Browsing by Author "Maliondo, S. M"
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Item Control of soil erosion in mzinga river catchment In the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania: Approaches and practices(Tanzania Journal for Population studies and Development, 2017) Mulengera, M. K.; Lulandala, L. L.; Maliondo, S. M; Maerere, A. P.; Temu, R. P. C.; Msuya, C. P.Soil erosion is a serious problem in Tanzania that leads to land degradation and rapid siltation of water reservoirs and water supply structures. This paper presents findings from a project initiated in 2003/2004 to rehabilitate the Mzinga River Catchment. The objective of the project was to rehabilitate the highly degraded catchment in order to improve peoples’ economic well being by imparting knowledge of raising tree seedlings in nurseries, growing forest and fruit trees, practicing agroforestry, and by establishing mechanical conservation works. The catchment conservation approach adopted was land user free choice in collaboration with community conservation committee and other key stake holders. Soil erosion measurements were done on fields, fallow lands, and semi-natural vegetation areas to monitor land use practices that contribute greatly to catchment degradation. Sediment yield modelling was done to determine rates of sediment yields from the catchment. The study results show very high soil erosion rates (up to more than 33 tons/ha) on agricultural lands, and sediment yields from the Mzinga river catchment of about 17 tons/ha per year. The study showed that conservation activities need extension to overcome the bad historical experiences of the communities in the catchment area, and to have more farmers adopting appropriate soil conservation measures after demonstrated increased productivity and economic benefits that will be achieved through good land husbandry practices and planted forest and fruit trees.Item The effect of shortening fallow length on recovery of plant species richness, composition and growth in shifting cultivation landscapes of Kilosa district, Tanzania(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2018-06) Kilawe, C. J; Silayo, D. A; Maliondo, S. M; Birch-Thomsen, T; Mertz, O.There is insufficient knowledge on the effects of shifting cultivation on vegetation change, especially in situations of land use intensification. This study investigated the effects of shortening fallow length on recovery of small (Dbh < 5 cm) and big (Dbh ≥ 5 cm) plant species richness, composition and height growth in a dry Miombo woodland in East Central Tanzania. Vegetation sampling was conducted on 40 (10 m x10 m) plots and 80 (5 m x 5 m) sub- plots from adjacent sites under fallow for 3, 5, 7 and 15 years and a control secondary forest. Results showed that shortening fallow length to not less than 7 years did not have a significant negative effect on recovery of plant species richness and height growth for both small and big sized plant species. However, there was a remarkable shift in composition of dominant species when fallow length was less than 15 years. Results showed that big size Miombo woodland defining species such as Brachystegia bussei, B. boehmii, and B. spiciformis were deprived in fallows younger than 15 years but dominant in secondary forest. Non-Miombo woodland defining species such as Cassia burtii and Dombeya shumpangae were instead dominant in younger fallows. These results imply that if the fallow length is shortened to 3 years as required by Village Land Use plans in Kilosa District, the sustainability of the shifting cultivation systems will be threatened, affecting ecosystems services offered by landscapes under shifting cultivation. It is therefore recommended that fallow length be prolonged to at least 7 years and that communities are encouraged to retain some of the Miombo woodland defining species in the fields under cultivation.