Bewilligungen im Jahr 2008 - Volkswagen Stiftung

Nairobi
- 76 -
Determination of groundwater vulnerability to climate variability and contamination
in the Central Kenya Rift
Bewilligung: 09.02.2011 Laufzeit: 3 Jahre
Overexploitation and climate variability are a threat to potable water resources. Within the
central Kenya rift (CKR), the groundwater and Lake Naivasha are thought to have an
effective connection that keeps this surficially closed lake fresh. Increasing demand for
fresh water for municipal, industrial and agricultural supplies has lead to decline in water
budgets and climate change is expected to exacerbate the situation. The Water Resources
Management Authority of Kenya lists this aquifer as 'strategic' to supplying significant
amounts of water with no available alternatives. Fluctuations of groundwater in space at
sub annual scales are not yet established. To improve mitigation efforts a sound
knowledge of sub annual recharge and storage is needed. We propose to develop a fully
coupled soil water-groundwater-surface water model for the Naivasha basin and simulate
the behaviour of the aquifers under different climatic scenarios. This three year study (2011
- 2014) will be carried out in collaboration with various partners; from the industry, water
resource management and Academic research. The expected results will enhance sound
water allocation measures and enable proper calibration of hydrological budget models.
University of Nairobi
Geology Department
College of Physical and Biological Sciences
Dr. Lydia A. Olaka
Postfach 30197
Nairobi 00100
KENIA
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Ouagadougou
Modelling succession-disturbance dynamics for improving socio-ecological
sustainability of savanna ecosystem: A case study of Park W,transboundary
biosphere reserve in West Africa
Bewilligung: 09.02.2011 Laufzeit: 3 Jahre
Savannas occupy around 20% of the earth's land-surface and are subject to disturbance by
fire, grazing and tree cutting. These disturbances if not well managed in the predicted
global climate change context may contribute to ecosystem health dysfunction and
conesquently challenge the sustenance of ecological services and products demanded by
society. This project aims at understanding the separate and synergistic role of fire and
herbivory disturbance and climate change on the savanna dynamic. We will emphasize the
use of quantitative approaches to investigate the mechanisms structuring the savanna ecosystem,
including statistical models and computer simulation models. Better understanding
of these disturbances regimes is crucial for change prediction, identification of adaptations
strategies, and increasing knowledge to support multiple-use management of the savanna.
The knowledge gained will be used to formulate management recommendations in the
countries sharing the transboundary biosphere reserve (Park W) in West Africa.
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique (CNRST), Ouagadougou
Institute for Environment and Agricultural Research
Department Forest Production
Dr. Patrice Savadogo
Ouagadougou 03
BURKINA FASO
Tel.: + 226 50 33 40 98 // Fax: + 226 50 31 50 03
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