Browsing by Author "Heriberth, Joseph Adam Haulle"

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Assessment of forest conditions, threats and management effectiveness in the catchment of Malagarasi-Muyovozi Wetlands, Urambo District, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2007) Heriberth, Joseph Adam Haulle
This study assessed the forest conditions, threats and management effectiveness of selected catchment forests of Malagarasi-Muyovozi wetlands in Urambo District, Tanzania, particularly Mpanda Line Forest Reserve. The level of disturbance was obtained through disturbance assessment methodology while threats through threat reduction assessment tool. The World Commission on Protected Areas tracking tool assessed management effectiveness and socio-economic factors was obtained through structured questionnaires. The results showed that forest disturbance for both trees and poles in the three strata were significantly different (p<0.05). The forest disturbance as well as the use intensities were highest in the open woodlands followed by closed woodlands and wooded grasslands, implying high human impacts in the open woodlands. The threat reduction assessment index was 16%, indicating that the reserve is highly threatened. Major threats were wildfires, illegal logging, overgrazing, and encroachment. The management effectiveness assessment score was 28% implying that the reserve is poorly managed and therefore it stands a chance of loosing its status as biodiversity conservation and wetland catchment area if the situation is not attended adequately. Lack of clear reserve boundaries, management plan, secured funding, adequate law enforcement, appropriate and well-trained staff and local community involvement were the major shortfalls. Socio economic factors that significantly influence human disturbance in the reserve include age, ethnicity, and demand for forest products and services. A number of conservation initiatives were revealed, which may contribute in reducing the threats facing the reserve and increasing the management effectiveness. Contribution of Sustainable and Integrated Management of the Malagarasi-Muyovozi Ramsar Site Project, Ugalla Community Conservation Project, Robin Hurt and Safaris Company and Friends of Urambo and Mwanihala was acknowledged. It is recommended that a management plan, land use plans, and collaboration between local communities and the government are pertinent to the conservation of the catchment and maintenance of local livelihood benefits.