Tropical rainforest deforestation, biodiversity benefits and sustainable landuse: analysis of economic and ecological aspects related to the Nguru mountains, Tanzania.
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Date
1995
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Agricultural University of Norway
Abstract
Monela, G.C. 1995: Tropical rainforest deforestation, biodiversity benefits and sustainable
landuse: Analysis of economic and ecological aspects related to the Nguru mountains, Tanzania.
Doctor Scientiarum Theses 1995:27, ISSN 0802-3220.
The threat to the rainforest in the Nguru mountains due to landuse problems is serious. Because
of the strong link between agriculture and forest degradation, any attempt to alleviate ecological
problems must to a large extent address agricultural-related landuse problems. The primary
objective of this study is to analyze the possibilities for sustainable integrated management of
land-based resources and ecological conservation in the Nguru mountains in order to improve the
living standard of the people and preserve the tropical rainforest in the area. More specifically,
landuse practices are analyzed and micro-economic analysis is used to evaluate the efficiency in
resource use. Mathematical programming is applied in an empirical case study to examine the
impact on deforestation pressure, of agriculture, population pressure and risk. It is also used to
formulate economically efficient farm plans at household farm level in order to analyze the
potential for improving people’s income and resource use. The study is presented in form of three
reports titled as follows:
Report 1. Rainforest degradation and landuse in the Nguru mountains, Tanzania: Analysis of
socio-economic and ecological aspects.
Report 2. Analysis of the use of tropical rainforest species and evaluation of buffer zones and
other control mechanisms in preserving the tropical rainforest adjacent to Mhonda
village in the Nguru Mountains, Tanzania.
Report 3. Socio-economic analysis of deforestation of tropical rainforests as a consequence of
agriculture productivity, risks and population growth: A case study of Mhonda
village in the Nguru mountains, Tanzania.
Results show that several interrelated factors are main driving forces for landuse problems which
enhance deforestation pressure in the Nguru mountains. These include poverty, growing
population, increased domestic demand, lack of knowledge, and risk. The effect of these factors
is enhanced by market and government failures which are partly influenced by demands external
to the country. These factors must be considered to improve farming practices and landuse,
prevent excessive use of the rainforest, and reduce deforestation pressure and degradation. No
single solution exist for these landuse problems, yet the insights gained through the analysis done
provide information to alleviate the situation.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Tropical rainforest, deforestation, biodiversity, buffer zone, landuse planning, risk, agriculture, socio-economic analysis, compromise programming