Spatial and temporal variation in community structure of phytoplankton in chebara reservoir-Kenya

River impoundments create reservoirs for many of varying, sizes which serve one or more functions, and change transform lotic aquatic systems to lentic ones, with changes in physical and chemical properties, biotic assemblage and productivity. Chebara reservoir is located at 36o E and 22o S and situated within Elgeyo-Marakwet County. The reservoir was formed as a result of damming the Moiben River to supply water to Eldoret town. A study was conducted on composition and relative abundance of phytoplankton in the reservoir from December 2007 to April 2008. Sampling was done every month at six stations distributed over the reservoir; one station at inlet of Moiben River, one station at the outlet, three at minor inlets and one within the reservoir. Phytoplankton were collected using a 28nm diameter plankton net immersed vertically below the photic depth. Photic depth was measured using 25cm diameter Secchi disk. Phytoplankton were identified and enumerated using a compound microscope. All statistical analyses were performed with STATIGRAPHIC 2.1 Plus and STATISTICA 6.0 procedures. Six phytoplankton classes were identified which included Cyanophyceae (22 genera) Bacillariophycae (25 genera), Chlorophyceae (55 genera), Euglenophyceae (3 genera), Rhodophyceae (2 genera) Pyraphyceae (6 genera) and Crysophyceae (8 genera) similar to observations made in tropical oligotrophic lakes. The order of abundance was Pyraphyceae> Cyanophyceae> Chlorophyceae> Bacillariophyceae> Crysophyceae>Euglenophyceae>Rhodophyceae. Members of the Class Chlorophyceae showed the highest species diversity and abundance. The results obtained from this study can be used track the effects of catchment land use in the drainage basin investigate the cumulative, long term effects of climate change, and river impoundment on the algal evolution. Key words: Spatial and Temporal Variation, Community Phytoplankton, Chebara Reservoi

Effects of physico-chemical parameters on abundance and biomass of phytoplankton in chebara reservoir-Kenya

River impoundment creates reservoirs of varying sizes that supply water for multiple uses including electric power generation, domestic, agriculture or industry. However, damming of rivers creates an aquatic habitat of slow moving water of varying depths and altogether changing the biotic and physico-chemical status of a waterbody. Chebara reservoir was created to supply water to Eldoret Municipality. Chebara reservoir is located at 36 05 E and 0 22 S and situated within Elgeyo-Marakwet County. A study was conducted on the physico-chemical parameters and the abundance and biomass of phytoplankton in Chebara reservoir from December 2007 to April 2008. Stratified sampling was done every month at six stations distributed over the reservoir; one station at inlet, one station at the outlet, one stationat a minor inlet draining through human settlement, one at minor inletdrainingthrough farmland and one within the reservoir. Temperature, pH and ElectricalConductivity were measured in situusing JENWAY® 3405 Electrochemical Analyser. Secchi depth visibility was measured by vertically immersing a 25cm diameter Secchi disk to disappearance. Phytoplankton were collected using a 28 m diameter plankton net immersed vertically below the photic depth. Phytoplankton was identified and enumerated usingSedgwick—Rafter cell underan invertedor microscope, or Olympus®ModelCK2, atamagnificationofX400. Primary production and biomass were determined by chemical analysis of chlorophyll-a concentration and biological oxygen demand (BOD). Nutrientconcentrations were measured spectrophotometrically, while alkalinity was measuredby acidimetric method. Phytoplankton abundance and biomass were related to the physico-chemical conditions of the reservoir. All statistical analyses were performed with STATIGRAPHIC 2.1 Plus and STATISTICA 6.0 procedures. There were no significant differences in the spatial or temporal physico-chemical parameters. The reservoir was homogenously oligotrophic and alkaline with only very slight variations. among dates and samplingstations. The productivity of Chebara reservoir was low (approximately 0.8 µgmillilitre-1) asestimated by chlorophyll a, suggesting oligotrophy. The highest abundance was observed in March and at station 3,while the lowest abundance in April and at station 5. CCA results indicated strong relationships between the various phytoplankton genera and physical and chemical conditions, except for biological oxygen demand which had a weak effect. The study also indicates that phytoplankton growth in the reservoir is more likely to be limited by availability of P than N. The results obtained from this study can be useful for tracking the effects of changing activities in the drainage basin and the tributaries that contribute water directly to the reservoir. Calcium concentrations were consistently low, but the high abundance of pyraphytes in this reservoir could suggest a need to monitor management practices in the reservoir catchment that maintain calcium concentrations and populations of pyraphytes low in order to reduce the water treatment costs. This research further recommends that a research be carried out on macro invertebrates in order to accumulate sufficient knowledge which will be useful for watershed best management practices aimed at ensuring long term protection for water supply. Keywords: Physico-chemical Parameters; Abundance and Biomass; phytoplankton; Chebara reservoi

Accelerated institutionalization of an adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) intervention in Tanzania: Findings from a mixed-methods evaluation

IntroductionFrom 2018 to 2020, Adolescents 360 (A360), aiming to increase demand for and voluntary uptake of modern contraception among adolescent girls 15–19 years, designed and scaled an intervention in Tanzania (Kuwa Mjanja) to 13 regions through project-funded expansion. In 2020, the project began to develop a strategy for its follow-on phase, focusing on program sustainability. In this process, funder priorities led to a decision to exit A360's programming in Tanzania over a 15-month exit period. A360 elected to pursue a process of expedited institutionalization of Kuwa Mjanja into government systems during this period.Materials and methodsThe institutionalization process was facilitated in 17 local government authorities in Tanzania. Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered and analyzed including time-trend analysis of routine performance data, statistical analysis of two rounds of client exit interviews, and thematic analysis of qualitative research.ResultsThe sociodemographic characteristics of adolescent girls reached under government-led implementation were comparable to those reached by A360-led implementation. Intervention productivity decreased under government-led implementation but remained consistent. Adopter method mix shifted slightly toward greater long-acting and reversible contraceptive uptake under a government-led model. Factors that enabled successful institutionalization of Kuwa Mjanja included the presence of youth-supportive policies, the establishment of school clubs which provided sexual and reproductive health education, commitment of government stakeholders, and appreciation of adolescent pregnancy as a problem. Some intervention components were important for program effectiveness but proved difficult to institutionalize, primarily because of resource constraints. Lack of adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH)-focused targets and indicators disincentivized Kuwa Mjanja implementation.DiscussionThere is significant potential in operationalizing user-centered ASRH models within government structures, even in a narrow time frame. A360 saw similar performance under government-led implementation and fidelity to the unique experience that the program was designed to deliver for adolescent girls. However, beginning this process earlier presents greater opportunities, as some aspects of the institutionalization process that are critical to sustained impact, for example, shifting government policy and measurement and mobilizing government resources, require heavy coordination and long-term efforts. Programs pursuing institutionalization in a shorter time frame would benefit from setting realistic expectations. This may include prioritizing a smaller subset of program components that have the greatest impact