Browsing by Author "Nyongesa, Humphrey"

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Effects of land use practices on soil organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in river Nzoia drainage basin, Kenya
(Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 2015-05-07) Wabusya, Moses; Nyongesa, Humphrey; Konje, Martha Muthoni; Agevi, Humphrey; Tsingalia, Mugatsia
Land use activities along River Nzoia Drainage Basin, Kenya, include cultivation along the river banks, over grazing, deforestation, draining of wetlands for horticulture, harvesting of sand and brick-making. These activities have brought about changes in soil properties in the drainage basin adversely affecting farming output and the ecosystem in general. Consequently, it is important to understand how the different land use activities influence the soil properties in order to design and implement effective soil management strategies. This study examined the effects of land use practices on selected soil nutrients in Nzoia River Drainage Basin in Bungoma County. Cultivation and grazing were identified as important land use practices, while undisturbed sites were treated as controls. Land use practices along the river were identified by actual surveying of the study area. Secondary data on land use practices were obtained from technical reports, from local authorities and government offices. Soil samples were collected from different land use areas using randomly placed 5mx5m quadrats. Solis were collected at depths of 15cm in zigzag grid layout in each sample quadrat using soil auger. A total of 72 soil samples were collected in the study sites and analyzed for total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P) and organic carbon (C). Analysis of variance and correlation were performed to determine the significant land use practices affecting soil N, C and P. Cultivation had a significant effect on soil organic C mean value of 1.91 but negatively correlated with total Nitrogen and soil C while undisturbed sites exhibited positive correlation with C (P≤ 0.05). On the basis of our findings, it is recommended that conservation agriculture be practiced in the River Nzoia and its drainage system.
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.