4 research outputs found
Ecosystem services in adaptation projects in West Africa
No full text© 2017 Kennedy Wahome Muthee, Cheikh Mbow, Geoffrey Mugo Macharia and Walter Leal-Filho. Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the extent to which adaptation projects have incorporated ecosystem services, as well as their redesigning options. The projects selected are listed under National Adaptation Programme of Action in West African region. Design/methodology/approach – A desktop survey approach was used to review 168 projects from 13 countries across West Africa. The projects were categorized and analyzed according to their adaptation goal, thematic focus, their implementation duration and level of investment. Findings – The adaptation initiatives are dominated by actions in the agricultural sector accounting for 32 per cent of the total. Further, they were characterized by small grants consideration with 63 per cent falling under US$1m budget, short-term implementation duration with 46 per cent having three years' execution period. A large portion of projects (55 per cent) mentioned directly one or more ecosystem services, with provisioning services being referred to in 50 per cent of the cases. Originality/value – Adaptation projects with ecosystem services components are more sustainable and beneficial to the community. Hence, more consideration of nature benefits during project design, more financial consideration and localizing of the projects to realize the global adaptation goal should be considered
Assessment of ferritin and lead levels in children living in an informal urban settlement in Kenya
No full textBackground: Childhood lead exposure from recycling used lead-acid batteries (ULAB) in unregulated areas is a significant cause of lead toxicity, particularly in low and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess the proportion of children with increased blood lead levels (BLLs) in an informal settlement where ULAB recycling occurs.
Methodology: This was a descriptive study conducted in Nairobi county, Kenya. Children aged 6 months to 7 years were recruited after obtaining written informed consent, completion of a questionnaire and collection of samples for complete blood count, ferritin, and lead analysis.
Results: Out of 215 children, 17 (8.0%) had BLLs ≥ 5 μg/dL. There was a weak negative correlation between BLLs and ferritin (rs(211) = −0.147, P = .032).
Conclusion: Our study confirms the presence of increased BLLs in children residing in the study area. Relevant authorities should legislate on safe ULAB disposal to protect the population from toxic effects
Distribution, Conservation Status and Effects of Threats on Relative Abundance of Warburgia ugandensis Tree Species. A Case Study of Katimok Forest Reserve, Kenya
No full textForest ecosystems provide livelihood opportunities such as medicines, fuelwood, timber, cash income and a reliable supply of groundwater. However, encroachment of forests by human settlement adjacent to conservation areas is associated with overharvesting of forest resources and uncontrolled livestock grazing leading to the destruction and disappearance of useful plant species in forest ecosystems which can significantly affect both biodiversity integrity and ecological functioning. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the distribution, conservation status, and effects of threats on the relative abundance of Warburgia ugandensis in Katimok Forest Reserve, Baringo County in Kenya. Data collection was done using transect lines and quadrat methods. The data on the relative abundance of Warburgia ugandensis and indicators of threat were collected from quadrats and sub-quadrats located at 50 m, 350 m and 650 m from the forest edge. In addition, other measures of tree growth such as diameter at breast height (DBH) and heights of mature trees in the study blocks were made. One-way ANOVA was used to analyse the relative abundance of Warburgia ugandensis, indicators of threat and growth parameters. Pearson correlation results revealed a significant relationship between debarked and mature Warburgia ugandensis (r = 0.95; df=2, P=0.019), grazing intensities, and number of seedlings/saplings (r = 0.96; df=2, P=0.017) and other indicators of threats (stumps, defoliated leaves, broken twigs/branches) and the abundance of Warburgia ugandensis (r = 0.97; df=2, p=0.015). Therefore, there is an urgent need to map out the distribution of Warburgia ugandensis in the whole country to know where it is abundant in order to draw a national conservation and management plan for the tree species
Assessment of Ferritin and Lead Levels in Children Living in an Informal Urban Settlement in Kenya
No full textBackground. Childhood lead exposure from recycling used lead-acid batteries (ULAB) in unregulated areas is a significant cause of lead toxicity, particularly in low and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess the proportion of children with increased blood lead levels (BLLs) in an informal settlement where ULAB recycling occurs. Methodology. This was a descriptive study conducted in Nairobi county, Kenya. Children aged 6 months to 7 years were recruited after obtaining written informed consent, completion of a questionnaire and collection of samples for complete blood count, ferritin, and lead analysis. Results. Out of 215 children, 17 (8.0%) had BLLs ≥ 5 μg/dL. There was a weak negative correlation between BLLs and ferritin ( r s (211) = −0.147, P = .032). Conclusion. Our study confirms the presence of increased BLLs in children residing in the study area. Relevant authorities should legislate on safe ULAB disposal to protect the population from toxic effects
