For Pastoralists the Risk May Be in the Drinking Water: The Case of Kargi, N. Kenya

Inadequate quantity of water is a common problem for pastoral people in East Africa. For the Rendille community of Kargi in northern Kenya, however, water quality has also been identified as a critical issue. Residents report that water-borne diseases commonly affect human health in dry seasons, and livestock may die soon after drinking water from some of the older, deep wells. We collected water samples from four key wells and one earthen dam to analyze physiochemical and bacteriological quality. Preliminary results indicated that the centrally located, oldest wells tested far below technical quality guidelines in several respects. Especially notable were the very high mineral content of the water and the presence of toxic bacteria (Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli). Low concentration of oxygen in the water from old wells—in combination with the presence of Salmonella –may promote production of potentially lethal gases like hydrogen sulphide. In contrast, water quality in younger wells and the earthen dam—all further from Kargi town—more commonly met technical guidelines overall, but evidence of bacteria from fecal contamination was still detected. As settled populations of pastoralists grow in the absence of infrastructure development, dangers of water contamination and water-borne human illness increase. Community-based interventions to better manage water quality are reviewed. A simple, low cost solution is proposed

Non-medical prescribing in palliative care: a regional survey

Background: The United Kingdom is considered to be the world leader in nurse prescribing, no other country having the same extended non-medical prescribing rights. Arguably, this growth has outpaced research to evaluate the benefits, particularly in areas of clinical practice where patients have complex co-morbid conditions such as palliative care. This is the first study of non-medical prescribing in palliative care in almost a decade. Aim: To explore the current position of nurse prescribing in palliative care and establish the impact on practice of the 2012 legislative changes. Design: An online survey circulated during May and June 2013. Participants: Nurse members (n = 37) of a regional cancer network palliative care group (61% response rate). Results: While this survey found non-medical prescribers have embraced the 2012 legislative changes and prescribe a wide range of drugs for cancer pain, we also identified scope to improve the transition from qualified to active non-medical prescriber by reducing the time interval between the two. Conclusion: To maximise the economic and clinical benefit of non-medical prescribing, the delay between qualifying as a prescriber and becoming an active prescriber needs to be reduced. Nurses who may be considering training to be a non-medical prescriber may be encouraged by the provision of adequate study leave and support to cover clinical work. Further research should explore the patients' perspective of non-medical prescribing

Of Grasslands and Guns: Natural-Resource Based Conflict Among the Waso Borana Pastoralists of Northern Kenya

The once productive, arid rangelands of northern Kenya, traditionally dominated by a mix of woody species (Acacia, Commiphora, Cordia spp.) and graminoids (Tetrapogon, Aristida, Chrysopogon and Sporobolus spp.) have gradually deteriorated in ecological condition over recent decades (Herlocker, 1999). A major factor considered to be responsible for this trend is the disintegration of traditional systems of land stewardship. Traditional authority has waned in northern Kenya and has often been replaced by open-access tenure, overseen by ineffectual government administrators. Couple this with frequent droughts that typify this zone, as well as expanding populations of people and livestock, and the net result is increased competition for diminishing quantity and quality of grazing and water resources. Local people throughout northern Kenya have reportedly entered a survival mode of existence where the incidence of armed conflict has increased because resource-based disputes have intensified (Smith et al., 2000). The objective of this research was to investigate and quantify the views of the Waso Boran people, one of many ethnic groups in the northern Kenyan rangelands, concerning the causes, and possible solutions, for their conflicts that revolve around natural resources

Key Issues Generated from the XI International Rangeland Congress 2021: Summary and Way Forward

The important issues, knowledge gaps, and evolving research approaches for the global rangelands are summarised in this review of submissions to the Joint XXIV International Grasslands and XI International Rangelands Congress (IGC/IRC). In the big picture, it is concluded that stand-alone studies of livestock production are becoming rare compared to that of the past International Rangelands Congresses (IRC). Rather, added effort is now being directed at understanding the fuller context of social-ecological systems (SESs) on rangelands in a quest to improve the prospects for sustainable resource management as well as the enhancement of human welfare. Although climate change is upon us, there was still a dearth of papers that dealt with broad- scaled climate-adaptation per se; opportunities to improve local drought response were the default topics here with a focus on implementing better drought early warning systems and integrating perspectives among producers and scientists. Invasive species challenges remain as prominent global concerns, and woody encroachment is viewed as a major contributor to rangeland degradation. Treatments to combat rangeland degradation can involve innovative layering methods incorporating grazing management and use of prescribed fire. While there is an important backdrop concerning ecosystem services from rangelands, research in this area is still in its infancy. Analysing trade-offs between production and conservation for services such as carbon sequestration loom large going forward. There were relatively few papers concerning wildlife, tourism, and associated issues; successes and challenges for natural resource conservancies were noted, in particular. These are topics that merit more creative research and development attention in the future. Some contributions highlighted the important issue of landscape conversion from rangelands to cultivation; in conjunction with human population growth, loss of such key resources can be very negative for wildlife and associated values. In terms of pastoralism and related sub-themes, while it was noted that the majority of studies now embrace SESs and integrated, participatory, action- oriented approaches, there is little effort to standardize methodologies. A focus on repeatable methods can help grow sustainability science on rangelands, and this is a challenge for research and outreach education. The volume of studies submitted overall indicated a decided numerical advantage for the Global South over the Global North. Why this is the case remains unclear, however. Disciplinary research traditions in wealthier nations may not yet provide the incentives needed to spur innovative SES work. Finally, policy makers are seen by many investigators as being ignorant of rangeland development issues. It is argued, however, that this view has not changed for 40 years. How to better engage policy makers in comprehensive SES projects is an important future goal. Policy makers themselves can then also become human research subjects in the overall process. Based on our review the future for IRC stakeholders is clear: Continue the expansion of interdisciplinary SES and action-based approaches and increase attention to climate-change adaptation/mitigation, ecosystem services, community-based development, human empowerment, market development, poverty mitigation, and creation of effective policy frameworks

Community Perceptions of Vulnerable Key Ecological Resources in Baringo, Kenya

Key resources in arid lands are often relatively small patches of seasonal grazing or water access that critically support entire livestock production systems (Scoones, 1993). When these are lost, production systems may be destroyed. An early-warning system is needed whereby key resources at risk can be identified and protected. The Baringo District of north-central Kenya has endured decades of resource abuse and high rates of population growth-breakdowns of traditional systems have occurred and food relief is common (Little, 1992). Despite this situation, most production system research in the past has been conducted at local scales of resolution. The advent of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, however, allows investigations to scale-up. Precise mapping of resource problems is now possible, and such maps can provide useful communication tools to better address issues. We have undertaken a hierarchical approach that focuses on the district, divisions, localities and communities. At the largest spatial scales we rely on social science methods to assess perceived key resources at risk according to community leaders, while at smaller scales we use ecological methods to verify and quantify resource vulnerability. Here we report on the first phase of research involving surveys of community leaders

Community Perceptions Concerning Key Ecological Resources at Risk in Baringo District, Kenya

Key ecological resources in arid and semi-arid lands are often characterized by small patches of seasonal grazing and important water points that lend critical support to entire production systems. When key resources are degraded or lost, production systems can be badly compromised. The Baringo District of north-central Kenya is well known for enduring decades of environmental degradation and food relief. As an initial part of an effort to map and characterize key ecological resources at risk in Baringo, we interviewed 136 resident leaders from pastoral and agro-pastoral areas. We asked them to identify and rank their most vulnerable ecological resources, clarify why these resources have become compromised, and propose ideas for resource rehabilitation. Overall, pastoralists and agro-pastoralists ranked vulnerable resources differently. Climate and human factors were mentioned as being responsible for resource-related problems. When solutions to problems were discussed, respondents noted that government must play the critical role in resource rehabilitation. In contrast, they rarely proposed solutions based on their own initiative, and we interpreted this to suggest that the population in general has become overly dependent on outside forces to affect change. Resource rehabilitation efforts would require strong partnerships between government and resource users to be sustainable. How to forge and sustain such partnerships should be a focus of future research and development efforts

Agro-Pastoralists’ Wrath for the Prosopis Tree: The Case of the Il Chamus of Baringo District, Kenya

Indigenous to Peru, Chile, and Argentina, the woody plant called Prosopis juliflora (also known by the American common name of “Honey Mesquite”) has spread world-wide in recent decades, including rangelands throughout Latin America, North America, south and central Asia, Australia, and sub-Saharan Africa. A species known for rapid establishment, high adaptability, and fast rates of growth, its dispersal has primarily been a consequence of intentional introduction by well- meaning “technical experts” who wanted to provide a new source of fodder, fuel wood, or a means to combat desertification in arid and semi-arid lands. One problem, however, is that unless Prosopis receives careful management, it can invade and degrade ecosystems. Here we report on interviews conducted among rural residents of central Kenya where Prosopis was first introduced over 20 years ago. The respondents contend that Prosopis has greatly undermined their livelihoods, and they want to see it eradicated

Spatial patterns in the cover and composition of macroalgal assemblages on fringing and nearshore coral reefs

Context: Although increases in macroalgal cover on coral reefs are often reported alongside declines in coral, the composition of algal assemblages and their spatial dynamics are not commonly investigated. Aims: To quantify changes in macroalgal assemblage composition over two spatial environmental gradients, depth and distance from shore, within a nearshore reef system in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea, where coral cover has declined. Methods: Benthic cover was quantified at three depths (reef flat, 10 and 15 m) on the windward reef slopes of six reefs located three distances from shore (fringing reefs, and platform reefs 100–200 m and 0.7−1 km offshore). Key results: Macroalgal cover was highest on the reef flat, and assemblage composition varied among depths and distances from shore. Macroalgal cover was not correlated with coral cover except where macroalgal cover was greater than 20%, where a negative correlation occurred. There was no correlation between macroalgal cover and turf algal cover. All three benthic groups were negatively correlated with the combined total cover of sand and gravel. Conclusions: These results indicated a fine-scale spatial structure of macroalgal assemblages on coral reefs over a narrow depth range and short distance from shore and highlighted the importance of a solid substratum. Implications: It is likely that the ecological interactions between corals and macroalgae vary considerably over narrow spatial gradients