RP-Department of Environmental Education

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Browsing RP-Department of Environmental Education by Author "Gichuki, Cecilia"

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    Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Land Use/Cover Change and Associated Carbon Stocks in Kanyabaha Wetland in Rukiga District, Uganda
    (Kenyatta University, 2024-09) Walakira, Paul; Gichuki, Cecilia; Muriuki, John; Ndunda, Ezekiel; Kasoma, Pantaleon M. B.; Majaliwa, Jackson G. M.
    Wetlands play an important ecological function of sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide and thereby moderating adverse impacts of climate change. It is therefore important to understand the dynamics of carbon stocks in wetland vegetation and soils. This study investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics of aboveground, belowground, and total carbon stocks in Kanyabaha Wetland, located in Rukiga District, Uganda, spanning from 1990 to 2021. Through field sampling and laboratory analysis, aboveground carbon stocks were assessed by harvesting vegetation biomass and converting it to carbon stock using established conversion factors. Soil samples collected at different depths (0-20cm, 20-50cm, 50-100cm) were analyzed for soil organic carbon content to determine belowground carbon stocks. The study reveals variable spatio-temporal patterns of carbon stocks across land use types, with papyrus-dominated areas exhibiting the highest aboveground carbon stocks (49.66 tC/ha), followed by small-scale farmlands (33.73 tC/ha) and tree plantations (23.01 tC/ha). Conversely, built-up areas exhibit the lowest carbon stocks (1.29 tC/ha). Temporal analysis reveals fluctuating patterns in carbon stocks, with increases observed in built-up areas and small-scale farmlands, and decreases in grasslands and tree plantations that could be due to changes in hydrological cycle. Belowground carbon stocks follow similar trends, with papyrus areas maintaining the highest stocks (39.96 tC/ha), particularly at deeper soil depths that exhibit thehighest carbon accumulation due to its extensivenetwork of papyrusrhizome.Changes in land use, especially reclamation of the wetlands for farming and settlements affected carbon capture and storage in the wetland ecosystem.These findings highlight the importance of targeted conservationof natural wetlandsand sustainableland management strategies in the Kanyabaha Wetland catchment forenhancedcarbon sequestration. Further, in depth studies in the variability of carbon stocks due to various eco-climatic factorsand anthropogenic activities are necessary to support sustainable wetland land management practices in Uganda
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    The Trend of Climate Variability Effects on Dairy Farming in Masaba North, Nyamira County Kenya
    (IISTE, 2016) Ngare, Innocent; Koech, Michael; Manguriu, Daniel; Gichuki, Cecilia; Karanja, Joseph
    The dairy-climate change dilemma in Kenya cannot be mistaken. However, extensive research into dairy farming and an understanding of the dynamics of climate variability effects is greatly lacking.The study investigated the effects of climate variability on dairy cattle breeds in Masaba North, Kenya. The objective for the study were to determine the trend of climate variability and its effects on dairy farming. During the study two sampling techniques were used; purposive and systematic sampling that captured key informants and household information respectively with a targeted sample size of 100 respondents. Further, the findings obtained were analyzed through Statistical Package of Social Sciences and Excel. Data was presented in tables, graphs and pie charts. The findings showed that temperature had rose by 0.80 C in the past 30 years with anomalies of rainfall across the years indicating variability effect in the area. From the study, 89% of farmers respondent on effect of climate variability to dairy cattle. The integral recommendations were; improve dairy cattle performance through adoption of modern livestock techniques and harnessing immediate farmers’ education to mitigate climate variability effects.