Assessing composition and diversity of woody vegetation in mined arid and semi arid lands of Kerio valley, Kenya

  • Authors

    • Abraham Barsosio Egerton University, Njoro
    • Bernard Kirui Egerton University, Njoro
    • Nelson Maara Egerton University, Njoro
    2016-08-16
    https://doi.org/10.14419/ijbr.v4i2.6239
  • Composition, Diversity, Mined, Rehabilitated, Woody Vegetation.

  • Abstract

    The woody vegetation in semi-arid area is important in providing ecosystem services and goods. However, it faces threats manifested in land-use changes such as mining. This study aimed at assessing the composition and diversity of woody vegetation as well as inherent soil physico-chemical parameters in a previously mined area and comparing it with a semi-pristine adjacent area.  Six transects containing five plots each were established within two blocks separated by a river. In each plot, data was collected on woody tree growth characteristics and soil parameters. Thirteen woody species were recorded in the rehabilitated mined and twenty two in semi-pristine sites with Ficus sycomorus L Moraceae being the dominant species at the two sites. Woody vegetation diversity was higher in semi-pristine site than in the rehabilitated mined site. However, this was not significant (t-test, =D.F=1 P=0.767). Mean soil nutrients (F2, 7. = P=0.821), pH (F2, 7. =109.88, P=xxx), was higher in rehabilitated mined sites while mean soil temperature (F2, 7. =9.08, P=0.011) was higher in mined areas. Rehabilitating mined sites can bring back species diversity, composition, however what is not clear is whether ecosystem functions are restored. 

  • References

    1. [1] Challinor, A., Wheeler, T., Garforth, C., Craufurd, P.,Kassam, A.,2007. Assessing the vulnerability of food crop systems in Africa to climate change. Climatic Change 83, 381–399 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10584-007-9249-0.

      [2] Emadi, M., Emadi, M., Baghernejad, M., Fathi, H. & Saffari, M (2008). Effect of Land Use Change on Selected Soil Physical and Chemical Properties in North Highlands of Iran. Journal of Applied Sciences. 8, 496-502. http://dx.doi.org/10.3923/jas.2008.496.502.

      [3] FAO, U. (2004). UNEP. 1994. Land degradation in south Asia: Its severity, causes and effects upon the people. World Soil Resources Report (78).

      [4] FAO. (2004). Carbon Sequestration in Dryland Soil. World Soil Resources Report Series.

      [5] Ghose, M. K., R. Paul and S. K. Banerjee (2004). Assessment of the impacts of vehicular emissions on urban air quality and its management in Indian context: the case of Kolkata (Calcutta). Environmental Science & Policy 7(4): 345-351. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2004.05.004.

      [6] GOK (2009). Survey on Population Census for Demographic and Development Agenda. 267-269.

      [7] Hancock, G. R., M. K. Grabham, P. Martin, K. G. Evans and A. Bollhafer (2006). A methodology for the assessment of rehabilitation success of post mining landscapesa sediment and radionuclide transport at the former Nabarlek uranium mine, Northern Territory, Australia. Science of the Total Environment 354(23): 103-119. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2005.01.039.

      [8] Huston, M. A. and D. L. DeAngelis (1994). Competition and coexistence: the effects of resource transport and supply rates. American Naturalist: 954-977. http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/285720.

      [9] Jeffries, P., S. Gianinazzi, S. Perotto, K. Turnau and J.-M. Barea (2003). The contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in sustainable maintenance of plant health and soil fertility. Biology and fertility of soils 37(1): 1-16.

      [10] Kapkiyai, J., Woomer, P.L., Qureshi, J., Smithson, P. and Karanja, N. 1999. Soil organic matter and nutrient dynamics in a Kentan nitisol under long-term fertilizer and organic input management. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 31:1173-1782. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0038-0717(99)00088-7.

      [11] Kellman (1979). Soil Enrichmnet by Neo-Tropical Savvanah Trees. Ecology 67: 565-577.

      [12] Kigomo, B. (2003). Forests and woodlands degradation in dryland Africa: A case for urgent global attention. XII World Forestry Congress, Quebec, Canada.

      [13] Kipkiror, L. J. and J. Towett (2003). Towards Ensuring a Supply of Sufficient and Quality Water in the Lagam Escarpment and the Kerio Valley in Marakwet District, Kenya.

      [14] Kokwaro, J, O., 1985. The distribution and economic importance of the mangrove forests in Kenya. J.E Afr.Nat.Hist.Soc.75:1-12.

      [15] Leak, W.B. 1964. An expression of diameter distribution for unbalanced, uneven-aged stands and forests. For. Sci. 10: 39-50.

      [16] Ludwig F (2001) Tree-grass interactions on an East AfricanSavanna. The effects of competition, facilitation and hydraulic lift. Tropical Resource Management Series 39. Wageningen University, Wageningen.

      [17] Maitima (2009). The Linkages between Land use change, Land degradation and Biodiversity across East Africa.

      [18] Mekuria, W., E. Veldkamp, M. Haile, J. Nyssen, B. Muys and K. Gebrehiwot (2007). Effectiveness of exclosures to restore degraded soils as a result of overgrazing in Tigray, Ethiopia. Journal of Arid Environments 69(2): 270-284. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2006.10.009.

      [19] Mengich (2013). Composition and distribution of indigenous trees and shrubs as possible criteria for indicating adapted species in semi-arid rangelands. Ecology.

      [20] Murage, E.W, P.L., Karanja, N.K. and Woomer. 2001. Estimating total system C in smallhold farming systems of the East Africa Highlands. Assessment Methods for Soil Carbon (R. Lal, J.M. Kimble, R.F. Follett and B.A. Stewart, eds.), Advances in Soil Science (series). Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, USA. pp. 147-166.

      [21] Nangulu (2001). Food Security and Coping Mechanisms in Kenya's Marginal Areas: The Case of West Pokot, West Virginia University Libraries.

      [22] Newton, A.C., Hill, R.A., Echeverrı´a, C., Golicher, D., Rey Benayas, J.M.,Cayuela, L. & Hinsley, S. (2009) Remote sensing and the future of landscape ecology.Progress in Physical Geography,33, 528–546. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0309133309346882.

      [23] Omambia, A. N., C. Shemsanga and Y. Li (2009). Combating climate change in Kenya: efforts, challenges and opportunities. Rep. Opin 1: 65-76.

      [24] Parsons, T. R. Maitay. & Lalli, CM 1984. A manual of chemical and biological methods for seawater analysis, Oxford, Pergamon Press, 173p.

      [25] Riha S J, James BR, Senesac GP and Pallent E (1986) Spatial variability of soil pH and organic matter in forest plantations. Soil Sci Soc Am J 50:1347-135. http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1986.03615995005000050053x.

      [26] Sax, D. F., S. D. Gaines and J. H. Brown (2002). Species invasions exceed extinctions on islands worldwide: a comparative study of plants and birds. The American Naturalist 160(6): 766-783. http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/343877.

      [27] Thom (1983). Ecology and production in Baringo-Kerio valley, Kenya." Geographical Review: 15-29.

      [28] UNEP (2006). Land degradation in world deserts. 4: 1-4.

      [29] White F 1983 Chapter XII. The Lake Victoria Regional Mosaic. In: The Vegetation of Africa. UNESCO, Paris. P 179-184.

  • Downloads

  • How to Cite

    Barsosio, A., Kirui, B., & Maara, N. (2016). Assessing composition and diversity of woody vegetation in mined arid and semi arid lands of Kerio valley, Kenya. International Journal of Biological Research, 4(2), 129-137. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijbr.v4i2.6239

    Received date: 2016-05-13

    Accepted date: 2016-06-16

    Published date: 2016-08-16