Lake Naivasha, Kenya pp 43-55 | Cite as
Aspects of the biodiversity of the rivers in the Lake Naivasha catchment
Abstract
The diverse river systems of the Lake Naivasha catchment provide a wide range of habitats. Distribution of a number of flowering plant species along river corridors appears most strongly linked with altitude and topography, although some species have an affinity with river edges. A distinct dry land/savannah flora is represented close to river channels in the lower, temporary rivers, while other plant species are ubiquitous. More physically diverse river habitats support more diverse plant assemblages. Bird biodiversity and abundance appears to be strongly linked with habitat diversity and feeding guild data suggest that this is related to the availability of a range of food items. Diversity is not linked with rarity. Changes in land use patterns and intensity in the catchment can affect its capacity to support rich biological communities.
Key words
tropical river RHS birds plants feeding guildsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
- Anon, 1999. The Lake Naivasha Management Plan. Lake Naivasha Riparian Association, Naivasha.Google Scholar
- Barel, C. N. D., R. Dorit & D. H. Greenwood, 1985. Destruction of fisheries in Africa’s lakes. Nature, 315: 19–20.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Bennun, L., 2001. Long-term monitoring and the conservation of tropical wetlands: high ideals and harsh realities. Hydrobiologia 458: 9–19.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Denny, P., 1985. Submerged and floating-leaved aquatic macrophytes (euhydrophytes). In Denny, R. (ed.), The Ecology and Mangement of African Wetland Vegetation. Dr W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht: 19–42.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Denny, P., 1991. African Wetlands. In Finlayson, M. & M. Moser (eds), Wetlands. International Wetlands and Wildfowl Research Bureau, Slimbridge: 115–148.Google Scholar
- Denny, P., 1994. Biodiversity and wetlands. Wetlands Ecology and Management 3: 55–61.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Denny, R, 1995. Benefits and priorities for wetland conservation; the case for national wetland conservation strategies. In Cox, M., V. Straker & D. Taylor (eds), Proceedings of the International Conference on Wetland Archaeology and Nature Conservation. HMSO, London.Google Scholar
- Dugan, R J., 1990. Wetland Conservation: A Review of Current Issues and Required Action. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland: 96 pp.Google Scholar
- Enniskillen, A.. 2002. Introduction: The Lake Naivasha Management Plan - Consensus building to conserve an international gem. Hydrobiologia 488: ix-xii.Google Scholar
- Everard, M., 1999. Towards sustainable development of still water resources. Hydrobiologia 395/396: 29–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Everard, M., J. A. Vale, D. M. Harper & H. Tarras-Wahlberg, 2002. The physical attributes of the Lake Naivasha catchment rivers. Hydrobiologia 488: 13–25.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Henderson, I. G. & D. M. Harper, 1992. Bird distribution and habitat structure on Lake Naivasha. Afr. J. Ecol 30: 223–232.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Newson, M., 1992. Land, Water and Development: River Basin Systems and Their Sustainable Management. Routledge, London.Google Scholar
- O’Riordan, T., 1993. The politics of sustainability. In Turner, K. (ed.), Sustainable Environmental Economics and Management: Principles and Practice. Belhaven, London: 37–69.Google Scholar
- Ormerod, S. & I. Jüttner, 1998 Catchment sustainability and river biodiversity in Asia: a case study from Nepal. In Harper, D. M. & T. Brown (eds), The Sustainable Management of Tropical Catchments. John Wiley and Sons: 187–207.Google Scholar
- Owiunji, I. & A. Plumptre, Unpubl. report on foraging guilds of forest birds. Department of Ornithology, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi.Google Scholar
- Ramsar, 1971. Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat. 2/2/71, Ramsar, Iran.Google Scholar
- Ramsar, 1996. The Ramsar 25th Anniversary Statement. Resolution VI.14, 6th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties, Brisbane, March 1996.Google Scholar
- Thenya, T., 2001. Challenges of conservation of dryland shallow waters: Ewaso Narok swamp, Laikipia District, Kenya. Hydrobiologia 458: 107–119.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Whittaker, R. H., 1975. Communities and Ecosystems ( 2nd edn ). Macmillan, London.Google Scholar