Ecological effects and community perception of cattle grazing in Miombo woodlands in Kilosa district, Tanzania
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Date
2017
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Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The study was conducted in Kilosa District to assess ecological effects and community
perception of cattle grazing in Miombo woodlands. The ecological study conducted within
Ihombwe village Community Based Forest Management (CBFM). Soil samples collected
for analysis of soil physical and chemical properties before and after cattle grazing within
30 plots. Circular plots design used for inventories and all plants, trees with height ≥ 1cm,
coppices and root sprouts were identified and measured to species level. Results showed
that, in high grazing intensity there was a decrease of plant species composition after cattle
grazing at p < 0.01 significance level. Other results showed that, there was significant
decrease in trees species seedlings, coppices and root sprouts regeneration in high grazing
intensity after cattle grazing at p < 0.01, p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 significance level
respectively. Furthermore, results showed that an average bulk density changed from 1.41
1.48g/cm3, soil pH decreased from 6.01 – 5.84 in high grazing intensity after cattle
grazing. Ihombwe and Ulaya Mbuyuni village were used for socio-economic study. A
total of 357 respondents and 4 key informants were interviewed. Approximately 80% of
respondents agreed that grazing cattle in Miombo woodlands have negative ecological
effects and have socio-economic benefits to local communities. Estimated 95% of
livestock keepers were willing to pay for cattle grazing in Miombo woodlands. Generally,
the results showed that, light grazing have no significance effect in Miombo woodlands
compared to high grazing. The study recommends that, central and local government
could allow light grazing of cattle in forests with participatory management approaches
like CBFM since it has no detrimental ecological effects and should set up a legislation
that can regulate grazing and set up affordable price for grazing in Miombo woodlands
since majority have willingness to pay.
Description
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMICS OF
SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE. MOROGORO, TANZANIA. 2017
Keywords
Ecological effects, Community perception, Cattle grazing, Miombo Woodlands, Community Based Forest Management (CBFM), Kilosa District