Articles, Conference and Workshop Papers Collection

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Adaptive capacity to climate change of pastoralists in Kilosa District, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2020) Kitasho, N; Abdallah, J.M; Zakayo, R.
A study was conducted to investigate the adaptive capacity of pastoralists in Kilosa district to climate change. Specifically, the study assessed the trend and impact of climate change in the area, adaptive elements of pastoral communities against climate change and determined the contribution of state agencies in enhancing pastoral system’s resilience to climate variability in the district. Data were collected using household questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and field observation. The data was analysed using Excel and SPSS computer software programs. Results revealed that in the period 1972-1974, there was a significant shift of rainfall in the study area from bi-modal to unimodal. This trend has been consistent with climate change scenarios in recent decades of lower rainfall and more severe droughts. Most pastoralists were aware of climate change impacts namely water scarcity, increase of livestock diseases and increased distance to grazing lands. The capacity of pastoralists to adapt to climate change stress depends largely on the number of livestock. Pastoralists owning more livestock are more likely to adapt to climate change. This study recommends that the community should diversify to other sustainable economic activities rather than relying on livestock only while climatic conditions are not favourable for this economic activity. The Government should put more effort on supporting pastoralists in their adaptive strategies as well as make regular review of policies to favour adaptation measures.
Analysing ecosystem services at watershed scale: implications for conservation in Upper Kikuletwa Sub-Catchment, Tanzania
(DAAD, 2014) Lalika, M. C.S.; Meire, P.; Ngaga, Y. M.; Ngowi, S. E.
Catchment forests perform myriad ecological functions including provision of ecosystem services. They are, however, increasingly degraded due to anthropogenic activities in such a way their capacity to regulate and supply watershed services is significantly dwindling. We carried out this study in order to identify and document ecosystem goods and services in Upper Kikuletwa Sub-Catchment, Tanzania. A structured questionnaire was administered so as to solicit socio-economic data. Qualitative data was collected through group focus discussions and formal and informal interviews. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to compare means and MS excel was applied to generate figures. T-test and one-way ANOVA was applied to test the variation between location and across villages. Wild fruits, vegetables, grasses, birds, mushrooms are the ecosystem goods available in the area. Ecosystem services encompass control of soil erosion, climate regulation, water flow regulation, production of hydroelectricity, water purification, etc. The reason for WTP was people’s reliance on irrigated agriculture. We concluded that sustainable supply of ecosystem goods and services in depends largely on how forests and watersheds are conserved. Therefore, we recommend designing of a feasible PWS scheme that could ensure increased and sustainable supply ecosystem goods and services especially water flow for irrigated agriculture.
Analysis of climate variability, perceptions and coping strategies of Tanzanian coastal forest dependent communities
(2013) Kashaigili, J. J.; Levira, P.; Liwenga, E.; Mdemu, M. V.
Climate variability and change are among the biggest challenges of the 21st century. Like in many other areas globally, the coastal communities of Tanzania have always been facing climatic variability at various time scales. Using focus group discussion and a household survey, this study analyzes the perceptions of climate variability and change and the strategies for coping and adaptation by the selected coastal rural and peri-urban communities in Tanzania. The perception of climate variability and change is complemented with the time-series analysis of rainfall and temperature data from Julius Nyerere International Airport Met. station and Kisarawe using Instant Statistical Software. Results indicate that households are aware of climate variability and identify indicators of climate change and variability as being decreasing rainfall trends, increasing incidences of droughts, unpredictable rainfall patterns, disappearance of wetlands and failure to predict on-set of rainy season using traditional knowledge. Households primarily attribute reduced crop yields to changes in rainfall pattern and increasing incidences of drought leading to soil moisture stress. The implications are that the agriculture dependent households are now food insecure. As a way of coping to the observed changes, the coastal communities among others have shifted to production of high value horticultural crops and use of forest resources. Nevertheless, the increased use of forest resources is threatening the existence of coastal forests and contributes to the decline of forest resources and disappearance of wildlife in the forest reserves. It is concluded that the communities studied are aware of climate issues as revealed from perceived indicators of climate variability and changes. The results from statistical analysis of 30 years climatic data are consistent with community’s perception of climate variability and change. The study recommends examining the present coping strategies for the sustainability of the coastal forests and in designing of alternative adaptive strategies such as alternative energy options, crop diversification and environmental friendly activities such as beekeeping.
Analysis of drivers and agents of deforestation and forest Degradation in masito forests, Kigoma, Tanzania
(2016) Kessy, John Francis; Nsokko, Edwin; Kaswamila, Abiud; Kimaro, Freddy
A study to assess the direct and indirect drivers and agents of deforestation and forest degradation was carried out in Masito forests in Kigoma Region. Several methodologies were deployed including review of key literature, focused group discussions, household level interviews and review of “smart phones” database of disturbance incidences in the forests. Results revealed that despite forest protection measures taken by the government and other actors for purposes of REDD+ carbon trade, deforestation and forest degradation are problems that are being experienced in the study area. Evidence of deforestation and degradation were provided through change detection data, forest disturbance incidences and community perception on the drivers of deforestation and degradation. The main drivers of deforestation and degradation were characterized to fall into direct drivers and indirect drivers. The demand for land and forests resources was responsible for a number of direct drivers. Indirect drivers were perceived to entail underlying causes of deforestation and degradation forming a complex interaction of socio- economic, political, cultural and technological variables that cause deforestation and degradation. Characterization of the main agents of deforestation and degradation revealed that human actors in various capacities and functions have served as agents. The assessment of leakage risks revealed that the risk of shifting destructive activities to non-REDD+ project villages was mitigated. In order to address the drivers and sustaining the REDD+, the study recommends the need to address forest tenure; provision of alternatives to the agents of deforestation and degradation, extension support to non-REDD+ villages for capacity building in forest protection; and ensuring that the process of REDD+ piloting is finalized to the level that communities finally sell carbon to get tangible benefits.
Analysis of staffing and training needs for Effective delivery of extension service in Sustainable land management in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2014) Kessy, John F
An assessment of staffing and training needs for effective delivery of extension services in main- streaming sustainable land management (SLM) practices in Kilimanjaro Region was conducted in June/July 2013. Data collection methods included discussions with key informants at the regional and district levels, consultations with village level stakeholders and potential collaborators, re- view of human resources data both at regional, district and ward levels and collection of individu- al staff bio-data including capacity deficiencies. The staffing situation at the regional and district levels was considered to be adequate for effective mainstreaming of SLM interventions in the re- gion. Staffing at ward and village levels was very poor and largely inadequate for sustainable ex- ecution of extension services. It is optimistically estimated that on average the staffing at ward level needs to be increased by at least 50%. In some districts the deficiency of extension staff at ward level was as high as 80%. Training needs exist at all levels from the region down to commu- nity level. At the regional and district levels both long and short term training programs were re- quired. At the community level required training is more practical and purely focused in main- streaming SLM interventions at individual households and community lands. Potential collabora- tors with local government were identified in four main categories namely, NGOs/CBOs, private sector, government departments and faith-based organizations. The study recommends a capacity building program on specific knowledge gaps identified at regional, district, ward and village le- vels. The study further recommends that immediate measures need to be taken by the district au- thorities to address the staffing problem at ward level including recruitment of volunteers and developing collaboration framework with identified potential partners.
Assessing the influence of climate variability and land cover change on water resources in the Wami river catchment, Tanzania
(SPRINGER, 2024-02-13) Lalika Christossy B. C.; Mujahid Aziz Ul Haq; Lalika Makarius C. S.
Understanding the trend, extent, and effect of climate variability and land cover change are globally important for monitor- ing river catchments water resources. Due to the majority of river catchment from developing countries such as Tanzania experiencing insufficient time series data, the long-term ERA5-Land (1960–2021) reanalysis was used to assess the influence of climate variability and land cover change on water resource in the Wami river catchment. The Mann–Kendal–Sneyer test revealed a change that reflects the effect of land cover change on runoff in 1992, hence the mean annual runoff, precipitation, and actual evapotranspiration decreased by 19%, 9.7%, and 8.9%, respectively, while potential evapotranspiration increased by 5% after the change. Budyko decomposition and climate elasticity methods illustrated that variability change caused a notable contribution to the reduction of Wami River runoff. Hydrological sensitivity analysis revealed that variability of climate is a primary factor that reduced runoff with a contribution of 69%, while land cover change is 31%, this illustrates runoff in the Wami river catchment is more vulnerable to climate variability than land cover change by considering that most of the catchment are classified as arid or semi-arid. Thus, our study emphasizes the importance embracing climate adaptation strategies, particularly a nature-based solution (NbS), to ensure the sustainability of water resources within the Wami river catchment.
Assessing the influence of climate variability and land cover change on water resources in the Wami river catchment, Tanzania
(SPRINGER, 2023) Lalika Christossy B. C.; Mujahid Aziz Ul Haq; Lalika Makarius C. S.
Understanding the trend, extent, and effect of climate variability and land cover change are globally important for monitor- ing river catchments water resources. Due to the majority of river catchment from developing countries such as Tanzania experiencing insufficient time series data, the long-term ERA5-Land (1960–2021) reanalysis was used to assess the influence of climate variability and land cover change on water resource in the Wami river catchment. The Mann–Kendal–Sneyer test revealed a change that reflects the effect of land cover change on runoff in 1992, hence the mean annual runoff, precipitation, and actual evapotranspiration decreased by 19%, 9.7%, and 8.9%, respectively, while potential evapotranspiration increased by 5% after the change. Budyko decomposition and climate elasticity methods illustrated that variability change caused a notable contribution to the reduction of Wami River runoff. Hydrological sensitivity analysis revealed that variability of climate is a primary factor that reduced runoff with a contribution of 69%, while land cover change is 31%, this illustrates runoff in the Wami river catchment is more vulnerable to climate variability than land cover change by considering that most of the catchment are classified as arid or semi-arid. Thus, our study emphasizes the importance embracing climate adaptation strategies, particularly a nature-based solution (NbS), to ensure the sustainability of water resources within the Wami river catchment.
Challenges and opportunities for sustaining the Usangu wetland in Tanzania
(2013) Njau, P. H.; Munishi, P. K. T.; Mbije, N. E.; Kadigi, R .M. J.
Despite the many benefits that wetlands provide, the same resources constitute one of the most threatened, degraded and lost habitats in the world. Sustaining them and restoring the lost ones require a thorough understanding of the roots of the problem and the means to overcome it. Based on this ground, a study was conducted in Usangu Plains in the southwestern part of Tanzania using various Participatory Rural Approaches (PRAs) and a semi structured questionnaire so as to explore the challenges and opportunities for achieving sustainable management of the Usangu wetland. The following major challenges were identified: a) the challenge of ensuring a year round environmental water flow to the Usangu wetlands, b) the challenge of resolving the “paradigm dichotomy” between the natural resource conservationists and local communities (i.e. the conservation dilemma of whether to adapt a complete preservation approach or a flexible conservation approach to wetland resources, by allowing multiple uses of wetland resources), c) the challenge of winning the support of the local communities or actively involving them in ensuring sustainable management of wetlands, and d) the challenge of ensuring a thorough understanding of the trade-offs between utilization and sustainability of wetland resources, given the current rate of degradation and losses. Community-based conservation was perceived as the most preferable wetland conservation approach, which seeks to co-opt the managerial capacities of the wetland resources to the local people themselves, who have been very often by-passed in the conventional approaches.
Climate change risks on protected areas ecotourism: shocks and stressors perspectives in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
(Taylor & Francis, 2016) Mkiramweni, N. P.; DeLacy, T.; Jiang, M.; Chiwanga, F. E.
Protected areas are increasingly becoming important sites for ecotourism worldwide. Due to the high dependence on climate and natural ecosystems, protected areas ecotourism is, however, considered to be at risk of climate change. This study was conducted between January 2012 and April 2014 in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with the aim of identifying climate related shocks and stressors and implied effects on ecotourism. Along with this aim, the study assessed ecotourism stakeholders’ awareness and perceptions on climate change in the area. It was found through focus group discussion and semi-structured interview that recurrent droughts, political unrests in a neighbouring country, global terrorism and disease outbreaks have been the key shocks. It was found further that water shortages, vegetation change, biodiversity loss and recurrent livestock and human diseases are the key stressors. Understanding these provides grounds for conducting an in-depth vulnerability assessment and developing adaptation strategies for ecotourism.
Competition between maize and pigeonpea in semi-arid Tanzania: effect on yields And nutrition of crops
(Elservier, 2009) Kimaro, A.A; Timmer, V.R.; Chamshama, S.A.O; Ngaga, Y.N; Kimaro, D.A
Productivity of maize–pigeonpea cropping systems is dependent on facilitative and competitive interactive effects on resource availability. Controlling these interactions may benefit farmers through increased productivity associated with optimized crop yields. Previous research on maize–pigeonpea culture in Sub-Saharan Africa has focused on yield and soil fertility, but provided inadequate information on the mechanisms of possible interspecific competition. We employed a factorial field experiment to examine yield and nutritional responses of maize and pigeonpea to cropping systems (sole maize, intercropping, and improved fallow), N and P fertilizer additions, and cattle manure additions in Dodoma, Tanzania. The study objectives were to assess competition between crops and to determine how manure or fertilizer inputs may mitigate such interactions to improve yields. Intercropping enhanced maize yield over sole maize only when fertilized, reflecting probable nutrient competition. Improved fallows alone or with fertilizers (1.2–1.6 Mg ha 1 ) increased maize yields over sole maize (0.6 Mg ha 1 ). These increases were attributed to pigeonpea facilitation through soil nutrient replenishment, reduced competition associated with sequential cropping arrangements, and added nutrients from fertilization. Combined fertilizer and manure applications also improved maize and pigeonpea yields. Plant nutrient diagnosis indicated primary and secondary P and Ca deficiencies, respectively associated with P-fixation and leaching of cations due to high soil acidity and exchangeable Al. Maize competed strongly in mixture suppressing biomass and grain yields of the unfertilized pigeonpea by 60% and 33%, respectively due to limited soil nutrients and/or moisture. These yield reductions suggest that the intercropped pigeonpea did not recover from competition after maize harvesting that reduced competition. Optimizing yields of both maize and pigeonpea would require the addition of prescribed fertilizer when intercropped, but applications can be reduced by half under the improved fallow system due to alleviating interspecific competition.
Complex socio-ecological systems: translating narratives into Future land use and land cover scenarios in the Kilombero Catchment, Tanzania
(MDPI, 2021) Proswitz, Katharina; Edward, Mamkwe Claudia; Evers, Mariele; Mombo, Felister; Mpwaga, Alexander; Näschen, Kristian; Sesabo, Jennifer; Höllermann, Britta
The Kilombero wetland in Tanzania is affected by advancing land use and land cover changes (LULCC), where we observe a conflict between development interests and the necessity of conservation measures to maintain the functionalities of the ecosystem. Thus, assessing patterns of LULCC is crucial to foresee potential future developments and to develop sustainable future management strategies. In this study, we use a multi-method scenario approach to assess the spatial implications and underlying driving forces of potential change by (1) developing a System Dynamics Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) to disentangle the underlying socio-economic and ecologic driving forces, (2) deriving a qualitative business-as-usual (BAU) and a conservation scenario from participatory narratives elaborated during a stakeholder workshop, and (3) quantifying the spatial implications of these scenarios with the Land Change Modeler (LCM). Results indicate that under the BAU assumption only 37% of the natural vegetation is expected to persist until 2030 in the wetland. In contrast, strict enforcement of protected areas (conservation scenario) halts further conversion of the wetland. However, both scenarios pinpoint considerable expansions of cropland in the western highlands with potentially serious impacts on catchment-wide hydrological processes. The produced qualitative and quantitative outputs reveal hotspots of possible future change and starting points for advisable further research and management interventions.
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.
Contribution of improved charcoal kilns to the households income in developing Countries: the case of Kilindi district, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2022) Fitwangile, P.; Mombo, F; Mariki, S
About ninety percent of the country’s energy needs are satisfied through charcoal and firewood. This study was conducted to assess the contribution of improved charcoal kilns to the household income in Kilindi District, Tanzania. Simple random sampling was applied to select two wards from 21 wards, and one village from each ward. A total of 200 charcoal producers were randomly selected. The data collection tools were questionnaires and focus group discussion. The profit analysis was conducted using gross margins technique. The student t-test statistics was conducted to determine if there was statistically significant difference between the two values (improved and traditional kilns). The findings show that charcoal production activities contributed 82% of the total household income. The gross margin from using improved kilns was 52% while using traditional kilns was 26%. The t-test show that the difference in gross margin was statistically significant at p-value of 0.02 inferring that charcoal producers who used improved kilns in the study area generated more income than those who used traditional kilns. The study recommends that local governments should sensitise communities on advantages of using of improved charcoal kilns since it has shown a positive impact on the household income and reduces forest degradation.
Development of wood fuel consumption predictive model in Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2021) Lusambo, L.P; Mbeyale, G.E
This study aimed to develop a wood fuel predictive model that could be used to give information which can be used to manage woodfuel supply with a view foster forest resources stewardship. The paper has briefly defined predictive modelling concepts, highlighted the significance of predictive modelling and described the salient steps involved in constructing predictive models. The paper has explicitly described how the predictive model was developed and validated. In light of the validation results, the paper also highlights the adjustment that has been made to the model to make it more plausible. It is concluded that in the current Tanzanian situation where there is no any model that can be used to predict and/or estimate wood fuel consumption, the developed wood fuel consumption predictive model can be useful in sustainable forest management strategies. Prior to its use, however, the constructed model needs to be further validated and adjusted accordingly using newly collected longitudinal data from the study area. Sufficient data should be collected from the strata (locations) commensurate with those used in the present study.
Economic assessment of ecosystem goods and services delivered by Pangani basin, Tanzania.
(2006) Lalika, Makarius C.S; Deckere, Eric; Ngaga, Yonika M
Ecosystem services are increasingly promoted as a means for documenting the values humans place on ecosystems and evaluating benefits derived from natural resources. However, one of the main reasons that scientists and decision-makers are worried about the current trend of ecosystem degradation is that ecosystems provide valuable services and there are strong indications that these services have been degraded considerably. This draft paper on economic assessment of goods and services delivered by Pangani Basin is part of a PhD study that focuses on Potential for Payment for Water Services in Pangani Basin Tanzania. Field surveys, structured questionnaires, interviews with key informants and literature reviews were the main tools for data collection. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was the main software for data analysis. Microsoft excel was used to produce figures and tables. Although the analysis is still going on, preliminary findings indicated that goods and services include water for power production, domestic uses, irrigation; aquaculture and small scale fishing nutrient regulation; commercial crops irrigation; enjoyment of scenic beauty and eco-tourism; just to name a few a just some of the ecosystem goods and services delivered by Pangani Basin. Commercial flower growers (mainly companies from Holland) are the water user stakeholders in Pangani Basin. These include: Dekker Tanzania-Arusha, Tanzania Flowers, Dekker Moshi, Kilflora Fower Cuttings, etc. The average value of water in Basin and Pangani Basin was Tanzania shilling 36, 769 and 52, 960 millions respectively where as the upper bound was 45, 962 and 66, 200 respectively. Also the average prices of water in villages were Tsh1.50/lt in the highlands, 1.25/lt in the Kirua Swamps area and Tsh1.20/lt at the coast. These prices, equivalent to Tsh 1500, Tsh 1250 and Tsh 1200 per m3 respectively. It can be concluded that, a thoroughly economic assessment of water values should be undertaken in Pangani Basin. The way forward is to finish data analysis for the data collected so far and collect more information for the study.
Economic value of imported wood based products in Tanzania
(Tanzania Forest Fund (TAFORI), 2018) Abdallah, J. M.; Masaka, K.
The Government emphasizes a new direction for the country’s economy. It commits her resources to inclusive economic growth through industrialization. This means that more investment on wood processing industries is required. Information on economic value of imported wood based products is important to inform development policies in Tanzania. Therefore, the overarching aim of this study was to provide insight into the values of wood based products import streams to Tanzania by focusing on the types of wood products imported, their values, and countries of origin; and to recommend investment opportunities to reduce the balance of trade. Methods used were literature review, and the collection of export and import statistics of between 2007 and 2018 from Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Headquarters in Dar es Salaam. The Common External Tariff 2012 Version was used to filter codes of the sections and heads referring wood based products before formal request was made to the TRA Headquarters on the relevant codes. The data were analyzed mainly using Excel software. The results show that wood products which have been imported to Tanzania since 2007 exhibited a volatile trend. There was an increase in the imports of wood based products between year 2007 and 2013, while a high-pitched increase (by about 87%) was between 2013 and 2015, followed by a steady decrease between 2015 and 2017. Wood Based products (poles) treated with paint, stains, creosote or other preservatives were the main products that had the highest value (TZS 27.7 billion in 2014) compared to other products imported between 2007 and 2018. Some of the products imported include clothes’ hangers, wood charcoal, and fuel wood, in logs, billets, twigs, faggots or similar forms. It is possible to save the foreign money spent to import some of these products by investing in industries in Tanzania to produce them locally.
Economics of Rainwater Harvesting for Crop Enterprises in Semi-Arid Areas: The Case of Makanya Watershed in Pangani River Basin, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2005) Mutabazi, K.D.; Senkondo, E. E.; Mbilinyi, B.P.; Tumbo, D.S.; Mahoo, H. F.
Contrary to irrigated agriculture that uses blue water, rainwater harvesting that uses green water as direct rain (in-field management) and runoff (spate irrigation) has been accorded little importance in terms of economic research, investment, technology transfer and management. This paper demonstrates the economic benefits of rainwater management for crop production in a semi-arid Makanya Watershed in the Pangani River Basin. The results from two seasons (2003 to 2004) of yield monitoring for maize and lablab show that rainwater harvesting for crop production has the potential for poverty reduction. During the short rainy season of 2004, which was good (above average) in terms of runoff access, maize enterprise under macro-catchment rainwater harvesting realized yield, returns to land and labour amounting to 2.9 ton/ha, US $718/ha and US $19.5/person-day respectively. For the long rainy season of 2003, which was bad (below average), the performance of maize in terms of yield, returns to land and labour improved appreciably with increasing frequency of runoff reception for spate irrigation. Performance of maize and maize-lablab intercrop improved with increasing frequency of runoff access. Respective returns to land and labour under rainfed (no runoff) were only US $122.5/ha and US $3.3/person-day compared to US $1,011.9/ha and US $26.9/person-day with three incidences of runoff reception. Seasonal returns to land and labour exceed the national annual per caput income of US $280 and the global poverty line of US $1/person/day. These findings justify investment and technology transfer in rainwater harvesting for crop production in the upper watersheds of our major river basins.
Effect of Eucalyptus expansion on surface runoff in the central highlands of Ethiopia
(SpringerOpen., 2017) Jaleta, D.; Mbilinyi., B. P.; Mahoo, H. F.; Lemenih, M.
Over the last century, Eucalyptus has rapidly expanded across the globe. It has become the most planted tree species. Environmentalists fear this for the perceived negative eco-hydrological impact. Foresters and wood industries support its expansion looking at its socio-economic benefits. Ethiopia is one of the countries where Eucalyptus dominates forest development gains in the last century. The main purpose of this review is to evaluate the expansion, benefit and challenges of Eucalyptus in Ethiopia. Eucalyptus was introduced to Africa, and Ethiopia, around the end of the 19th century, in 1890s. Since then it has continued to expand to cover wider geographic areas within Ethiopia: highland and lowland. It is providing multiple purposes, economic and social, for millions of households in urban and rural areas. It has substituted effectively some of the natural forest’s functions, principally in wood supply; hence this way it has contributed to reducing pressure and in slowing down deforestation. Yet Eucalyptus sustained blame for ecosystem water and soil nutrient drains, and allelopathic effect to suppress native flora growth. Studies on these aspects of the genus are inconclusive. Some argue the extravagant use of water and nutrient, while others argue otherwise. There are studies that show water and nutrient use of Eucalyptus is based on availability: for instance, dry season and wet season uses are not the same. The most known about Eucalyptus is its high nutrient and water use efficiency. Therefore, when evaluated on per volume of water, nutrient and land allocated for biomass production, Eucalyptus will provide the highest biomass return. This may make it the preferred species. The paper concludes that the development of Eucalyptus forestry is crucial in narrowing the gap between forest product demand and supply in the current context of Ethiopia and most African countries, but such development should be managed with proper silviculture: Planted in the right site and tended properly to optimize its positive values and reduce possible negative effects.
Effects of income and price on household’s charcoal Consumption in three cities of Tanzania
(Hindawi, 2021) Nyamoga, G. Z; Sjølie, H. K; Latta, G.; Ngaga, Y. M; Malimbwi, R; Solberg, B
More than 80% of the urban and periurban population in Tanzania depend on charcoal as their main source of energy for cooking. This charcoal is supplied from natural forests, mainly Miombo woodlands, and the high charcoal consumption is a main trigger for deforestation, forest degradation, and climate gas emissions. The country’s urban population is increasing at an annual rate of 5-6%, and better understanding of the urban demand for charcoal is of high interest regarding the country’s energy development, climate mitigation, and land use. We surveyed 360 households situated in the Tanzanian cities Dodoma, Morogoro, and Mtwara and analyzed statistically the impacts of household income, charcoal prices, and household size on the per capita charcoal consumption. For the total sample, statistically significant elasticities were found to be 0.03, −0.13, and −0.62 for per capita income, charcoal price, and household size, respectively. In the low-income group, the elasticities of charcoal price and household size were found to be statistically significant with the values of −0.44 and −0.59, respectively, whereas in the middle-income group, the household size was the only statistically significant variable, with elasticity −0.81. In the high-income group, we got statistically significant elasticities of 0.17 for per capita income and −0.44 for household size. These results are based on small samples and should be followed up by larger surveys.
Effects of participatory forest management on livelihoods of communities adjacent to forests in redd+ pilot areas of Mufindi, Iringa Rural and Mbozi districts, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2021) Lusambo, L.P; Midtgaard, F; Nyamoga, G
Participatory Forest Management (PFM) has been introduced as a strategy for sustainable forest management. The extent to which forests managed under PFM strategies contribute to the livelihoods of its adjacent communities remains poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to (i) analyse socio-economic characteristic of respondents in the study area (ii) assess forest products accessed by the communities living adjacent to the forests, (iii) analyse the local communities’ perception on the importance of forests under PFM to their livelihoods and (iv) analyse socio-economic factors influencing the households’ perception on the importance of PFM. Methods of data collection were household survey, direct observations, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Data analysis was done using chi-square analysis and binary logistic regression. Findings revealed that χ 2 test on the importance of PFM forests (compared to non-PFM forests) was statistically significant. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that household size was a statistically significant factor influencing the household’s perception on the importance of PFM forests on livelihoods. We conclude that PFM forests are perceived to have positive effects on their livelihoods. Further studies are recommended explicitly to paint a picture on benefits attributable to PFM.

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