Sustainable management of mangrove resources requires monitoring of status and conditions of the forest over time. This study assessed structure and regeneration of mangroves across five mangrove management blocks in Lamu, Kenya. Using stratified random sampling strategy, mangroves were sampled in 152 square plots of 400 m² along belt transects established perpendicular to the shoreline. Linear regeneration sampling (LRS) was employed to assess composition and patterns of natural regeneration. Six mangrove species were encountered during this study. Based on importance value index, the dominant mangrove species in Lamu are Rhizophora mucronata and Ceriops tagal. At least 42% of the forest is stocked with low-quality poles, an indicator of prolonged human pressure. However, natural regeneration rate of 7,342 ± 450 juveniles ha⁻¹ observed in the forest is considered adequate to support forest recovery after disturbance. The findings of the study have direct applications in the development of harvest plans for mangroves in Lamu.

Blue carbon ecosystems, particularly mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes, play a crucial role in climate regulation by capturing and storing huge stocks of carbon. Together with supporting fisheries production, protecting shorelines from erosion, and supplying timber and non-timber products to communities, blue carbon ecosystems offer investment opportunities through carbon markets, thus supporting climate change mitigation and sustainable livelihoods. The current study assessed above- and below-ground biomass, sediment carbon, and the capacity of the blue carbon ecosystems in Kwale and Lamu Counties, Kenya, to capture and store carbon. This was followed by mapping of hotspot areas of degradation and the identification of investment opportunities in blue carbon credits. Carbon densities in mangroves were estimated at 560.23 Mg C ha⁻¹ in Lamu and 526.34 Mg C ha⁻¹ in Kwale, with sediments accounting for more than 70% of the stored carbon. In seagrass ecosystems, carbon densities measured 171.65 Mg C ha⁻¹ in Lamu and 220.29 Mg C ha⁻¹ in Kwale, values that surpass the national average but are consistent with global figures. Mangrove cover is declining at 0.49% yr⁻¹ in Kwale and 0.16% yr⁻¹ in Lamu, while seagrass losses in Lamu are 0.67% yr⁻¹, with a 0.34% yr⁻¹ increase in Kwale. Under a business-as-usual scenario, mangrove loss over 30 years will result in emissions of 4.43 million tCO₂e in Kwale and 18.96 million tCO₂e in Lamu. Effective interventions could enhance carbon sequestration from 0.12 to 3.86 million tCO₂e in Kwale and 0.62 to 19.52 million tCO₂e in Lamu. At the same period, seagrass losses in Lamu would emit 5.21 million tCO₂e. With a conservative carbon price of 20 USD per tCO₂e, projected annual revenues from mangrove carbon credits amount to USD 3.59 million in both Lamu and Kwale, and USD 216,040 for seagrass carbon credits in Lamu. These findings highlight the substantial climate and financial benefits of investing in the restoration and protection of the two ecosystems.

Blue carbon ecosystems, particularly mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes, play a crucial role in climate regulation by capturing and storing huge stocks of carbon. Together with serving as habitat for fish and other wildlife, protecting shoreline from erosion, as well as providing harvestable wood and non-wood resources to society, blue carbon ecosystems offer investment opportunities through carbon markets, thus supporting climate change mitigation and sustainable livelihoods. The current study assessed above- and below-ground biomass, sediment carbon stocks, and sequestration potential of blue carbon ecosystems in Lamu and Kwale counties, Kenya; using 2020 as the baseline year. This was followed by mapping of hotspot areas of degradation and the identification of investment opportunities in blue carbon credits. Carbon densities in mangroves of Lamu and Kwale were estimated at 560.23 Mg C ha⁻¹ and 526.34 Mg C ha⁻¹, respectively, with over 70% stored in sediments. Seagrass carbon densities in Lamu (171.65 Mg C ha⁻¹) and Kwale (220.29 Mg C ha⁻¹) exceed the national average but align with global estimates. Mangrove cover is declining at 0.49% yr⁻¹ in Kwale and 0.16% yr⁻¹ in Lamu, while seagrass loss in Lamu is 0.67% yr⁻¹, with a 0.34% yr⁻¹ increase in Kwale. Under a business-as-usual scenario, mangrove loss over 30 years will result in emissions of 4.43 million tCO₂e in Kwale and 18.96 million tCO₂e in Lamu. Effective interventions could enhance sequestration from 0.12 to 3.86 million tCO₂e in Kwale and 0.62 to 19.52 million tCO₂e in Lamu. Seagrass loss in Lamu could emit 5.21 million tCO₂e. With a carbon price of $20 per tCO₂e, projected annual revenues from carbon credits amount to $3.59 million in Lamu and $216,040 in Kwale. These findings highlight the substantial climate and financial benefits of investing in blue carbon ecosystem conservation and restoration.

Water is a vital resource for the universe's survival of both flora and fauna, broadly referred to as an elixir of life. However, high population growth, encroachment of catchment areas, and climate change have rendered water resources scarce, leading to reliance on alternative groundwater sources to supplement the less freshwater sources for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use. Groundwater is considered a reliable source of uncontaminated water for various uses in rural and urban settings, especially for drinking. However, the uncertain potability of groundwater sources such as springs and boreholes remains a great concern, particularly when used untreated for human consumption, posing serious human health threats. This study assessed the physico-chemical quality using selected groundwater parameters from a natural spring (Mwonyo) at Nkubu, Nkuene ward, Meru County, Kenya, to determine its suitability for human consumption. A systematic sampling design was employed and a total of four water samples were collected in triplets of 500 ml water bottles and analyzed in the laboratory following standard analytical procedures using specific meters and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Examined parameters included; color, taste, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and turbidity, as well as concentrations of phosphate, fluoride, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate ions. The results were compared with the maximum contamination levels (MCLs) by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBs) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for drinking water quality to determine the suitability of the sampled water for drinking purposes. The study findings showed that the sampled water exceeded permissible limits for several physico-chemical parameters, including low pH (6.36), high electrical conductivity (2380 μS/cm), turbidity (16.30 NTU), and elevated concentrations of phosphate (0.12 mg/L), ammonia (0.86 mg/L), and fluoride (122.8 mg/L), indicating potential contamination originating from natural and anthropogenic sources. The study recommends further investigation and appropriate water treatment interventions to ensure public safety. While some other parameters were within the permissible levels e.g., temperature (28.3°C), dissolved oxygen (4.2 mg/L), and nitrates (0.57 mg/L), the overall water quality was deemed unsuitable for drinking without undergoing treatment. These parameters might be influenced by the geological makeup of the region and seasonality. This study thus recommends further investigation and appropriate water treatment interventions to ensure human health safety.