Creed, Irena

Kagundu, Nicholus M.

English

Scholarship@Western

Western University Scholarship@Western Community, Equity, Gender Western Heads East 11-15-2017 Lake Naivasha, Kenya: A lake on the Edge Due to Encroachment and Degradation of Riparian Zone by Human Activity Nicholus M. Kagundu Irena Creed Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/wheceg    Description of the study area Lake Naivasha, the only freshwater lake in the Rift Valley of Kenya, lies at (0° 46’S, and 36° 20’E) at 1890 m above sea level , with a total water surface area of 150 Km2  The Lake is a wetland of international importance and an Important Bird Area (IBA) designated as a Ramsar site in 1995.  It is unique for being a fresh water lake that has no surface outlet .  Research methods  Use of GIS and remote sensing imagery data from Landsat to determine land cover/ land use change over time. Analysis of water physiochemical parameters obtained from ongoing monitoring programs from the Local and National government in Kenya and from published literature . Land use information  inferred  from actual assessment of the study area .  Use of  remotely sensed chlorophyll-a data and recorded Dissolved Oxygen values  to determine the deterioration of water quality  Challenges • Lack of some  data  especially when the monitoring government institutions  did not  collect the same at some periods. • Some satellite images were not available at the United States Geological Survey Earth Explorer Database. Key achievements  Formation of  community  environmental conservation groups to replant the cleared papyrus.                                       Recommendations  The relevant  Kenyan government in-stitutions  should ensure consistency in recording the necessary monitor-ing data. Follow up on the established com-munity conservation groups is of much importance. Collaborations between the universi-ty and the  local governments should be enhanced        Ongoing Research Project          Identified riparian/catchment degradation practices             LAKE NAIVASHA, KENYA,  A LAKE ON THE EGDE DUE TO ENCROACHEMENT AND DEGRADATION OF RIPARIAN ZONE BY HUMAN ACTIVITY    By Nicholus M. Kagundu . Master of Environmental science Candidate . Research Intern. Western University.  Academic Supervisor : Dr. Irena Creed  Home Institution . Kenyatta University, Kenya . Email Address: nkagundu@uwo.ca      Research objectives • To determine the extent of riparian zone degradation by assessing the land cover /land use change over time  by  identifying the causative anthropogenic activities.  • To determine the impact of riparian land use/land cover change on the overall Lake water quality • To create awareness on Lake Naivasha riparian  zone degradation to prevent further deterioration • To identify and propose viable catchment/riparian rehabilitation initiatives for a healthier ecosystem. • To enhance the application of research as a tool to inform policies for the National Government and the County Government of Nakuru in Kenya for better management of the important wetland by dis-seminating the findings of  this study. • To establish the impact of declining Dissolved Oxygen levels in water on survival of fish by analyzing trends in recorded data over 45-year period . Clearance of  cyperus papyrus  mats along    the lake shores.        Abandoned illegal  fishing gears in the lake      Bush clearing  for charcoal burning and firewood         Poor waste disposal       Informal and permanent settlements  with poor sewer-age systems and  sanitation on the riparian land        Others • Cultivation at the lake riparian  zone and along River Banks. • Expansive flower farming /green houses on the  ripari-an land.  Riparian / Catchment  degradation by Human activities Research Outputs  Formation of  environmental conservation groups within Lake de-pendent communities  to engage in setting up Cyperus papyrus nurseries.   Dissemination of this research findings to  relevant stakeholders  Identification of viable alternative  livelihoods for Lake communi-ties (subsistence farmers and fishermen)    Initiation of  corrective measures by governments to stop further degradation of the riparian land.   Outcomes  Restoration of  destroyed papyrus fringe on the lake shores  Better management of the Lake resource by the National and lo-cal governments through  of research  informed policies   Better awareness to all riparian communities , horticultural  farm-ers, commercial developers and other lake beneficiaries on sus-tainable use of the lake resource  and enhanced environmental conservation Capacity   Reduced overreliance /overexploitation of the natural resource   Reduced Lake siltation, better water quality ,  and increase in overall  lake productivity   Riparian Zone with Minimal Human Interference  Image taken on Dec 1972  Degraded riparian zone mainly bare surface  Image taken in Dec 2010  

Lake Naivasha, Kenya: A lake on the Edge Due to Encroachment and Degradation of Riparian Zone by Human Activity

https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&amp;context=wheceg

Lake Naivasha, Kenya: A lake on the Edge Due to Encroachment and Degradation of Riparian Zone by Human Activity

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