Browsing by Author "Gertrude, Akello"

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    Valuation of regulating ecosystem services in Africa: a review of policy impact reporting
    (Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, 2025-01-06) Gertrude, Akello; Godwin Opinde; Sammy Letema
    Regulating ecosystem services (RES) play a very critical role in the sustenance of environmental health and human well-being, yet their valuation remains a complex and dynamic field. The variety of valuation methods, each with its strengths and limitations, as well as the limited methodological guidance for the selection of appropriate methods, poses a challenge in the valuation of RES. This review examined RES valuation studies in Africa, focusing on growth trends, methodological preferences, and policy reporting approaches. Drawing on the existing literature, we also explored the use of decision trees to support the choice of appropriate methods. A synthesis of peer-reviewed literature identified 31 studies, and their analysis revealed the dominant use of single-valuation methods in the assessment of RES and a varied growth rate in the number of valuation studies over the period under review. Furthermore, a notable heterogeneity exists in the methods used to report policy impact across various value assessments. This review contributes valuable insights into the current state of RES valuation research, necessary to advance methodologies, guide future research, and inform policy discussions on the sustainable management of ecosystems.
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    Water hyacinth’s extent and its implication on water quality in Lake Victoria, Uganda
    (The Scientific World Journal, 2023-03) Hussein, Kiyemba; Bernard, Barasa; Joyfred, Asaba; Paul, Makoba Gudoyi; Gertrude, Akello
    Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) degrades and obstructs the integrity of freshwater ecosystems. However, little attention has been paid to monitoring water hyacinth’s spatial extent, its determinants, and its efects on water quality in Lake Victoria, Uganda. Te specifc objectives of this paper are to (i) assess the spatial extent and distribution of water hyacinth; (ii) examine the determinants of water hyacinth distribution, and (iii) assess its impact on water quality. High-resolution satellite images (2016–2019) were obtained and used to monitor the spatial extent of the water hyacinth, a household survey was conducted to examine the determinants of the water hyacinth’s extent and patterns while water samples were drawn and analysed for physicochemical properties. Results show that the coverage and distribution of water hyacinth varied over space and time. Water hyacinth coverage primarily increased with a decrease in water surface area. Te perceived factors that triggered the water hyacinth spread included the morphology of the Bay, efuent discharge, strong winds, speed of water current, water-level changes, ferry navigation, and construction activities at the shore. Water parameters signifcantly impacted by hyacinth were pH, TP, BOD, COD, DO, turbidity, and transparency. Tis study recommends the strict development and implementation of integrated weed control measures, catchment management plans, and point and nonpoint pollution source control.