University
Research Work involvement & Grant
Project Principal Investigator : Professor Romulus Abila (MMU)
MMU Researchers:
Dr Samson Mabwoga (Maasai Mara University),
Mr. Raphael Simo (Graduate Assistant, MSc Environmental Studies – Maasai Mara University),
Ms. Martha Moseti (MSc Environmental Studies – Maasai Mara University)
GRANT TITLE:
Plankton species diversity and population dynamics in a highly fluctuating arid and semi arid tropical freshwater landscape
GRANT AMOUNT: USD 35,400
DURATION OF GRANTEE’S WORK ON THE PROJECT:
PRIMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
The Mara river basin (MRB) in Kenya’s rift valley is currently undergoing rapid social, economic and ecological changes driven by rapidly changing demographic, climate and land use. These changes are likely to alter ecological dynamics of biota, soil and water quality in this landscape with concomitant changes on long term sustainability of this fragile arid and semi-arid (ASAL) landscape and its ability to provide ecosystem services and livelihood sources. A number of shallow water pans are found within the ASAL
Narok County and provide diverse socio-economic services to local communities including source of water to humans, livestock and wildlife and represent climate smart adaptation to climate variability. The ephemeral water bodies remain the only significant aquatic ecosystems in this arid landscape. There is therefore urgent need to safeguard the ecological integrity of these ephemeral
water bodies. However, studies on the biotic structure and dynamics of these ecosystems remain scanty. This study proposes to asses structure and dynamics of plankton communities in the water pans in Narok in light of changing climatic conditions and land use changes. The goal is to generate empirical data on limnological dynamics of ASAL water bodies and effects of climate
change and land use changes on such aquatic ecosystems. Findings from this study may inform policies and sustainable management and utilization of these and similar aquatic resources. The project also provides opportunity for training of 2 MSc. students in environmental studies.