Obwoyere .O. G.

Egerton University · Department of Natural Resources

Land-use practices have a significant impact on the environment, sustainability, and human well-being. The main objective of this research was to characterize and describe the effects of land-use change on vegetation structure and composition along the Rongai River. To identify the numerous plant types at diverse land uses along the Rongai River, a...

Secondary montane forest is created by either natural or artificial disturbances resulting in open canopies. It is an important resource in relation to economic and ecological values, however, it faces over-exploitation. The objective of this study was to compare regeneration, forest structure and species diversity of woody vegetation between distu...

Evaluation of the quality of Environmental and Social Impact Statements (ESISs) for proposed development action is vital in ascertaining their fitness in informing critical decisions on a proposed development action. In this paper, we present findings of an evaluation of the quality of fifteen (15) ESISs for the geothermal energy resource projects...

African teak (Milicia excelsa (Welw.) is a giant deciduous forest tree which belongs to the Moraceae family and is now threatened by extinction due to over exploitation. This study determines the influence of planting orientation and ecotype on sprouting and survival of cuttings of African teak. The cuttings were collected from the Coastal and West...

South-Western (SW) Mau forest reserve has been experiencing anthropogenic and natural disturbances creating canopy openings in the forest. The objective of this study was to determine how these canopy openings influence regeneration, forest structure and species diversity. The study employed nested sampling design in disturbed sites of the forest r...

Southwestern (SW) Mau is experiencing anthropogenic and natural disturbances; creating canopy gaps influencing microclimate in the forest. This study determined the influence of canopy gap size on three microsite conditions (soil temperature, soil moisture and light intensity) in SW. The study utilized Ecological Survey Research Design; plots of 50...

Environmental and Social Impact Statement (ESIS) for a proposed development is vital in guiding decision makers arrive at an informed decision. Many studies have analysed ESIS quality using qualitative methods with limited statistical analysis. In this paper, we present findings of a statistical analysis of qualitative data of ESIS using Somers’ de...

In Kenya, wetlands cover approximately 4% of the country's surface area, but their total area has been declining. There were once abundant wetlands in Kisii Central District but now there are only isolated wetlands remaining. Wetlands are fragile and valuable ecosystems supporting diversity of species and habitats. Wetland degradation globally and...

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is a tool for an integrated assessment of multifac-eted impacts of a proposed project. ESIA can identify areas of potential conflicts and prevent conflicts from occurring early through appropriate mitigation measures. This notwithstanding, conflicts and public opposition arising from implementation...

Terminalia brownii Fresen in the Combretaceae family, is one of the indigenous tree species used in agroforestry, afforestation and reforestation programmes in drylands of Kenya. It is widely distributed in the semi-arid lands of East, Central and West Africa. It is an important drought tolerant and multipurpose agroforestry species whose potential...

Lake Turkana fishery consists of seven endemic and 12 commercially exploited species and is the second largest producer of freshwater fish in Kenya. It supports livelihoods of approx. 300,000 people locally. The lake is managed by beach management units (BMU) through a co-management arrangement between the government and stakeholders. Despite this,...

Lake Turkana, the world’s largest desert lake, is the second largest producer of freshwater fishery in Kenya. The lake is co-managed by stakeholders’ groups called Beach Management Units (BMUs) in a co-management arrangement with the government. Despite the enactment of co-management policy, management related challenges including illegal, unreport...

Comprehensive and transparent public participation during Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes for renewable energy projects is vital in identifying, addressing and mitigating potential environmental risks associated with such renewable energy projects. Public participation during EIA is a vital platform where all stakeholders of a given...

Biomass energy is used as a major source of domestic energy needs and used by over 2.6 billion people worldwide. However, the increased demand for woodfuel is contributing to massive loss of forest cover and compromising the ability of forest ecosystems to provide the various ecosystem services. Among the interventions identified as crucial to slow...

Terminalia brownii is among the dominant multipurpose tree species in the Kenyan drylands whose regeneration is hampered by poor seed germination. It is used for building, fencing, herbal medicine, wood carving, and woodfuel among others. A study to assess fungal pathogens that infest T. brownii floral phenophases was conducted in Baringo, Kendu Ba...

The value of ecosystems functions performed by forests in the climate change era has prompted increasing attention towards assessment of carbon stocks and fluxes in tropical forests. The aim of this study was to understand how forest management approaches and environmental controls impacted on soil CO2 efflux in a tropical Eastern Mau forest which...

Forest ecosystems are important to ecological, economic and social wellbeing, particularly for the adjacent communities who depend on it. Understanding the socioeconomic dynamics that make households choice to be involved in forest conservation is crucial for sustainable management of natural resources. This study therefore examined the socioeconom...

The management measures used for sustainable utilization of Clarias gariepinus in Lake Baringo do not have a stock assessment reference, attributable mainly to a lack of information on biological limits and target reference points. Assessment of Clarias gariepinus stock in Lake Baringo was carried out between August 2013 and July 2014. A total of 2...

Nyando is the second largest and one of the most economically important wetland ecosystems fringing Lake Victoria, Kenya. Lake level fluctuations and a range of anthropogenic activities degrade its ecological integrity, reduce its area and the quality of goods and services it provides. This study investigated the impacts of spatio-temporal variatio...

Institutional facilities relates well with performance. This study assessed the interactive influence of institutional facilities on adoption of forest innovations across relevant institutions in Kenya. 51 main institutions involved in, or support conservation activities were surveyed, of which 33 were public, 14 non-governmental, and 4 private. Pu...

Black and White Colobus (Colobus guereza) and Blue Monkey (Cercopithecus mitis) are both diurnal primates found in South Nandi Forest, an afromontane forest and also an Important Bird Area in Kenya. The main objective of this study was to determine the population status and distribution of the two primate species in South Nandi Forest during the dr...

Production of pasture and fodder grasses is low in the Kenya’s rangelands as a result of unreliable and low rainfall regimes. A sustainable livelihood in the region is threatened by climate change due to frequent droughts and erratic rainfall. Technologies aimed at increasing rural communities’ resilience are necessary to support their capacity to...

In the Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASALs) part of West Pokot County of Kenya, the growing season for agricultural activities occurs during the peak rainfall season of March, April and May (MAM). Farmers in these areas rely on smallholder agriculture as their livelihood source which in turn depends on the amount and distribution of rainfall. This pape...

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 internationa...

Assessment and documentation of the status of ecosystem health and analysis of the effects of human-induced changes on a Kenyan montane natural forest, characterized by a human-dominated landscape, were done. A socioeconomic assessment of the perceptions and attitudes of the inhabitants about the importance, status and causes of degradation was car...

Availability of water in desirable quantities and qualities for basic human needs and its use in production is an issue of local, national and global concern. Its availability or scarcity during the prolonged dry spells affects socioeconomic wellbeing and environmental sustainability. Increased water demand accompanied with unsustainable use during...

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 internationa...

Changements climatiques et déterminants d'adoption de la fumure organique dans la région semi-aride de Kibwezi au Kenya RESUME Cet article analyse les facteurs socio-économiques qui influencent l'utilisation de la fumure organique face à la baisse de la fertilité des sols dans un contexte de changements climatiques dans la région semi-aride de Kibw...

The results of the first ornithological survey of Lake Kenyatta, a freshwater lake in Lamu County on the northern Kenyan coast, are presented. A total of 138 bird species belonging to 50 families were recorded. Of these, five species are of global conservation concern, four are regionally threatened, nine are restricted to the East Africa coastal b...

The study assessed the information source and preferences by commercial urban farmer for making production and marketing decisions. In this study we examine the factors which influence farmers' access and utilization of agricultural information in Kampala city. Information sources and preferences for resource utilization by commercial urban farmers...

Wetland degradation and appreciation of their ecological values they have generated conservation response from international, regional and local communities. Wetlands cover approximately four percent of Kenya's surface area, but their total area has been declining by approximately seven percent per annum primarily due to drainage for agriculture. T...

The dissertation describes investigations carried out from September 2005 to August 2006 to assess forest ecosystem health in relation to human disturbance in the South-western Mau forest reserve Kenya. The study involved the determination and comparison of tree species composition and structure, regeneration potential and capacity, litter producti...