Spatial Temporal Mapping of Spread of Water Hyacinth in Winum Gulf, Lake Victoria

Abstract

Abstract. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is an invasive hydro plant that invaded the waters of Lake Victoria and has since been spreading rapidly affecting the socio-economic livelihood of the community around the Lake. The weed's rapid spread is due to various anthropogenic activities in the surrounding environment among them being the eutrophication of the lake waters.This study aims at using remote sensing applications and presenting the results of the analysis of the water hyacinth Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), water extent, and analysis of correlation with the water quality over time from Sentinel 2 satellite imagery in January 2017 to January of 2021. The analysis aims at understanding the vegetation growth coverage in the five years and sets the basis of monthly predictive modelling of the behavior of water hyacinth. Predictive modelling applies historical statistical data while trying to use trend analysis in predicting the future behavior of a phenomenon. This study also seeks to answer the research question of the role of suspended sediments and dissolved minerals in abating the spread of and growth of water hyacinth.

Agricultural practices drive elevated rates of topsoil decline across Kenya, but terracing and reduced tillage can reverse this

“…In Kenya, the impacts of nutrient fluxes to aquatic ecosystems have been well documented, especially in the case of the Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria (May et al, 2022). Blooms of the invasive water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), which threaten fishing activities and block water pumps, have intensified in recent years as suspended sediment, N and P loads from contributing river basins have increased (Nyawacha et al, 2021). Locally, high sediment and P loads are driven by agricultural runoff, and the erosion of riverbanks and P-rich carbonatite rocks (Guya, 2019).…”

Understanding the Spatial–Temporal Patterns of Floating Islands Impacting the Major Dams of the White Nile

“…Similarly, in the Kiira power station, Figure 7 indicates that the islands' vegetation covered more pixels in September, November, and December in 2004, September and November in 2010, and November 2013. Seasonal wind discrepancies impact the accumulation and ultimate confinement of biomass constituting the floating islands [93,94]. Strong southeast trade winds between September and November result in convectional storms, leading to larger islands around the Kiira power station and an increase in the lake's water level due to higher precipitation [31,71].…”

The Multifaceted Function of Water Hyacinth in Maintaining Environmental Sustainability and the Underlying Mechanisms: A Mini Review

“…However, it should be paid special attention that WH usually accelerates its growth and clonal reproduction in eutrophic water and thus has a high risk of population outbreaks resulting in quick occupation of water surfaces [ 73 ]. In this case, methods, such as the use of floating fences to prevent its spread and image-processing technologies to monitor its population, are necessary to avoid potential secondary ecological problems [ 74 , 75 ].…”