Department of Wildlife Management

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The ecology of large herbivores in the Miombo woodlands of South East Tanzania
(The University of of Nairobi, 1979) Rodgers, William Alan
The studies described in this thesis arose from an ecological survey of part of the eastern side of the Selous Game Reserve in south east Tanzania from 1967 to 1975* The intensive study area contained two major, ecologically distinct, habitats, an area of tall grass miombo woodlahd and a smaller area of short grass scattered tree grassland. Several species of large grazing ungulate utilised thefce habitats, namely: buffalo, hartebeest, impala, sable, warthog, wildebeest and zebra* Seasonal changes in the environment such as the six month drought and widespread annual fires affect the pattern of habitat utilisation exhibited by each species. This thesis examines such utilisation and shows that each species has developed its own ecological and feeding strategies in order to maximise nutrient inputs and reproductive success in what is seasonally a harsh environment In many ways the miombo (Brachystegia) woodlands remain the least studied of the East African habitats This lack of data on the miombo in general and the Selous Game Reserve in particular means much of the thesis is taken up by descriptions of the physical and biotic environment of the study area. Following an introductory chapter the thesis is divided into three parts. Part one, with three chapters, describes the physical environment: geology, soil, climate, water and prehistory; the vegetation: community description, distribution and species composition, floristics and vegetation dynamics; and range factors of productivity and forage nutrient content Part two contains chapters on animal numbers, distribution patterns, feeding and nutrition and a chapter examining growth and reproduction as indices of population performance Part three concludes the thesis with a chapter reviewing the miombo woodlands and the Selous as a wildlife habitat and a final chapter discussing management policy for the Selous Game Reserve. The study area is low lying (100 - 700m asl) with a single rainy season from late November to early May (average 760mm p.a.) Despite a long hot dry season, surface water is relatively plentiful Habitat distribution is primarily controlled by geology and soil type with major modifications by fires and past human activity. The upland Karoo and post karoo sandstones give rise to infertile acidic red sandy soils which carry a climax-thicket formation These have been degraded into woodland by fire and settlement activity Lower down the drainage slope the flat Pleistocene river terrace of grits and sands has produced a hard alkaline sodic soil carrying short grass scattered tree grassland The drainage sump of recent alluvial clay carries tall floodplain grasses The vegetation is diverse, collections to date totalling over 1200 vascular plants including 150 grass species. The woodland vegetation shows strong affinities to the Zambezian flora,and the thicket, riverine and alkaline communities show affinities to the East African coastal flora o The thesis contains species lists and a vegetation community map. Fire has opened up the thickets producing tall grass woodlands of various types. Grasses, mainly Andropogonae, are coarse tussock perennials with very low nutritive values when dry* No burning allows the spread of woody and climbing species which engulf the grass layer and rapidly reduce grazing values* Late dry season fires reduce woody elements and plant diversities and leave coarse grass growth thoughout the dry season* Cooler early dry season fires maintain mixed woodland communities and a mixture of grass species and, where water tables allow, rapidly produce a flush of nutritious regenerating grass growth* Crude protein content of such growth can reach 20% although standing crop is low* The alkaline soils carry a short grass sward of mixed annual perennial species of high nutritive values in the rains* There is no flush after burning and dry season grazing values are low* Chapter 5 discusses techniques of animal census in detail* A vehicular ground sample census using fixed systematically placed transects was used for common ungulates* Rainy season densities on the short grass habitats are as follows: Impala 28*7/km2, wildebeest 27,2/km2, zebra l6*2/km^ and warthog 9*4/km2# Wildebeest and impala densities have remained unchanged for six years, zebra and warthog densities have increased significantly* Less detailed data are given for other species* Distribution data have been collected at several different scales from Tanzania wide, to the Selous, to the study area, to the different facets of a miombo valley-ridge catenary system* It is ‘shewn that 'salile *nd'‘L±ch’fcnrteins .'S* : ns hartebeest are restricted to tall grass woodland habitats, wildebeest and impala must have access to short grass areas in the rains and that buffalo, zebra and warthog, are more habitat tolerant but achieve higher densities on short grass habitats . Within the study area virtually all impala, warthog, wildebeest and zebra concentrate on the short grass areas in the rains, moving into the woodlands following the onset of burning Within the woodland habitat wildebeest and impala concentrate on the green flush of the valleys and avoid the unburnt areas and ridge tops. Sable and hartebeest are distributed throughout all categories and warthog and zebra are intermediate showing some selection of valley and green areas The onset of the November rains signals a return to the short grasslands Studies of feeding behaviour showed buffalo, hartebeest and wildebeest to be total grazers whilst sable and impala took significant proportions of browse in the dry season and warthog diet changed to perennial monocot roots and rhizomes. Feeding studies concentrated on wildebeest and impala and much data was obtained from post morterm analysis. By assuming that extrapolation of data from other large ungulate studies was unlikely to cause large relative errors it was possible to make estimates of protein and energy intakes and of theoretical nutrient needs for these two species. the rainy season both species had inputs greater than During theoretical requirements for maintenance, i e i positive nutritional balance. they were in As the dry season progressed T both male and female wildebeest which remained on the dry short grass habit entered a period of negative nutritional balance• However wildebeest moving to fresh flush in the woodlands were shown (albeit on less evidence) to maintain a positive balance. Impala at the onset of the dry season changed their diet to nutrient rich browse components and so maintained a positive nutritional balance. These two ! strategies of habitat change and dietary change have resulted in peak nutritional inputs at different times of year. Impala have peak inputs in September and wildebeest in i December periods. Onset of parturition coincides with these peak The nutritional load of gestation is minimal compared to that of lactation. Calving season therefore allows lactation and wearing of calves at the nutritional optimum time of year. Other species show different strategies, which allow a separation of niche space reducing competition for food resources Chapter eight shows that individual growth rate, body condition and fecundity rates are as high or higher than other populations in Africa., and that populations here are well adapted to the ecological conditions of this part of the Selous Game Reserve. This chapter discusses why the wildebeest population is stationary when nutrition is adequate, condition is good and fecundity is high. Predation by lion is put forward as a major limiting factor* The concluding chapters look at the miombo woodlands throughout Africa as wildlife reserves and suggest that only when tall grass woodlands are adjacent to other habitats such as short grassland or floodplains do animal densities reach levels high enough to warrant major conservation inputs* The importance of fire in providing dry season graze is stressed and fire management polices for the Selous are discussed* Past, present and future human impacts on the wilderness values of the Selous are examined and a plea is made for definite land use policy statements for south east Tanzania and the reserve*
The role of local communities in wildlife management: a case study of the Serengeti regional conservation project, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2003) Ngowe, Nollasco Matozi
The study was conducted in the western corridor of the Serengeti National Park between October 2001 and January 2002. Tire study area included villages bordering the Ikorongo-Grumeti Game Reserve, Ikoma Wildlife Management Area, and the Serengeti National Park. Specifically, the study was intended to assess the effectiveness of local communities in wildlife management; assess the relationship between the local community and wildlife authorities; and assess if there is any decline in poaching in the study villages. The study involved four villages of 14 villages under the SRCP where in each village, at least 5% of the households were sampled. Primary data were obtained from questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, check list and the researcher’s observations. The study revealed that both village natural resources committees (VNRCs) and village game scouts (VGS) were significantly effective in combating poaching than expected (%2 = 108.3, p<0.001 and %2 = 90.13, p<0.001, for VNRCs and VGS respectively). The relationship with wildlife authorities was said to be excellent by 29.2% of the respondents, 69.2% said there was good relations while 1.7% said it was poor. Furthermore, 98.3% of respondents said poaching has decreased since the introduction of community-based conservation by SRCP. Poaching was ranked as the most important threat to wildlife conservation, followed by lack of community participation in wildlife management, increasing livestock numbers, and agriculture. Other problems in the area included severe shortage of water for livestock during the dry season was pointed out by 83.3% of the respondents while 50% stated the shortage of grazing area. Crop damage was also a problem and the most problem animals mentioned by respondents were bushpig (Potamochoerus porcus) (84.2%), vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops) (77.5%), olive baboon (Papio anubis anubis) (55.0%), and the elephant (Loxodonta africana) (44.4%). On the other hand, communities received a total of 36 millions TAS (equivalent to 45.5 thousands USD) from 1998 to 2001 as a form of tangible benefits from the community wildlife hunting and 44 million TAS (equivalent to 48.1 thousands USD) from non-consumptive photographic safaris. The study concludes that active participatory approaches that are used by SRCP have contributed to the success of the project in winning support of local communities at the grass root level. Local communities arc treated with respect, as equal partners in conservation, not as targets of conservation or education projects. Decision making power is shared, and the role of the project staff is to act as catalysts and intermediaries. Based on the study, the following recommendations are given: -More support should be provided to the village game scouts. -There should be integration between crop and livestock production system. -Wildlife conservation education should be added in the primary school syllabus. -The use of non-lethal deterrents for crop protection against wildlife especially elephants should be researched in the area. -Villages should be assisted in exploring the potential investors especially on photographic tourism and tourist hunting.
‘Serengeti shall not die’: Can the ambition be sustained?
(Taylor & Francis, 2005) Kideghesho, Jafari R; Røskaft, Eivin; Kaltenborn, Bjørn P; Tarimo, Thadeo M. C
Serengeti, a World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve, is increasingly being threatened by human factors, which undermine its natural resource base and, therefore, contradict the ambition contained in Grzimeks’ popular book ‘Serengeti Shall Not Die’. We discuss five forces against the ambition: rapid human population growth, poverty, illegal hunting, habitat destruction, and wildlife diseases. We also review some of the current strategies adopted in view of pre-empting the negative outcomes resulting from these forces by pointing out their deficiencies. We conclude that, although human population growth and poverty are underlying factors threatening the Ecosystem, the current mitigative strategies barely address them adequately. We, therefore, recommend that, for Grzimeks’ ambition to remain valid, the two factors should take priority. We also call for more research to establish the reasons making people exhibit unsustainable behaviours toward the resources. We further suggest learning from past mistakes in view of correcting the identified deficiencies. Support in the form of alternative sustainable livelihood strategies and discouraging all ecologically destructive policies are equally important. Drawing from experience of the Kenyan part of the Ecosystem we suggest banning of land privatization, commercial agriculture and other development policies conflicting with conservation interests around Serengeti National Park
Factors affecting wildlife based domestic tourism in the northern tourist circuit, Tanzania
(Sokoine University Of Agriculture, 2006) Mariki, Sayuni
The study on factors affecting domestic tourism was carried out in northern Tanzania tourist circuit. The study had the following objectives: (i) To determine the characteristics of domestic tourists, (ii) To assess the trend in tourism and domestic tourism, (iii) To identify and assess factors affecting domestic tourism, (iv) To assess efforts undertaken to promote domestic tourism, (v) To propose ways by which domestic tourism can be improved. A sample of 140 domestic tourists, 142 selected individuals from markets and streets, 27 tour operators, 5 Protected areas (PAs) management staff, 6 PAs gate clerks and park guides, and 2 tourist organizations were interviewed. The results revealed that: (i) The age group of 26 - 37 was the most active group in visiting protected areas. The age groups of <20 years and >49 years rarely visited the PAs (ii) Low income was indicated as the main constraint (77.0%) affecting the growth of domestic tourism, followed by lack of awareness (71.8%), tourism education (53.0%) and lack of interest to travel (53.0%). (iii) There was a linear increase in the number of tourists in the three PAs from 1998 — 2003 due to the improvement of activities, facilities and services, (iv) Tourism education to all people, and improvement of services and facilities were the opinions given for the improvement of domestic tourism. It is recommended that, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism through its departments and organizations should put more efforts in domestic tourism promotion and marketing by using many and different ways since many factors found to affect domestic tourism in the country that had different weights of importance.
Factors and ecological impacts of wildlife habitat destruction in the Serengeti ecosystem in Northern Tanzania
(2006-04) Kideghesho, Jafari R; Nyahongo, Julius W; Hassan, Shombe N; Tarimo, Thadeo C; Mbije, Nsajigwa E
Despite the considerable worldwide efforts to establish the wildlife protected areas - a strategy construed as the most feasible in maintaining the high quality habitats for healthy wildlife populations - destruction of wildlife habitats has remained the leading threat to biodiversity. This destruction, taking different forms (i.e. degradation, fragmentation or outright loss) is a function of the growing human activities - prompted mainly by such factors as poverty, demographic factors, land tenure systems, inadequate conservation status, development policies and economic incentives. This paper reviews these contributing factors and presents the associated ecological impacts – manifested by a decline of wildlife populations and local extinction of species. Provision of adequate conservation status to critical wildlife habitats, addressing the problem of human population growth, adoption of poverty reduction strategies that are conservation- friendly and discouraging the destructive development policies are recommended as the measures to mitigate the problem. Other measures entail genuine involvement of the local communities in conservation, provision of adequate economic incentives, relevant research and participatory land use planning. In conclusion, the paper argues that, given the nature of the problem, if a lasting solution is to be realized, habitat loss should be viewed as a multisectoral rather than a single sectoral issue. Therefore different stakeholders should play an active role in halting and pre-empting the problem. We propose criteria for selection of the relevant stakeholders
Illegal meat hunting in serengeti: dynamics in consumption and preferences
(Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2007) Ndibalema, Vedasto G; Songorwa, Alexander N
Although wild meat is an important source of protein across Africa, patterns and reasons for its demand are poorly defined. A study was conducted on consumption by inhabitants of ten villages in five districts to the west of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. The first sample of 600 villagers was systematically selected from village registers and surveyed using a questionnaire. The second sample consisted of 341 arrested illegal meat hunters. Nine species dominated by eland (Taurotragus oryx) and wildebeest (Connachaetes taurinus) in terms of meat taste and hunting vulnerability respectively were found to be most preferred or consumed. There were remarkable variations in consumption and preferences for each species amongst ethnic groups and localities. The economics of protein consumption indicates that wild meat is consistently cheaper and hence consumed more frequently than other meats. Respondents’ topmost tasty meat – eland and topi (Damaliscus lunatus) – were rare; consequently, common species e.g. buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and wildebeest were the substitutes mostly consumed to supplement beef and fish. Presence of carnivore species on the menu clearly demonstrates survival techniques when availability changes. Wildlife managers should, therefore, bestow attention to the conservation of all species for a balanced ecosystem and species survival.
The potentials for co-management approaches in western Serengeti, Tanzania
(2008-12) Kideghesho, Jafari R; Mtoni, Paul E
Co-management arrangements are increasingly gaining popularity as an intervention to overcome the shortcomings of centralized management that impede harmonization of conflicting interests among the diverse stakeholder groups. The success of these arrangements depends, among other things, upon capitalizing on potentials existing in the area where they are intended to be implemented. This study was conducted in the western part of Serengeti National Park to analyze some potential for adopting the co-management approaches. We employed local communities’ opinions, experience, knowledge, and attitudes to analyze these factors. The paper is framed around the premises that, among other things, co-management arrangements have the potential to work if: (i) the local communities have an outstanding level of awareness on the rationale of, and legal aspects pertaining to, wildlife conservation; (ii) the traditional institutions for management of natural resources exist and local communities have the ability to evaluate their performance, establish causes for inadequate performance and propose some workable solutions; (iii) local communities have the ability to evaluate different options for resource ownership and give valid reasons for opposing or supporting them. In conclusion we underscore the need for co-management approaches as an alternative intervention and a complement for current resource management approaches. We recommend promotion of local awareness on legal aspects of resource management, strengthening of traditional institutions for resource management and honoring people’s choices of the types of resource ownership or rectifying the situations making them unpopular.
The role of traditional management practices in enhancing sustainable use and conservation of medicinal plants in west Usambara mountains, Tanzania
(2009-03) Msuya, Tuli S; Kideghesho, Jafari R
The study on importance of traditional practices in conservation of medicinal plants in West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania was conducted by using focus group discussions, interviews, participant observation, and botanical survey. Nine traditional practices for conservation of wild plants were identified as domestication; beliefs in sacredness of trees; beliefs in sacred forests; respect of cultural forests; protection of plants at the burial sites; selective harvesting; secrecy; collection of deadwood for firewood, and use of energy-saving traditional stoves. Through botanical surveys of sacred forests, cultural forests, farms/homesteads, and burial sites, some 1,518 wild plants belonging to 100 species were identified. A large proportion (85%) of these plants had medicinal value. Of the 173 respondents, 82%, 81%, 74%, and 71% believed that sustainable use and conservation of medicinal plants can be achieved through secrecy, plant protection at burial sites, sacredness of plants and domestication, respectively. About 89% of the respondents pursued domestication (at least five plants each) and 70% had retained sacred trees (at least one tree each), of which the majority had medicinal value. Few respondents were aware of the positive role played by sacred forests and cultural forests (38% and 21%, respectively) in conservation of medicinal plants. It is concluded that the traditional management practices have a significant role in the conservation of biodiversity. This conservation role has a direct connection with human health since most of the plant species have medicinal value, which a majority of the rural people rely on. The paper recommends that traditional management practices should be encouraged since they serve a dual purpose as important conservation strategy and as an essential component of primary health care.
Evaluate the implementation of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2010) Kalimba, Augustine Felician
A study to evaluate the implementation of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) with reference to Twatwatwa pilot WMA Kilosa district was conducted from October 2007 to December, 2007. Specifically the study assessed the involvement of local communities in the pilot WMA, assessed the capacity and ability of communities in the process required for the implementation of pilot WMA, identified the benefits and damages to local communities as a result of pilot WMA implementation and found out the contribution made by facilitators towards WMA implementation. A cross sectional research design was adopted. Data collection process involved the use of structured questionnaire. Sampling intensity was set at 10% for Twatwatwa , Mbwade and Rudewa villages while a 5% sampling intensity for Msowero village was adopted. A total of 280 respondents were involved in this exercise. To supplement the information obtained from questionnaire, key informants and focus group discussion were used. The data collected by questionnaires were analyzed using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) computer software. Chi square (χ 2 ) was used to test the association between respondents’ level of education and their involvement in pilot WMA activities. Results showed that there was a significant association between the two variables (p<0.01) Results for education level indicate that 67.9% of respondents had primary education, 3.6% secondary education, 19.6% had no formal education while 8.9% had adult education. The results indicate that the highest number of the respondents (51.1%) was aged between 31 and 45 years. Most of respondents (93.6%) were males while 6.4% were females. A significant number of the respondents (76.6%) were married. Results showed that 85.0% of respondents were engaged in agriculture while only 15.0% were engaged in livestock keeping. The majority of villagers (95.0%) were not involved in pilot WMA activities ever since the implementation of WMA became stalled. The highest number of respondents (97.1%) indicated that villagers were not capable to implement WMA on their own. Most of the respondents (71.0%) had no benefits from pilot WMA. Contributions made by facilitators towards WMA implementation were not enough. The study concludes that implementation of Twatwatwa WMA stagnated mainly due to conflict between peasants and livestock keepers as well as due lack of funds that was supposed to come from the Government and NGOs. Furthermore, villagers were no longer involved in pilot WMA, had no capacity and capability to implement the WMA on their own owing to lack of expertise, had fewer benefits than costs and had received inadequate contributions from the Government and NGOs for the purpose of WMA implementation. The study recommends that the Government must help member villages to permanently resolve their conflict. Government should assist villagers to acquire funds for WMA implementation process. Villagers need to be educated on WMA issues as this will enable them to become involved in the daily running of the WMA.
Population structure and exploitation of three commercial tree species in Nguru ya Ndege Forest Reserve, Morogoro – Tanzania
(2010) Modest, Robert B; Maganga, S.L.S; Hassan, Shombe N; Mariki, Sayuni B; Muganda, Michael
Forests in tropical environments are unstable and hardly maintain fixed climax species composition over long periods. They are victims of modifications by variety of factors including human influences that result in long lasting disturbances. Having observed this, we investigated the population structure and rate of exploitation for three commercial tree species namely, Dalbergia melanoxylon, Pterocarpus angolensis and Afzelia quanzensis in Nguru ya Ndege Forest Reserve. Objectives were to determine the density, DBH distribution and the harvesting rate. We employed simple random procedure to select sampling points, where a map of the reserve was used to divide the study area into 100 equal grids. Fifty grids were then picked randomly, and within these grids, 20 by 20 m quadrats were established for counting stumps and trees with DBH ≥ 4 cm. In addition, saplings with DBH of ≤ 4 cm were counted inside 5 by 5 m quadrats placed within the 20 by 20 m quadrats. Results showed that, the density of P. angolensis was 19 stems/ha, A. quanzensis 8 stems/ha and D. melanoxylon 3.1 stems/ha. DBH graphs showed characteristic inversed J shapes for P. angolensis and A. quanzensis, but broken pattern for D. melanoxylon. Harvesting rates (stumps/ha) was 4.5 for A. quanzensis, 4.0 for P. angolensis and 1 for D. melanoxylon. We concluded that, all target species were found facing harvesting pressure, with the population structure of D. melanoxylon being disturbed. We recommended that harvest of trees in the reserve should be controlled.
Insect abundance and food intake by agama mwanzae in Serengeti national park, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2010) Mchetto, John Thomas
The kopjes of Serengeti National Park, can be considered to be an understudied ecosystem although harbours a diverse distinct flora and fauna; even basic information such as knowledge about the food of Agama mwanzae is unknown. Thus, the study involved the investigation of the spatial and seasonal variation of insect abundance and agama food intake in the grass plain kopjes of Serengeti National Park. The insects were sampled by pitfall, sweep net and tray traps monthly within one year. A total of 58 175 individuals from 16 orders were collected. The most common orders were Hymenoptera (30.19%), Hemiptera (19.50%), Orthoptera (18.10%), Diptera (10.60%), Coleoptera (9.20%), Arachnida (4.40%), Dictyoptera (2.70%), Lepidoptera (2.50%), and Isoptera (1.90%). Insect abundance was higher during the wet period as compared to the dry season and Gol kopjes attained the highest insect abundance followed by Simba and lastly Barafu kopjes. A total of 2350 insect food items were identified from 120 agama lizard specimens whereby 1597 were found during the wet season and 750 in the dry season. The majority of the diet consisted of the Hymenoptera (47.03%), Isoptera (29.78%), Coleoptera (18.29%), and Orthoptera (2.63%). In addition to insects, A. mwanzae fed on plant materials. Insects comprised the majority of food items during the wet period when this prey was most common. During the dry season plant material was the dominant food type to agama lizards because of scarcity of insect food. It was found that there was statistical significant difference in agama food intake between seasons and locations. Due to the increase of destruction of agama lizard habitats the management authorities should ensure that the land management practices should not damage these fragile habitats.
Contribution of tourism in improving the livelihoods ofthe communities in the Uluguru and Udzungwa mountains, Tanzania
(Sokoine University Of Agriculture., 2010) Emanuel, Naza
Tourism is the fastest growing industry and the largest in the world in terms of contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, and second after agriculture for providing employment. However, there is a paucity of information on how tourism improves the livelihood of the communities living in the Uluguru and Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania. This study therefore sought to contribute some information to fill the existing knowledge gap. The study was conducted in four villages, namely Nugutu, Ruvuma, Mwaya and Mgudeni. Data were collected using household questionnaires, structured interviews, focus group discussion and field observation. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS and Microsoft excel computer software while qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Result shows that, only 32.5% of respondents articipated in tourism activities in the study villages. Limitations for their participation include: limited awareness on tourism, intensive engagement in agriculture, health problems, poor leadership and lack of interest. Local people participated in tourism activities through traditional dances, weaving, raditional cooking, handcrafts making, pottery, tour guiding and porter. Indicators of participation in tourism activities by local people include: presence of tourism projects in the village; income obtained from tourism and the inclusion of tourism as an agenda in the village meetings. Local communities benefited directly from tourism through income generation and employment opportunities and indirectly through market creation for local products and other benefits like provision of social services, conservation education, capacity building, women empowerment and cultural mprovements. Proportion of tourism income to the total household income was only 5% which was relatively low compared to agriculture (88%) and other sources (7%). The study recommends the need to provide the following to the local communities: education, training programs and awareness creation; supporting community development tourism projects; strengthening local leadership and sharing of the benefits accruing from tourism beyond National Parks.
Availability, preference, and consumption of indigenous forest foods in the eastern arc mountains, Tanzania
(Taylor and Francis, 2010) Msuya, Tuli S; Kideghesho, Jafari R.; Mosha, Theobald C. E
We investigated the availability, preference, and consumption of indigenous forest foods in Uluguru North (UNM) and West Usambara Mountains (WUM) of Tanzania. Data collection techniques involved focus group discussion, structured questionnaires, and botanical identification. Results revealed (1) there were 114 indigenous forest food plant species representing 57 families used by communities living adjacent to the two mountains; (2) sixty-seven species supplied edible fruits, nuts and seeds: 24 and 14 species came from WUM and UNM, respectively, while 29 came from both study areas; (3) of the 57 identified vegetable species, 22 were found in WUM only, 13 in UNM only, and 12 in both areas; (4) there were three species of edible mushrooms and five species of roots and tubers; (5) unlike the indigenous roots and tubers, the preference and consumption of indigenous vegetables, nuts, and seeds/oils was higher than exotic species in both study areas; and (6) UNM had more indigenous fruits compared to WUM, although preference and consumption was higher in WUM. We recommend increased research attention on forest foods to quantify their contribution to household food security and ensure their sustainability.
Impacts of human activities on the conservation of igando- igawa wildlife corridor in Njombe and Mbarali districts, Tanzania .
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2010) Massawe, Godfrey Magetta
Wildlife corridors are features connecting two or more otherwise isolated patches of habitat and are among the areas of land affected by human activities. Corridors are much affected because in most cases they are not legally protected. This study assessed the impacts of human activities on the conservation of Igando-Igawa wildlife corridor in Mbarali and Njombe Districts. Specifically, the study determined socio-economic and cultural activities, the level of human disturbances to habitat as well as identifying wildlife using the corridor. A cross-sectional sampling design was employed where five villages were purposively selected for questionnaire based interviews (QBI) and focus group discussions. A total of 120 respondents were randomly selected for QBI. Disturbances were assessed by field survey in which five transects with 43 plots were located systematically in the entire corridor. SPSS package was employed for analysing socio- economic and cultural data. The excel computer programme was used to analyse resource utilisation pressure gradient. Results revealed various human activities in the corridor, namely; cultivation, pastoralism, firewood collection, poles/withies harvesting, charcoal making, hunting and logging/lumbering. Wildfires, rituals and collection of medicinal plants were other activities affecting the corridor. The use of vegetation resources before conservation begun in 2005/06 was significantly high (p = 0.001, t = 3.07). Tree resources were intensively extracted whereby 61.9 % were harvested. However there was a significant reduction in harvesting tree resources (p = 0.0001, t = 7.11) after conservation activities begun in 2005/2006. During the study, the corridor was harbouring at least 27 species of mammals, 20 of birds and eight families of herps. The corridor’s ecological status had shown significant improvement in terms of wildlife and vegetations. Nevertheless, the study recommends special programmes to alleviate local community poverty around the corridor. Further studies on socio-economic and ecological issues are also suggested.
Gender and socio-economic factors influencing domestication of indigenous medicinal plants in the west Usambara mountains, northern Tanzania
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2010) Kideghesho, Jafari R; Msuya, Tuli S
The limited capacity of governments in developing countries to service primary health care has resulted in a rapid increase in use of indigenous medicinal plants. This increase, together with other biological and non-biological factors, has rendered these plants vulnerable to over-use and extirpation. Domestication is a conservation intervention that can relieve pressure on medicinal species. In order to ensure effectiveness and sustainability of an intervention, understanding the influencing factors is imperative. We examined the influence of gender and some socio-economic factors on domestication of medicinal plants in the West Usambara Mountains of northern Tanzania. Participatory wealth ranking, structured and semi-structured interviews, botanical surveys and participant observations were employed in data collection. Results showed that domestication has played a fundamental role in conservation of medicinal plants in the study area. Forty (89%) and twelve (27%) of forty-five indigenous plant species were domesticated on farms and around homesteads, respectively. A total of 89% of respondents (n ¼ 173) had domesticated medicinal plants on their farms and around homesteads. Gender was the most important factor that influenced this practice, with more male-headed than female-headed households involved in the domestication effort. This can be attributed to social and cultural factors that, besides dispossessing women of tenure rights over resources and land, also subject them to heavy workloads and therefore diminish the time available for plant domestication. The number of domesticated medicinal plants also depended on age, affluence, farm size, household size and ethnicity. We recommend that agroforestry research should focus not only on integrating forest plants in farmlands, but also on cultural, socio-economic and institutional aspects affecting the whole system of domestication.
Potentials and constraints of eco-tourism in improving Nature conservation and livelihoods: The case of Amani Nature reserve, Tanzania
(SUA, 2010) SHOO, REHEMA ABELI
Amani Nature Reserve (ANR), which is within the Eastern Arc Mountains, is well known for its biological and ecological values. Eco-tourism is being practiced in the reserve. However, despite the fact that eco-tourism has been proposed as a viable economic activity that can minimize negative human impacts on wildlife habitat and provide an incentive to preserve natural areas, little has been reported on the potentials and constraints of the practice in the area. This study was conducted in the villages adjacent to ANR, to determine the potentials and constraints of eco-tourism in nature conservation and livelihoods improvement in and around ANR. Questionnaire survey, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and key informant interviews were the methods used in data collection. The results reveal that there are enormous natural (flora, fauna and sceneries) and cultural resources for development of productive eco-tourism in ANR. However, the existing potential is not fully exploited. Despite an increase in tourists and hence revenues in ANR, little is accrued by the local communities. Results further show that eco-tourism contributed only 9.6% to total household income annually and only 22.7% of the surveyed households were engaged in eco-tourism-relatcd activities. The study concludes that the existing level and type of involvement in eco-tourism is not effective enough to bring about significant impact, which comes into view that the potentials for eco-tourism in improving livelihoods is yet to be realized in the area. Increased local community involvements in tourism in order to improve people’s livelihoods and to enable them understand the inter-relationships between humans and the environment are recommended.iii DECLARATION I, REHEMA ABEL! SHOO, do hereby declare to the senate of Sokoine University of
Hard choices: Making trade-offs between biodiversity conservation and human well-being
(Elsevier, 2010-05-18) McShane, Thomas O; Hirsch, Paul D; Trung, Tran C; Songorwa, Alexander N; Kinzig, A; Monteferri, B; Mutekanga, D; Thang, Hoang V; Dammert, Juan L; Pulgar-Vidal, M; Welch-Devine, M; Brosius, J P; Coppolillo, P; O’Connor, S
Win–win solutions that both conserve biodiversity and promote human well-being are difficult to realize. Trade-offs and the hard choices they entail are the norm. Since 2008, the Advancing Conservation in a Social Context (ACSC) research initiative has been investigating the complex trade-offs that exist between human well-being and biodiversity conservation goals, and between conservation and other economic, political and social agendas across multiple scales. Resolving trade-offs is difficult because social prob- lems – of which conservation is one – can be perceived and understood in a variety of disparate ways, influenced (in part at least) by how people are raised and educated, their life experiences, and the options they have faced. Pre-existing assumptions about the ‘‘right” approach to conservation often obscure important differences in both power and understanding, and can limit the success of policy and program- matic interventions. The new conservation debate challenges conservationists to be explicit about losses, costs, and hard choices so they can be openly discussed and honestly negotiated. Not to do so can lead to unrealized expectations, and ultimately to unresolved conflict. This paper explores the background and limitations of win–win approaches to conservation and human well-being, discusses the prospect of approaching conservation challenges in terms of trade-offs and hard choices, and presents a set of guiding principles that can serve to orient strategic analysis and communication regarding trade-offs.
‘Serengeti shall not die’: transforming an ambition into a reality
(2010-09-27) Kideghesho, Jafari R.
The slogan “Serengeti shall not die” (German: Serengeti darf nicht sterben) is widely credited for alerting the global community to the urgency of conserving the Serengeti and its biological values for the benefit of local and global communities. The slogan has become popular since 1960 when Bernhard and Michael Grzimek authored a book, Serengeti Shall Not Die. However, despite this commitment the management challenges in Serengeti are growing, causing skepticism about the potential for realizing such a goal. These challenges include illegal hunting, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflicts aggravated by human population growth and poverty. In addressing these challenges and therefore transforming the ambition “Serengeti shall not die” into reality, the multiple strategies required are presented in this paper. The paper starts by reviewing the challenges contradicting the ambition.
The risks of relocating wildlife
(Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism-Tanzania, 2010-10-21) Rija, A. A.
Incentives for conserving and greening our cities
(Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism-Tanzania, 2010-11-09) Rija, A. A.

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