Ecohydrology of Dry Ecosystems: Rainfall in Central Kenya

Kathleen Ryan ‘14Caylor Ecohydrology LabMpala Research Center

Caylor Ecohydrology Lab“…seeks to develop improved insight into the way

that land use and climate change are interacting to affect the hydrological dynamics

and ecological resilience of global

drylands.”

Mpala Research Center, Central Kenya Dry Ecosystem

Rainfall

How much rain is falling?

Where is it coming from?

What is the isotopic signature of the rain?

How much rainfall?

• Is the amount or pattern of rainfall changing over time?

• Calibration• Rain database

Where is it coming from?

• HYSPLIT• Region of origin?• Land Traversed?• Earlier rains?• Geological features?

Connections

• Solar Radiation• Distance air parcel traveled over land

& elevation of land

• Isotopic signature can be used to tag and track water/vapor from different sources

Conclusions

…I could get used to this.

Dr. Soderberg

Dr. Caylor

Molly O’Connor

Thank you for your guidance and support.

John Mitonga Ekoma Akuwam

Alice Suh & Hannah Safford

We had a fantastic

time!

Dr. Rubenstein