Sustainable environmental conservation in East Africa through agroforestry systems: A case of the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2017-07-26
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Sustainable conservation of any ecosystem needs a balance between resource utilization and management. The
Eastern Arc Mountains (EAM) of East Africa which covers a large area more particularly in Tanzania needs such kind of balance
for its sustainability. With potential biophysical resources such as fluvial, vertisols and xerosols soils with the annual rainfall
exceeds 1200 mm per year, may attracts more degradation than conservation. This review aims to assess the influence of
agroforestry and related farming systems in the intensification of sustainable conservation in the area. Thereby, we reviewed 39
peer reviewed publications from the data base and some secondary data to attain the goal. It is discernible that agroforestry has
increased crop yields for over 50% in the area. However, the ongoing degradation threatens the sustainability of the EAM. Forest
degradation will offset over 100 million tons of carbon that is stored in the EAM. Besides, environmental degradation will
significantly affect the water sources that feed over 3.5 million people in the downstream. Then, the supply of water for
Hydro-Electric Power, environmental requirements and agricultural activities in the downstream will be adequate affected. To
curb the authentic and potential degradation, the Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Funds (EAMCEF) is
operational in the area. Norway is among the great funders of EAMCEF. Therefore, for the robustness of sustainable
conservation in EAM, a collective effort from various stakeholders especially donors are needed.
Description
International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy 2017; Vol. 6(4):49-56.
Keywords
Agroforestry systems, Climate Change, Conservation, Degradation