Prof. George Krhoda, CBS University of Nairobi Department of geography and Environmental Studies P.O. Box – Nairobi

Linkages Forest Ecosystems Water Resources National Economy

 Domestic supply  Industrial  Agriculture  Irrigation  Tourism  Biodiversity  Human Health  Environment/Ecosystems

 Hydrologic Research = Water Cycle  P = R + E -+ S[1]  Scientific (Regulatory) Processes  Engineering Research= Water Provision  Socio-economics

 Path Kenya cannot afford to ignore.  Constitution 2010; Vision 2030  Minimization of significant risks Water as the leading mechanical and chemical transportation – global cycles of oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, etc.  Reduction of environmental scarcity

 Provisioning services  Cultural services  Regulating services

 Increase water yield.  Loss in cloud water interception.  Regulate the seasonal flow of water in rivers.  Severely reduce dry-season river flows/  Soil-protective- and infiltrative conditions conducive.  Even distribution of flow throughout the year

 Increased runoff, elevated sediment loads and reduced water quality.  Low-flow seasons, especially dry months period.  Total annual renewable surface water available for use remains constant.  Elevated sediment loads and reduced water quality.

 Forest ecosystems, economic development and water resources is complex.  Water and forest ecosystems contribution to the national economy is in no doubt. Any disturbance of the forest ecosystems will trigger changes dependent of thresholds and lag time reaction.  Optimization of functions of trees, forests, and forest ecosystems.

 Forest cover  Tree species and composition,  Vertical and horizontal forest structure,  Preservation of forest  Land use type on larger area.