Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 2 (11), pp. 001-010, November, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Livelihood diversification and implications on poverty and environment in the Lake Victoria Basin

Richard Y.M. Kangalawe^1*, Emma T. Liwenga¹, Robert Kabumbuli² and Mary K. Walingo³

¹Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dares Salaam, P.O. Box 35097, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

²Department of Sociology, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.

³School of Public Health and Community Development, Maseno University, Kenya P.O. BOX 333, MASENO, Kenya.

Accepted 14 August, 2011

Abstract

This paper on livelihood diversification is based on an ongoing study under VicRes programme being undertaken in the Lake Victoria Basin, in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. We examine how changing socio-economic and environmental conditions contribute to livelihood diversification, land -use changes, poverty reduction strategies and environmental conservation in the Lake Victoria Basin. The study was undertaken using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative methods included focused group discussions, key informant interviews and direct observations. Quantitative data were collected using a structured household questionnaire. Qualitative were analysed with the villagers by triangulation, while quantitative data were analysed using standard statistical methods. Findings from the study indicate that while agricultural production is prominent in the highland areas, the major activity in the lowland villages is fishing. Factors such as population increase, drought, and changes in macro and micro socio-economic conditions have resulted into livelihood diversification and land use changes in the Lake Victoria basin. Some of the livelihood activities influence the socio-economic dynamics, natural resource management, and the environment, leading to increased land degradation, low agricultural productivity, water pollution, food insecurity and poverty. The study also established decreasing trends in land availability over time attributed mainly to increasing population pressure and livelihood diversification.

Key words: Livelihood diversification, land use changes, poverty alleviation, environment, population dynamics, Lake Victoria Basin.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 2 (11), pp. 001-007, November, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Occurrence of elevated nitrate in groundwaters of Krishna delta, India

N. C. Mondal^*, V. K. Saxena and V. S. Singh

National Geophysical Research Institute (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Uppal Road, Hyderabad-500606, India

Accepted 18 August, 2011

Abstract

Nitrate concentrations were measured in the groundwater samples of Krishna delta, India. The results indicate a large variation of nitrate from 10 - 135 mg/l. In 79 groundwater samples, about 39% shows high nitrate contents (>50 mg/l), which is more than the permissible limits in drinking water. In north Krishna delta 49% and in south Krishna delta 26% water samples were found to exceed the permissible limits. This study indicates that groundwater of north Krishna delta is more polluted than south. Nitrate pollution level is found more in dug wells compared to hand pumps/bore wells. In this region 49% dug wells and 31% hand pumps have exceeded the desirable limits. The possible sources for the high nitrate level in groundwater were identified as excessive utilization of nitrogenous fertilizers for agricultural purposes.

Key words: Nitrate pollution, groundwater, Krishna delta, India.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 2 (9), pp. 001-009, September, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Range use and dynamics in the agropastoral system of southeastern Kenya

M. M Nyangito^*, N. K. R Musimba and D. M Nyariki

Department of Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology, University of Nairobi, P. O Box 29053, Nairobi, Kenya.

Accepted 16 April, 2011

Abstract

Occurrence of equilibrium and non equilibrium system dynamics in semiarid environments present serious management challenges. In these areas, resource management strategies are increasingly based on equilibrium rather than non equilibrium dynamics that assume simple system dynamics and strong coupling of animal-plant responses. This management approach underlies increasing trends of range degradation and low livestock productivity in these environments. To reverse these trends dictates greater understanding and alignment of grazing resource extraction strategies in space and time to prevailing system dynamics behaviour. In this study, range use patterns by free ranging herds under agropastoral herding were studied in two cycles of four consecutive grazing periods, in semiarid southeastern Kenya. The bites count and herd locations per area methods were used. While grazing thresholds in the system were derived from biweekly sward biomass measured by the quadrant technique in the growing period and stocking rates applied to a growth-consumption rate model. The analysis tested the responsiveness of the agropastoral herding strategies to the predominant system dynamics in the area. In this environment, high rainfall variability ranging from 71 to 98% is experienced across years and seasons, pointing to non-equilibrium dynamics in the system. The agropastoralists practiced seasonal range use and tracking strategies. During the dry season, areas of concentrated drainage; river valleys, bottomlands and ephemeral drainage ways absorbed a greater grazing load, taking 57.1 to 60% of the grazing time by the animals. In contrast, areas of limited moisture concentration, the open sandy/clay plains, were mainly exploited in the wet season and accounted for 52.6 to 55.6% of the grazing time. The agropastoralists tracked forage availability through use of multispecies livestock (cattle, goats and sheep) that exploited different grazing resources in space and time. These range use patterns and strategies tend to stabilize nutrient and energy flow to livestock and thus productivity throughout the seasons. Based on the growth-consumption rate model, grazing thresholds in the system are achieved at 13800, 13000, 4000 and 12300, 4600 and 12000, and 5600 and 11000 kgha^-1 of grass biomass at, 2.5, 5, 7, 8 and 10 TLUha^-1, respectively. 7 TLUha^-1 represent the upper stocking rate limit in the system during the growing period. In this system, resource use strategies are in line with the predominantly non- equilibrium system behaviour. However, sedentary land use interventions and limiting farm sizes that restrict livestock mobility and negatively affect grazing resource diversity will undermine system stability and sustainable livestock production in the area.

Key words: Agropastoralists, range use, system dynamics.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 2 (9), pp. 001-005, September, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of contamination of singed hides from cattle and goats by heavy metals in Ghana

K. Obiri-Danso, J. N. Hogarh* and P. Antwi-Agyei

Department of Environmental Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, Kumasi, Ghana.

Accepted 16 May, 2011

Abstract

Many local butchers in Ghana have been using scrap tyres as substitute for firewood to singe slaughtered ruminants. This study analysed such singed hides from seven goats and three cattle in unregulated local slaughtering operations near the Kumasi abattoir, for risk of heavy metal contamination (Mg, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb and Zn) using atomic absorption spectrometry. Relative to un-singed control hides, singed treatments generally elevated heavy metal levels in both goats and cattle hides. Magnesium, Mn, Cu, Ni and Cd concentrations in un-singed goats hide increased by 23, 29, 54, 24 and 20% respectively to 108.63 ± 3.85, 0.83 ± 0.13, 1.63 ± 0.13, 2.15 ± 0.29 and 2.26 ± 0.20 mg/kg in the singed material. Similarly, singeing increased Mg, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Zn concentrations in cattle hide by 94, 49, 130, 33, 174 and 1055% to 80.0 ± 5.25, 2.13 ± 0.26, 5.67 ± 1.24, 3.50 ± 0.17, 4.20 ± 0.17, and 204.49 ± 36.69 mg/kg respectively. Lead concentration in cattle hide on the other hand decreased by 34% upon singeing, from 4.61 ± 0.30 mg/kg in un -singed controls to 3.06 ± 0.26 mg/kg in singed material. High concentrations of the metals in singed hides could not be entirely attributed to the singed treatment alone, in view of considerable background levels of heavy metals recorded in the un-singed samples; a situation that probably reflected a larger problem of heavy metal pollution in the local environment. Concentrations of Cd and Pb in hides were above maximum permissible levels (MPLs) of 0.05 and 0.01 mg/kg respectively set by the European Commission Regulation, whilst Zn was also above MPL of 50.0 mg/kg, according to the Meat Food Products Order of India. It was concluded that the hides were potentially unsafe for human consumption.

Key words: Heavy metal contamination, meat products, singed treatments, consumed animal hides

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 7675-1686 Vol. 2 (8), pp. 001-009, August, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Microbiological characteristics of waters in the major rivers in Kainji Lake National Park

Ajibade, W. A.^1* Ayodele, I. A.² and Agbede, S.A.³

^1,2 Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Management, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

³Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ibadan Nigeria.

Accepted 14 April, 2011

Abstract

This research work determined the microbiological characteristics of the waters of rivers of Kainji Lake National Park. The implications on public health and aquatic life were also examined. The rivers include: Oli, Manyera, Poto and Nuwanzurugi. Samples were taken twice a year, that is, dry and wet seasons of each year. Standard methods were used for bacteriological examination plating. The results revealed high faecal pollution during the wet seasons. This was confirmed by the presence of the coliforms. Isolates include Pseudomonas spp. Escherichia coli, Acetobacter spp, Maroxalla spp, Bacillus spp, and Klebsiella spp. As a result water of the four rivers in the park is not potable during the wet seasons.

Key words: Faecal pollution, bacteriological examination, E. coli, Klebsiella spp, potability.