The potential of riparian forests in anthropogenic stressed river ecosystems
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Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
TAJAS
Abstract
The study was conducted to examine riparian vegetation species, anthropogenic interactions,
and the due impact on the Ngerengere River riparian ecosystem in Tanzania in view of riparian
forests potentials on river ecosystems. Vegetation data were collected by belt transect and
field observation, and socio-economic data by household interview methods. Upon descriptive
and content analyses, Pennisetum purpureum, Phragmites mauritianus, Typha domingensis,
Phragmites australis, Cyperus rotundus, Sesbania sesban and Ficus sycomorus constituted the
riparian zone. Most of them (80%) were grass, affected by cultivation (54%) and sand extraction
(34%), causing vegetation extinction (36%), riverbanks collapse and increased sedimentation
(31%). Highly vegetated areas had clean water and were ecologically stable. Riparian forests were
sought vital for sustainable management of river ecosystem through enhanced carrying capacity,
water cleansing and banks stabilization.
Description
Conference proceeding
Keywords
Climate change, Nature-based solutions, Riparian vegetation, Sustainable development, Ngerengere river