Browsing by Author "Mathijs, Erik"

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    Economics of Grass Strips Used as Sediment Filters in the Riparian Zones of Lake Victoria, Uganda
    (Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 2012) Mugonola, Basil; Kimaro, Didas; Isabirye, Moses; Deckers, Jozef; Poesen, Jean; Wanyama, Joshua; Mathijs, Erik
    Land-use change in the riparian zones has lead to flow of sediments and nutrients into Lake Victoria. Using net present value (NPV) and sensitivity analysis techniques, economic viability of Paspalum, lemon, and elephant grasses as sediment filters under maize production are determined. Findings reveal that grass strips in maize production generates NPVs of 1,620 Cha−1, 1,736 Cha−1, and 1,766 Cha−1 for maize + Paspalum, maize + lemon and maize + elephant grass, respectively, at 5% discount rate. Sensitivity analyses show, NPVs are stable to varying discount rates but not to yield declines in maize and grasses. Overall, integrated land use to reduce sediment and nutrient fluxes is a more acceptable solution to land-constrained farmers.
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    Soil and Water Conservation Technologies in the Upper Rwizi Microcatchment of Southwestern Uganda
    (Water-Smart Agriculture in East Africa, 2015) Mugonola, Basil; Mathijs, Erik; Poesen, Jean; Deckers, Josef; Wanyama, Joshua; Isabirye, Moses
    The continuing decline of agricultural productivity in many areas in Uganda, particularly in the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB), has been attributed to land degradation and, as a consequence, farmers encroach on forests, wetlands, and marginal steep slopes (NEMA, 2009; Mugonola, 2013c). Cultivation of these areas using unsustainable agricultural production methods contributes to increased soil erosion, loss of buffering capacity, sediment deposition, and pollution of water bodies. Degradation of farm and rangeland has on-farm and off-farm effects. On-farm, it leads to reduced current and future land productivity and land values, while off-farm, soil erosion results in environmental degradation, desertification, siltation of waterways, and flooding, among others.
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    Stakeholders’ Perceptions of the Problem of Wetland Degradation in the Ugandan Lake Victoria Basin Uganda
    (Natural Resources, 2020) Were Nakiyemba, Alice; Isabirye, Moses; Poesen, Jean; Deckers, Jozef; Mathijs, Erik
    Wetlands are one of the most essential resources of Uganda. They are key components of the riparian areas filtering sediments from run-off thereby reducing water pollution. However, they are increasingly threatened by the expansion of agricultural activities. This condition prompted the study of stakeholder’s perspective on the governance of Lake Victoria natural resources in Uganda. The purpose of the study was to analyse relevant stakeholders with a stake in wetland resource, their socio-economic characteristics, motives and perceptions on wetland degradation in the Lake Victoria Basin. We aimed at understanding how stakeholders influence decisions of managing wetlands in the Upper River Rwizi and Iguluibi micro catchments in light of the current farming systems and practices and their implications to the Lake Victoria Basin. A mixed method approach that includes both qualitative and quantitative surveying techniques was applied. We used a semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, ethnographic observations and secondary data. A stakeholder analysis framework was used to identify the relevant actors with a stake in wetland use and management. It further analyses their characteristics and perceptions of the problem of wetland degradation. Results reveal that around the 1950s, wetlands were intact ecosystems without any disturbances from human activities. Land use changes started around the 1990s when farmers started diversifying from subsistence-based economy to market-oriented. The interests, benefits and conflicts over use and management of wetland resources vary from one stakeholder group to another and their influence and power relations are quite distinct. These all combined with governance systems and perceptions influence the process of wetland degradation. the Upper River Rwizi and Iguluibi micro catchments in light of