Effects of water depth and livelihood activities on plant species composition and diversity in Nyando floodplain wetland, Kenya

Rongoei, P. J. K.; Kipkemboi, Julius; Kariuki, S. T.; Dam, A. A. van

doi:10.1007/s11273-013-9313-7

Cited by 19 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…More so, mortality was observed to occur in all the sites in the month of November ( Figure 5). The reason could be due to water level that dropped, low pH, SRP and TP in surface water, while NO 2 , NO 3 , NH 4 and TN were highest in November. According to [30] and [31], papyrus growth requires a pH range of 6 -8.5.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The wetland is dominated by papyrus vegetation with patches of other emergent macrophytes such as Vossia cuspidata, Typha sp., Ipomoea aquatica and Phragmites sp. [4].…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The highest correlation coefficient between predictor variables for culm length in model 1 was 0.414 (between SRP and water depth) which explains a variance of 17% in one variable hence, can be included as the variance is low and can be tolerated. In model one, relative growth rate (>200 cm) in period 1 against average culm length, total culm density, water depth, NH 4 , and site as dummy showed that growth was significantly and negatively affected by average length, total density and NH 4 . On the other hand, growth was significantly and positively affected by surface water depth and site.…”

Section: The Effect Of Water Quality and Soil Type On Papyrus Growth mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A slight change in hydrologic conditions may result in large changes in species richness and in turn lead to changes in ecosystem productivity [4]. Higher productivities can be achieved in areas with stable water regime where there is low density but with robust individual plants [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, un-destructive method to determine specific papyrus productivity is crucial in this wetland where hydrological regimes keep changing and exploitation pressures from livelihood activities increase. Papyrus productivity in relation to differences in exploitation activities are represented by the three study sites with different exploitation pressures and water levels [2] [4]. This study focused on papyrus aerial biomass (culm density and growth rate) which is important in determining the overall productivity of the system as they contribute more than 50% of the plant biomass [10] [13] [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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<i>Cyperus papyrus</i> L. Growth Rate and Mortality in Relation to Water Quantity, Quality and Soil Characteristics in Nyando Floodplain Wetland, Kenya

Rongoei¹,

Outa²

2016

OJE

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Cyperus papyrus (L.) growth rate and mortality is influenced by environmental conditions prevailing in the wetland. To assess growth dynamics of C. papyrus in relation to water depth and anthropogenic (exploitation) pressures, monthly and bi-monthly measurement of culm length and girth were done between June and December 2010 (period 1) and April to June 2011 (period 2). Three study sites were selected based on the water levels and livelihood-driven exploitation pressures. Surrogate measurements of individual culm height and girth were done in three 1 m 2 quadrats in each site to determine the growth rate of papyrus. Water depth was lowest in period 2 (dry) and highest in period 1 (wet) which was related to the livelihood activities being highest in period two and lowest in period one. Culm mortality occurred throughout the study period with 64% due to natural senescing while insect/rodent accounted for 19%. Papyrus growth was higher in Singida (2.5 ± 0.2 cm/day) representing less disturbed site and least in Wasare (1.4 ± 0.1 cm/day) which was highly disturbed. Multiple regression models for culm length showed culm density, mean length and NH 4 negatively influenced growth rate while site as a dummy variable, water depth, SRP and TP had positive effects on papyrus growth rate. Understanding growth rate and causes of mortality in papyrus is important to establish sustainable management strategies of this ecosystem to maintain its integrity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The wetland is dominated by papyrus vegetation with patches of other emergent macrophytes such as Vossia cuspidata, Typha sp., Ipomoea aquatica and Phragmites sp. [4].…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Effect Of Water Quality and Soil Type On Papyrus Growth mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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<i>Cyperus papyrus</i> L. Growth Rate and Mortality in Relation to Water Quantity, Quality and Soil Characteristics in Nyando Floodplain Wetland, Kenya

Rongoei¹,

Outa²

2016

OJE

Self Cite

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The importance of being natural in a human‐altered riverscape: role of wetland type in supporting habitat heterogeneity and the functional diversity of vegetation

Bolpagni

Piotti

2015

Aquatic Conservation

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1. Human activities have dramatically affected the status of river ecosystems, mainly by completely altering their natural dynamics. One of the main questions in this regard is: 'How do the origin (natural or artificial) and hydrology (lentic or lotic) of a riverine wetland influence its heterogeneity and the functional diversity of its vegetation?'2. To answer this question, data from 60 wetlands were collected along the Oglio River (northern Italy), ã 700 km 2 ecosystem that is a typically over-exploited plain. In order to perform a quantitative assessment of habitat heterogeneity and vegetation diversity, a hierarchical approach was applied to sample sites divided into four functional zones (FZs) according to distinct seasonal inundation patterns (persistently aquatic, riparian, seasonally emergent and lateral zones).3. Plant communities were randomly surveyed in each FZ by using five replicates of 4 m 2 plots for aquatic and herbaceous plant communities and five replicates of 64 m 2 plots for woody and shrub communities. Data on species cover were estimated by standard methods (geometric-centered scale) 4. The highest values of heterogeneity (FZs per site) and vegetation diversity (plant communities per site) were found in natural lentic sites, whereas natural lotic sites exhibited the lowest values. A clear dependence of plant community assets on wetland origin was detected, thereby confirming the close relationship between heterogeneity and vegetation diversity. 5. Present results highlight the fundamental role played by natural sites in maintaining aquatic and wetland vegetation diversity in human-altered riverscapes. The pivotal role of water level fluctuations in promoting the diversity and distribution of aquatic and hygrophilous vegetation also clearly emerges.

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Sustainable Use of Papyrus from Lake Victoria, Kenya

Dam

Kipkemboi

2018

The Wetland Book

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Effects of water depth and livelihood activities on plant species composition and diversity in Nyando floodplain wetland, Kenya

Cited by 19 publications

References 22 publications

<i>Cyperus papyrus</i> L. Growth Rate and Mortality in Relation to Water Quantity, Quality and Soil Characteristics in Nyando Floodplain Wetland, Kenya

<i>Cyperus papyrus</i> L. Growth Rate and Mortality in Relation to Water Quantity, Quality and Soil Characteristics in Nyando Floodplain Wetland, Kenya

The importance of being natural in a human‐altered riverscape: role of wetland type in supporting habitat heterogeneity and the functional diversity of vegetation

Sustainable Use of Papyrus from Lake Victoria, Kenya

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Effects of water depth and livelihood activities on plant species composition and diversity in Nyando floodplain wetland, Kenya

Cited by 19 publications

References 22 publications

&lt;i&gt;Cyperus papyrus&lt;/i&gt; L. Growth Rate and Mortality in Relation to Water Quantity, Quality and Soil Characteristics in Nyando Floodplain Wetland, Kenya

&lt;i&gt;Cyperus papyrus&lt;/i&gt; L. Growth Rate and Mortality in Relation to Water Quantity, Quality and Soil Characteristics in Nyando Floodplain Wetland, Kenya

The importance of being natural in a human‐altered riverscape: role of wetland type in supporting habitat heterogeneity and the functional diversity of vegetation

Sustainable Use of Papyrus from Lake Victoria, Kenya

Contact Info

Product

Resources

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<i>Cyperus papyrus</i> L. Growth Rate and Mortality in Relation to Water Quantity, Quality and Soil Characteristics in Nyando Floodplain Wetland, Kenya

<i>Cyperus papyrus</i> L. Growth Rate and Mortality in Relation to Water Quantity, Quality and Soil Characteristics in Nyando Floodplain Wetland, Kenya