Luhanga, Sarah2025-05-212025-05-212011https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/6739DissertationThis dissertation set out to examine the contribution of Kilombero wetlands ecosystem on the livelihoods of adjacent communities. Field survey was conducted in three villages, namely Msolwa Ujamaa, Lungongole and Mkula in the Kilombero district. Statistical analysis and contingent valuation methods were used determine the importance of the wetland on social economic life of the communities, community dependence on the wetland and community action to conserve the wetland. The total sample of 105 heads of the household was randomly drawn to respond to the household level questionnaire and selected elders and village leaders participated in the focus group discussions. Major findings of this dissertation are that, the Kilombero wetland provides substantial benefits to the adjacent communities. The availability of water, fertile land and good infrastructure has supported high paying commercial farming activity of rice and sugar cane. Average income levels are very high compared to other areas in Tanzania. The willingness to pay to conserve the wetland is also high reaching about 40 000 Tanzanian shillings annually which imply a high level of valuation. Further findings are that, wetland resources have significant contribution to the livelihood of the local communities adjacent to the wetlands. Wetland agriculture is the main livelihood activity for more than 86.7% of the wetland adjacent communities. However about 83.8% of the people in Kilombero wetlands acknowledge their income solely depend on wetland resource. The study concluded that, communities living adjacent to Kilombero wetland value the ecosystem for their livelihood. Study draw number of recommendations including; the diversification activity; Need to ensure that there existed community wetland conservation programmes at the village level; Operational technical advices, through researchers and or ward/ village agriculture extension officers, should be up-scaled in timely and appropriate manner. of the community activities in order to reduce the extent of the people engaging in one activity; Need to ensure that there existed community wetland conservation programmes at the village level; Operational technical advices, through researchers and or ward/ village agriculture extension officers, should be up-scaled in timely and appropriate manner.enWetlands ecosystemRural livelihoodsWetland resource utilizationThesis