Ecosystem restoration methods and livelihoods development in Machakos County, Kenya

Abstract

Among the highly degraded environments in the world are the arid and the semi-arid areas hence mostly vulnerable to Global warming, climate change, soil erosion and other environmental challenges. Understanding ecosystem restoration Methods and the local adaptive capacities is critical for livelihood development. This study’s main objective was to examine ecosystem restoration methods and livelihoods development in Kithimani sub-location, Machakos County, Kenya. The research determined the effect of ecosystem structure and functioning on livelihood development and ecosystem resilience, examined ecosystem restoration methods used, challenges to ecosystem restoration and the moderating influence of ecosystem restoration Methods on livelihood development and ecosystem resilience in Kithimani Sub location, Machakos County. The study hypotheses were that ecosystem structure and function do not have significant effect on livelihood development and ecosystem resilience, there are no significant ecosystem restoration Methods used, there are no significant challenges to ecosystem restoration and finally, there is no significant moderating influence of ecosystem restoration methods on livelihood development and ecosystem resilience in Kithimani Sub location, Machakos County. This study adopted descriptive research design because it helped in describing the ecosystem structure, observing the ecosystem restoration Methods and outlining the livelihood development methods in the study area. Primary data collection tools included questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The sample size included 384 households which were purposively and randomly selected. Data from questionnaires was first cleaned through editing, coding and tabulation for the detection of any anomalies in the responses. Specific numerical values were assigned for the analysis. Data from the key informants was reviewed to ensure that the interview schedule was well done and analysis done using the Framework Based Approach. Both qualitative and quantitative data were then analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Mann Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were also conducted to test if medians between comparison groups were different. Results showed that 56.3% and 61.1% of the household heads and key informants were male while 37.7% and 38.9% of the household heads and key informants were aged 40-49 years. There was a significant positive effect of structure and function, challenges to ecosystem restoration and ecosystem restoration Methods used and a significant moderating influence of ecosystem restoration Methods on livelihood development and ecosystem resilience in Kithimani Sub location, Machakos County, Kenya. All the null hypotheses were rejected and the alternative hypotheses accepted. The study concludes that ecosystem structure and functioning, challenges to ecosystem restoration and restoration Methods used are significant variables affecting livelihood development and ecosystem resilience and recommends that specific ecosystem-based restoration measures like planting of drought tolerant crops and trees need to be adopted in Kithimani to decrease the vulnerability of the communities