic consequences thereof, the reintegration of these Somali refugees, rejected asylum seekers, deportees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) becomes an important policy issue. This policy briefing presents policy recommendations based on the results of a pilot study conducted in Kismayo, Somalia. The results illustrate the effects of climate change on the conditions of return, which subsequently pose reintegration challenges to returnees in Somalia.
Judith Koskey
2018 PhD Scholar, Kenya
Variations of Human and Domestic Animal activities with Discharge in a High Altitude Tropical Stream, The Njoro River Kenya - Judith Koskey
Abstract
From ancient times human settlements and cultures thrived along river valleys which provided water for domestic use as well as agriculture. as population grew, human activities impacted river valleys as well as affected water quality. An investigation was carried out during low (January to March 2012) and high (August to October 2012) discharge regimes in the Njoro River to establish whether the river’s discharge dictated the visit rate and activities by people and animals at three sites. The study involved counting of people and animals during the day between 1000 – 1300hrs that visited the river, and recording down the activities.
Effects of Land Use on the Riparian Vegetation along the Njoro and Kamweti Rivers - Judith Koskey
Abstract
Riparian zones are valuable ecosystems. They act as the ecological engineers that improve river health by delivering a range of ecosystem functions. They play a significant role in river health and provide various ecosystem goods and services for human well-being. Currently, riparian areas are under threat due to intensive human activities such as agriculture and urbanization, which alter riparian ecosystem structure and composition. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of adjacent land use on the structure and diversity of the riparian vegetation in the Njoro and Kamweti Rivers.
Spatial and Temporal Variations in Land Use and Land Cover in the Njoro and Kamweti River Catchment Areas - Judith Koskey
Abstract
The Njoro and Kamweti River catchments are productive catchments that have and continue to experience major land-use changes with consequences on land cover and the associated environmental resources. It is, therefore, crucial to understand the type of changes occurring, spatial patterns, and the rates at which these changes are occurring. In this study, we quantified the changes in land use and land cover that occurred between 1988 and 2019 identifying areas of change and the average annual rate of change.
Lilian Kong’ani
2021 MLEx Fellow, Kenya
Variety and Management of Developmental Conflicts: the Case of the Olkaria IV Geothermal Energy Project in Kenya - Lilian Kong’ani
Abstract
The development of geothermal energy installations generates varied conflicts in Kenya that often escalate because of improper management. Yet, these developmental project conflict dynamics remain poorly understood. To better understand the dynamics of these conflicts, quantitative and qualitative data were collected from the Olkaria IV project-affected persons (PAPs) household heads using questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews.
Effects of Civil Conflicts on Global Oil Prices and their Impact on the Energy Sector - Lilian Kong’ani
Abstract
Recent research has increasingly interrogated the association between oil and civil conflicts within the political context while overlooking the primary use of oil. This paper examines three aspects of the claim “oil is a curse”. First, is it true? Second, is there a link between oil and civil conflicts? And third, do higher oil prices affect the energy sector, specifically electricity generation and pricing? By employing correlation matrices with data spanning from 1970 to 2016 at both global and local scale, the results of this analysis indicate that oil may be a curse or a blessing.
Analysis of Climate Change Knowledge and its Implications on the Livelihood Options in Naituyupaki Location, Maasai Mau Forest, Narok County Kenya - Lilian Kong’ani
Abstract
Climate change knowledge among rural communities adjacent to forests influences their response in terms of mitigations and adaptations of their livelihoods. Rural households are highly dependent on natural resources, whose base is highly indisputably threatened by the changing climate. The aim of this study was to reveal the knowledge on climate change perceived by forest-based communities around Maasai Mau Forest, Narok County, Kenya. Results indicate that 93% of the respondents were aware of climate change through life experiences.
Towards Sustainable Implementation of Geothermal Energy Projects; the Case of Olkaria IV Project in Kenya - Lilian Kong’ani
Abstract
Geothermal projects are likely to introduce new conflicts between the government and the communities. Therefore, natural resource conflict resolution should be part of the development of geothermal energy. This chapter draws inspiration from a study on conflict types and their management in the Olkaria IV geothermal development project in Kenya. From the study, it is apparent that mediation is one of the sustainable environmental conflict management strategies. The chapter concludes that geothermal energy production has the potential to contribute to the prosperity of Kenya economically.
Adaption of Improved Cookstoves in the Peri-Urban Areas of Nairobi: Case of Magina Area, Kiambu County, Kenya - Lilian Kong’ani
Abstract
Concerted efforts have been made to enable communication and adoption of improved cookstoves by diverse development organizations in Kenya. However, their adoption remains low. This study sought to examine levels of adoption and use of improved cookstoves in Magina, Kiambu County and determine factors affecting their adoption and use.
The Dichotomy between Kenya’s Quest for Renewable Energy and Social Displacement - Lilian Kongani
Abstract
Climate change continues to wreak havoc worldwide, hitting developing countries harder.The study focuses on actions can countries like Kenya take to create an enabling environment for sustainable development and reverse global warming?
Yvonne Githiora
2021 MLEx Fellow, Kenya
A Conceptual Model to Understand the Drivers of Change in Tropical Wetlands: A Comparative Assessment in India and Brazil - Yvonne Githiora
Abstract
Tropical wetlands are amongst the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth and have immense socio-ecological value. However, tropical wetlands are considered exploitable resources and continue to be drained and converted to other "productive" uses. It is therefore urgent to identify and understand the interactions between various drivers of change triggering degradation of such wetlands.
Assessing the Ecological Impacts of Transportation Infrastructure Development: A Reconnaissance Study of the Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya Enhanced Reader - Vyonne Githiora
Abstract
Transportation infrastructure, such as railways, roads and power lines, contribute to national and regional economic, social and cultural growth and integration. Kenya, with support from the Chinese government, is currently constructing a standard gauge railway (SGR) to support the country’s Vision 2030 development agenda.
Fatumah Nakiguli
2021 MLEx Fellow, Uganda
Vegetation Cover, Density and Disturbance Affected Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungi Spore Density and Root Colonization in a Dry Afromontane Forest in Northern Ethiopia - Fatumah Nakiguli
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) are vital in the regeneration of vegetation in disturbed ecosystems due to their numerous ecological advantages and therefore are good indicators of soil and ecosystem health at large. This study was aimed at determining how the seasonal, vegetation cover density, edaphic and anthropogenic factors affect AMF root colonization (RC) and spore density (SD) in Desa’a dry Afromontane forest.
Variations in Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Response to Short-term Changes in Weather Variables at Three Elevation Ranges, Wakiso District, Uganda - Fatumah Nakiguli
Abstract
Weather conditions are among the major factors leading to the increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes from the agricultural soils. In this study, variations in the soil GHG fluxes with precipitation and soil temperatures at different elevation ranges in banana–coffee farms, in the Wakiso District, Uganda, were evaluated. The soil GHG fluxes were collected weekly, using the chamber method, and analyzed by using gas chromatography. Parallel soil temperature samples were collected by using a REOTEMP soil thermometer. Daily precipitation was measured with an automated weather station instrument installed on-site.
Drying Performance and Economic Analysis of Novel Hybrid Passive-mode and Active-mode Solar Dryers for Drying Fruits in East Africa - Fatumah Nakiguli
Abstract
In East Africa, post-harvest loss of fresh perishable fruits is enormous, causing recurrent seasonal deficits. In response, a modified passive-mode hybrid solar dryer hereafter called; ‘an Improved Solar Dryer (ISD)’, was developed as a potential low-cost technology alternative for drying fruits in Uganda. An improved PV-assisted hot air dryer using active-mode hybrid solar dryer hereafter called; ‘Solar Photovoltaic and Electric (SPE)’ was also fabricated. The ISD dryer utilises freely-available solar energy to dry the produce.
Effect of Tillage Systems and Tillage Direction on Soil and Hydrological Properties and Soil Suspended Particle Concentration in Arable Land in Uganda - Fatumah Nakiguli
Abstract
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development addressing the issues of environmental degradation has been challenged by human developments and activities. Crop production systems and technologies (e.g. soil tillage) are among the leading factors causing environmental degradation. In this study, the effect of soil tillage systems (i.e. no-tillage (NT); stubble-mulching (SM); deep tillage (DT); and conventional tillage (CT)) on surface runoff volume (SRV), suspended sediment concentration (SSC), infiltration rate (IR), and soil moisture content (SMC) in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) farms, Mukono District, Uganda was evaluated.
Water Use Efficiency, Grain Yield, and Economic Benefits of Common Beans (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) Under Four Soil Tillage Systems in Mukono District, Uganda - Fatumah Nakiguli
Abstract
With the increasing climate change impacts and variabilities, water is becoming a limiting factor for rainfed crop production in Uganda. Conservation tillage practices could improve soil and water conservation in croplands. Field experiments were conducted for three consecutive seasons from April 2019 to June 2020. The experiments evaluated the effect of soil tillage treatments on soil water storage, water use efficiency, grain yield, and economic benefits of the common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in two sub-counties of Mukono District, central Uganda.
Comparative Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Fluxes and Crop Yields from Various Land Use Systems in Wakiso District, Central Uganda - Fatumah Nakiguli
Abstract
Land use systems, mainly, crop farming is among the leading sources of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, driving climate variability and global warming. This study aimed to compare greenhouse gas fluxes and crop yields from various land use systems in Wakiso District, Uganda. Specifically, the study; (a) assessed soil physical-chemical properties and greenhouse gas fluxes from land use systems, (b) determined the effect of cropping systems and management practices on greenhouse gas fluxes and crop yields, and (c) assessed the effect of precipitation, soil temperature, and elevation on greenhouse gas fluxes.
The Effect of Land-Use Systems on Greenhouse Gas Production and Crop Yields in Wakiso District, Uganda - Fatumah Nakiguli
Abstract
Land-use systems are among the leading sources of anthropogenic GHG into the atmosphere; driving global warming, climate change, and associated extreme weather events. To estimate GHGs from the land-use systems, we measured fluxes (positive/negative emissions per unit of time) of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4) from the cropping and adjacent non-cropping systems in Wakiso District, Uganda.
Margaret Muriuki
2021 Mawazo Fellow
Landscape level analysis of lion conservation interventions - Margaret Muriuki
Abstract
The African lion population has declined by 43%, and is estimated to occupy about 25% of the historical range primarily due to Retaliatory killing.he problem is acute in the human-populated areas of Southern Kenya. Conservation interventions have therefore been introduced.Often focus is on human agency. However, non-humans including animals and devices influence conservation goals and outcomes. Using the Actor-Network Theory we trace the development of the complex relations that underpin lion conservation.