Brenda Nyaboke*, Helida Oyieke and Catherine Lukhoba
Local and Indigenous Knowledge systems (LINKS) has allowed communities to sustainably live in harmony with their environment. This research aimed to document the LINKS and validate the impact it has on the use and conservation of Ewaso Narok wetland. Household survey data, Plots of (10X10) M, and (1X1) Mtransect, and comparison of land-use scenarios of 2002, 2010, and 2017. Quantitative data was subjected to X² test-using SPSS, R for ecological data and Erdas for satellite imagery. The majority of the respondents (84%) used at least one form of LINK practices and varied significantly depending on the village the farmers came from (P=0.016). Acquisition and dissemination of IK were informal and oral through active participation in the task. The village with the least LINKs (25.8%) practices had dissimilar plant species in PCA. The land-use scenarios of 2002, 2010, and 2017 show an increase in cropland and fallow land by a 34% increase of graminoids by 10% and decrease of papyrus zone by 3%. The peoples’ behavior is influenced by the knowledge they possess and their practices influence species distribution and diversity. Therefore, documentation and promotion of good local and IK practices is recommended, for it is an enabler to sustainable development.
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