Applied Discrete-Choice Modelling


Book Description

Originally published in 1981. Discrete-choice modelling is an area of econometrics where significant advances have been made at the research level. This book presents an overview of these advances, explaining the theory underlying the model, and explores its various applications. It shows how operational choice models can be used, and how they are particularly useful for a better understanding of consumer demand theory. It discusses particular problems connected with the model and its use, and reports on the authors’ own empirical research. This is a comprehensive survey of research developments in discrete choice modelling and its applications.




Kenya's Indigenous Forests


Book Description

The result of work of the Kenya Indigenous Forest Conservation Programme, this report provides a summary of the existing information about Kenya's indigenous forests. It covers geographical background; assessment of the biodiversity, environmental services, and wood products functions and values; population pressures; utilization; economic value; policy; legislation; management guidelines; and criteria for management planning of such forests.




Towards sustainable charcoal production and trade in Baringo County


Book Description

Key messagesWoodfuel, particularly charcoal, is an important energy source in urban areas and a livelihood source in rural areas.Actors in the Baringo–Nairobi charcoal value chain get between KES 107 and 613 per bag of charcoal depending on their location and role.In most parts of Baringo County, charcoal is produced from the invasive species Prosopis juliflora (mathenge, also known in some countries as ‘mesquite’).Community members, stakeholders and county officials identified priorities for the production and governance of the mathenge charcoal value chain.Strategies include proper management of biomass, efficient processing and effective utilization, and adequately regulated and supported value chains from production to consumption.Good governance of woodfuel value chains will only be achieved when there are transparent, consistent and coordinated regulatory institutional mechanisms that support and incentivize compliance and penalize illegality along the whole value chain. The County Environment Committee initiated a governance process, whilst community members have been engaged in sustainable mathenge charcoal production in Marigat Sub-county.







Nature's Benefits in Kenya


Book Description

The publication demonstrates the importance of using maps as an analytical and policy tool to examine the spatial distribution of poverty and ecosystem services in Kenya. Ecosystem services are the benefits people derive from ecosystems and include goods (food and water), services (flood and disease control), and nonmaterial benefits (spiritual and recreational benefits). A series of maps integrate poverty data from Kenya's most recent census with maps of regions in Kenya which are considered important for production of selected ecosystem services such as water (hydropower, access to drinking water, irrigation), food (crop and livestock), fuel, biodiversity, and tourism. The authors believe that users of Nature's Benefits: An Atlas of Ecosystems and Human Well-Being in Kenya will gain new insights on the spatial congruence of poverty and ecosystem services, improve targeting of programs addressing poverty and selected environmental services, and provide integrated datasets and methodologies for multi-scale use.




Wetlands of Kenya


Book Description

A source book for future research and management activities, these 20 papers cover wetland issues in Kenya and underline the need for a national wetland program.




Agroecological Footprints Management for Sustainable Food System


Book Description

Agroecological footprints are a unique and popular concept for sustainable food system. Measuring and keeping a tab on the agroecological footprints of various human activities has gained remarkable interest in the past decade. From a range of human activities, food production and agriculture are most essential as well as extremely dependent on the agroecosystems. It is therefore crucial to understand the interaction of agroecosystem constituents with the extensive agricultural practices. The environmental impact measured in terms of agroecological footprints for a healthy for the sustainable food system. The editors critically examine the status of agroecological footprints and how it can be maintained within sustainable limits. Drawing upon research and examples from around the world, the book is offering an up-to-date account, and insight into how agroecology can be implemented as a solution in the form of eco-friendly practices that would boost up the production, curbs the environmental impacts, improves the bio-capacity, and reduces the agroecological footprints. It further discusses the changing status of the agroecological footprints and the growth of other footprint tools and types, such as land, water, carbon, nitrogen, etc. This book will be of interest to teachers, researchers, government planners, climate change scientists, capacity builders, and policymakers. Also, the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture, agroforestry, agroecology, soil science, and environmental sciences. National and international agricultural scientists, policymakers will also find this to be useful to achieve the ‘Sustainable Development Goals’.




Conservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage in Kenya


Book Description

In Kenya, cultural and natural heritage has a particular value. Its pre-historic heritage not only tells the story of man's origin and evolution but has also contributed to the understanding of the earth's history: fossils and artefacts spanning over 27 million years have been discovered and conserved by the National Museums of Kenya (NMK). Alongside this, the steady rise in the market value of African art has also affected Kenya. Demand for African tribal art has surpassed that for antiquities of Roman, Byzantine, and Egyptian origin, and in African countries currently experiencing conflicts, this activity invariably attracts looters, traffickers and criminal networks. This book brings together essays by heritage experts from different backgrounds, including conservation, heritage management, museum studies, archaeology, environment and social sciences, architecture and landscape, geography, philosophy and economics to explore three key themes: the underlying ethics, practices and legal issues of heritage conservation; the exploration of architectural and urban heritage of Nairobi; and the natural heritage, landscapes and sacred sites in relation to local Kenyan communities and tourism. It thus provides an overview of conservation practices in Kenya from 2000 to 2015 and highlights the role of natural and cultural heritage as a key factor of social-economic development, and as a potential instrument for conflict resolution