2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference

March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH

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5/21/2019 | 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM | USING BIOLOGICAL CONDITION GRADIENT MODEL TO MONITOR ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION IN THE UPPER TANA RIVER WATERSHED IN KENYA | 151 DEF

USING BIOLOGICAL CONDITION GRADIENT MODEL TO MONITOR ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION IN THE UPPER TANA RIVER WATERSHED IN KENYA

Abstract: The Biological Condition Gradient (BCG), a scientific framework that describes the change in ecosystem characteristics in response to induced levels of stressors was to used to characterise watershed habitats in Upper Tana, Kenya. The inbuilt utilities of BCG, including its simplicity, versatility and its robust nature allowed its use by six taxonomic groups of macroinvertebrates, fish, amphibians, birds, plants and diatoms to assess and monitor landscape conditions of both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. As expected all taxonomic groups complemented each other, with each taxonomic group reliably assessing ecological conditions to a certain degree. BCG indices developed for all taxonomic groups assisted in identification and selection of species indicating varying levels of landscape conditions. These species were referred to as flagship species and they assisted in simplifying the BCG model, hence possible for it to be used by parataxonomists or ordinary citizens. Further, the capability of BCG models to assess landscape conditions meant they can be used to identify high-quality habitats for conservation, direct investment for restoration, and track progress.

Biodiversity
Landscape
Watershed

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Presenters/Authors

George Gatere Ndiritu (), Karatina University, Kenya, gatereg@yahoo.com;