Economic Valuation of Consumptive Water Use Service: a Case Study of Mount Marsabit Watershed Ecosystem, Kenya
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Date
2019Author
Bubicha, Mohamed J
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Mount Marsabit ecosystem is a significant dry-land water tower supporting vast sets of ecosystem
goods and services. The study sought to document watershed ecosystem service beneficiaries and
their characteristics and mapping of the water points within the ecosystem. Local communities are
dependent on the benefits from the ecosystem for their well-being, there has been an increased
demand for its use humans and livestock. Further, the ecosystem supports wildlife. These
contributions are not adequately catered in policy and management; as a result the ecosystem is
degraded. The general objective of the study was to determine the economic value of the
consumptive use services provided by Mount Marsabit watershed ecosystem. The estimation of
monetary value was undertaken through the market price method (MPM) using market price of
water in the area. Both primary and secondary data was analysed. 158 MPM questionnaires were
administered at the point of water access in central, Karare and Sagante/Jaldesa wards. The
questionnaires were coded and analysed to generate summary descriptive statistics. From the
study, it was established that different water sources exist in the ecosystem including water pans,
shallow wells, boreholes, springs and crater lakes. Key types of consumptive watershed service
beneficiaries in the ecosystem include domestic water users, livestock keepers, commercial water
users, conservationists, tourism operators and small scale farmers. Water pans and boreholes
provided water for livestock use while shallow wells and springs are used for domestic water
supply. Water abstraction was high in springs and least in shallow wells. Daily water abstraction
by humans for domestic use and livestock watering was nearly 1,784,616 litres/day. Some
consumers got water for free while others bought it, the average consumer price was Ksh 5 ($0.05)
per 20 litre jerry can. The estimated annual monetary value of the consumptive service was Ksh
58,285,026 or $582,035. Sagante zone of Mt. Marsabit was hydrologically productive with higher
values estimated, at Ksh 30,477,943. The estimated value could be higher than the value calculated
since much has not been done to tap surface run off from the rainfall intercepted by the forest
ecosystem. Values of dry water points were not considered in the study. The study depicts critical
role played by the ecosystem in water supply and by extension the betterment of locals’ livelihood.
Findings from the study could be used to inform decision-making at County and national levels
management plans for green growth, and international thinking on environment and sustainable
development issues. The study recommends further economic studies of the ecosystem conducted
using Total Economic Valuation framework.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Subject
Economic ValuationRights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
- Faculty of Arts [607]
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