Article
Development Studies
M. G. Zenebe, L. Fleskens, C. Ritsema, F. van Steenbergen
Summary: Traditional water governance in Flood-based Livelihood Systems (FBLS) lacks effectiveness, leading to conflicts and livelihood threats. Fairer floodwater sharing systems and enforcing institutions should be introduced before infrastructural development.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Anita Nyapala Okoko
Summary: This paper aims to understand the vulnerability of ethnic groups living in flood-prone areas due to historical economic development policies and laws. Using a case study of Tana River County in Kenya, the research examines the impact of economic development policies on the physical, structural, and social aspects of floods, and how they contribute to vulnerability. The study reveals that the implementation of economic development policies and legal frameworks has directly influenced vulnerability to floods and produced new forms of vulnerability for floodplain inhabitants.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Martin Wainaina, Johanna F. Lindahl, Ian Dohoo, Anne Mayer-Scholl, Kristina Roesel, Deborah Mbotha, Uwe Roesler, Delia Grace, Bernard Bett, Sascha Al Dahouk
Summary: This study conducted an epidemiological survey on Leptospira spp. and C. burnetii in Kenya, revealing a higher seropositivity rate of C. burnetii in animals from irrigated areas, and the widespread co-exposure of animals to multiple zoonoses.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Alphayo I. Lutta, Oliver V. Wasonga, Lance W. Robinson, Moses M. Nyangito, Jason Sircely
Summary: Livestock production is vital for households in arid and semi-arid areas, with pastoral communities relying heavily on selling and buying livestock for income. Factors such as distance to market, group marketing, age, and education level significantly influence the decision to participate in livestock markets. Developing livestock markets in pastoral areas should coincide with rangeland rehabilitation to maximize herd sizes.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Girma Worku Awoke, Jef Brees, Karen Vancampenhout, Enyew Adgo, Mengiste Abate, Alemayehu Wassie, Amaury Frankl, Gert Verstraeten
Summary: This study presents the first quantification of floodplain sediment storage for tropical river catchments in NW Ethiopia. The results show that floodplain geomorphology largely controls sediment storage, with most sediments stored in low-energy cohesive floodplains.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Benjamin Nyilitya, Stephen Mureithi, Marijn Bauters, Pascal Boeckx
Summary: This study identified the main sources of nitrate in the Nyando River basin of Kenya and emphasized the importance of optimizing animal manure use, land conservation measures, and improving sanitation systems to control excess nitrate discharge. Multiple methods, including hydrochemistry, stable isotopes, and a Bayesian mixing model, were used to determine nitrate sources and their spatial-temporal variation in the basin, revealing the significance of manure and sewage as leading sources of nitrate input.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Paul C. Godfrey, Richard G. Pearson, Bradley J. Pusey, Angela H. Arthington
Summary: Limited information is available on the ecology of planktonic invertebrate assemblages of small tropical lowland rivers, despite zooplankton being a vital resource for larval fish. This study focused on the spatial patterns and temporal dynamics of invertebrate zooplankton in the lowland section of a short coastal river in the Australian Wet Tropics over a 25-month period. The results showed that the zooplankton assemblage was influenced by downstream distance, salinity, incised nature of the river, perennial flows, slack waters, wet season floods, and estuarine incursion. The dynamics of zooplankton in this river differ from the typical pattern of tropical floodplain systems.
MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
B. Stammel, C. Damm, C. Fischer-Bedtke, A. Rumm, M. Gelhaus, P. Horchler, S. Kunder, F. Foeckler, M. Scholz
Summary: Natural floodplains are diverse ecosystems threatened by human activities. To improve sustainable management, it is necessary to develop an assessment index for their ecological value. This index can be combined with existing methods to evaluate floodplain plants.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philip Kibet Langat, Lalit Kumar, Richard Koech, Manoj Kumer Ghosh
Summary: The study reveals that agricultural and built-up areas in the upper Tana River Basin in Kenya have increased over the past three decades, while open land, water bodies, and vegetation have decreased. There is a significant expansion of agricultural land into marginal semi-arid and arid areas, highlighting the importance of better planning and management of natural resources.
GEOCARTO INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rhosanna L. M. Jenkins, Rachel F. Warren, Jeff T. Price
Summary: This study projected significant reductions in species richness in Kenya's Tana River Basin with just 2 degrees C warming, especially impacting birds and plants. Potential climate refugia were identified within the basin, but often overlapped with agricultural areas and were mostly outside protected areas. Meeting the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 'well below 2 degrees C' significantly reduced risks to biodiversity.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jan Frouz, Jaroslav Kukla, Ruma Umari, Timothy J. S. Whitfeld, Vojtech Novotny
Summary: Mesocosm studies indicate that soil fauna can promote C accumulation in temperate soils. To explore this effect in the tropics, we conducted field mesocosm experiments with and without soil fauna in a tropical rainforest in Papua New Guinea, along a succession gradient following traditional land use. The results showed that soil fauna densities did not vary significantly along the gradient, but litter fall and stock decreased with succession. In the presence of fauna, litter removal and organic matter incorporation into mineral soil were faster, leading to higher overall loss of C from the system.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Damaris Mwololo, Daniel Nthiwa, Philip Kitala, Tequiero Abuom, Martin Wainaina, Salome Kairu-Wanyoike, Johanna F. Lindahl, Enoch Ontiri, Salome Bukachi, Ian Njeru, Joan Karanja, Rosemary Sang, Delia Grace, Bernard Bett
Summary: This study investigated the seroprevalence of C. burnetii in livestock and human populations in arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya. The results showed that both livestock and humans had considerable exposure to the pathogen. However, human exposure at the household level was not correlated with herd-level seropositivity. Further research is needed to understand the transmission routes of this pathogen among humans.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ang Wang, Dexiang Chen, Oliver L. Phillips, Per Gundersen, Xulun Zhou, Geshere A. Gurmesa, Shanlong Li, Weixing Zhu, Erik A. Hobbie, Xueyan Wang, Yunting Fang
Summary: The study found that after nitrogen deposition into tropical forests, a majority of N-15 was retained within the ecosystem, with increased recovery in plants and mineral soil over 3 years, while decreased in organic soil. This long-term nitrogen retention may benefit forest growth and enhance ecosystem carbon sequestration.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hui Ling Chen, Christopher Neil Gibbins, Sivathass Bannir Selvam, Kang Nee Ting
Summary: Microplastic pollution is a global issue, with limited data available in tropical countries like Malaysia. Langat River in Malaysia showed that all water samples contained microplastics, mainly fibres, with concentrations directly related to river discharge. Continuous logging of turbidity sensors could improve estimates of microplastic loads in rivers.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tia Zezelj Vidosa, Ivana Pozojevic, Iva Vidakovic Maodus, Zlatko Mihaljevic
Summary: The objective of this study was to determine how physico-chemical water properties and hydromorphological alterations affect the composition and distribution of water mite assemblages along a longitudinal river gradient. The results showed that both the number of taxa and water mite abundance increased significantly with increasing distance from the source. However, the assemblages from the upper reaches and those from the lower reaches shared very few species, emphasizing the importance of species-level identification. Water mite species richness and diversity were not reduced with increased levels of variables associated with organic enrichment and eutrophication pressures.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jianlin Zhao, Zhengang Wang, Yifan Dong, Zhiqiang Yang, Gerard Govers
Summary: The study found that land use in China significantly affects soil loss and runoff, with lower rates on land covered by grass and trees compared to cropland. Slope gradient and slope length impact soil loss and runoff rates on cropland, while having no significant effect on plots with permanent vegetation cover. Runoff rates consistently increase with mean annual precipitation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liesa Brosens, Nils Broothaerts, Benjamin Campforts, Liesbet Jacobs, Vao Fenotiana Razanamahandry, Quinten Van Moerbeke, Steven Bouillon, Tantely Raza, Tovonarivo Rafolisy, Gerard Govers
Summary: Lavaka (gullies) are seen as a prime indication of a current human-induced environmental crisis in Madagascar's highlands, with their formation predating human arrival and recent erosion potentially linked to climatic changes and increased human pressure on the environment.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alberto Borges, Loris Deirmendjian, Steven Bouillon, William Okello, Thibault Lambert, Fleur A. E. Roland, Vao F. Razanamahandry, Ny Riavo G. Voarintsoa, Francois Darchambeau, Ismael A. Kimirei, Jean-Pierre Descy, George H. Allen, Cedric Morana
Summary: This study collected data on CO2, CH4, and N2O in 24 African lakes and found that CO2 emissions in African lakes and pan-tropical lakes may have been substantially overestimated by a factor of 9-18 and 6-26 respectively.
Article
Geography, Physical
Nils Broothaerts, Vao Fenotiana Razanamahandry, Liesa Brosens, Benjamin Campforts, Liesbet Jacobs, Tantely Razafimbelo, Tovonarivo Rafolisy, Gert Verstraeten, Steven Bouillon, Gerard Govers
Summary: Madagascar has high erosion rates in its central highlands, and the role of human disturbance versus natural processes is still debatable. However, there is a lack of quantitative data to understand the vegetation dynamics and sediment fluxes in Madagascar over time. This study focuses on the Lake Alaotra region to investigate vegetation changes and sediment transfers over the past millennia, specifically looking at the impact of human disturbances and natural processes. The findings suggest that human activities have indirectly influenced vegetation shifts, while there is strong evidence of direct human disturbance on sediment accumulation through increased use of grasslands.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alberto Borges, William Okello, Steven Bouillon, Loris Deirmendjian, Angela Nankabirwa, Erina Nabafu, Thibault Lambert, Jean-Pierre Descy, Cedric Morana
Summary: We report the concentrations of dissolved CO2, CH4, and N2O in two large East African lakes, Edward and George. Lake George has lower levels of CO2, CH4, and N2O compared to Lake Edward, primarily due to higher phytoplankton biomass. Spatial variations in the concentrations of these gases are related to bottom depth and inputs from Lake George via the Kazinga Channel. Mixing events caused by storms can lead to increased emissions of CH4 and N2O in surface waters.
JOURNAL OF GREAT LAKES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhengang Wang, Yizhe Zhang, Gerard Govers, Guoping Tang, Timothy A. Quine, Jianxiu Qiu, Ana Navas, Haiyan Fang, Qian Tan, Kristof Van Oost
Summary: Erosion and soil organic carbon (SOC) are influenced by climate, and the extent to which temperature controls the interaction between them is unclear. Using Cs-137 and SOC inventories from catchments with different climates, the study finds that increasing decomposition rates with temperature lead to efficient replacement of SOC lost by erosion in eroding areas, but lower preservation of deposited SOC in depositional areas. At the landscape level, the erosion-induced C sink strength per unit lateral SOC flux increases with temperature. The study estimates that the global C sink induced by water erosion on croplands increases by 7% due to climate change.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Limnology
Jean-Philippe Belliard, Olivier Gourgue, Gerard Govers, Matthew L. Kirwan, Stijn Temmerman
Summary: The adaptability of coastal wetlands to relative sea level rise is influenced by the tidal pattern, with less frequent diurnal tides leading to higher vulnerability. This overlooked driver highlights the need for further research on the impact of tidal patterns on wetland ecosystems.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Liesa Brosens, Ronadh Cox, Benjamin Campforts, Liesbet Jacobs, Veerle Vanacker, Paul Bierman, Vao Fenotiana Razanamahandry, Amos Fety Michel Rakotondrazafy, Tantely Razafimbelo, Tovonarivo Rafolisy, Gerard Govers
Summary: Cosmogenic nuclide analysis of river sediment in Madagascar reveals low and spatially variable Be-10-inferred erosion rates, with elevation as the main controlling factor. River concavity, seismic events, and gully densities also contribute to regional differences in erosion rates. These findings highlight the limitations of simple topography-based models and emphasize the importance of considering different regions and environmental controls in interpreting erosion rates inferred from Be-10 concentrations.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Koen De Vos, Charlotte Janssens, Liesbet Jacobs, Benjamin Campforts, Esther Boere, Marta Kozicka, Petr Havlik, Christian Folberth, Juraj Balkovic, Miet Maertens, Gerard Govers
Summary: African rice production is affected by high variability in yields and uncertain supply chains. This study proposes a framework to assess the future impacts of socio-economic development and climate change on rice availability and stability in Africa. The study highlights the importance of both local and trade-related climatic variabilities in identifying future challenges.
Article
Remote Sensing
Koen De Vos, Benjamin Campforts, Laurent Tits, Kristof Van Tricht, Kasper Bonte, Gerard Govers, Liesbet Jacobs
Summary: Assessing rice production potential in Madagascar is important due to population growth and rice consumption. Remote sensing and crowdsourced data can be used to improve mapping, but their usefulness depends on representativeness and the application context. Establishing a multi-faceted evaluation framework is necessary for credible maps using crowdsourcing.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Vao Fenotiana Razanamahandry, Marjolein Dewaele, Gerard Govers, Liesa Brosens, Benjamin Campforts, Liesbet Jacobs, Tantely Razafimbelo, Tovonarivo Rafolisy, Steven Bouillon
Summary: This study examines the debate surrounding the extent of forest coverage in the central highlands of Madagascar and analyzes the carbon and sediment dynamics of grassland and forest soils. The study finds that grassland soils have lower organic carbon content compared to forest soils, and that the grasslands have developed on soils previously dominated by C-3 plants. Additionally, the grasslands in valley positions contain more recent grass-derived organic carbon, likely due to higher productivity and erosion.
Article
Ecology
Rey Harvey Suello, Simon Lucas Hernandez, Steven Bouillon, Jean-Philippe Belliard, Luis Dominguez-Granda, Marijn Van de Broek, Andrea Mishell Rosado Moncayo, John Ramos Veliz, Karem Pollette Ramirez, Gerard Govers, Stijn Temmerman
Summary: This study investigates the sources and preservation differences of sediment organic carbon (SOC) between different mangrove sites in the Guayas delta of Ecuador. The results reveal that young and river-dominated mangrove sites have lower SOC stocks and higher contributions of allochthonous SOC compared to old and marine-dominated sites.
Article
Geography, Physical
Liesa Brosens, Benjamin Campforts, Gerard Govers, Emilien Aldana-Jague, Vao Fenotiana Razanamahandry, Tantely Razafimbelo, Tovonarivo Rafolisy, Liesbet Jacobs
Summary: Developments in remote sensing and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology have provided abundant topographic information. This study evaluates the performance of the TanDEM-X DEM in estimating gully volume and erosion rates. It is found that TanDEM-X data can accurately estimate the volume of large geomorphic features but underestimate the volume of smaller features. By introducing a breakpoint analysis, an area-volume relationship is established and regional erosion rates in Madagascar are assessed.
EARTH SURFACE DYNAMICS
(2022)