Browsing by Author "Katani, J. Z."

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Allometric Biomass and Volume Models for Cashewnut Trees
(E&D Vision Publishing Ltd, 2018-05-12) Zahabu, E.; Mlagalila, H.; Katani, J. Z.
Allometric Biomass and Volume Models for Coconut Trees
(E&D Vision Publishing Ltd, 2018-05-12) Zahabu, E.; Mugasha, W. A.; Malimbwi, R. E.; Katani, J. Z.
Allometric Biomass and Volume Models for Tectona Grandis Plantations
(E&D Vision Publishing Ltd, 2018-05-12) Zahabu, E.; Mugasha, W. M.; Katani, J. Z.; Malimbwi, R. E.; Mwangi, J. R.; Chamshama, S. A. O.
Allometric models for prediction of above- and belowground biomass of trees in the miombo woodlands of Tanzania
(Elservier, 2013-08-02) Mugasha, W. A.; Mugasha, W. A.; Eid, T.; Bollandsås, O. M.; Malimbwi, R. E.; Chamshama, S. A. O.; Zahabu, E.; Katani, J. Z.
Miombo woodland is a significant forest type occupying about 9% of the African land area and forms a dominant vegetation type in many southeastern African countries including Tanzania. Quantification of the amount of carbon stored in forests presently is an important component in the implementation of the emerging carbon credit market mechanisms. This calls for appropriate allometric models predicting biomass which currently are scarce. The aim of this study was to develop above- and belowground allometric general and site-specific models for trees in miombo woodland. The data were collected from four sites in Tanzania and covers a wide range of conditions and tree sizes (diameters at breast height from 1.1 to 110 cm). Above- and belowground biomass models were developed from 167 and 80 sample trees, respectively. The model fitting showed that large parts of the variation (up to 97%) in biomass were explained by diameter at breast height and tree height. Since including tree height only marginally increased the explanation of the biomass variation (from 95% to 96–97% for aboveground biomass), the general recommendation is to apply the models with diameter at breast height only as an independent variable. The results also showed that the general models can be applied over a wide range of conditions in Tanzania. The comparison with previously developed models revealed that these models can probably also be applied for miombo woodland elsewhere in southeastern Africa if not used beyond the tree size range of the model data.
Assessment of fire prevalence and reduction strategies in Miombo woodlands of Eastern Tanzania
(African Journals Online, 2014-12) Katani, J. Z.; Madoffe, S.S.; Amanzi, N. S.; Amanzi, N. S.; Rija, A. A.; Midtgaard, F.; Mbeyale, G. E.; Zahabu, E.; Tarimo, B. C.
An assessment of the proximate causes, effects and factors contributing to fire prevalence was conducted in three districts covered by miombo woodlands in Eastern Tanzania. Three miombo woodlands under different management regimes and governance structures (central government forest reserve, local government forest reserve and village land forest) each were investigated in Handeni, Kilosa and Kilwa districts. Data were collected from three villages selected in each District through household surveys, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), interviews of key informants and field observations. The analysis of data involved content analysis for documentary materials, descriptive statistical analysis for household surveys and Chi square was used to test whether there were differences in responses of local communities across forest management regimes. Results indicate that the major five human activities contributing to fire prevalence across the miombo woodlands include farm preparation (34.1%), hunting (28.5%), arson (21.5%), livestock grazing (9.3%) and charcoal making (0.7%). The causes were fairly the same across forest management regimes. August, September and October were the peak fire months and they were not influenced by different management regimes but by geographical locations within Eastern Tanzania. Results further show that fires in miombo woodlands usually start inside the woodland (67.2%), around residential area (22.9%) and from farms (9.9%). The origin of fire inside the woodland becomes more serious because it combines the hunting, arson, livestock grazing and charcoal making which are usually done inside the woodland. Chi-square test indicates significant difference on origin of fires across the forest management regimes (χ² = 13.341 and p = 0.031). The local communities acknowledged fires having both positive and negative effects and these effects were the same across the management regimes. Further, across the surveyed villages, strong social ties existed between fires and the daily life of local communities. Poverty, ignorance, weak law enforcement and climatic factors were identified as underlying factors contributing to fire prevalence. Fire incidences are predicted to increase given the increasing climate change. Potential strategies to reduce fires incidence identified were awareness creation, law enforcement, making fire breaks, introduction of alternative income generating activities, and improving agriculture practises. Furthermore, the use of prescribed burning to reduce effects of late fires and developing fire management plans to enhance miombo woodland management are among the strategies worth consideration by the local communities.
Awareness of Peri-urban Farmers on the Concept of Climate Change: A Case of Temeke District, Dar es Salaam Region
(International Knowledge Sharing Platform, 2016) Lunyelele, S. P.; Bengesi, K. M. K.; Katani, J. Z.
This study assessed peri-urban farmers’ awareness on the concept of climate change in Temeke District, Dar es Salaam Region. A total of 240 questionnaires were administered to the heads of households in four wards of the study area. Descriptive statistics mainly frequency distribution, percentages and average were used to analyse socio-economic characteristics of the respondents. Perceived indicators and the effects of climate change were measured through a five point Likert Scale. Off the interviewed respondents 97.9% were generally aware of climate change. Farmers’ awareness is manifested through the locally perceived indicators: increase in drought which had a mean score ( ) of 4.4, decline in rainfall ( =3.83), recurrent floods ( =3.83) and rainfall fluctuations ( =3.1). Respondents linked climate change with human activities largely cutting and burning of trees. Farmers’ perceptions are not directly linked with scientific understanding of climate change. The study recommends for the Government intervention based on farmers’ specific needs. In the other vein, more researches on climate change awareness is recommended in order to enhance local community’s adaptive capacity.
Background on the Development of Biomass and Volume Models
(E&D Vision Publishing Ltd, 2018-05-12) Bollandsås, O. M.; Zahabu, E.; Katani, J. Z.
Biomass and volume models for different vegetation types of Tanzania
(E&D Vision Publishing Ltd, 2016) Malimbwi, R. E.; Mauya, E. W.; Zahabu, E.; Katani, J. Z.; Chamshama, S. A. O.; Eid, T.; Bollandsås, O. M.; Maliondo, S. M. S.; Mugasha, W. A.; Masota, A. M.; Njana, M.; Makero, J. S.; Mshana, J. S.; Luganga, H.; Mathias, A.; Msalika, P.; Mwangi, J.; Mlagalila, H. E.
Climate change and high rates of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have increased the attention paid to the need for high-quality monitoring systems to assess how much carbon (C) is present in terrestrial systems and how these change over time. The choice of a system to adopt relies heavily on the accuracy of the method for quantifying biomass and volume as important primary variables for computing C stock and changes over time. Methods based on ground forest inventory and remote sensing data have commonly been applied in the recent decade to estimate biomass and volume in the tropical forests. However, regardless of the method, accurate tree level biomass and volume models are needed to translate field or remotely sensed data into estimates of forest biomass and volume. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to develop biomass and volume models for the forests, woodlands, thickets, agroforestry systems and some selected tree species in Tanzania. Data from destructively sampled trees were used to develop volume and above- and below-ground biomass models. Different statistical criteria, including coefficient of determination (R2), relative root mean square error (RMSE %) and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), were used to assess the quality of the model fits. The models selected showed good prediction accuracy and, therefore, are recommended not only to support the ongoing initiatives on forest C Measurement, Reporting and Verificatio (MRV) processes but also for general forest management in Tanzania.
Contribution of Paddy Production to Household Income in Farmer-Managed Irrigation Scheme Communities in Iringa Rural and Kilombero Districts, Tanzania
(Journal of Agricultural Studies, 2018-05-09) Mosha, D. B.; Vedeld, P.; Katani, J. Z.; Kajembe, G. C.; Tarimo, A. K. P. R.
Irrigation reduces risks involved in agriculture and enables farming throughout the year. Improved irrigation systems enhance access to irrigation water. However, most smallholder farmers continue to use traditional irrigation schemes as if the difference in water use and crop yields between the two is insignificant. It seems essential to assess the paddy crop yield difference and its contribution to household incomes between traditional and semi-improved Farmer-Managed Irrigation Schemes (FMISs) in Iringa Rural and Kilombero districts in Tanzania. A cross-sectional research design was used in this study involving 48 key informants and 172 randomly selected households. Household survey using a structured questionnaire was the major method for data collection. Data from focus group discussions and key informants supplemented the information collected using household survey. The data were analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS). Results indicate that yield of paddy was higher in semi-improved schemes (2.5-3.6 tons/ha) compared to traditional irrigation schemes (2.2-2.9 tons/ha). This was attributed to the presence of improved water intake structures and existence of main canals, which facilitated an improved water supply to the irrigation fields. In spite of the poor and incomplete irrigation infrastructure, the paddy production contributed very significantly (73-80%) to the total annual household income of smallholder irrigators and somewhat more in the improved system than the traditional system. Other income sources are quite marginal in the study areas. The study recommends that the government should invest in irrigation infrastructure development to increase irrigation water use efficiency and increase agricultural values added.
Decision-support tool for management of miombo woodlands: a matrix model approach
(SOUTHERN FORESTS, 2017-03-06) Mugasha, W. A.; Bollandsås, O. M.; Gobakken, T.; Zahabu, E.; Katani, J. Z.; Eid, T.
Rational forest management planning requires information on the present forest state and on future development. However, forest management planning in Tanzania has often been done without any information on forest development because appropriate tools are lacking. This study presents a matrix model that combines distance-independent growth and mortality models, area-based recruitment models, and allometric models for prediction of volume and biomass. In this way forest development can be simulated according to different treatment options. A shortterm (seven years) test of the matrix model using independent data from permanent sample plots showed that the overall difference between predicted and observed basal area was small (6.5%). Long-term simulations (1 000 years) with the model showed that it was able to attain, irrespective of initial conditions, similar steady-state conditions (i.e. basal area, volume and biomass of 13 m2 ha−1, 130 m3 ha−1 and 90 t ha−1, respectively), which also correspond well to biological expectations in the ‘real’ miombo woodlands of the country. The flexibility of the model as a decision-support tool was demonstrated by simulating three harvesting options aiming at different combinations of charcoal and timber production. The model complexity is well adapted to the data quality and abundance, and it is dependent on proxies of some main drivers of the dynamic processes. The development of the matrix model is a step forward facilitating better decisions in the management of miombo woodlands. However, data ranges used for calibrating the submodels are limited in time and space, and future efforts should focus on tests and recalibrations based on extended data ranges. Presently, therefore, applications of the matrix model should be limited to the data ranges of the modelling data from the Iringa and Manyara regions.
Developing Fire Reduction Strategy for Miombo Woodlands as a Potential tool for Carbon Storage and Sequestration
(E&D Vision Publishing Ltd, 2016) Katani, J. Z.; Modoffe, S.S.; Midtgaard, F.; Rija, A. A.; Amanzi, N. S.; Kilawe, C.J.; Mbeyale, G. E.; Zahabu, E.; Tarimo, B. C.; Silayo, D.S. A.
World-wide, wildfires cause problems and when uncontrolled or misused they wreak havoc on society and the environment. In Tanzania, fire occurs in most parts of the Miombo woodlands, and some of them cause significant eco-logical and socio-economic impacts. Several efforts have been made in Tanzania to reduce the occurrence of fire in Miombo but their success has been constrained by underfunding and/or lack of proper strategies. Moreover, in many districts of Tanzania there are no apparent solutions to the fire problem, despite years of regulation and attempts to control fire, and in many places fire incidences are actually increasing. Therefore, this study intended to develop a fire management strategy for the Miombo woodland as a tool for climate change mitigation. This study also strived to identify causes, effects and factors contributing to fire prevalence. Spatial and temporal distribution of fires and burnt extents of wooded areas were determined from the Moderate Resolution Imanging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) active fires product and Landsat satellite images for the past 40 years (1972–2012). Vegetation and household surveys were used to capture empirical data on carbon stock and how different burning regimes and forest management scenarios influence carbon sequestration potentials. Furthermore, the role of formal and informal framework for the prevention, control and management of wild fires in the Miombo was determined. Th main output of this study is a proposed fire reduction strategy in Miombo. Th study findings show that, to a wider extent, 1.8 and 2.9 years mean fire return interval persist in western and eastern dry Miombo areas, respectively, burning up to 50.6% of the woodland. These wildfires were largely human-driven and commonly occur in all the villages surveyed whereas the existing local governance structures and institutions suffered from poor coordination, severe underfunding and poor support from the villagers. Torching of forests was largely perpetuated by weak enforcement of laws and regulations, poverty and existing local beliefs. On average, there is an indication that the central government forests have higher stock of carbon than the local government forests and village government forest reserves. However, there was no significant difference in carbon stock between forests experiencing no burning, early burning and late burning. The proposed fire management strategy for Miombo woodlands focused on the promotion of sustainable alternative land preparation methods, improved household income sources and awareness, sustainable land use management and promotion of sustainable charcoal production. The strategy indicates a number of activities to be implemented and actors responsible for each activity.
Exploring Forest Governance in Tanzania
(Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2012) Katani, J. Z.; Babili, I. H.
This chapter explores forest governance in Tanzania. It is based on a literature review of the governance concept in general and an analysis of selected case studies – Suledo, Duru-Haitemba and Bereku forest reserves – in particular. We identify various types of forest governance and show how these are related to the decentralisation process in Tanzania. Our findings indicate that decentralisation through participatory forest management (PFM) in Tanzania integrates various governance types, including good governance, multilevel governance, corporate governance, network governance and global governance. We also show that community-based forest management (CBFM) and joint forest management (JFM), the two dominant forms of participatory forest management in Tanzania, have generally improved the condition of forest resources in the selected case studies. However, the contribution of CBFM and JFM to improved livelihoods of local communities is still rather low. Both CBFM and JFM still face a number of challenges, including inadequate additional income for local communities and insufficient support from external stakeholders.
Forest Protection
(E&D Vision Publishing Limited, 2019-05-01) Katani, J. Z.; Mawinda, S.; Mugasha, W. A.
Forest protection is a practice of preventing and controlling both biotic and abiotic agents, which affect forests and their associated products. There are two agents responsible for tree injury and diseases namely non-pathogenic and pathogenic, they are also known as abiotic and biotic respectively. Non-pathogenic agents include fire, climatic conditions (e.g. wind, drought, rain, and heat), soil conditions and air pollutants. Pathogenic agents cause diseases and they include viruses, bacteria, fungi, mycoplasmas (e.g. protozoa and algae); parasitic plants (e.g. mistletoes), nematodes, arthropods (e.g. insects), birds and mammals. Forest fire, pathology and entomology are discussed in detail in this chapter.
Forest Resources Assessment
(E&D Vision Publishing Limited, 2019-05-01) Mugasha, W. A.; Kashindye, A.; Katani, J. Z.; Giliba, R. A.; Kingwere, S. R. J.; Zahabu, E.
Forest resource assessment is fundamental in decision making to provide essential data and information for forest managers and decision makers to ensure sustainable forest management. This chapter has described objectives and importance of forest resource assessment, forest inventory planning and methods/designs and important descriptive statistics which should be applied when describing forest parameters of interest. Other essential aspects which also guide and compliment forest resource assessment, i.e. survey and mapping; and remote sensing are described. Application of remote sensing and GIS in forestry has also been covered.
Forests and Climate Change Mitigation
(Mkuki na Nyota Publishers Ltd, Dar es Salaam, 2017) Mugasha, W. A.; Woiso, D.A.; Katani, J. Z.
Forest ecosystems are increasingly being recognized for their important role in climate change mitigation because of their ability to regulate the carbon cycle. As a result, national and global initiatives such as afforestation/reforestation under CDM and REDD+ have been initiated to enhance the role of forests in climate change mitigation. Understanding the relationship between forests and climate change mitigation is necessary to enable the meaningful participation of forest practitioners in forest carbon projects and programmes. This chapter explores and highlights aspects of climate change mitigation as linked to forestry by explaining the meaning of climate change mitigation while also introducing various types of GHG sinks. Also covered in the chapter are relevant national strategies and policies in addition to available forest and non-forest based options for participating in mitigation activities. The chapter ends by giving an overview of M & E methods available for mitigation projects.
Influence of forest land tenure regimes on forest condition in Uluguru mountains, Tanzania
(African Journals Online (AJOL), 2012-06) Kitula, M. H.; Kajembe, G. C.; Zahabu, E.; Luoga, E. J.; Katani, J. Z.; Ngowi, S. E.; Eid, T.
The paper scrutinizes the current wave of forest land tenure reforms since the inception of the new forest policy in 1998. It explores which type of forestland tenure regime had more positive influence on forest condition in the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania. The assessment was done with reference to vegetation types of montane and miombo woodlands. The study showed that for the montane vegetation, state regime (Uluguru Nature Reserve) had higher stocking (volume 1,233m3/ha; basal area 78m2/ha; density 777 stems/ha) and tree species diversity (H’ 3.48) compared to communal regime (Chief Kingalu Sacred Forest) which had low stocking (volume 798m3/ha; basal area 49m2/ha; density 1,020 stems/ha) and tree species diversity (H’ 3.21). For the miombo vegetation, corporate/private regime (Tangeni Roman Catholic Church Forest Reserve) had higher stocking (volume 122m3/ha; basal area 27m2/ha and density 2,573 stems/ha) and tree species diversity (H’ 2.60) compared to communal regime (Misumba Village Land Forest Reserve) which had low stocking (volume 23m3/ha; basal area 10.8m2/ha and density 4,200 stems/ha) and tree species diversity (H’ 3.53). The study concludes that state regime represented by Uluguru Nature Reserve showed improved forest condition compared to communal tenure regime (Chief Kingalu Sacred Forest) for the montane vegetation type while private regime (Tangeni Roman Catholic Church Forest Reserve) was more effective in conservation than communal regime (Misumba Village Land Forest Reserve). The study recommends that sustainable management of forests could not be addressed by tenure reforms in the forestry sector alone, but requires 'cross-sectoral', 'inter-disciplinary' and 'participatory' approach along with secure tenure. Moreover, it is essential that an in-depth forest inventory is conducted at predetermined intervals to quantify stocking of tree, shrub species and forest disturbances to understand the level of resource extraction for each tenure regime. Key words: Tenure regimes, reforms, forest condition, Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania.
Mitigation and Adaptation Measures of Peri-Urban Farmers as a Response to Climate Change in Temeke District, Dar es Salaam Region
(American Research Institute for Policy Development, 2018-06) Lunyelele, S. P.; Katani, J. Z.; Bengesi, K. M. K.
This paper assessed mitigation and adaptation measures used by peri-urban farmers of Temeke District against climate change. A cross sectional design was applied of which 240 households were randomly selected for the household surveys and focus group discussions. Qualitative data were analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics while content analysis was used for qualitative data analysis. The findings revealed a high level of adoption of both mitigation and adaptation measures. Kruskal Wallis Test results suggest statistically significant difference in the level of adoption of mitigation measures across three age groups at p<0.05. Nonetheless, there was no significant difference in the adoption of adaptation measures across three age groups at p>0.05. The implemented mitigation measures include cultivating cover crops, alternative energy sources, mixed farming and agroforestry. Adaptation measures comprised of drought resistant crops, economic diversification, irrigation, mixed farming, cover crops sequential cropping and intercropping. Conclusively, a high level of adoption of mitigation and adaptation measures indicates that they are inevitable. Some of adaptation measures were also used as mitigation measures indicating that they are complementary to each other. The study recommends on enhancement of existing mitigation and adaptation measures. More studies on determinants of mitigation and adaptation measures are also recommended.
Participatory Forest Carbon Assessment in South-eastern Tanzania: Experiences, costs and future challenges
(Cambridge University Press, 2015-06-26) Katani, J. Z.; Mustalahti, I.; Mukama, K.; Zahabu, E.
The aim of this study was to determine the changes in forest carbon in three village forests in Tanzania during 2009-2012 using participatory forest carbon assessment, and to evaluate the capability of the local communities to undertake the assessment, and the costs involved. The results show that forest degradation is caused not only by disturbance as a result of anthropogenic activities; other causes include natural mortality of small trees as a result of canopy closure, and the attraction of wild animals to closed-canopy forests. Thus, mechanisms are required to compensate communities for carbon loss that is beyond their control. However, an increase in the abundance of elephants Loxodonta africana and other fauna should not be considered negatively by local communities and other stakeholders, and the importance of improved biodiversity in the context of carbon stocks should be emphasized by those promoting REDD+ (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation). This case study also shows that the cost per ha of USDUSD < 1 for participatory forest carbon assessment is less than that reported for Tanzania and elsewhere (USD 3-5); this is attributed to the large area of forest studied. However, the cost of data analysis and reporting in 2012 (USD 4,519) was significantly higher than the baseline cost (USD 1,793) established in 2009 because of the involvement of external experts.
PFM and Climate Change: The Synergy
(Mkuki na Nyota Publishers Ltd, Dar es Salaam, 2017) Woiso, D. N.; Katani, J. Z.; Abdallah, J. M.
This chapter is about the concept of, current status of, and factors influencing Participatory Forest Management (PFM). The link between PFM and climate change is also described. Some examples are provided of how PFM is implemented and some illustrations of various factors influencing PFM in the country. The challenges and successes of PFM implementation in the country are also explained.
Power struggles in the management and utilization of Suledo village land forest reserve, Kiteto district, Tanzania
(African Journals Online, 2013) Magessa, K.; Mbeyale, G. E.; Kajembe, G. C.; Katani, J. Z.
Contestation among stakeholders with varying interests is common in most rural areas involving over utilization of natural resources important for livelihood which often results into power struggles. This paper presents a power struggle situation in SULEDO Village Land Forest Reserve, Kiteto district, Tanzania where contestation among stakeholders has emerged with the increase of the value of the forest resources and lack of equity in the utilization of the resources. A total of 25 stakeholders involved in the management and utilization of SULEDO VLFR were identified along with their roles and interactions in the management of SULEDO VLFR. Stakeholders identified were categorized into three groups namely regulators, facilitators and users. Likewise, three categories of power were identified namely strategic, institutional and structural. Strategic power was found to be dominant. Results showed different power struggles among stakeholders whereby power struggle between Zonal Environmental Committee and SULEDO villages was found to be dominant and resulted into resource use conflicts. It was concluded that Community Based Forest Management remains a complex and contested arena, comprising many stakeholders with different powers, varied and conflicting interests. But what is important is to have a proper guidance of the processes and improving communication among key players.