Comparative analysis of soil health in restored and unrestored rangeland sites of Samburu County, Kenya
The topic is also suitable for GEM students in track 3 – GEM for Ecosystems & Natural Resources.
Fieldwork will involve remote semi-arid locations and requires community entry protocols. Seasonal timing is critical to capture soil moisture variability.
This study examines soil health as a key indicator of rangeland restoration success in the semi-arid ecosystems of Samburu County. Restoration interventions such as semi-circular bunds aim to reduce erosion, enhance moisture retention, and improve soil fertility. However, their impact on soil properties remains under-documented.
By comparing restored and unrestored rangelands, this research provides quantitative and qualitative evidence of how restoration practices influence soil nutrient availability, compaction, and moisture dynamics. The integration of Indigenous Local Knowledge with soil science offers a locally grounded and policy-relevant understanding of land restoration outcomes.
Potential topic objectives
- To compare soil nutrient status (organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) between restored and unrestored rangeland sites in Samburu County.
- To assess soil physical properties (bulk density, compaction, and infiltration capacity) as indicators of restoration success.
- To evaluate soil moisture dynamics across seasons in restored versus degraded rangelands.
- To integrate Indigenous Local Knowledge (ILK) on soil quality and land recovery with biophysical soil measurements.
Methodology
- Selection of paired restored (e.g., SCB) and unrestored rangeland sites across representative Samburu landscapes.
- Laboratory analysis of soil nutrients and physical properties from soil samples from dry and wet seasons.
- Field-based measurements of soil compaction and moisture retention.
- Analyze semi-structured interviews with pastoralists to document local soil quality indicators and land-use history.
- Statistical comparison and spatial analysis of soil health indicators using remote sensing data and GIS techniques.
Rangeland degradation in Samburu is a problem involving ecological decline, climate variability, pastoral livelihoods, governance, and land-use conflict. This research reduces “wickedness” by producing actionable spatial and soil-based evidence to guide restoration planning and community–government decision-making.
The topic can be adapted by emphasizing spatial modelling of soil health indicators, integrating GIS-based decision-support tools, and linking soil outcomes to land-use planning and governance scenarios relevant to dryland restoration