Abstract:
The Lake Habitat Survey (LHS) is an ecological integrity monitoring tool developed for temperate lakes
by an independent team of researchers to support the implementation of the EU Water Framework
Directive (WFD). It has been widely applied but more testing is needed in different settings, therefore
this study investigated the applicability of the LHS protocol in assessing the habitat quality of a tropical
alkaline lake in the face of increasing impacts of anthropogenic pressure and climate change. The LHS
metrics of Lake Habitat Quality Assessment (LHQA) and Lake Habitat Modification Score (LHMS)
estimated for Lake Simbi collectively suggested that the physical habitat quality of the lake is moderate
since its hydromorphology is moderately modified. In conclusion, LHS is effective for monitoring
ecological condition of water bodies to inform decision making for conservation and management hence
it is suitable for adoption in Kenya and the tropics as one of the standard tools for lake environmental
assessments.
