CW-Department of Geography

Permanent URI for this collection

https://repository.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5504

Browse

Browsing CW-Department of Geography by Issue Date

Filter results by year or month
Now showing 1 - 13 of 13
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Potential of Tohono O'odham Z16 Maize as a New Breeding Germplasm for semi-Arid Areas of South East Kenya
    (1999) Shisanya, C.A.; Hornetz, B.
    The major objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of new maize variety in semi-arid environment of Southeast Kenya, with a view to making recommendations on its suitability for incorporation into the maize breeding programme at the national Dryland Farming Research Centre (NDFRC), Katumani, Kenya. Aspects like Phenology, crop water requirements and the diurnal leaf water potential (LWP) of Tohono O'odham Z16 (TOZ16) maize (Zea mays L.) were compared to those of locally grown varieties, Makueni DLC (MDLC) and Katumani composite B, (KCB) under two water treatments: irrigated and unirrigated, to determine its suitability for the maize breeding programme. The experiment design was randomized complete block design with four replicates per treatment. under irrigation treatment, TOZ16 attained physiological maturity within 70 days compared to 95 and 110 days for MDLC and KCB, respectively. under unirrigated treatment, leaf rolling was more pronounced with TOZ16 as compared to MDLC and KBC. These has been shown to be evidence for plant adaption to water stress and results in a marked reduction in effective leaf area thus reducing radiation load. MDLC and KBC are required ca. 41% and 52% more water than TOZ16, respectively. Under irrigation treatment, TOZ16 maize attained a minimum leaf water potential (LWP) of approximately-2.38 MPa compared to -2.85 and -3.00 MPa attained by MDLC and KBC respectively. The susceptibility of these latter two maize varieties to water stress was evidence by the fact that they quickly increased their hydrature level early in the morning compared to TOZ16 which tend to maintain its lower level for relatively longer period of time. Following these study it is strongly that TOZ16 be incorporated into the maize-breeding programme at NDFRC. The study shows that TOZ16 possesses physiological characteristics that could be positively exploited by plant breeders in the search of drought adapted maize cultivars for the semi-arid areas of southeast Kenya
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Technological disparities affecting the use of geographical information systems (GIS) in third world countries
    (Kenyatta University, 2003) Obando, Joy Apiyo
    Thispaperpresents the existing disparities in technology and infrastructure that have hindered the effective applicationof Geo~raphic Information Systems (GIS) in third world countries. It is noted that GIS has increasingly becomeimportant over the last 30 years as a tool for analysis and synthesis of data, thus enhancing decisions made in various sectors. Comparison is made of selected third world countries including Kenya in terms of available infrastructurethat is necessary for use of GIS. The challenges facing third world countries in fully engaging in the GISworld are presented, as well as the importance of GIS for planning and management within these regions. Strategiesfor the third world to participate more effectively within today's rapidly expanding techno-world are provided.It is critical for the third world countries to engage in science and technology for development. To overcomethe effects of the disparities in technology and increase the level of use of GIS in third world countries, it is recommended that existing infrastructure be enhanced and, linkages developed and/or strengthened to enable continuousnetworking and information sharing
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Trees outside forests as influenced by land use and socioeconomic factors in river Sio basin, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2009) Kwevu, R.M.; Obando, Joy Apiyo; Murimi, S.K.
    Increasing population in the developing world and associated needs for agricultural production, human settlement and industrialization have led to massive destruction of tree resources through deforestation and degradation of tree landscape. Countries have restricted access to forest resources by establishing forest reserves, causing communities to depend widely on Trees Outside the Forest (TO F). Therefore, TOF are diminishing and with them their protective and productive functions due to over exploitation. TOF include stands smaller than 0.5 hectare, tree cover on agricultural land, home gardens, orchards, trees in urban environments, along roads, riverine trees and those scattered on the landscape. Communities, farmers and herders who do not have access to forest, diversify their production and protect their land by maintaining various tree systems on their farms. Trees outside forests are important on the landscape as they in principle have the same environmental and economic functions as forests. By providing many products such as fruits, fodder, fuel, timber and medicine, TOF play an important economic role. Therefore, if well managed, TOF can contribute to wealth creation by local communities. This study was aimed at analysing the spatial distribution of TOF, in Sio river basin, in relation to Land Use and socio-economic factors. The analysis helps in understanding the relations between TOF and socio economic factors in order to achieve a sustainable management of the resource. Within this context, TOF assessment was carried out using basal area (BNha), number of trees (NT/ha) and tree products. In the study area the survey employed stratified random sampling method. Data on Trees Outside the Forest were collected by counting trees and measuring of tree Diameter at Breast Height (DBH). Land Use data was collected by observation and an informal interview with farmers was used to establish the socio-economic factors influencing the management of Trees Outside the Forest. The collected data were categorized into 6 Land Use Categories (LUC). Data analysis was carried out in SPSS version 11.0 software which involved testing the relations between TOF and Land Use Categories. Results indicate that TOF BNha and NT/ha significantly correlate with LUC. This means that production systems affect the distribution of Trees Outside Forests. Results further reveal that the competitive nature of trees with food crops is the main reason refraining farmers from planting trees on their fields. Other factors include lack of enough land and tree seedlings. The survey on tree products depicts that farmers rely on TOF mainly for building followed by fuel. The study recommends that efforts of tree planting practices should be strengthened among farmers. Farmers are encouraged to plant fast growing exotic trees which will provide products such as income, building and fuel wood. However, such species should not be grown close to the river as they drain away water and might jeopardize wetland conservation efforts.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Watershed sediment measurement and sediment transport modeling techniques: Case study to quantify the impact of converting cropland to forested stream buffers on soil loss and water quality at the watershed scale
    (2009-08-23) Shisanya, C.A.; Moriasi, D.; Steiner, J.; Arnold, J.; Allen, P.; Dunbar, J.; Gathenya, J.; Nyaoro, J.; Sang, J.
    Watershed models such as the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) have been widely used to simulate watershed hydrologic processes and the effect of management, such as agroforestry, on soil and water resources. In order to use model outputs for tasks ranging from aiding policy decision making to research, models should be scientifically sound, well calibrated and validated, and hence defensible. Lack of good quality hydrologic and water quality data for model calibration and validation is one of the main weaknesses to watershed modeling. Therefore, it is important that quality model calibration and validation data be collected if the results of this branch of science in aiding policy making and research are to be more trusted. The goals of this study are to: 1) give a brief description of a rapid watershed erosion and reservoir sedimentation measurement technique using the “state-of-the-art” acoustic profiling system to provide long-term reservoir sedimentation rate information and the sediment data needed for model calibration and validation, and 2) present SWAT model case study results of the impact of converting cropland along streams to forested stream buffers on soil loss and water quality at Cobb Creek, one of the three main sub-watersheds within the Fort Cobb Reservoir Watershed (FCRW) (830 km2) located in Caddo and Washita counties, Oklahoma, USA. The FCRW is one of the watersheds under USDA's Conservation Effects Assessment Project, a national project to quantify environmental effects of USDA and other conservation programs. Fort Cobb Reservoir and the contributing stream segments are listed on the Oklahoma list of water bodies that do not meet water quality standards based on sedimentation and trophic level of the lake associated with phosphorus loads. Currently, there is an existing twinning pilot project between FCRW and Thika River Watershed located in Kenya, in which these technologies are intended to be transferred to. The long-term goal is to get funding for a project that will create a regional or continental rapid watershed and reservoir sedimentation assessment laboratory in Nairobi, Kenya or any other suitable country. These techniques will complement the goals of bodies such as World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF), UNEP, and FAO, and various government agencies whose overarching goal is to ensure food security for the increasing world population under a sustainable environment, and institutions of higher learning that endeavor to build capacity in developing countries.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Adoption of water resource conservation under fluctuating rainfall regimes in Ngaciuma/Kinyaritha watershed, Imenti north district
    (2010) Mahiri, I.; Mutuma, E.; Murimi, S.
    Availability of water in quantity and quality affects economic growth. The aim of this study was to assess water resource conservation under fluctuating inter-annual rainfall regimes in Imenti North District, Kenya.Unsustainable use of water resources has drastically affected the volumetric flows of Ngaciuma/Kinyaritha River rendering some of its tributaries seasonal. This has adversely affected accessibility to adequate water for both domestic and agricultural use. A study was carried out to understand the adoption levels of waterconservation practices in Imenti North. The influence of water resource accessibility on adoption of water conservation (WC) practices and constraints were assessed. Primary and secondary data were utilized. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse socioeconomic parameters. Regression, correlation and spearman’s t- test were used to compare the relationship between variables. Tree planting, roof catchment and bench terraces were the major WC practices in use. Multiple regression analysis revealed that lack of technical knowhow could explain 83.5% variations of adoption level of WC practices. One sample t-test comparing the means of WC practices among respondents’ was significant at P<0.01. Spearman’s rank test revealed a decreasing trend during the long rains (March-May) for the period 1986-2008 at P<0.05. The disparity between the levelsof adoption among water users coupled with the decreasing seasonal rainfall calls for urgent and better management of water resources in the study area.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Institutionalizing Tracer Studies in Higher Education Institutions in Africa: The Experience of Kenyatta University
    (Kenyatta University, 2013) Obando, Joy; Shisanya, Chris; Maina, Lucy; Kisiang'ani, E. W.; Njoroge, Gitau; Chacha, Bhoke
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Asymmetric price transmission in food markets in the highlands of central Kenya
    (2013-09) Shisanya, C.A.; Ngare, L. W.; Wambugu, Stephen K.; Nzuma, J.M.
    This paper investigates the non-linear adjustments between maize and beans markets in the highlands of central Kenya. Results are based on bi-weekly retail price data collected from ten markets in Mbeere and Meru south districts. The error correction model extended by the incorporation of asymmetric adjustment terms was used to study asymmetry in price transmission between the markets. Cointegration technique was used to determine the existence of a long-run price relationship between the maize and beans markets. The findings indicate that the markets are integrated. Retail price transmission process between the markets is asymmetric. The observed prices adjust more rapidly to increases in prices than to decreases. The speed of price response between market pairs was higher for markets that are far apart.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Changes in Sexual Behaviour and HIV Prevalence among Married Fishermen along Lake Victoria at two Time Points: A Scorecard for Prevention Efforts
    (2014) Shisanya, C.A.; Kwena, Z. A.; Mwanzo, I.; Achiro, L.; Sang, Norton; Bukusi, Elizabeth
    Background: There are considerable efforts towards reducing new HIV infections in key affected populations such as fishermen. Assessing changes in sexual behaviour and HIV prevalence is an important feedback to these prevention efforts. We evaluated changes in sexual behaviour and HIV prevalence among married fishermen in fish-landing beaches in Kisumu County, Kenya. Methods: We analyzed data from two surveys conducted in 2005/6 with 164, and 2011/2 with 545 married fishermen to evaluate changes in their sexual behaviour and HIV prevalence at two time points. The participating fishermen in both surveys were randomly sampled from all 33 fish-landing beaches in Kisumu County. The numbers sampled from each beach were proportional to the population size of the beaches. In both surveys, we collected data on socio-economic, sexual behaviour and HIV sero-status. Results: A higher proportion of fishermen in 2011/2 survey compared to 2005/6 survey reported drinking alcohol before sex with extra-marital partners (27.7% versus 11.4%; p=0.05) and being involved in transactional sex (65.8% versus 25.0%; p<0.01). However, more fishermen in 2011/2 compared to 2005/6 survey used condoms with extra-marital partners (34.2% versus 5.4%). Overall HIV prevalence in 2011/2 survey was marginally lower compared to 2005/6 (21.0% versus 28.0%; p=0.07). However, there was significant 15 percentage point drop in HIV prevalence among fishermen below 25years old that represent recent infections. Conclusions: Despite increases in other high risk sexual behaviours, condom use with extra-marital partners in this key affected population increased explaining significant drop in HIV prevalence among youth who represent recent infections.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Tropical forests, climate change and perspectives of geo-engineering in Africa
    (Climate Engineering Summer School, 2014) Luwesi, Cush Ngonzo; Akombo, Rose
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Geography in the anthropocene era: is geoengineering an opportunity or a threat to humanity?
    (National Centerfor Atmospheric Research, 2015) Luwesi, Cush Ngonzo; Akombo, Rose Adhiambo; Obando, Joy Apiyo
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Pauwes Masters Students Selection Committee Meeting for the 6th Cohort
    (Kenyatta University, 2019) Shisanya, Chris A
    This was a selection committee meeting called by the Pan African University for Water and Energy Sciences (PAUWES) at the University of Tlemcen, Algeria
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Breccia 2nd Annual Research Meeting 15-18 July 2019
    (Kenyatta University, 2019) Shisanya, Chris A
    This was our second annual review meeting of the project BRECcIA