Browsing by Author "Lalika, M. C. S."
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Item Conserving rivers and their biodiversity in Tanzania(MDPI, 2019) Seeteram, N. A.; Hyera, P. T.; Kaaya, L. T.; Lalika, M. C. S.; Anderson, E. P.The United Republic of Tanzania (Tanzania) is rich in freshwater resources and biodiversity. In this article, we highlight the importance of Tanzanian rivers and make a case for the conservation of the freshwater and terrestrial species that rely on these rivers. We provide an overview of current knowledge on Tanzanian rivers and discuss progress towards implementation of the National Water Policy (2002) and Water Management Act (2009), two legislative instruments that have motivated environmental flow assessments on at least six major rivers and o er legal backing for river conservation. We examine major challenges that pose significant threats to water security for river ecosystems and humans in Tanzania, among those: (1) human population growth, (2) agricultural expansion, (3) river flow alterations, (4) industrialization, (5) introduced species, and (6) climate change. We conclude by o ering recommendations for future river conservation e orts in Tanzania.Item Exploring watershed conservation and water governance along Pangani River Basin, Tanzania(2015 Elsevier Ltd., 2015) Lalika, M. C. S.; Meire, P.; Ngaga, Y. M.tWater scarcity is among the contemporary problems of our time across the globe. The problem is wors-ened by policy failures to enforce water governance and watershed conservation. Consequently, it hascurtailed the capacity of watersheds to release hydrological services, water in particular. We carried outthis study to explore approaches for watershed conservation and investigate water governance challengesin Pangani River Basin, Tanzania. We collected data by using structured questionnaires and meetings withdifferent actors in the study area. We found that retaining riparian vegetation is the appropriate strategyfor watershed conservation and sustainable water flow. Water governance challenges include ineffectiveand uncoordinated water governing institutional structures; and untrustworthy financial management.We feel that building the capacity of water users association could bring about positive outcomes forboth watershed conservation and water governance. We recommend that strategies and policies aimedat improving the flow of hydrological services should also focus on improving the welfare of the localcommunities, who are the primary beneficiaries of water from watersheds.Item Linking ecohydrology and integrated water resources management: institutional challenges for water management in the Pangani Basin, Tanzania(Elsevier Sp. z o.o., 2018) Msuya, T. S.; Lalika, M. C. S.Linking integrated water resources management (IWRM) and Ecohydrology for the sustainance of watersheds and environmentally friendly economic activities is vital for ensuring continued water flow and a steady supply of watershed services for societal needs, and the integrity of aquatic vegetation and animal species. However, regardless of the reforms in water policy and the Water Resources Development Programme and Water Resources Management Act to include provisions for IWRM, Tanzania is still facing several institutional challenges in the practical implementation of IWRM. This study aimed at exploring the potentials and constraints for integrating Ecohydrology and IWRM to develop an integrated institutional framework for providing a sustainable flow of ecosystem services for societal needs along the Pangani River Basin (PRB) in Tanzania. The data was collected through socio-economic methods including questionnaires, surveys, structured and semi-structured interviews and a documentary review of secondary information. Logistic regression models were performed to analyse factors influencing watershed management integration. Logistic regression results showed that watershed management integration was significantly (p < 0.001) constrained by poor inter-sectoral coordination at field level, diverging interests of watershed stakeholders, incompatibility between formal and informal institutions, poor highland-lowland integration, develop- ment interventions, population pressure, inadequate political support and migration. This, together with power imbalances and the uncoordinated interests of multi-stakeholders, predispose the PRB’s watersheds to unsustainable management. This state of affairs will continue to hamper national aspirations to effectively implement IWRM along the PRB. Successful IWRM implementation would allow the country to meet its obligations towards sustainable watershed management. It is recommended that an integrated institutional framework capable of integrating upstream and downstream communities be developed.Item The Influence of artisanal and Small-Scale gold mining on tree species within the Bukombe-Mbogwe Forest Reserve, Mbogwe District, Tanzania(College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Morogoro-Tanzania, 2022-06-26) Pancrace, P.; Salanga, R. J.; Lalika, M. C. S.Bukombe-Mbogwe Forest Reserve (BMFR) has witnessed a consistent decline in its tree species, a phenomenon exacerbated by the presence of Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) activities in the district. This research sought to comprehensively investigate the variations in tree species within the forest reserve and the neighbouring villages attributable to ASGM operations. A total of 138 participants were selected through random sampling, consisting of 120 individuals who responded to a questionnaire survey and 18 participants who engaged in key informant interviews. The study employed a multi-method approach, incorporating participant observations, three focus group discussions (representing each village), and thorough literature reviews. Qualitative data underwent content analysis, while descriptive analysis was employed for quantitative data, with Microsoft Excel utilized for data presentation. The findings unequivocally indicate a decline in the abundance of forest tree species after the initiation of ASGM activities. The Pterocarpus chrysothrix (Mkurungu) species is on the brink of extinction, closely followed by the Brachystegia microphylla (Mgela) and Afzella quenzensis (Mkora) species. Alarming findings reveal that environmental training remains woefully inadequate, with 78% of respondents attesting to a lack of training, while only 22% reported receiving some form of training. Equally concerning is the inefficacy of mine closure plans, with a mere 1.7% possessing restoration strategies, 24.1% intending to undertake tree planting initiatives, and a staggering 74.2% having no concrete plans in place. In light of these dire outcomes, it is apparent that ASGM activities have cast a deleterious impact on the preservation of forest tree species within the BMFR. Urgent measures are imperative to bolster protection against human incursions into the BMFR, fostering an environment conducive to natural regeneration. Moreover, the establishment of a comprehensive environmental management plan tailored to the BMFR is an indispensable requisite to mitigate the adverse effects of ASGM and restore the balance of this vital ecosystem.Item Unlocking the potential of ecohydrology in climate stressed water bodies: experience from Mara River Basin, Tanzania(ResearchGate, 2022) Boniphace, M. K.; Lalika, M. C. S.Mara River is a transboundary water body between Tanzania and Kenya that drains into Lake Victoria. This transboundary water body is crucial for various ecosystem services for the local communities along the catchment. Despite its ecological and economic significance, the river is under increasing pressure and losing many of its important functions with serious consequences in aquatic biodiversity, significant reduction of livelihood opportunities, water eutrophication, changed water regimes and increased water use conflicts. This study identify the drivers of climate change and environmental degradation, effects of mining activities on water quality, effects of agricultural activities on stream discharge and establish approaches for river basin management and environmental conservation. Socio-economic data were collected through household questionnaires, interviews and participant observation. Ecological data on water quality, flow and heavy metals concetration were obtained from gauging stations and Lake Victoria Basin Offices for analyses. The Statistical Packing for Social Sciences and Microsoft Excel were used in the analyses. The study revealed that environmental degradation along the Mara River Basin is caused by direct and indirect drivers. Direct drivers for environmental degradation are identified as agriculturel (41%), mining (34%), livestock keeping (13%) and deforestation (12%). It is found that impairment of water quality is due to excessive NO3- and PO43- concentrations that exceed the recommended in most sites by direct drivers which cause adverse impact on the ecosystem. Ecohydrology and management framework that encompasses integrated water resource management along the entire basin should be applied and also, developing new species susceptible to the impacts of climate change.Item Willingness to pay for watershed conservation: are we applying the right paradigm?(Elsevier Sp. z o.o., 2017) Lalika, M. C. S.; Meire, P.; Ngaga, Y. M.; Sanga, G. J.The values of watershed services from watersheds has for many years been neglected, underestimated and not factored in land use decisions for sustainable management. Sustainable management of watersheds and environmental friendly economic activities are vital for sustained water flow, steady supply of ecosystem services for societal needs and enhancement of aquatic vegetation and animal species. The problem of the failure to capture actual values of ecosystem services from watersheds and incorporate them in the national income accounting is profound in developing countries which are characterized with constrained budget for financing conservation programs. To resolve this problem attention has moved to market based instruments such as payment for watershed services (PWS). However, the approach to elicit the necessary information for PWS to kick off is still lacking. Furthermore, Ecohydrology, defined as an integrative sustainability science using the interactions between hydrology, biota and natural processes as management tools to reinforce ecosystem services on a broad range of landscapes (Zalewski, 2015) is a basis for the development and application of market-based approaches in watershed conservation. This study investigated small holder farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for watershed services in Pangani River Basin. A contingent valuation method was employed to elicit the willingness to pay for watershed conservation. A probit model was used to determine respondents’ response to WTP and factors conditioning the maximum amount they are WTP. Findings indicates that majority of respondents are willing to pay for watershed services. Similarly, result reveals that marital status, household size and distance from the water source positively influence smallholder farmers’ WTP and the maximum amount to be paid. Equally important occupation, household size, income from irrigation, and amount paid for irrigation were found to negatively influencing smallholder farmers’ WTP. The result also revealed that education level, total land size and yield from irrigated farm plot positively influence smallholder farmers’ WTP. These results therefore, indicate that establishment of PWS is feasible.