Climate change impacts detection in dry forested ecosystem as indicated by vegetation cover change in —Laikipia, of Kenya

• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-018-6630-6
• Publication Date: 2018-04-03T21:55:43Z
• Authors: Kiambi Gilbert M’...; Shem Wandiga; Silas Odongo Oriaso
• Keywords: Land Cover

The objective of the study was to detect and identify land cover changes in Laikipia County Kenya that have occurred during last three decades. use types area are six, which main other minor. three, forest, shrub or bush grassland, changed period, grasslands reduced by 5864 ha (40%), forest 3071 (24%) increased 8912 (43%). minor were bare had 238 (45%), river bed vegetation 209 (72%) agriculture 52 (600%) over period Differences spatiotemporal variations could be largely attributed effects climate factors, anthropogenic activities their interactions. Precipitation temperature been demonstrated key factors for plant growth development where rainfall decreased 200 mm temperatures 1.5 °C period. Also, opinion community on change management also adaptation strategies applied time. For example unlike common understanding resources utilisation increases with increasing human population, Mukogodo dry forested ecosystem case is different majority respondents (78.9%) reported resource more than now a similar (74.2%) same low compared 30 years. In Yaaku community, impacts evidenced thus mitigation measures suggested address included following: controlled indigenous grass reseeding programme advocated restore original grasslands, agricultural (crop farming) carried out designated areas outside conservation (ecosystem zoning) all consultation government (political class), stakeholders. Groups organised (environmental committee) conservation, political vulnerability issues pastoral will sustain pastoralism ecosystem.