Understanding sediment dynamics and hydrology to manage water resrouces in a tropical montane forest of Kenya

Montane forests are unique ecosystems in the tropics and they regulate soil and water functions at the landscape scale. Their conservation is important because forests contribute with their abundant above and belowground biomass to increased soil stability and reduced soil erosion. However, tropical forests are the hotspots of land use change mainly due to the fertile soils and the mild climatic conditions where they grow. In the East African highlands, the demand for agricultural land by an increasing human population and the cultivation on steep hillslopes put pressure on forest and water resources. Streams in these montane catchments are often enriched in suspended sediments, which affect water quality and represent a loss of soil capital. However, these tropical montane ecosystems are understudied, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Having a scarcity of studies on sediment dynamics and hydrology makes it more difficult planning for future sustainable land use. To contribute towards closing this knowledge gap, this thesis uses three study catchments (27-36 km2) under different land use (e.g. natural forest, tea-tree plantations and smallholder agriculture) as a ‘microcosm’ within which to understand process response to disturbance within the headwaters of the Sondu River Basin (3,470 km2) in the Mau Forest Complex of Kenya. A four-year high-resolution sedimentological time series recorded the highest sediment concentrations in the smallholder agriculture catchment, followed by the tea-tree plantation and the natural forest catchment, caused by increased surface runoff. Rainfall-runoff modelling showed that soils of the natural forest catchment had high permeability reflected in the deep water flow pathways, in contrast to the compacted soils in the smallholder agriculture catchment with a dominance of shallow sub-surface flow to surface runoff. Sediment response to rainfall (up to 3.5 hr) was delayed in the smallholder agriculture catchment compared to the nearly instantaneous response (<1.5 hr) in the forested catchment due to sediment supply from near-by sources. Sediment fingerprinting conducted at the smallholder agriculture catchment unravelled the relative contribution of four different sediment sources. Agricultural land accounted for the largest contribution (75% with 95%-confidence interval 63-86%) of the total sediment, while channel banks, gullies and unpaved tracks were shown to be local sediment hotspot sources. Suspended sediment collected with time-integrated, manual- and automatic-event based sediment samplers at the outlet of the three catchments over a period of up to four months, demonstrated that particulate carbon and nutrient concentrations were up to three times higher in the natural forest compared to the smallholder agriculture catchment. The low particulate macronutrient concentrations point to the fast impoverishment of agricultural soils after deforestation. The findings of the study clearly show that land use change has an important impact on sediment dynamics and hydrological pathways, which can affect the water balance of the whole ecosystem and deteriorate downstream water supplies and the water quality of Lake Victoria. The findings of this study further contribute to the wider knowledge of other tropical montane systems facing similar pressures like agricultural expansion and deforestation

CBT for people with intellectual disabilities : emerging evidence, cognitive ability and IQ effects

Historically people with intellectual disabilities have not been offered or received cognitive behavioural interventions that have been shown to be effective for mental health and emotional problems experienced by those without such disabilities. This is despite many people with intellectual disabilities having life experiences that potentially result in them having an increased risk to such problems. This paper discusses whether such therapeutic disdain is justified based on the evidence that is available and emerging concerning the application of cognitive behavioural interventions for this population. Issues concerning access to services, the ability of people with intellectual disabilities to engage in and benefit from the cognitive components of CBT, and the effect of cognitive abilities and IQ level on treatment effectiveness are explored in relation to this question

The complex role of social care services in supporting the development of sustainable identities:insights from the experiences of British South Asian women with intellectual disabilities

Background and aims: Carers and service users with intellectual disabilities from minority ethnic groups have typically been reported to be dissatisfied with the social care services they receive. However, service users themselves have rarely been asked directly about their experiences of social care. This paper aims to understand the meaning of social care services in the lives of South Asian women with intellectual disabilities, in the United Kingdom. Method and procedure: 10 British South Asian women with mild-moderate intellectual disabilities were interviewed about their experiences of social care services. The transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: The analysis produced three super-ordinate themes, which focus on how services facilitate the development of complex identities, how the participants explored their sense of being ‘stuck’ between cultures as they negotiated their journeys towards independence, and the triple disadvantage which they experienced as a consequence of the intersection between gender, ethnicity and disability. The participants were broadly satisfied with the role which services played in these domains, and appeared to find them valuable and helpful. Conclusions: The results suggest that the participants successfully managed complex identity issues, such as acculturation processes, with the support of services. It may be helpful to give more explicit consideration to the positive role which good services can play in supporting people with intellectual disabilities in the development of their identities and goals, alongside the more traditionally ‘concrete’ objectives of such social care. Engagement with families in ‘positive risk-taking’ is likely to be an important component of success

The subjective experience of adults with intellectual disabilities who have mental health problems within community settings

Purpose – Research into the views of people with dual intellectual and mental health difficulties is sparse. The purpose of this paper is to gain a greater understanding of how individuals with mild intellectual disabilities living in the community understand their psychotic symptoms and experiences. Design/methodology/approach – Five participants with intellectual disabilities and psychotic symptoms living in the community were interviewed. The interview schedule explored key areas: understanding and experiences of having an intellectual disability and a psychotic disorder, and of services provided. The data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Findings – The analysis elicited three main themes: self-concept: “How I understand and see myself”, incorporates what participants understood about their labels, their experiences, and how these labels fitted in with their self-concept; Impact: “How having mental health problems and learning difficulties affect my life”, encompasses communication barriers, lack of control, and stigma and vulnerability. The third main theme was coping: “How I cope with my mental health and learning difficulties”. Research limitations/implications – The findings suggest that the participants, rather than identifying with specific psychiatric labels perceive themselves as having individual and specific needs. The analysis highlights areas that can be developed to help with coping; ensuring people are respected and heard, empowerment through the development of positive social roles, and psycho-education. These results are a step towards developing understanding of this group of service users. Originality/value – There has been no previous research into the perspective of this service user group in the community. The study makes recommendations for future person-centred interventions. </jats:sec