Impact Of Prosopis Juliflora To Biodiversity And Ecosystem Services In Lake Turkana Ecosystem In Turkana County, Kenya

Abstract

Prosopis juliflora in Kenya has attracted an immense attention as a result of its invasive nature and altering Lake Turkana its natural ecosystems at an alarming rate. This attention has been mainly attributed to the impact this species has on the social, economic and ecological well-being of communities in the infested areas. The purpose of the study assesses the impact of Prosopis juliflora on plant abundance and species diversity; livestock and human health and ecosytem services in Lake Turkana ecosystem in Turkana county. Ecological quantitative data was collected by using cross- sectional survey research design. Quadrat sampling method was used to determine plants population size and

density. Sampling plots were laid to collect data from the study area. The main sampling plots of 400 m x 400 m and sub- plots of 25 m x 25 m (225 m2 and square quadrats square quadrats of 5 m x 5 m (25 m2). Diversity index was used to

calculate the Diversity index. A sample of 251 of respondents were selected from the target population. Questionnaires and Interview schedules were used to collect data from respondents. Data analyzed by use of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Correlation and Regression Analysis will be used to show associations between independent variables and dependent variable. A p-value of < 0.05 level of significance. The findings have established that the sampled study sites in Lake Turkana ecosystem have extremely displayed lower species diversity and species richness and mostly dominated by the same Prosopis species with average species diversity index of D = 0.69. The results have confirmed that the rapid expansive nature of Prosopis juliflora in the Lake Turkana ecosystem has affected the critical ecosystem of Lake Turkana shorelines hence impacting negatively the biodiversity and ecosystem services. P. juliflora species were subjected to ANOVA and the result of the study showed significant differences in plant tree species abundance and species diversity at level of significance (p<0.001). The reduced indigenous plant species distribution, species richness and species diversity is as a result of colonization and aggressive nature of the Prosopis species. The study therefore recommends that, there is need to reversing the trends in biodiversity loss of indigenous plant species and restoration of natural lake Turkana ecosystem by coming up with an integrated approach for effective management of Prosopis species.