Freshwater management and climate change adaptation: Experiences from the Great Ruaha River catchment in Tanzania
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Date
2009
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Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Abstract
Adaptation to anthropogenic climate change is becoming vital to freshwater ecosystems and resource management, but climate
adaptation can be purposeful or unintentional. This paper presents lessons from an assessment of an autonomous adaptation in
the Great Ruaha River catchment in Tanzania following WWF intervention. The project was designed to address challenges
resulting from natural resource use and existing levels of climate variability by changing water resource management. The study
applied participatory methods and an open-ended questionnaire to collect data. The study found key adaptation benefits,
including reduced vulnerability to drought and strengthened local water user associations and other regional institutions. As a
result of the project interventions from 2003 to 2009, rural livelihoods became more profitable and water-sustainable, and local
livelihood strategies were diversified. Regional ecosystems improved as a result of restoring river flows in some rivers, conser-
vation of riparian vegetation and halting tree felling for charcoal production. As a result of these changes the communities and
ecosystems in the Great Ruaha River catchment should be more resilient to emerging climate change impacts, yet the need for
further physical interventions and institutional reform is identified. The study concludes that strengthening local institutions and
capacity building are fundamental to climate change adaptation and sustainable freshwater management.
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Keywords
Climate change adaptation, Climate vulnerability, Freshwater management, Great Ruaha River, Institutions, Sustainability