Analysis of Mt Kenya Glaciers Recession Using GIS and Remote Sensing
Purity Njeri Mwaniki,
David Kuria,
Charles Ndegwa Mundia,
Godfrey Makokha
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, March 2018
Pages:
1-16
Received:
26 March 2018
Accepted:
16 April 2018
Published:
17 May 2018
Abstract: This research analyses the changes in coverage Mt Kenya glaciers in a bid find what has been causing the retreat of these glaciers. Optical Landsat data for 1984 to 2017 and Climatic data of the same years were used. Glaciers and forest coverage were extracted from Landsat images and its thermal band was used to extract temperature data. Correlation with the respective year’s climatic data and forest cover area were done to justify the assumption that the shrinkage in the glaciers coverage has been caused by changes in climate and/or deforestation. Then using the historical EC Earth model climate data predictions for 1984-2017 and historical observed data for the same years, bias correction factors were computed and used to correct the future model data for the years (2018-2045). Since the data was extracted for only four points around Mt Kenya, Interpolation was then done to obtain the Precipitation and Temperature for the mountain peak (since the glaciers are found at the peak) using the IDW technique. Prediction of glacier area coverage was then done using these interpolated climate data. In order to predict the future glacier cover, linear equations of the form y = a1x1 + a2x2 +bo of the interpolated climate data (for 2018-2045) and computed glacier areas for (1984-2017) were formed. The a1 a2 and bo in the equation are constants obtained from SPSS (a statistical software). X1 and x2 are the predicted Temperature and Precipitation respectively. Predictions were done for RCP scenarios 8.5 and 4.5. The results of prediction showed that the current trend of glacier thinning is going to continue but at a slower rate compared to the rapid melting that was observed for the period 1984-2017. However, Mt Kenya glaciers are likely to have completely disappeared by the year 2100.
Abstract: This research analyses the changes in coverage Mt Kenya glaciers in a bid find what has been causing the retreat of these glaciers. Optical Landsat data for 1984 to 2017 and Climatic data of the same years were used. Glaciers and forest coverage were extracted from Landsat images and its thermal band was used to extract temperature data. Correlatio...
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Assessment of the Coping Strategies of Flood Victims in the Builsa District
Fiasorgbor Doris,
Wiafe Edward,
Tettey Caroline,
Abasiyam Mary
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, March 2018
Pages:
17-25
Received:
14 July 2017
Accepted:
18 April 2018
Published:
19 May 2018
Abstract: Flooding can pose substantial social and welfare problems that may continue over extended periods of time that include economic stress associated with re-building that arise as people try to recover their lives, property and relationships. This study is focused on identifying community coping strategies in relation to flood and examine the factors influencing the selection of coping strategies as well as the local government policies in relation to flood disaster management. The target population for the study is households affected by flood, who were accidentally selected at household levels. One hundred (100) respondents chosen were interviewed person to person with the use of both structured and semi- structured guides. The study indicated that the largest floods in the area in recent years occurred in 2007, 2010, 2012 and 2017. The causes were as a result of heavy rains and when neighbouring Burkina Faso opened a flood gate of the Bagre dam, releasing an enormous amount of water into the White Volta River that flowed into Ghana. During flooding, crops are submerged or washed off and animals drowned; animals like sheep, goats and cattle go days without food and often suffer foot and mouth diseases and die as a result. To cope with the flooding, the victims borrow money and food in order to survive through the flood season and some households traded their assets for money and food, taking children out of school to work, while some sent family members out to live with friends and relatives elsewhere. Pastoral farming has been adopted and the community members also engaged in activities such as sale of firewood or charcoal, income from petty trading usually by women, some travel to work mostly in southern Ghana and send food items home, thatch weaving for local roofing and twine weaving to make income. There should be policies that target the marginalised in society, such as women, children, the elderly, the physically challenged persons and the poor otherwise these groups will remain most vulnerable. Self-help measures to reduce damage to property and stress caused by flooding should also be encouraged.
Abstract: Flooding can pose substantial social and welfare problems that may continue over extended periods of time that include economic stress associated with re-building that arise as people try to recover their lives, property and relationships. This study is focused on identifying community coping strategies in relation to flood and examine the factors ...
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