RP-Department of Water and Environmental Engineering

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Adsorption of Hexavalent Chromium from Aqueous Solution by Pumice: Equilibrium and Kinetic Study
(SRI, 2022) Muriuki, Cecilia W.; Mutwiwa, Urbanus N.; Home, Patrick G.; Kilonzo, Fidelis N.
—Chromium released into the environment primarily as a result of industrial activity such as leather and electroplating manufacturing process. This heavy metal has caused serious contaminations of water and soils with significant environmental and occupational concerns. Conventional methods of chromium removal are expensive especially for developing countries. This study investigates the use of pumice as a low cost and biosorbent material. Sorption of hexavalent Chromium (Cr (VI) onto pumice were carried out in batch at room temperatures, with parameters of initial chromium concentrations, and contact time being investigated. Removal of hexavalent chromium increased by increasing contact time, and reduced with increasing initial chromium concentration. Kinetic studies were conducted using the Pseudo-first-order and Pseudo-second- order models, while equilibrium data were fitted using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Fittings of obtained data onto kinetic models show that the pseudo-second –order kinetic model (R2=0.999) best describes the kinetic sorption of chromium ions onto pumice. Results also showed that Langmuir (R2=0.999) and Freundlich (R2=0.999) model agrees very well with experimental data. The RL and n values has proved the favorability of hexavalent chromium adsorption onto pumice
Analysis of Land Cover Change Impact on Flood Events using Remote Sensing, GIS and Hydrological Models: A Case Study of the Nyando River Basin in Kenya
(2009) Olang, L. O.
In this study, land cover changes in the Nyando River basin (3500 km2) of Kenya were analyzed and their impact of floods quantified. Three Landsat satellite images for 1973, 1986 and 2000 were acquired, processed and classified based on seven major land cover classes prevalent in the basin using a hybrid of supervised and non supervised classification procedures. The detected land cover changes, together with a DEM and a soil map of the basin, were then used to estimate physically based parameters for the selected hydrological models. The models were then used to estimate local and flood peak discharges and volumes arising from selected storm events for each state of the classified land cover dataset. To further understand how changes in the land cover may impact on the flood hydrology, three scenarios that represent quite extreme alternatives were formulated to study the possible bandwidth during floods. Land cover classification results revealed immense land degradation over the span of study. Forests reduced by an area of 488 km2 representing a 20% decline, while agricultural fields expanded by 581 km2 representing a 16% increase over the same period of time (1973-2000). Hydrological modeling results indicated that the basin underwent significant increase in the peak discharge value. The flood peak discharges in the whole basin were noted to have increased by at least 16% over the period of 1973 -2000.Flood volumes were also noted to have increased by at least 10% over the same period of time. (author)
Analysis of Rainfall Trends and Periodicity in Ruiru Location, Kenya
(The International Journal of Scientific and Research Publication (IJSRP), 2017) Nyakundi, R; Mwangi, J; Makokha, M; Obiero, C
- Climate change is a serious issue in the world today with extreme weather conditions being experienced globally as characterised by devastating floods and prolonged droughts. This has often led to destruction of property and loss of life. These conditions are viewed as disasters requiring mitigation. Ruiru location being a peri-urban area has a lot of farming taking place and increased population due to settlement. This has increased the demand for water as stream flow is decreasing and boreholes are drying, with water scarcity prominent during droughts. Moreover during floods there is high surface runoff in the paved areas. The study sought to determine rainfall trends across the year for 31 years if any in Ruiru location. Monthly rainfall data for 31 years (1984-2014) obtained from four stations located within the location; Ting’ang’a, Ruiru mills, coffee research foundation and Doondu were used. Graphs were constructed to show trends within months and years and statistical significance of the observed trends tested using a linear regression model. Statistical analysis using Mann- Kendall, Spearman’s Rho, Linear Regression and Student’s t was employed to determine the significant difference among the four stations. High annual mean rainfall of 170mm and low annual mean rainfall of 37 mm were observed. Mann- Kendall, Spearman’s Rho, Linear Regression and Student’s t showed no significant difference of rainfall means between Ting’ang’a and Ruiru Mills stations, while the other stations were statistically insignificant. Linear regression models showed an upward trend which was statistically insignificant in all the four stations. There was no significant trend across the year for the past 31 years. The research findings will help in prediction of the occurrence of high and low rainfall amounts for proper planning and water resources management.
Analysis of spatiotemporal land cover changes for hydrological impact assessment within the Nyando River Basin of Kenya.
(Springer, 2011) Olang, L. O.; Kundu, Peter; Bauer, Thomas; Josef, Fürst
The spatio-temporal changes in the land cover states of the Nyando Basin were investigated for auxiliary hydrological impact assessment. The predominant land cover types whose conversions could influence the hydrological response of the region were selected. Six Landsat images for 1973, 1986, and 2000 were processed to discern the changes based on a methodology that employs a hybrid of supervised and unsupervised classification schemes. The accuracy of the classifications were assessed using reference datasets processed in a GIS with the help of ground-based information obtained through participatory mapping techniques. To assess the possible hydrological effect of the detected changes during storm events, a physically based lumped approach for infiltration loss estimation was employed within five selected sub-basins. The results obtained indicated that forests in the basin declined by 20% while agricultural fields expanded by 16% during the entire period of study. Apparent from the land cover conversion matrices was that the majority of the forest decline was a consequence of agricultural expansion. The model results revealed decreased infiltration amounts by between 6% and 15%. The headwater regions with the vast deforestation were noted to be more vulnerable to the land cover change effects. Despite the haphazard land use patterns and uncertainties related to poor data quality for environmental monitoring and assessment, the study exposed the vast degradation and hence the need for sustainable land use planning for enhanced catchment management purposes.
Assessing impacts of climatic changes on Hydrology and Water Resources
(2012-04-27) Kilonzo, Fidelis
Assessing Spatio-Temporal Land Cover Changes Within the Nyando River Basin of Kenya Using Landsat Satellite Data Aided by Community Based Mapping – A Case Study
(2014-07-28) Olang, L. O.; Kundu, Peter; Bauer, Thomas; Josef, Fürst
Spatio-temporal land cover changes witnessed within the Nyando River Basin of Kenya were assessed in this study. The land cover changes were mapped by classifying the predominant land cover classes on selected Landsat satellite images. The accuracy of the classifications were assessed using reference datasets developed and processed in a GIS with the help ground based information obtained through participatory community based mapping techniques. The results of the analysis indicated significant deforestation in the headwaters of the basin. Obviously apparent from the land cover conversion matrices was that the majority of the forest decline was a consequence of agricultural expansion. Despite the haphazard land use patterns and uncertainties related to poor data quality for environmental change assessment, the study successfully exposed the vast degradation and hence the dire need for both sustainable landuse planning and catchment management strategies.
Assessing the Impacts of Environmental Changes on the Water Resources of the Upper Mara, Lake Victoria Basin: UNESCO-IHE PhD Thesis
(CRC Press, 2014) Kilonzo, Fidelis
Growing population and unregulated access to forest land have exerted high pressure on the land and water resources of the recharge areas of the transboundary Mara river, in the Lake Victoria region leading to changes in land and water use patterns in the basin. This thesis considers the interactions among climate change and variability, water quality, land surface cover, hydrology, and human systems, including societal adaptations to changing environmental conditions. The thesis explores the interaction between trends in climatic variables and the feedback response of vegetation variables. The effect of different land cover types on water quality is addressed, and alternative methods to treat data quality for hydrological model inputs and validation are discussed. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrological model was adapted to the tropical watershed experiencing data scarcity, and used to assess the impacts of changes to the climate, land use and management practices. Different scenarios driven by the prevailing natural trends, strategic national development and economic policies were used to asses the potential impacts of changes.
Assessment of Land Cover Changes in Lake Olbolosat Region of the Central Kenyan Highlands using Landsat Satellite Imagery Aided by Indigenous Knowledge
(SciTechnol., 2013-04-18) Muriithi, Zacharia; Ako, E. O.; Kiplagat, Jeremiah; Maingi, S. M.; Olang, L. O.
The region around Lake Olbolosat in the central Kenyan highlands has witnessed significant land-use changes, which are believed to be major cause of the dwindling Lake volumes. Very few studies have been carried out in the region due to limited observed insitu data necessary for monitoring the land surface conditions. It is hence important that feasible, straightforward and cost-effective techniques are explored to asses the space and time variations with a view of providing the essential information for improved land and water management. This study investigated the land cover changes around Lake Olbolosat region using data obtained from Landsat satellite remote sensing. Five predominant land cover classes including farmland, floodplain, build-up area, forests and water body were selected for study. Two imageries for 1989 and 2010 when significant changes were witnessed in the area were subsequently selected. The Maximum-Likelihood function of the supervised classification scheme was applied to discern the space and time changes with the support of the indigenous knowledge of the area. From the results obtained, the size of Lake Olbolosat was noted to have significantly shrunk by 68% between the periods of study. Farmlands were noted to have increased by about 31% owing to the rapid rise in commercial and subsistence agriculture favored by the humid tropical climatic conditions of the highlands. The study revealed intense deforestation of the upstream area, which reduced the forested area by about 30% during the study period. The floodplains were also noted to have reduced by about 26%, with a majority of the area being gradually turned to farmland. Built-up area generally increased by about 33% consequent of the rising human population. In summary, the study revealed significant negative land cover changes in the area and hence a critical need for improved land-use planning to curtail further decline of Lake Olbolosat.
Assessment of land cover changes in Lake Olbolossat region of the Central Kenyan highlands using Landsat satellite imagery
(2013-04) Olang, L. O.; Muriithi, Zacharia
The region around Lake Olbolossat located in the central Kenyan highlands has witnessed significant land-use changes, which are today believed to be major cause of the dwindling Lake volumes. Very few studies have been carried out in the region due to limited observed in-situ data important for monitoring purposes. Itis thus urgent that contemporary cost effective techniques are explored to asses the space and time land cover changes with a view to provide information required for appropriate land and water resource management. In this preliminary study, the land cover changes around Lake Olbolossat region were investigated using remotely sensed data obtained from Landsat satellites. Two imageries for 1989 and 2010 when significant changes were witnessed in the area were selected for the study. The maximum-Likelihood function of the supervised classification technique was applied to classify and discern the changes. Five predominant land cover classes that included forestland, built-up area, water body, flood plain and farmland were selected for the study. From the results obtained, the area of the Lake (water body) was noted to have shrunk significantly by 68%. Farmlands in the region were noted to have increased by about 31% largely due to the favorable humid climatic conditions for commercial and subsistence agriculture. The study also revealed that built-up areas increased by about 33% consequent of the rise in the human population. The flood plain area was noted to have reduced by about 26% as most of the area were gradually been turned to farmland. The study also revealed intense deforestation in the upstream Aberdare forest, which was noted to have reduced in area by about 30% during the study period. In general, the study revealed significant land cover changes worth provoking the need for a better land-use planning system to avoid further decline and extinction of Lake Olbolossat.
Automated Extraction of Morphologic and Hydrologic Properties for River Njoro Catchment in Eastern Mau, Kenya
(AGSE Publishing, 2008) Olang, L. O.; Kundu, P.M.
During the past decade digital collection of geodata has become a common subject for the public. Due to the free availability of the GPS signal with selected availability off since May 2000, everybody on Earth is able to determine the actual geo-position within an accuracy radius of about ten meters. GPS is under revision and the new generation of satellites is currently installed in the orbit. This will provide a higher reliability and more precise position accuracy. In addition new and competitive global positioning systems have and will become available, e.g. the Chinese COMPASS, Russian GLONASS and finally the European GALILEO. The next decade will bring a series of new receivers and those will make advantage of all available GPS signal in combination. The public, professional geodetic services and especially the mapping community will truly benefit from these developments and open map services like Open Street Map (OSM) will provide increased geo-precision. Optical satellite remote sensing images are another important source for the acquisition of geoinformation. For the mapping of urban objects, a fine spatial resolution is necessary providing enough detail for reliable object recognition. A series of new spaceborne sensors have been launched recently, those collect image data with a spatial resolution up to 0.41 m in the panchromatic (pan) band. This spatial resolution can be compared with the detail-accuracy offered by classical aerial photos. However, some more advanced features are pushing the satellite images in the first position compared to aerials: spectral bands are not limited to three colors only, the radiometric capabilities exceed the image quality of aerial by far and finally the revisit period of these satellite sensors is in the range of about three days. [The price of the satellite images (per area unit) might be reduced compared to aerials but it will not be considered here.] Having all these criteria in mind we can state that a new generation of remote sensing information source has become available, a true substitute for the classical aerial photos. These two substantial new developments, combined GPS signals, 2nd generation, and super high resolution satellite remote sensing, will facilitate the precise mapping of urban areas substantially. On the one hand unplanned urban settlement regions with a highly diverse, inhomogeneous structure are difficult to survey, on the other hand especially these region need to be mapped first, because an infrastructure network has to be established. Infrastructure in these cases means: freshwater supply and wastewater drainage, electricity grid and a telecommunication network. The Kibera informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenia, is one of the rapidly changing suburban regions with a highly diverse, unmanaged -and in some areas unknown- structure. “Map Kibera” is the name of a mapping project especially for this slum, and Map Kibera may definitely benefit from the new developments of geodata acquisition..
Effect of Tidal Fluctuation on Velocity Distribution in Coastal Aquifers
(National Institute of Informatics, 2008) Makokha, M. O.; Kobayashi, Akira; Shigeyasu, Aoyama
The fundamental effect of the change in saltwater level on velocity distribution is important in understanding the effect of tidal fluctuation in coastal aquifers. This study applied the laboratory experiments using the image analysis method and the numerical model to study the effect of varying the saltwater level on velocity distribution in coastal aquifers. It was established that the change in saltwater level affected the velocity distribution, such that; the velocity at the interface was more than twice the one in freshwater. In addition the tracer in the freshwater zone moved to the intersection between the saltwater level and the coastal slope while the tracer in the saltwater zone went along to the shape of the interface. The numerical model revealed that the drastic high velocities at the interface were due to the great buoyancy effects resulting from the varying fluid density between the saltwater and freshwater in the transition zone. The velocity in the freshwater zone was proportional to the global hydraulic gradient while in the saltwater zone, the velocity was inversely proportional to the global hydraulic gradient. Therefore the changes in saltwater level influence velocity distribution in coastal aquifers.
Evaluating the welfare effects of improved wastewater treatment using a discrete choice experiment
(Journal of Environmental Management, 2013-07) Ndunda, E. N.; Mungatana, E. D.
This paper employs the discrete choice experiment method to estimate the benefits of improved wastewater treatment programs to mitigate the impacts of water pollution in Nairobi, Kenya. Urban and peri-urban farmers who use wastewater for irrigation from Motoine to Ngong River in Nairobi were randomly selected for the study. A random parameter logit model was used to estimate the individual level willingness to pay for the wastewater treatment before reuse in irrigation. The results show that urban and peri-urban farmers are willing to pay significant monthly municipality taxes for treatment of wastewater. We find that the quality of treated wastewater, the quantity of treated wastewater and the riverine ecosystem restoration are significant factors of preference over alternative policy designs in reduction of water pollution.
Hydrochemistry and source of high fluoride in groundwater of the Nairobi area, Kenya
(Taylor & Francis, 2008) Marleen, Coetsiers; Kilonzo, Fidelis; Kristine, Walraevens
This study aims to identify the hydrogeochemical processes influencing the high fluoride concentrations in groundwater of the Nairobi area, Kenya. For this purpose 16 groundwater samples were collected and analysed. Fluoride concentrations above the WHO standard are found in the downstream areas. The high F- concentrations are correlated with high sodium and pH and low Ca2+ concentrations. Weathering of sodium-rich alkaline igneous rocks causes a pH increase resulting in an increase in HCO3- and CO32- by dissolution of CO2. Groundwater becomes oversaturated compared to calcite and calcite precipitation occurs, leading to a decrease in Ca2+. This causes a sub-saturation with respect to fluorite and dissolution of fluorite increases the F- concentration. These reactions were modelled using the PHREEQC model and the results showed a good agreement with the measured groundwater quality, indicating that the proposed reactions are plausible for explaining the observed concentrations in groundwater.
ICWES 15: The 15th International Conference for Women Engineers and Scientists
(2012-10-11) Mumenya, S. W.; Kaberere, K.K.; Mbugua, R.N.; Mutulili, J.; Macharia, L.N.
Shunning of Science subjects by girls in Secondary schools jeopardize the capability of women to effectively compete in a shrinking job market, which favours practical technology based expertise. If unchecked, the trend is poised to adversely affect Kenya's ability to tackle the developmental challenges. This study aimed at establishing the past and current gender based tertiary enrolment of women in science, engineering and technology in five public universities and their constituent colleges. Questionnaires were used for the study. The questionnaires were administered to chairpersons of departments, lecturers, and to the female students. The study captured information on women enrolled in the institutions as well as those who had graduated from the institutions over a five year period. The study established clear gender imbalance with respect to the number of girls enrolled in engineering and technology courses. However, the study found that over the past five years, there were an increasing number of female students enrolling for engineering and technology. This baseline study is the starting point towards the development of a Monitoring and Evaluation framework, whose long term objective is to establish the effect of enhanced performance of secondary school girls in science and mathematics on female enrolment in Science, Engineering and Technology at tertiary institutions in Kenya.
Impact of Rainfall Variability on Groundwater Levels in Ruiru Municipality, Kenya
(Taylor & Francis, 2015) Nyakundi, R.M.; Makokha, M.; Mwangi, J.K.; Obiero, C.
Groundwater accounts for the largest fresh water resources in the world. However, there has been limited exploitation of this vital resource in many areas. Where groundwater resources have been utilised, they have been over-exploited, polluted, wasted and mismanaged. In Ruiru municipality, groundwater is a major component of the water supply, contributing about 70% of the water demand. Rising population numbers and industrial development have led to a high water demand, increased water scarcity and more reliance on ground water. Assessing the effect of rainfall variability on groundwater levels of boreholes in Ruiru municipality will help in assessing the sustainability of groundwater resources in the area. Groundwater levels were measured using a dipper and spatial locations of the boreholes were established and mapped using GIS. Rainfall data was collected from the Kenya Meteorological Department and the Water Resources Management Authority. The water table fluctuation method was used to estimate recharge. There was an impact of rainfall variability on groundwater levels. The results showed a decline in groundwater levels during low rainfall periods. The rainfall variability, caused by climate change, brought about prolonged droughts and low recharge in the area. Climate change should be mitigated to cap the decline in groundwater and abstraction controlled to ensure that groundwater resources are managed properly to avoid depletion.
Impacts of land cover change scenarios on storm runoff generation: a basis for management of the Nyando Basin, Kenya
(Wiley Online Library, 2012) Olang, L. O.; Kundu, P.M.; Ouma, G.; Furst, J.
The effects of conceptual land cover change scenarios on the generation of storm runoffs were evaluated in the Nyando Basin. The spatial scenarios represented alternatives that vary between full deforestation and reforestation. Synthetic storm events of depths 40, 60 and 80mm were formulated according to the rainfall patterns and assumed to have durations corresponding to the runoff times of concentration. The Natural Resource Conservation Service–Curve Number model was used to generate runoff volumes within the sub-catchments, which were subsequently routed downstream to obtain effects in the whole basin. The simulated land cover change impacts were evaluated relative to values obtained from the actual land cover state of the basin in the year 2000. From the results, an agricultural land cover scenario constituting of about 86 per cent of agriculture indicated increased runoff volumes in the entire basin by about 12 per cent. An agricultural-forested land cover scenario with 40 and 51 per cent of forest and agriculture respectively revealed reduced runoff volumes by about 12 per cent. Alternatively, a scenario depicting a largely forested land cover state with about 78 per cent of forests reduced the runoff volumes by about 25 per cent according to the model estimates. Runoff volumes in the basin were also likely to reduce by about 15 per cent if the appropriate land cover scenario for the respective sub-catchments were to be assumed for runoff management purposes. Considering the prevalent data uncertainty, the study effectively highlights the potential hydrological vulnerability of the basin. The results obtained can form a basis for appropriate catchment management of the area.
Improving SWAT model performance in poorly gauged catchments
(2012-04-27) Kilonzo, Fidelis
Land degradation and hydrological effects in the Mau Forest Complex of Kenya.
(2012-03) Olang, L. O.; Kundu, P. M.
The Mau Forest Complex is the largest riverine water tower in East Africa. The area is one of the main sources of the major rivers in Kenya. However, in the recent past, the ecological sustenance of the complex has been under severe threat due to massive deforestation and human induced socio-economic activities. There is thus the urgent need for comprehensive and consistent environmental change analysis to support management. In this study, the spatio-temporal land cover changes within the Mau Complex region was assessed through consistent classification of selected multispectral Landsat satellite images. A post-classification procedure employing the maximum-likelihood classifier was employed to discern the changes, and the accuracy of the classifications assessed from ground based information integrating indigenous knowledge obtained through participatory mapping techniques. Preliminary results of the study indicate significant land degradation, especially within the Eastern part of the Mau Forest Complex. Before 1986, the dominant pre-change land cover types were about 75% of forests, 12% of woodlands and 13% of farms. By 1989, the landscape had changed tremendously to about 60 % of forest and woodland and 40 % of agriculture and built-up area. Hydrologically, these changes have not only impaired the ability of the area to cleanse runoff based processes, but also amplified soil erosion and flooding processes leading to degradation of streams, lakes and other water bodies served by the complex. From the existing signatures, the Mau Forest Complex can be classified as highly vulnerable, considering the long term consequences of the degradation on the sustainability of the existing and important water resources.
Land Degradation of the Mau Forest Complex in Eastern Africa: A Review for Management and Restoration Planning
(2011) Olang, L. O.; Kundu, Peter Musula
The Mau Forest Complex is the largest closed-canopy montane ecosystem in Eastern Africa. It encompasses seven forest blocks within the Mau Narok, Maasai Mau, Eastern Mau, Western Mau, Southern Mau, South West Mau and Transmara regions. The area is thus the largest water tower in the region, being the main catchment area for 12 rivers draining into Lake Baringo, Lake Nakuru, Lake Turkana, Lake Natron and the Trans-boundary Lake Victoria (Kundu et al., 2008; Olang & Fürst, 2011). However, in the past three decades or so, the Mau Forest Complex (MFC) has undergone significant land use changes due to increased human population demanding land for settlement and subsistence agriculture. The encroachment has led to drastic and considerable land fragmentation, deforestation of the headwater catchments and destruction of wetlands previously existing within the fertile upstream parts. Today, the effects of the anthropogenic activities are slowly taking toll as is evident from the diminishing river discharges during periods of low flows, and deterioration of river water qualities through pollution from point and non-point sources (Kenya Forests Working Group [KFWG], 2001; Baldyga et al., 2007). Augmented by the adverse effects of climate change and variability, the dwindling land and water resources has given rise to insecurity and conflicts associated with competition for the limited resources. It is hence becoming urgently important that renewed efforts are focused on this region to avail better information for appropriate planning and decision support
Land Degradation of the Mau Forest Complex in Eastern Africa: A Review for Management and Restoration Planning
(InTech, 2011-11-04) Kundu, P. M.; Olang, L. O.
The Mau Forest Complex is the largest closed-canopy montane ecosystem in Eastern Africa. It encompasses seven forest blocks within the Mau Narok, Maasai Mau, Eastern Mau, Western Mau, Southern Mau, South West Mau and Transmara regions. The area is thus the largest water tower in the region, being the main catchment area for 12 rivers draining into Lake Baringo, Lake Nakuru, Lake Turkana, Lake Natron and the Trans-boundary Lake Victoria (Kundu et al., 2008; Olang & Fürst, 2011). However, in the past three decades or so, the Mau Forest Complex (MFC) has undergone significant land use changes due to increased human population demanding land for settlement and subsistence agriculture. The encroachment has led to drastic and considerable land fragmentation, deforestation of the headwater catchments and destruction of wetlands previously existing within the fertile upstream parts. Today, the effects of the anthropogenic activities are slowly taking toll as is evident from the diminishing river discharges during periods of low flows, and deterioration of river water qualities through pollution from point and non-point sources (Kenya Forests Working Group [KFWG], 2001; Baldyga et al., 2007). Augmented by the adverse effects of climate change and variability, the dwindling land and water resources has given rise to insecurity and conflicts associated with competition for the limited resources. It is hence becoming urgently important that renewed efforts are focused on this region to avail better information for appropriate planning and decision support. Such a process will nonetheless, require an integrated characterization of the changing land and water flow regimes, and their concerned socio-economic effects on resource allocation and distribution (Krhoda, 1988; King, et al., 1999). Assessing the impacts of the environmental changes on water flow regimes generally require provision of time series meteorological, hydrological and land use datasets. However, like in a majority the developing countries, the MFC does not have good data infrastructure for monitoring purposes (Corey et al., 2007; Kundu et al., 2008). A majority of research studies in the area www.intechopen.com Environmental Monitoring 246 have relied on low resolution land cover datasets, including approximate physically-based procedures to understand the space and time surface alterations. Renewed efforts are thus underway in the MFC at present in order to avail high resolution information to be used for updating the existing databases with a view of improving future forecasts for restoration management as shown in Figure 1. Datasets from relevant research organization such as the World Agro-forestry Centre (ICRAF), Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), Regional Disaster Management Center of Excellence (RDMCOE) and IGAD – Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC) are hence being harmonized for use in evaluating the environmental effects of spatial changes, especially within hotspot regions of the complex. Cost effective computer-based techniques, which can efficiently analyze diverse physically-based variables are also under consideration to enhance the application of appropriate distributed-based management interventions (Kundu, 2007; Olang, 2009).

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