dc.description.abstract | In several areas around the world, dry land pastoralism is being threatened as a result of
increasing land-use change and related demand on water and land whose environmental
management needs to be urgently rethought in the light of land use and land cover
transition (LULCC) dynamics. This research aimed to investigate dramatic land cover
and land use transition in the Turkwel River Basin in Northwestern Kenya over a 55-year
time-frame over which the major development process encountered a shift from
pastoralism to a livestock-based agro-pastoral regime.
The primary aim of this research was to develop a better comprehension of the impacts
on the environment, and livelihoods of the endless transformation towards accelerated
agro-pastoral production processes in dry lands in Turkwel River Basin, with an
emphasis on inland water basin areas. The research analyzed the impact of a transition in
land-use on the environment and cultural livelihoods in the Turkwel River Basin from
1963 to 2018. Specifically, the study: (i) analyzed ways in which social-ecological
systems of pastoralism in the study area were changing and their effects on pastoralism
(ii) and (iii) analyzed the role of various development interventions in increasing the
resilience of livelihoods to threats and crisis posed by land use conflict. An integrated
approach combining LANDSAT images analysis, 84 household surveys using
questionnaires and Participatory GIS (PGIS) were employed in the study. This approach
allowed conceptualizing LULCC from both a scientific and an indigenous community
perspective. Household surveys and FGDs were conducted in Kainuk, Sarmach and
Amolem villages.
Study results have shown that land use and social-ecological developments have placed
growing pressure on the limited resources over the years and have had detrimental effects
on the ecosystem due to the diminishing resources that cause many disputes. As opposed
to 1963, deforestation and the degradation of natural habitats have increased to produce
more space for development. Having found a p of 0.393, analysis of the correlation
reveals a positive relationship between the shift in land use and environmental effects.
Due to more land being turned to cropland, urban centers and industries, there were
noticeable disputes along the boundaries of the two groups along the river, where the soil
is suitable for agriculture and pastoralism.
In conclusion, land use transition appears to have a negative effect on the Turkwel River
Basin ecology, reinforcing the Eco-Violence Theory on Natural Resources and Conflict
linked to homer-Dixon (1999) andand Gleditsch (2001) . The report recommends the
need to incorporate environmental conservation policies into the development process in
the Turkwel River Basin. Promoting efficient usage of natural resources is of vital
significance in mitigating existing trends of use of land. | en_US |