Rangeland management and vegetation ordination in three community ranches in Samburu County, Kenya
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Date
2013-01
Authors
Nyoike, Mugechi M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Rangelands have a harsh and variable physical environment typical of arid to semi arid
areas that receive low and erratic rainfall of less than 450mm per year. The challenge of
the rangeland potential today is to balance livestock productivity for a growing human
population with conservation of vegetation for both wildlife and livestock. This study set
to determine past and current land use management practices among the Samburu people
in context of the social economic infrastructure development in the area. The study also
aimed to establish whether there is clustering in the spatial distribution of plant species
and the plant-soil relationship in the study area. Data was collected in Basalinga, Ngotuk
Ongiron and Ngaloni community ranches of Samburu County. The results based on field
land use data, observations and laboratory data obtained from soil chemical analysis
revealed that Samburu people employ range, herd and wells management skills to ensure
there is availability of forage for their livestock throughout the year. In addition, the study
shows there has been an increase in the development of the social economic
infrastructures in the area. The results further indicate that despite the Samburu
community being pastoralist, their movement is continually constrained by availability of
social amenities. Modified Braun Blanquet cover/abundance rating was used to determine
the species abundance. Result indicates that plants with a height of less than a meter had
highest abundance. Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) results confirm floristic
clustering in spatial distribution of plant species in Samburu eco-region while Detrended
Canonical Correspondence Analysis (DCCA) indicated plant species had 68.1%
relationship with measured soil variables. The sum of all unconstrained Eigen values for
both DCA and DCCA in this study had similar value of 2.725 as expected in a normal
(unconstrained) correspondence analysis. This implies important explanatory variables
were measured and included in the analysis. For further understanding of the land use and
vegetation condition in Samburu eco-region, this study recommends that further research
be undertaken to determine the forage value of the vegetation in the study area for both
wildlife and livestock.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of masters of arts (geography) in the school of humanities and social sciences of Kenyatta University. January 2013, SF 84.64 .K4M8
Keywords
Range management, Vegetation ordination, Rangelands, Conservation, Vegetation, Samburu County, Kenya