The impacts of livestock utilization on vegetation and water along Lokichogio - Kibish stock route in the northern part of Turkana district, Kenya

Abstract

The establishment of an abattoir in Lokichogio by Amref Turkana Project will stimulate livestock movement from southern Sudan, Southern Ethiopian, Northern Uganda and withinTurkana district, increasing livestock utilization of herbaceous and woody vegetation along water points in the stock route. This study was carried out in the newly created Turkana North district to establish the existing impact of livestock utilization on herbaceous species, woody species, water physico- chemical parameters and to establish the density of both livestock and wildlife species around watering points of high and low livestock utilization along Lokichogio - Kibish stock route. Herbaceous species biomass and woody species density were estimated using the quadrant and Point Centered Quarter methods respectively, while the density of both wildlife and livestock species were estimated using belt transects. Water quality was determined using both physical and chemical parameters, The results indicated that there was no significant (P > 0.05) in the biomass of forb species, woody species diversity and herbaceous species diversity around watering points of high and low livestock utilization. However, the biomass of the graminae species was significantly (P<0.05) higher around watering points of low livestock utilization, compared to water points of high livestock utilization. The concentration of total phosphorous was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at watering points of low livestock utilization, compared to those of high livestock utilization. However, all other variables were not significantly (P > 0.05), although they were higher at water points at sites of high livestock utilization. This indicates: that livestock utilization pressure had more effects on the graminoid species compared to the dicot forbs, woody species diversity and the herbaceous species diversity. The density of livestock and wildlife species in both dry and wet seasons was not significantly (P> 0.05) higher at water points of high and low livestock utilization in the study area. The study found out that Livestock utilization pressure had impact on graminoid species biomass in the study area.