The impacts of livestock utilization on vegetation and water along Lokichogio - Kibish stock route in the northern part of Turkana district, Kenya
Abstract
The establishment of an abattoir in Lokichogio by Amref Turkana Project will
stimulate livestock movement from southern Sudan, Southern Ethiopian, Northern
Uganda and withinTurkana district, increasing livestock utilization of herbaceous and
woody vegetation along water points in the stock route. This study was carried out in the
newly created Turkana North district to establish the existing impact of livestock
utilization on herbaceous species, woody species, water physico- chemical parameters
and to establish the density of both livestock and wildlife species around watering points
of high and low livestock utilization along Lokichogio - Kibish stock route.
Herbaceous species biomass and woody species density were estimated using the
quadrant and Point Centered Quarter methods respectively, while the density of both
wildlife and livestock species were estimated using belt transects. Water quality was
determined using both physical and chemical parameters,
The results indicated that there was no significant (P > 0.05) in the biomass of
forb species, woody species diversity and herbaceous species diversity around watering
points of high and low livestock utilization. However, the biomass of the graminae
species was significantly (P<0.05) higher around watering points of low livestock
utilization, compared to water points of high livestock utilization. The concentration of
total phosphorous was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at watering points of low livestock
utilization, compared to those of high livestock utilization. However, all other variables
were not significantly (P > 0.05), although they were higher at water points at sites of
high livestock utilization. This indicates: that livestock utilization pressure had more
effects on the graminoid species compared to the dicot forbs, woody species diversity and
the herbaceous species diversity.
The density of livestock and wildlife species in both dry and wet seasons was not
significantly (P> 0.05) higher at water points of high and low livestock utilization in
the study area. The study found out that Livestock utilization pressure had impact on
graminoid species biomass in the study area.
Citation
Master of science in animal productionPublisher
University of Nairobi Department of animal production