| Title | Lessons from Two Long Terms Hydrological Studies in Kenya and Sri Lanka. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2004 |
| Authors | Mungai, D.; Ong, C.; Kiteme, B.; Elkaduwa, W.; Sakthivadivel, R. |
| ContactAuthor | asb@cgiar.org; c.ong@cgiar.org |
| Journal | Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment |
| Volume | 104 |
| Start Page | 135 |
| Pagination | 9 |
| Keywords | ASB, Environmental services, Hydrology, land use, watershed health |
| Abstract | The rate and characteristics of land use change in tropical watersheds due to changing demographic, economic and policy
factors have important consequences for catchment health and environmental services. Few tropical watershed studies have
lasted long enough to facilitate a credible analysis of the long-term effects of land use change on the environmental services
provided by watersheds. This paper examines the driving forces and patterns of historical land use change in two long-term
watershed studies in Kenya and Sri Lanka and their hydrological impacts. The upper Ewaso Ng’iro north basin is located to
the north and west of Mt. Kenya, and has experienced dramatic changes in both land ownership and land use due to rapid
population growth of 7–8% per annum. The upper Nilwala basin is located in the south of Sri Lanka and the area has undergone serious deforestation over the last 50 years, for agricultural land uses mainly for tea and home gardens. The loss of watershed functions associated with the impacts of land use change and their socio-economic dimensions are discussed, along with lessons that can be drawn from these studies. |
| URL | http://www.asb.cgiar.org/pdfwebdocs/AGEE_special_Mungai_Lessons from long-term.pdf |
