This collective volume presenting recent environmental research on the Kenya coast contains 27 contributions differing widely in scope. Subjects range from coral reef restoration to butterfly... Show moreThis collective volume presenting recent environmental research on the Kenya coast contains 27 contributions differing widely in scope. Subjects range from coral reef restoration to butterfly breeding, from river sediments to Kaya forests, and from marine fisheries to elephant management. Following the introduction by Jan Hoorweg and Nyawira Muthiga, the papers are presented in six sections, viz. Coral reefs, intertidal and littoral communities (contributions by Priscillah N. Boera, T.R. McClanahan, S. Manohar, R.M. Mdodo, C.M. Muthama, N. Muthiga, G.A. Mwayuli, D. Obura, J.B. Okeyo-Owuor, M.P. Tole, J.N. Uku, B.C.C. Wangila); Sediments, erosion and pollution (contributions by J.O.Z. Abuodha, P.D. Jungerius, Samuel Maende, T.M. Munyao, Muendo Muthini, Marifa Ali Mwakumanya, Dismas Otieno, M.wakiop. Tole); Marine fisheries (contributions by Bernerd Fulanda, Jan Hoorweg, Edward N. Kimani, Anthony King, T.R. McClanahan, Delphine Malleret-King, S. Mangi, Joseph G. Tunje); Mangroves and terrestrial forests (contributions by Ian Gordon, Francis Karanja Kamau, Koen Maes, A.M. Makee, M.T.E. Mbuvi, K.A. Mwendwa, Mwakiop. Tole); Biodiversity (contributions by T.M. Dzeha, A.N. Githitho, S.M. Halevy, Randal Jeske, Moses Litoroh, W.R.Q. Luke, Z.N. Otieno-Ayayo, W.A. Overholt); Community participation (contributions by Washington O. Ayiemba, H. Becha, I. Gordon, Ted Kombo, M.T.E. Mbuvi, J.M. Maweu, K.A. Mwendwa, Joseph Rasowo). [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
This study was carried out in the districts Kilifi and Malindi. It focusses on the activities of artisanal fishermen and their households: the livelihood strategies they have, their attitude... Show moreThis study was carried out in the districts Kilifi and Malindi. It focusses on the activities of artisanal fishermen and their households: the livelihood strategies they have, their attitude towards conservation, their indigeneous environmental conservation practices and the effects of the Watamu Marine National Park on these. In this study, data were collected through semi structured questionnaires, participant observation, life and career histories, network analysis and genealogies in Uyombo, Takaungu and the Watamu Marine National Park. Discussions were also held with the fishermen, Kenya Wildlife Service employees and people employed at the Watamu Marine National Park. In order to analyse the findings, an actor oriented approach is used, combined with the theories of political ecology and legal pluralism. By using these theories attention is paid to the historical background, wider context, human agency, property rights and community based natural resource management.The study revealed that fishermen are aware of the degradation of marine resources but are unable to do something about it because of their poor situation. Due to their declining standard of living people start to diversify. Two types of diversification can be found: fishermen who diversify by starting to cultivate on a shamba and farmers who diversify by starting to fish. Because of this, people of other ethnicities and religions, than those of the traditional fishermen started fishing. This ended indigeneous ways of conservation. Finally the study revealed that many fishermen are willing to stop fishing. However, the lack of employment possibilities will probably only drive more people to fishing, causing more severe degradation of marine resources. The thesis ends with some recommendations which might attribute to a decline of the degradation of marine resources and the deteriorating situation of fishermen at the Kenya Coast. Show less
This paper focuses on how livelihood and the question of development and environment in a globalising era should be examined. It discusses various views in geography on the question of environment... Show moreThis paper focuses on how livelihood and the question of development and environment in a globalising era should be examined. It discusses various views in geography on the question of environment and development, and it explores the concept of sustainable livelihood. It concludes that a geographical conceptualisation of development and environment may profit from the discussion on sustainable livelihood, provided that it does not become entangled in an actor-cum-local bias. Moreover, the diffusion of non-equilibrium concepts may broaden the analysis of man-land relations and open the way to an analysis of globalisation effects. Globalisation gives rise to new assortments of geographical entities and, as livelihoods adapt, they will shape constantly shifting regions with specific man-land arrangements. Show less
L'étude présentée ici est une tentative de synthèse de différentes approches géographiques dans l'analyse des changements qui s'opèrent dans la province du Borgou au Nord-Bénin. Le projet de... Show moreL'étude présentée ici est une tentative de synthèse de différentes approches géographiques dans l'analyse des changements qui s'opèrent dans la province du Borgou au Nord-Bénin. Le projet de recherche, financé par la Commission de l'Union européenne, a été réalisé en 1992. Dans cette région, les genres de vie pastoral et agricole se sont transformés sous l'influence de l'État, du marché, mais aussi de la chute des précipitations. Cette problématique se retrouve dans presque toutes les régions semi-arides de l'Afrique occidentale où l'environnement détermine la zone de contact entre agriculture et élevage de transhumance. Au Nord-Bénin, les Bariba et les Dendi sont agriculteurs, et les Peul éleveurs. Les différentes formes de dégradation écologique, notamment des sols et de la végétation, sont étudiées et évaluées en fonction de l'utilisation des sols par les agriculteurs et les éleveurs, et en fonction des relations réciproques qu'entretiennent ces deux groupes. L'ouvrage se termine par des recommandations pour une utilisation plus durable de l'environnement. Show less
This essay deals with the relation between ritual behaviour and environmental conditions in an African rural society, that of the South-East Surmic (Nilo-Saharan)-speaking Me'en people, a group of... Show moreThis essay deals with the relation between ritual behaviour and environmental conditions in an African rural society, that of the South-East Surmic (Nilo-Saharan)-speaking Me'en people, a group of 'tribal' cultivators in Käfa region, Ethiopia. The study attempts to integrate 'ideational' and material-environmental elements, in order to explain how meaning in ritual is constituted in the dialectic between human action and environmental conditions. For this purpose, a text of the 'mósit', a central ritual of the Me'en, is presented and discussed. The author looks at the significance of environmental referents in the ritual acts and words, and at how the language and the context of the 'mósit' reflect social and reproductive relations within Me'en society. The aim is an explanatory account of the 'mósit' as a religious ritual system. The unifying theoretical perspective which informs this analysis is derived from the theory of E.T. Lawson and R.N. MacCauley (1990), which advocates a 'competence'-approach to religious ritual behaviour. Show less
Breemer, J.P.M. van den; Bergh, R.R.; Hesseling, G.S.C.M. 1995
