African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 3 (2), pp. 175-184, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full length Research paper
Vegetation community structure and diversity in swamps undergoing anthropogenic impacts in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya
Josephine M. Mulei1, Augustino O. Onkware2 and Donald F. Otieno1
1Department of Biological Sciences, School Science, University of Eldoret, P. O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya.
2Rongo University College, P.O. Box 103-40404, Rongo.
*Corresponding author.E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 21 January, 2014
Abstract
Wetlands in Kenya face continuous threat of destruction by agricultural activies, urbanization and pollution. However, their floristic compositions remain unkown since research remains restricted to wetlands of national importance because of their touristic values. A study was conducted in 2006 to determine the species composition and diversity of the vegetation in four swamps within Uasin Gishu County. Data on species composition and diversity were collected using belt transects method and analyzed using cluster analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Two hundred and eighty six plant species belonging to 70 families were enumerated in the four wetlands, with Leseru swamp having the highest species number (176) and diversity (4.02). Families Poacea and Asteracea were represented by the highest number of species (41 each). The four swamps exhibited significantly different levels of human activity and impact; where Chepkongony was the most and Marula the least affected. It is recommended that the wetlands should be declared conservation areas and protected from further drainage or uncontrolled explotation.
Key words: Swamps, species composition, species diversity, Uasin Gishu, anthropogenic factors.
*Corresponding author.E-mail:[email protected]