Climate

Nyeri + Othaya

Altitude: m Annual Rainfall mm in 4/5 yrs (PA=1022mm) Cold to warm, wet, medium altitude region Nyeri district = 3,356sq.km land, 0km water District of Nyeri LG5JUoz FAO

Nyeri Othaya Classification: semi-humid Annual Average Rainfall (mm): Average Annual Potential Evaporation: Vegetation: Dry forest + moist woodland Potential for Plant Growth: medium-high Risk of Failure of an Adapted Maize Crop: fairly low (5-10%) Mean annual Temp (C): Mean Max Temp: Mean Min Temp: Abs. Min Temp: 2-4 Night Frost: Very Rare Classification: sub-humid Annual Average Rainfall (mm): Average Annual Potential Evaporation: Vegetation: moist and dry forest Potential for Plant Growth: high Risk of Failure of an Adapted Maize Crop: very low (1-5%) Mean annual Temp (C): Mean Max Temp: Mean Min Temp: Abs. Min Temp: 2-4 Night Frost: Very Rare Data from 1980 Map

Elevation FAO: 1996

Precipitation FAO: -Last updated in averaged over 37 years

NyeriOthaya NyeriOthaya 2001Elevation: m m 1961 The probability of obtaining less than 20in (500mm) of rain a year 0-10% The probability of obtaining less than 30in (760mm) of rain a year 20-30% 0-10% 1961Mean Annual Rainfall mm mm Info from maps in PSU Library

Precipitation- Nyeri Harvesting/Land PrepPlantingHarvesting/ Land PreparationPlanting Long Rains Short Rains JanFebMarAprMayJuneJulyAugSeptOctNovDec Map in PSU Library -average of 6 years

-1961 Map in PSU Library -average of 6 years myweather2: No information provide on time period from which the data was collected

Rainy Days myweather2

Humidity myweather2

Temperature FAO: -Last updated in averaged over 37 years

Temperature- Nyeri myweather2 Nyeri and Othaya (1980) Mean annual Temp (C): Mean Max Temp: Mean Min Temp: Abs. Min Temp: 2-4 Night Frost: Very Rare

Wind myweather2

Length of Growing Period FAO: -Last updated in averaged over 37 years

Kenya Soils

3 major soil orders Oxisols Ultisols Alfisols

Oxisols Strongly weathered Little texture variation with depth Clay sized Fe and Al oxides Very red due the presence of Fe

Ultisols “red clay soils” High clay in B horizon Acidic Leached <35% base saturation Deficient in calcium and potassium

Alfisols High clay in B horizon ≥ 35% base saturation Form in semi-arid to humid areas Generally drier areas than oxisols & ultisols Moderate to high fertility

Natural Vegetation

What to find…

Othaya: Moist Montane Forest Highly diverse in species – Potential for ecotourism – Many diverse tree species help with agro forestry, food diversification, new crop potential Patches of wetland and open grassland Higher rainfall

Nyeri: Dry Intermediate Forest Not as diverse or productive in tree growth Dry grassland present Does have native medicinal trees – Combretum molle (Swahili: Mlama) Quick growing Good for burning, tool implements Parts used for treating snakebites, hookworm, stomach pains etc.

Water Conservation

Water Conservation: The Need Difficulty growing crops Rainfall becoming more unreliable Land degradation Loss of nutrients content/uploads/2009/04/river-drying-up.jpg

Water Conservation: Loss of water Major causes: – Overgrazing – Deforestation – Tillage – Over cropping

Water Conservation: Existing Methods (NOT very widespread) Rooftop water harvesting Retention pits Reduced Tillage

Water Conservation: Potential Methods Cover crops Replanting trees (Agro forestry) Rotational grazing Crop rotation Mulching Build up soil structure Increase existing methods

Rotational Grazing Rotate pastures and animals – Cow – Pig – Goat/Sheep – Chicken