Browsing by Author "Njana, Marco A."

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Are miombo woodlands vital to livelihoods of rural households? Evidence from Urumwa and surrounding communities, Tabora, Tanzania
(Taylor & Francis, 2013) Njana, Marco A.; Kajembe, George C.; Malimbwi, Rogers E.
This study investigated contribution of miombo woodland resources accrued from Urumwa Forest Reserve (UFR) to income of rural households. Data and conclusions are based on 84 randomly surveyed households in four villages adjacent to UFR. Using descriptive statistics, the analysis was guided by the sustainable livelihood framework conceptual model. Results show that the miombo woodlands of the UFR account for 42% of total household income. Further analysis reveals that woodlands contribute 28% and 59% of non-monetary and monetary income, respectively. This demonstrates a significant role played by miombo woodlands. Woodland resources contribute to household income through various livelihood activities. Accordingly the woodland resources accrued from the UFR cover human basic needs. Results from this study empirically demonstrate the vital role played by miombo woodlands in either supporting current consumption or serving as safety net. It is, therefore, recommended that current and future management strategies in the forest sector emphasize forest and livelihood dimensions for sustainability of both livelihood and forest and woodland resources.
Mixed method approaches to evaluate conservation impact: evidence from decentralized forest management in Tanzania
(Foundation for Environmental Conservation, 2014-06-01) Lund, Jens Friis; Burgess, Neil D.; Chamshama, Shabani A. O.; Dons, Klaus; Isango, Jack A.; Kajembe, George C.; Meilby, Henrik; Moyo, Francis; Ngaga, Yonika M.; Ngowi, Stephen E.; Njana, Marco A.; Mwakalukwa, Ezekiel E.; Skeie, Kathrine; Theilade, Ida; Treue, Thorsten
Nearly 10% of the world’s total forest area is formally owned by communities and indigenous groups, yet knowledge of the effects of decentralized forest management approaches on conservation (and livelihood) impacts remains elusive. In this paper, the conservation impact of decentralized forest management on two forests in Tanzania was evaluated using a mixed method approach. Current forest condition, forest increment and forest use patterns were assessed through forest inventories, and changes in forest disturbance levels before and after the implementation of decentralized forest management were assessed on the basis of analyses of Landsat images. This biophysical evidence was then linked to changes in actual management practices, assessed through records, interviews and participatory observations, to provide ameasure of the conservation impact of the policy change. Both forests in the study were found to be in good condition, and extraction was lower than overall forest increment. Divergent changes in forest disturbance levels were in evidence following the implementation of decentralized forest management. The evidence from records, interviews and participatory observations indicated that decentralized management had led to increased control of forest use and the observed divergence in forest disturbance levels appeared to be linked to differences in theway that village-level forest managers prioritized conservation objectives and forest-based livelihood strategies. The study illustrates that a mixed methods approach comprises a valid and promising way to evaluate impacts of conservation policies, even in the absence of control sites. By carefully linking policy outcomes to policy outputs, such an approach not onlyidentifies whether such policies work as intended, but also potential mechanisms.
Mixed method approaches to evaluate conservation impact: evidence from decentralized forest management in Tanzania
(Foundation for Environmental Conservation, 2014) Lund, Jens. F.; Burgess, N.D.; Chamshama, Shabani A.O.; Dons, Klaus; Isango, Jack A.; Kajembe, George C.; Meilby, Henrik; Moyo, Francis; Ngaga, Yonika M.; Ngowi, Stephen E.; Njana, Marco A.; Mwakalukwa, Ezekiel E.; Skeie, Kathrine; Theilade, Ida; Treue, Thorsten
Nearly 10% of the world’s total forest area is formally owned by communities and indigenous groups, yet knowledge of the effects of decentralized forest management approaches on conservation (and livelihood) impacts remains elusive. In this paper, the conservation impact of decentralized forest management on two forests in Tanzania was evaluated using a mixed method approach. Current forest condition, forest increment and forest use patterns were assessed through forest inventories, and changes in forest disturbance levels before and after the implementation of decentralized forest management were assessed on the basis of analyses of Landsat images. This biophysical evidence was then linked to changes in actual management practices, assessed through records, interviews and participatory observations, to provide a measure of the conservation impact of the policy change. Both forests in the study were found to be in good condition, and extraction was lower than overall forest increment. Divergent changes in forest disturbance levels were in evidence following the implementation of decentralized forest management. The evidence from records, interviews and participatory observations indicated that decent- ralized management had led to increased control of forest use and the observed divergence in forest disturbance levels appeared to be linked to differences in the way that village-level forest managers prioritized conservation objectives and forest-based livelihood strategies. The study illustrates that a mixed methods approach comprises a valid and promising way to evaluate impacts of conservation policies, even in the absence of control sites. By carefully linking policy outcomes to policy outputs, such an approach not only identifies whether such policies work as intended, but also potential mechanisms.