Stream in Karura Forest, Nairobi Kenya

 

Stream is water that flows continuously on the surface of the land.

The water level in a stream is shallow, and the flow is for short distances. 

Several streams connect to form a river.

The water flow is from the highlands to the low-lying lands.

Intermittent streams are seasonal and, therefore, have a good flow in the rainy season while drying up in dry seasons.

Water flow in the streams emanates from three sources.

The first source is precipitation, for instance, rain, snowfall, and meltwater.

The second source is subterranean water, where an underground river generates water flow.

The third source is groundwater, and the water flow occurs from aquifers or springs.

Stream is a component of the hydrological cycle as it facilitates the movement of water on the surface of the earth.

It also offers natural habitat or ecosystem for plants and animals in the aquatic environment. 

Monkey, the Largest Category of Primates

 

Monkeys comprise the largest category of primates.

A group of monkeys is known as a troop, and it has a social system.  

One male monkey heads the group of monkeys in a particular location. 

The social order enhances security, grooming, and mating activities. 

Monkeys are smaller than apes and have tails.

The categorization of monkeys is into two broad groups.

The first group is the Old World monkey, found in Africa and Asia, and the main physical feature is downward pointing nostrils.

The second category is the New World monkey, found in South and North America, and the main physical feature is outward pointing nostrils. 

Large monkeys are mandrills, and they are in West Africa. At maturity, they weigh about 72 pounds at the length of 43 inches. 

Small monkeys are the pygmy marmosets, and they are in Amazon, South America. They grow to about 5.4 inches in length and weigh 4.2 ounces. 

Monkeys make homes on forest trees, especially in warm and wet environments like the Congo Basin and the Amazon rainforest.

Some species have adaptations in harsh environments like snowy mountains and desert savannas. 

Monkey's diet depends on seasons and comprises mainly fruit, nuts, and leaves. 

In some cases, humans capture and use various monkey species as zoo animals, specimens in research, and pets.

Ruaka Waterfall, Nairobi Kenya

 

Waterfall is a unique feature along the course of a river or stream.

It is the point in the stream/river where the flow of water experiences a rapid drop vertically, or several steep drops. 

Another name for the waterfalls is cascades.

Waterfalls are common in hilly environments, as the flow of the river experiences vertical drop along the steep sections of the hills.

Common formation of waterfall is influenced by the erosion process on rocks. 

The river or stream moves on a hard rock and falls on a soft rock that experiences a high rate of erosion.

The resulting impact of water erosion on the soft rock is a steep depression along the water course. 

Waterfall provide a micro-climate that has high levels of humidity and cool temperature. 

Also, the waterfall environment offers biodiversity that supports unique species of plants and animals.

Human communities benefit from the waterfall water body in various ways.

Beneficial examples include scenic tourist attraction, source of water and aquatic food, site for hydro-power generation, and venue for water sports and recreation.

A key challenge of waterfall is that it hinders smooth navigation of boats along the river or stream channel.

Dry River Bed of a Seasonal River

Some rivers or streams, especially in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL), are seasonal, intermittent, or temporary.

They experience water-flow in certain times of the year, when there are heavy rains and flooding.

In dry seasons, inflow of surface water in the seasonal rivers in insufficient.

In the desert or semi-desert environment, the water loss from the seasonal streams is high due to increasing evaporation rates.

The dry weather condition causes the river or stream to dry up naturally, and exposes the bottom part of the river channel.

The resultant geographical feature is a dry river bed, or dry stream bed, which floods in the next rainy season.

It is common for certain areas of major river systems to dry up for several days, weeks, months, or even years, depending on the level of rain and flood water inflows. 

Dry river bed exposes unique land features; for example, sand, mud, silt, rocks, roots of trees, and remains of aquatic plants.

These features of the dry river or stream bed are visible in dry seasons between the normal waterline and the bottom part of the river channel. 

Seasonal rivers are significant land-forming agents as they influence major erosion and deposition in flood environments.

 

 

Corn/Maize Farm, Plantation in Kenya

 

Corn / Maize is a cereal grain that is grown in many parts of the world. 

It is grown worldwide and is a staple food for many communities.

People consume maize as food in different forms while also making animal feeds from the product.

Commercial products from the maize grain include corn starch and syrup.

Sweet corn maize varieties are for human consumption. 

Field corns are applicable in making animal feeds and fermentation of alcoholic beverages. 

Varieties of maize provide raw materials for making biofuels like ethanol. 

Corn is the widely grown cereal grain globally.

Farmers grow maize on large-scale farms or plantations to realize economic benefits from the economies of scale. 

Genetically modified maize is popular for plantation farmers as it offers good resistance to pests, diseases, herbicides, and harsh weather conditions.

Governments worldwide support maize farmers via sufficient subsidies, especially on agricultural inputs and technology.

Maize plantations in Kenya are largescale in the Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu,  Narok, and Kajiado counties. Small-scale maize farming is common in other parts of the country.

 

Hills, Hilly Landscape in Kenya

 

A hill comprises a landform that is higher than the surrounding land terrain.

The top-most or highest point of the hill is known as the summit.

A hill differs from a mountain as it is not as high or steep. 

Small hills are known as hillocks or knolls.

The formation of hills is through the geomorphic processes like faulting, continuous mountain erosion, and deposition of glacier and rock sediments.

A hilly landscape is a geographical area with several high points and gentle slopes. 

Hills are significant to human beings are they are scenic, have fertile soils, and offer a stable foundation for buildings.

In nature, hills offer ecosystems that enable diverse plant and animal species to coexist mutually.

An example of a hill is the Ngong Hills in Kenya.

 

 

Sunflower Plantation in Kenya

 

Sunflowers comprise flowering plants, which develop annually or perenially.

There are several species of sunflowers. However, the popular category is the common sunflower.

A unique attribute of the common sunflower is the round and yellow flower heads that resemble the sun.

Sunflowers form a nutritious food source for human beings and animals. Some sunflower plantations are for aesthetic value. 

Thus, the large-scale cultivation of sunflower plantations offers economic value to the farmers.

One interesting point is that young sunflower heads, before blooming, move in the direction of sunlight to enhance photosynthesis and attract pollinators. 

At maturity, the movement stops, and the sunflower heads remain stationary facing east to benefit from the warm rising sunlight. 

Sunflower plantations provide beautiful scenery on the farm and along the road. The plant produces nectar that attracts beneficial pollinators like the honey bees.