Assessment of forest conditions, threats and management effectiveness in the catchment of Malagarasi-Muyovozi Wetlands, Urambo District, Tanzania
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Date
2007
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
This study assessed the forest conditions, threats and management effectiveness of
selected catchment forests of Malagarasi-Muyovozi wetlands in Urambo District,
Tanzania, particularly Mpanda Line Forest Reserve. The level of disturbance was obtained
through disturbance assessment methodology while threats through threat reduction
assessment tool. The World Commission on Protected Areas tracking tool assessed
management effectiveness and socio-economic factors was obtained through structured
questionnaires. The results showed that forest disturbance for both trees and poles in the
three strata were significantly different (p<0.05). The forest disturbance as well as the use
intensities were highest in the open woodlands followed by closed woodlands and wooded
grasslands, implying high human impacts in the open woodlands. The threat reduction
assessment index was 16%, indicating that the reserve is highly threatened. Major threats
were wildfires, illegal logging, overgrazing, and encroachment. The management
effectiveness assessment score was 28% implying that the reserve is poorly managed and
therefore it stands a chance of loosing its status as biodiversity conservation and wetland
catchment area if the situation is not attended adequately. Lack of clear reserve
boundaries, management plan, secured funding, adequate law enforcement, appropriate
and well-trained staff and local community involvement were the major shortfalls. Socio
economic factors that significantly influence human disturbance in the reserve include age,
ethnicity, and demand for forest products and services. A number of conservation
initiatives were revealed, which may contribute in reducing the threats facing the reserve
and increasing the management effectiveness. Contribution of Sustainable and Integrated
Management of the Malagarasi-Muyovozi Ramsar Site Project, Ugalla Community Conservation Project, Robin Hurt and Safaris Company and Friends of Urambo and
Mwanihala was acknowledged. It is recommended that a management plan, land use
plans, and collaboration between local communities and the government are pertinent to
the conservation of the catchment and maintenance of local livelihood benefits.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Threats management, Catchment effectiveness, Malagarasi-Muyovozi Wetlands, Urambo District, Tanzania, Forest conditions