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Effects of Lake level changes on water quality and fisheries production of Lake Baringo, Kenya
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  • Jacques Walumona,
  • Boaz Arara,
  • Cyprian Ogombe,
  • James Murakaru,
  • Phillip Raburu,
  • Fabrice Amisi,
  • Kobingi Nyakeya,
  • Benjamin Kondowe
Jacques Walumona
University of Eldoret

Corresponding Author:rizikiwalumona@yahoo.fr

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Boaz Arara
University of Eldoret
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Cyprian Ogombe
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute
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James Murakaru
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute
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Phillip Raburu
University of Eldoret
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Fabrice Amisi
Institut Supérieur Pédagogique de Bukavu
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Kobingi Nyakeya
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute
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Benjamin Kondowe
Mzuzu University
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Abstract

The study was conducted in Lake Baringo and determined quantitative relationships between water level changes, water quality, and fishery production for informed lake basin management. Long-term (2008 to 2020) data on water level, water quality, and fisheries yields from Lake Baringo were analyzed using a combination of statistical methods. Linear and waveform regression analyses described patterns of lake level fluctuations over time while, Pearson’s correlation determined the concordance of lake level changes with water quality parameters, landings, and condition of fish species. PCA results grouped the study period into different years based on annual water quality variable levels. LOWESS analysis showed the decline of annual lake level amplitude over time with peak values in 1964 (8.6 m) and 2008 (9.4 m). The waveform regression significantly modeled lake level fluctuations as indexed by annual deviations from the long-term average (DLTM) and showed a 20-year oscillation between peak water levels in the lake. There were significant positive correlations of Water Level Fluctuations (WLFs) with water quality variables and water quality index (WQI) in Lake Baringo. Linear regression analyses showed a significant concordance (p < 0.05) between the annual fishery yield and the rising WLFs (r = 0.66). Overall, the results demonstrate that WLFs of Lake Baringo are a driver of fish species biomass and physico-chemical properties of the lake. We recommend the integration of fisheries yields, water quality assessment, and WLFs modeling at different temporal scales in the management of Afrotropical lake ecosystems
06 Jul 2021Submitted to Ecohydrology
06 Jul 2021Submission Checks Completed
06 Jul 2021Assigned to Editor
06 Jul 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
06 Jul 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
03 Aug 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
15 Aug 20211st Revision Received
17 Aug 2021Submission Checks Completed
17 Aug 2021Assigned to Editor
17 Aug 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Aug 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
29 Sep 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
Jan 2022Published in Ecohydrology volume 15 issue 1. 10.1002/eco.2368