The Human Dimensions Studies on the East African Lake Regions: A Review

Several studies have been carried out under the auspices of the IDEAL (International Decade for East African Lakes) programme on the physical and biological factors affecting the East African lakes. These include aspects such as geological and sedimentary processes, climate dynamics and variability, limnology, food webs and fisheries, and paleoenvironment. However, the human dimensions research has not been part of the overall framework of the IDEAL programme. This paper makes a comparison of the human dimensions and natural science research on the East African Lakes. Further it emphasises the significance of linking up the research findings of the natural scientists, (such as those documented in the IDEAL programme) and those of the social scientists in finding in combating the impact of regional environmental change of the East African lakes.