Thirty Years of Wetland Transformation: Socio-Ecological Drivers of Degradation in Kiborgoch, Kenya
Résumé
Wetlands in arid and semi-arid regions are increasingly threatened by human activities, leading to the disruption of their ecological functions. This study investigates the socio-ecological dynamics of Kiborgoch Wetland, Kenya, over a 30-year period (1994–2024), focusing on institutional factors, land tenure, livelihood practices, and community perceptions of degradation. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining structured household surveys (n=132) with qualitative data from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The findings reveal that overgrazing (17.9%) is the most significant driver of degradation, alongside agricultural expansion, water overextraction, population growth, and overharvesting of wetland vegetation. While Prosopis juliflora, an invasive species, was noted as a concern by community members, it was a relatively less emphasised factor compared to direct land use pressures. Inheritance-based tenure dominates land access in the region, shaping how resources are used and managed. The wetland historically provided vital ecosystem services, including water, pasture, materials for basketry, and cultural space, but has suffered biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and soil degradation. Community narratives indicate a decline in traditional governance and ecological knowledge-sharing, weakening local conservation capacity. The study recommends integrated, community-led management strategies that merge traditional ecological knowledge with scientific practices to ensure the wetland’s long-term sustainability and the protection of dependent livelihoods
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Copyright (c) 2025 Glarion Isiaho, George Ogendi, PhD, Amon Karanja, PhD
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