Geomorphic controls on hydrology and vegetation in an arid basin: Turkana district, northern Kenya

Conference · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985 · Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States)

OSTI ID:6646398

Coppinger, K D; Doehring, D O; Schimel, D S

As part of a broad ecological study of Kenyan pastoralist adaptation to periodic drought, a study was done to determine how arid region geomorphology affects hydrology and subsequently vegetative patterns. In this study area, 100 kilometers south of Lake Turkana, it appears that irregular precipitation is stored in bajada sediments and is available to deeply rooted vegetation over long periods of time. This vegetation provides a relatively constant food source for people's herds of browsers, the camels and goats, whereas cattle, which graze mainly on grasses, are significant producers only during wet seasons. Field observations suggest that the mountain and abutting pediment soils are too shallow to store appreciable water. However, greater quantities of water are stored in the deeper bajada sediments adjacent to the pediment where pastoralists dig temporary wells in ephemeral channels during wet seasons. Density of tree growth is greater along channels, and highest canopy cover values are found about the pediment-bajada interface. Geohydrologic processes in this area provide the basis for continuous occupation by the desert people, in contrast to recurring famines in adjacent areas, by enhancing the growth of woody vegetation.

• Research Organization: Colorado State Univ., Ft. Collins (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6646398
• Report Number(s): CONF-8510489-
• Journal Information: Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States), Vol. 17; Conference: 98. annual meeting of the Geological Society of America, Orlando, FL, USA, 28 Oct 1985
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
ARID LANDS
GEOMORPHOLOGY
HYDROLOGY
WATER USE
KENYA
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
GROUND WATER
PLANT GROWTH
PRODUCTIVITY
SEDIMENTS
VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION
WATER REQUIREMENTS
WATER RESOURCES
WATER TABLES
AFRICA
CLONING
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
GROWTH
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RESOURCES
WATER
580100* - Geology & Hydrology- (-1989)