1. Climate http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/112254/kenya_1_093-4.jpg

2. Nyeri + Othaya

3. http://pdf.wri.org/kenya_atlas_11_uppertana_ch8_300.pdf

4. Altitude: 1500-2000m Annual Rainfall 1200-1600mm in 4/5 yrs (PA=1022mm) Cold to warm, wet, medium altitude region Nyeri district = 3,356sq.km land, 0km water District of Nyeri http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQndni_sC8BAcBMxArG_9ZtiYI6EDSs36PZdPTnIgu0p LG5JUoz FAO

5. Nyeri Othaya Classification: semi-humid Annual Average Rainfall (mm): 800-1400 Average Annual Potential Evaporation: 1450-2200 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): 16-18 Mean Max Temp: 22-24 Mean Min Temp: 10-12 Abs. Min Temp: 2-4 Night Frost: Very Rare Classification: sub-humid Annual Average Rainfall (mm): 1000- 1600 Average Annual Potential Evaporation: 1300-2100 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): 16-18 Mean Max Temp: 22-24 Mean Min Temp: 10-12 Abs. Min Temp: 2-4 Night Frost: Very Rare Data from 1980 Map

6. Elevation FAO: 1996

7. Precipitation FAO: -Last updated in 2000 -averaged over 37 years

8. NyeriOthaya NyeriOthaya 2001Elevation:1500-1800m1800-2100m 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 Rainfall760-1010mm1010-1270mm Info from maps in PSU Library

9. Precipitation- Nyeri Harvesting/Land PrepPlantingHarvesting/ Land PreparationPlanting Long Rains Short Rains JanFebMarAprMayJuneJulyAugSeptOctNovDec -1961 Map in PSU Library -average of 6 years

10. -1961 Map in PSU Library -average of 6 years myweather2: No information provide on time period from which the data was collected

11. Rainy Days myweather2

12. Humidity myweather2

13. Temperature FAO: -Last updated in 1991 -averaged over 37 years

14. Temperature- Nyeri myweather2 Nyeri and Othaya (1980) Mean annual Temp (C): 16-18 Mean Max Temp: 22-24 Mean Min Temp: 10-12 Abs. Min Temp: 2-4 Night Frost: Very Rare

15. Wind myweather2

16. Length of Growing Period FAO: -Last updated in 2000 -averaged over 37 years

17. Kenya Soils

19. 3 major soil orders Oxisols Ultisols Alfisols

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

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

22. 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

23. Natural Vegetation

24. What to find… http://ecodiv.org/trapnell/trapnellol.html

25. 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

26. 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.

27. Water Conservation

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

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

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

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

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