Browsing by Author "Kigen, Charles"

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Forage availability and quality for the Impala (aepyceros melampus (brian) kathryh) of Impala sanctuary, Kenya
(International Journal of Recent Scientific Research, 2014-10-28) Obiet, Leonard; Konje, Martha; Muyekho, Francis; Danyuku, Esther; Kigen, Charles; Wamalwa, Stella; Kassily, Fredrick; Wabusya, Moses
Brian) Kathryh) in three ecosystems of the Impala sanctuary, Kenya was assessed during the wet and dry seasons. The grazing behavior of the impalas was observed to identify the preferred forage species and patterns grazing between seasons and ecosystems. Preferred grass species were sampled to determine percentage dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fibers, and Crude protein. Data was subjected to Analysis of Variance using SAS version 9.0. The results showed that impala sanctuary had 37 different grass species but Cynodon dactylon, Eragrostis curvula, Digitaris scalarum, Eleusine indica, Pennisetum setaceum and Hyparrhenia filipendula were most grazed on by the Impala. Grassland ecosystem had significantly high forage availability during the wet season, but in the dry season the marshes ecosystem was the one with the most nutritious forages. Grazing patterns varied with seasons, with most impalas preferring to graze in the grassland during the wet season and in the marshes during the dry season. The study suggests management practices that favor dominance of species that are most foraged in order to increase forage availability for the impalas in the sanctuary.
The impacts of human activities on tree species richness and diversity in Kakamega Forest, Western Kenya
(Academic Journals : International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 2014-06-01) Vuyiya, Esther; Konje, Martha; Tsingalia, Harrison; Obiet, Leonard; Kigen, Charles; Wamalwa, Stella; Nyongesa, Humphrey
Tropical rain forests are species rich ecosystems that are being depleted at very high rates through human encroachment. Kakamega forest is one of the heavily fragmented and disturbed tropical rain forests due to the high human population densities that surround the forest. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of human activities on tree species richness, diversity, canopy surface area and seedling density in Kakamega forest. The study was conducted in four sites within Kakamega forest: Handidi, Lukusi, Isecheno and KWS as a control site. The data was collected between June and December, 2011. Vegetation sampling was done in randomly selected sites within each study site using belt transects and quadrants. Within each transect, the number of tree species and seedlings were counted and the intensity of human disturbances assessed. Vegetation data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance. Correlation and regression analysis were done between dependent and independent variables. Simpson’s diversity index was used to calculate tree species diversity in each study site. There were significant differences between species diversity, richness, canopy surface area and seedling density with distance from the forest edge. The study showed that there was negative impact of human activities (logging, grazing, debarking and charcoal burning) on tree species in the three study sites as compared to the control site. The results revealed a negative influence on the forest by human activities. The study recommended strict enforcement of the existing conservation laws concerning forest use by the local communities as well as formulating more integrated approach to the needs of local communities for natural resource use.
Spatial modeling of sorghum (sorghum bicolor) growing areasin Kenyan arid and semi-arid lands
(Elixirpublishers : Agriculture, 2014-01-10) Kigen, Charles; Ochieno, Dennis; Muoma, John; Shivoga, William; Konje, Martha; Onyando, Zedekiah; Soi, Benard; Makindi, Stanley; Kisoyan, Philip; Mironga, John
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is an important African cereal crop and is listed among Africa’s lost crops but is now gaining popularity as other cereals are declining in production due to climatic change. To promote food security, many researchers and policy makers are shifting the focus on production of sorghum. In Kenya, sorghum is primarily grown in ASALs whose suitability is climatic factors but the extent is not known. This paper modeled the potential sorghum suitable areas of current and the years 2050 and 2080 climatic periods. The sorghum location data were downloaded from GENESYS and Kenya Agricultural Research Institute while climate data was from world climate database website. Analysis was done using Maxent and DIVA-GIS softwares. The model generated an excellent AUC of 0.97 and the suitable areas in the future are shown to expand in both 2050 and 2080 climatic periods though not in same magnitude. The main variables contributing more than 10 % of change in suitability areas in decreasing order are precipitation of wettest period, temperature seasonality (STD * 100), precipitation of warmest quarter, and precipitation of driest month. The generated information will guide the policy makers and stakeholders in making informed decisions with regard to the efforts of re-introduction and promotion of sorghum production in ASALs.