Land degradation and hydrological effects in the Mau Forest Complex of Kenya.
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Date
2012-03
Authors
Olang, L. O.
Kundu, P. M.
Journal Title
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Abstract
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.
Description
Keywords
Mau Complex, Land cover change, Satellite images, Indigenous knowledge
Citation
Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 14, EGU2012-8996-1, 2012