About the Researcher:

Dr. Stephen Sikolia Fedha is currently working as Senior Lecturer at Department
of Botany, School of Physical Sciences and Biological Sciences, Maseno University. He has completed
his Ph.D. in Botany from Maseno University, Kenya. His main area of interest focuses on Botany (Plant
Ecophysiology (photosynthetic systems), Ecology, Developmental Botany, Plant Taxonomy, Tissue
culture) and Science & Mathematics Education. His area of expertise includes Plant Ecophysiology,
Photosynthetic systems, Ecology, Developmental Botany, Plant Taxonomy, Tissue Culture,
Morphogenesis, Isotopic Studies, Plant Growth and Development, Economic Botany, Herbarium Practice,
Eutrophication and Pollution, Microbial Physiology, Science Education (Bio.), and Science Education. He
has 9 publications in journals as author/co-author.

URL: https://livedna.org/254.11048

Project Title:

Effects of Climate Change And Anthropogenic Processes on the Vegetation Change
and Primary Productivity Patterns Along Altitudinal Gradient in Western Region.
Abstract: Biodiversity loss and climate change are real and influence vegetation change and primary
productivity. These changes are noticeable in different ecosystems exhibiting different climatic
parameters that have a control on the carbon production through photosynthesis. Anthropogenic
processes enhance their dynamic activities on the timeline scale. A study was undertaken to understand
these changes and their implications in Chwele-Kitale to Mt. Elgon-Baringo area. Belt transect was
designed and random study sites adopted using random numbers. The changes in the area may be due
to the influence of different regimes and integrative environment factors along the altitudinal gradient and
chrono-sequence of land management practices like arable agriculture. Therefore, the present study
aims were to: i) determine the classes of land cover systems and land use in the Kitale-Mt. Elgon area;
ii) predict climatic factors that control the proportion of contribution of C3 and C4 species to primary
production and affect their distribution along the altitudinal gradient; iv) determine the changes in carbon
isotopic signature of soil organic matter (SOM) and correlate to those of the photosynthetic plant species
to establish the direction of succession changes in vegetation and quantify the rates at which carbon in
SOM of various soil fractions turn over as affected by ecosystem processes. To understand these
changes, carbon isotope method were used to establish carbon isotopic signatures of the plant species
and the soil organic matter. Here, the horizontal planetary ball mill was used to prepare the milled leaf
samples weighing 5μmg using digital Sartorius balance and send to the Isotopic International laboratory
for leaf carbon isotopic analysis. Similarly, 5μmg of the fine SOM samples were prepared and send for
carbon isotopic value analysis. The signatures will be used to distinguish the C3 and C4 species and
understand vegetation change patterns. To confirm the C3 and C4 species serial microtome Kranz leaf
anatomical sections were prepared using rotary microtome and observed under microscope with
attached digital camera. The climatic parameters including temperature (mean annual temperature(◦C),
mean annual maximum temperature(◦C), mean annual minimum temperature(◦C), mean daily and
monthly temperature(0C), mean daily and monthly maximum and minimum temperature(◦C), mean annul surface and soil temperature (0C)), mean annual and monthly rainfall and /or precipitation(mm), mean
monthly radiation (j/m2), mean annual radiation (j/m2), mean monthly relative humidity(% )and mean annual relative humidity (%), potential annual rate of evaporation (mm3/m2) , water and soil moisture, soil
pH, soil surface temperature, soil conductivity and altitude (mm a.s.l.) been measured and recorded.
Over two and fifty different plant species have been collected, identified, preserved at Maseno University
and their distribution frequencies worked out. Anthropogenic activities have been documented and
recorded in the area of study. The biodiversity index is low as shown by Simpson’s diversity index and
Shannon index. The biophysical attributes including leaf area index (LAI), green leaf chlorophyll density
(GLCD) and canopy reflectance data and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) been measured
using the Spectrophotometer and ASD Field Spec Hand Held 4 Spectroradiometer and recorded. Leaf
milled powder samples for C3 and C4 species extracts are being prepared for digital rotary evaporator
processing for further active compound analysis. The climatic parameters and biophysical attributes will
be correlated to the relative proportion of the C3 and C4 species and primary productivity patterns along
the altitudinal gradient. Further, data on afforestation activities require documentation through
stakeholders (locals, policy makers, related researchers and local governance) interaction, input and
recommendations. Finally, the study will develop predictive model for productivity patterns to predict
changes in the photosynthetic types and paradigm shift in the land cover classes and net carbon change
for each photosynthetic pathway response to the changing climate scenario. Ph.D. student is attached to
the research project.

Principal Researcher:
Dr. Stephen F. Sikolia, Maseno University

Collaborating Universities:
1. University of Nairobi
2. Maasai Mara University