Tectonic controls on the ecosystem of the Mara River basin,  East Africa, from geomorphological and spectral index analysis

Ludat, Alina Lucia; Kübler, Simon

doi:https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-1991-2023

Articles | Volume 20, issue 10

https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-1991-2023

© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-1991-2023

© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 20, issue 10

Research article

|

30 May 2023

Research article |

| 30 May 2023

Tectonic controls on the ecosystem of the Mara River basin, East Africa, from geomorphological and spectral index analysis

Alina Lucia Ludat and Simon Kübler

Supplement

https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-1991-2023-supplement

Data sets

Copernius DEM GLO-30 European Space Agency (ESA) https://doi.org/10.5270/ESA-c5d3d65

Sentinel-2 European Space Agency (ESA) https://doi.org/10.5270/S2_-znk9xsj

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Short summary

Satellite-based analysis illustrates the impact of geological processes for the stability of the ecosystem in the Mara River basin (Kenya/Tanzania). Newly detected fault activity influences the course of river networks and modifies erosion–deposition patterns. Tectonic surface features and variations in rock chemistry lead to localized enhancement of clay and soil moisture values and seasonally stabilised vegetation growth patterns in this climatically vulnerable region.