Biophysical Conditions and Land Use Methods Contributing to Watershed Degradation in Makueni County, Kenya

Abstract

Land use changes, rapid population growth, poverty, climate change variability and lack of livelihoods diversification aggravate watershed degradation through inappropriate land use methods resulting to water scarcity, land and water pollution, and governance issues. Soil erosion and siltation has led to land denudation, habitat loss and farm lands losing their soil fertility and compromising food security. The purpose of this study was to find out how land use methods influenced the biophysical and socio-economic conditions to accelerate watershed degradation and their effects on livelihoods in Makueni County, Kenya. The study investigated the land use methods practiced and how they affect the biophysical conditions influencing watershed degradation in Makueni County. The study used a descriptive survey research approach to obtain data on socio-economic characteristics of the study sites as well as historical trends of land use. Remote sensing and GIS was used to determine land use categories in the study area. Structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data from the community and key informants. The data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel 2010. The study established that decline of ground water 90% (S.E=0.602 z=-0.725 sig.=0.468), increase in surface run-off 55% (S.E=0.314 z=0.394 sig.=0.693), increase in soil erosion 86% (S.E=0.660 z=-1.875 sig.=0.061), changes in rainfall and temperatures 75% (S.E=0.374 z=-0.547 sig.=0.585), decline in soil fertility 70% (S.E=0.362 z=-1.370 sig.=0.171) and drying of rivers 37% (S.E=0.398 z=1.739 sig.=0.082), contributed to watershed degradation. This predisposed farmers to adopt inappropriate farming methods and unsustainable livelihood strategies which compromised the watershed's environmental integrity. The study made recommendations for efficient watershed management.

Farmers’ Attitude On Different Watershed Management Practices: A Case of Tende and Kibuon Catchments in South West, Kenya

“…Watershed degradation in Kenya is caused by high population, over-use of natural resources, climate variability and release of pollutants in the environment (GoK, 2014; Kieti, Kauti & Kisangau, 2016;Gunya, 2009). Degradation reduces forest cover despite their products being used by eight percent of Kenyans (Swallow & Meinzen-dick, 2008 & Lake Victoria South Catchment Area, 2012).…”

“…Like many countries, Kenya is faced with inter-related constraints in terms of limited resources, food insecurity and competition for natural resources due to watershed degradation (Heiner, K. , Shames, S. & Spiegel, 2016). It affects well-being of watersheds which provides goods and services to communities (Kieti et al, 2016). The country is experiencing faster depletion of natural resources than they are replenished for example around Lake Naivasha there is water scarcity due to water over use by horticulture and industries in the area (World Bank, 2016).…”

“…Watershed degradation is the most serious natural resource degradation affecting environment and socio-economic factors (Atnafe, Ahmed & Adane, 2015). It threatens food security making watersheds prone to climate change variability including poverty (Mesfin, 2010;Ibido, 2015;Kieti, Kauti & Kisangau, 2016). Kibuon and Tende catchments are on Eastern side of Lake Victoria in South West Kenya and were characterized with degradation which contributed to less water base flow and enhanced poverty.…”

Watershed Management Performance Assessment Based on Land Condition Indicators (Laeya Watershed Case, Southeast Sulawesi Province

“…Human activities contribute greatly to watershed environmental degradation (Kometa & Ebot, 2012;RN et al, 2016), such as the rate of land change, reduced vegetation cover, and land use principles that do not consider the carrying capacity of land in the development process (Adegboyega, 2021). This causes floods and landslides (Gebretsadik, 2014).…”