Browsing by Author "Makonda, Fortunatus B. S."

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Spatial-temporal variations in dietary consumption of two dominant rodent species (Rhabdomys Dilectus and Lophuromys Acquilus) on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
(MDPI, 2022-08-16) Thomas, Suzana M.; Soka, Geofrey E.; Mulungu, Loth S.; Makonda, Fortunatus B. S.
Understanding the resource partitioning and diet of sympatric species is vital for conser- vation and management. From April 2020 to March 2021, a study on the dietary consumption of Rhabdomys dilectus and Lophuromys acquilus was conducted on Mount Kilimanjaro. Rodent trapping was conducted in agricultural fields, fallow land, and moorland habitats during dry and wet seasons. Sherman live traps and snap traps were alternately placed in transect lines for three consecutive nights. We calculated the percentage occurrence and contribution of dietary items, niche breadth, and niche overlap of the two species across habitats and seasons. Both species consumed all the examined food items. The most abundant components were vegetative materials and seeds/starch, followed by invertebrates. R. dilectus and L. acquilus preferably consumed seeds and invertebrates, respectively, as their primary food source. Niche breadth differed significantly between species (W = 650, p = 0.002), habitat (Kruskal–Wallis chi-squared = 6.82, df = 2, p = 0.03), and season (W = 700, p = 0.000). There was a considerable niche overlap in diet (ranging from 0.84 to 0.98) between the species and was relatively higher in the dry season compared with wet season. Despite the observed niche overlap, spatial-temporal variations in dietary consumption between the two species can serve as a mechanism of resource portioning enabling their coexistence.
Tree species preferred for wood fuel in brick making in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania
(i-Proclaim, 2014) Magembe, Kija Steven; Makonda, Fortunatus B. S.
This study aimed at identifying the tree species commonly used in brick making in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania and proposing means for generation of modified energy sources that would cover the full value of forest resource production and consumption. The research approach was two- folds using; Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and quantitative measurements. Results revealed that almost all brick makers in the area used fuelwood as the major energy sources. Nine (9) tree species were used in brick making, namely; Mkarati (Burkea africana), Mlama (Combretum molle), Mbiriti (Senna siamea), Muarobaini (Azadirachta indica) and Mwembe (Mangifera indica). Others were Mkaratusi (Eucalyptus spp), Mchongoma (Pithecellobium dulce) Mjohoro (Senna spectabilis) and Mkrisimasi (Delonix regia). Of these, Mkarati, Mwembe, Mlama and Mbiriti were mostly preferred, though other species were also used insignificantly. Increasing scarcity of some of other tree species meant that deforestation from the nearby forests was a common problem. To reduce deforestation in the area, use of alternative energy sources in brick making such as rice husks and bagasse are recommended. Other recommendations are the establishment of woodlots, practicing agro-forestry systems and intensive afforestation and reforestation programmes for more sustainable fuelwood use.