Assessment of Hydrological Impacts of Mau Forest, Kenya

Abstract

Mau Forest Complex is the largest closed-canopy montane ecosystem in Eastern Africa that encompasses seven forest blocks namely Mau Narok, Maasai Mau, Eastern Mau, Western Mau, Southern Mau, South West Mau and Transmara regions and the main catchment area for 12 rivers. However, over the past years, it has undergone significant land use changes due to increased human population demanding land for settlement and subsistence agriculture. Previous studies carried out in Mau have always demonstrated the relationship between deforestation and rate of forest degradation, but the effects on water quality and the impact on tourism resulting from the flamingoes migration has not been addressed adequately. Using Landsat images for four different epochs that is 1984, 1994, 2003 and 2015 comparative analysis of landuse land-cover (LULC) changes was carried out. The study demonstrated that the size of forest cover in Mau have been changing from 1984 to present. This is due to deforestation and agricultural activities taking place within the forested areas of Mau.