Browsing by Author "Chamshama, S.A.O"

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Addressing pest and disease challenges in the national forest plantations: lessons learned from the National Forest Health Forum
(Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI) and Tanzania Forest Fund (TaFF), 2018) Petro, R; Ndomba, O.A; Bakengesa, S; Chamshama, S.A.O; Chidege, M.
This paper presents the results of the work carried out by the National Forest Health Forum (NFHF), which covered five National Forest Plantations: Mbizi (Sumbawanga), Meru/Usa (Kilimanjaro), Meru (Arusha), Shume (Tanga) and Sao Hill (Iringa) for the period of five years (May, 2012 - July, 2017). The problems addressed are diseases caused by pathogens and those caused by inadequacies of various requirements from the soils. Many of the diseases have been soil-borne which gave rise to foliar symptoms, with Armillaria root rot being in the lead. Occasionally, the ravage by insect pests was encountered at Sao Hill and Meru Forest Plantations. These problems threaten the productivity of the plantations against the objective for the plantations of supporting the much needed industrialization process. To a large extent, these problems which were recorded in the visited plantations were noted to be accelerated by two phenomena namely; climate change and taungya. Therefore, this paper describes the problems addressed in the plantations; the steps adopted in addressing them, key findings and recommendations for achieving better plantations.
Competition between maize and pigeonpea in semi-arid Tanzania: effect on yields And nutrition of crops
(Elservier, 2009) Kimaro, A.A; Timmer, V.R.; Chamshama, S.A.O; Ngaga, Y.N; Kimaro, D.A
Productivity of maize–pigeonpea cropping systems is dependent on facilitative and competitive interactive effects on resource availability. Controlling these interactions may benefit farmers through increased productivity associated with optimized crop yields. Previous research on maize–pigeonpea culture in Sub-Saharan Africa has focused on yield and soil fertility, but provided inadequate information on the mechanisms of possible interspecific competition. We employed a factorial field experiment to examine yield and nutritional responses of maize and pigeonpea to cropping systems (sole maize, intercropping, and improved fallow), N and P fertilizer additions, and cattle manure additions in Dodoma, Tanzania. The study objectives were to assess competition between crops and to determine how manure or fertilizer inputs may mitigate such interactions to improve yields. Intercropping enhanced maize yield over sole maize only when fertilized, reflecting probable nutrient competition. Improved fallows alone or with fertilizers (1.2–1.6 Mg ha 1 ) increased maize yields over sole maize (0.6 Mg ha 1 ). These increases were attributed to pigeonpea facilitation through soil nutrient replenishment, reduced competition associated with sequential cropping arrangements, and added nutrients from fertilization. Combined fertilizer and manure applications also improved maize and pigeonpea yields. Plant nutrient diagnosis indicated primary and secondary P and Ca deficiencies, respectively associated with P-fixation and leaching of cations due to high soil acidity and exchangeable Al. Maize competed strongly in mixture suppressing biomass and grain yields of the unfertilized pigeonpea by 60% and 33%, respectively due to limited soil nutrients and/or moisture. These yield reductions suggest that the intercropped pigeonpea did not recover from competition after maize harvesting that reduced competition. Optimizing yields of both maize and pigeonpea would require the addition of prescribed fertilizer when intercropped, but applications can be reduced by half under the improved fallow system due to alleviating interspecific competition.
Effects of different pre-sowing treatments on germination of pericopsis angolensis seeds of Tabora miombo woodlands, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2023) Mbailwa, Y.S; Chamshama, S.A.O; Mwendwa, B.A; Mwambusi, J.N
Pericopsis angolensis species survival is reported to be low in nurseries. Given the high dormancy tendency of Legume family, it is speculated that, pre-sowing treatment of Perocopsis angolensis seeds may result in improved germinability. Different attempts of breaking the dormancy to enhance germination have been done. However, the difference in environmental conditions - soil pH, temperature, and water availability - which parental plants experienced during their growth and seed maturation, have an impact on seed germination patterns. This study assessed the effects of pretreatments (soaking in cold and boiling water at different time intervals) on the germination of Pericopsis angolensis seeds collected in Tabora, Tanzania. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was done to show differences in seed germination parameters under different pretreatments. Results show that, there was significant (P<0.001) difference in germination parameters between the control and pretreated seeds except for the Mean Germination Time (P>0.05). The highest Germination Value, Germination Percent and Germination Capacity were found under control. The findings prove that pretreating Pericopsis angolensis seeds by soaking in cold and hot water have no additional effect on germination. Thus, the study suggests that the restoration of the forests using Pericopsis angolensis species can be achieved even without seed pretreatments.
The importance of local forest benefits: economic valuation of Non-Timber forest products in the Eastern Arc Mountains in Tanzania
(Elsevier, 2013-08) Schaafsma, M; Morse-Jones, S; Posen, P; Swetnam, R.D; Balmford, A; Bateman, I.J; Burgess, N.D; Chamshama, S.A.O; Fisher, B; Freeman, T; Geofrey, V; Green, R.E; Hepelwa, A.S; Hernández-Sirvent, A; Hess, S; Kajembe, G.C; Kayharara, G; Kilonzo, M; Kulindwa, K; Lund, J.F; Madoffe, S.S; Mbwambo, L; Meilby, H; Ngaga, Y.M; Theilade, I; Treue, T; van Beukering, P; Vyamana, V.G; Turner, R.K
Understanding the spatial distribution of the quantity and economic value of Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) collection gives insight into the benefits that local communities obtain from forests, and can inform decisions about the selection of forested areas that are eligible for conservation and enforcement of regulations. In this paper we estimate transferable household production functions of NTFP extraction in the Eastern Arc Mountains (EAM) in Tanzania, based on information from seven multi-site datasets related to the behaviour of over 2000 households. The study shows that the total benefit flow of charcoal, firewood, poles and thatch from the EAM to the local population has an estimated value of USD 42 million per year, and provides an important source of additional income for local communities, especially the poorest, who mainly depend on subsistence agriculture. The resulting map of economic values shows that benefits vary highly across space with population density, infrastructure and resource availability. We argue that if further restrictions on forest access to promote conservation are considered, this will require additional policies to prevent a consequent increase in poverty, and an enforced trade- off between conservation and energy supply to rural and urban households.
Plantation forestry in sub Saharan Africa: silvicultural, ecological and economic aspects
(2009) Chamshama, S.A.O; Nwonwu, F.O.C; Lundgren, B; Kowero, G.S
This paper discusses the potentials of meeting the wood demand and achieving SFM in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) through the establishment of forest plantations. The paper reviews forest plantation ownership and distribution patterns in SSA and the factors –silvicultural, ecological, and economic that affect supply and demand for wood at both domestic and international markets. The risk associated with investing in forest plantations and their susceptibility to pest and disease attacks are highlighted. But with sound silvicultural practices these fears are allayed. Ecological sustainability is in most situations ensured, but there are risks associated with burning logging slash after harvesting. It is found that efficiency in plantation management and success in achieving sustainable wood supply depends to a large extent on whether the plantations are owned and managed by the public or the private sector. Many public sector managed plantations are poorly managed and not profit-oriented. They have other environmental and social services and benefits as objectives. Many benefits from such activities are not easily quantifiable in monetary terms and therefore cannot be used to determine the profitability of the plantations. Thus, in financial analysis, most public sector owned and managed plantations are unprofitable and not economically viable because these important benefits are excluded in the calculations. Private owned forest plantations are well managed and aim at profit maximization and therefore integrate plantations to wood processing plants to improve the form and value of wood and make the wood products more competitive in both domestic and export markets. As a way forward, a number of actions are listed to ensure long-term viability of forest plantations in SSA.
Rotation age and fibre length of pinus patula at sao hill forest plantation, Tanzania
(Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI) and Tanzania Forest Fund (TaFF), 2018) Laswai, F; Malimbwi, R.E; Chamshama, S.A.O; Abdallah, J.M; Balama, C.; Pima, N.E; Mugasha, W.A; Mauya, E
This study determined the rotation age of Pinus patula grown at Sao Hill forest plantation based on growth, yield, wood properties, and economic analysis. Previous Technical Orders on rotation age were not based on these considerations. Growth, yield, wood properties, revenue, and management costs data were collected and analysed using standard procedures. The results indicate that there were fewer and lighter prunings and thinnings than specified in the respective schedules. Many trees were found to have breast height diameter below 40 cm in all compartments except one. Growth and yield results showed that for P. patula grown at Sao Hill, the equity point of Mean Annual Increment (MAI) and Current Annual Increment (CAI) were achieved at between 16 and 17 years with the maximum MAI being maintained until about 20 years. Basic density and mechanical properties showed that strong wood was obtained when trees were 16 years and above and these properties increased with age. The mean fibre length for 5 - 25 years old P. patula was found to range from 2.29 to 3.53 mm and increased with age. Fibre lengths from 11 years and above exceed the minimum (3 mm) considered suitable for pulp and paper production. Based on economic analysis, net present value (NPV) was attained at between 16 and 17 years. Based on considerations of growth and yield, wood properties and economics of rotation age; P. patula from Sao Hill is recommended to be harvested at 18 years for timber and 11 years for pulp and paper production.
Sex determination of young nursery Jojoba (simmondsia chinensis L.) plants using morphological traits in semi arid areas of voi, Kenya
(2015) Inoti, S.K; Chamshama, S.A.O; Thagana, W.M; Lulandala, L.L.L; Dodson, R
Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis L.) is a dioecious desert shrub that produces highly valued oil for cosmetics and lubrication. Most of the existing plantations have low yields due to high ratio 1:1 of the males compared to the females. However, there is no existing morphological trait method for distinguishing sex at an early age in Jojoba. Use of morphological traits for identifying sex at the juvenile stage is economical and more practicable for field workers hence more preferred than the molecular marker technique. To overcome this problem, two experiments were carried out with an objective of identifying sex of young Jojoba plants using morphological traits. The first experiment was set up using nursery seedlings whereas the second used rooted cuttings. The experimental design was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) consisting of 8 treatments replicated 3 times. The treatments consisted of 4 males and 4 females per replicate which were selected using stratified random sampling. Foliage morphological data was collected from both the seedlings and rooted cuttings according to a modified Jojoba descriptors procedure. The nursery seedlings were raised in an open nursery whereas those of the rooted cuttings were carried out in a polythene sheet tunnel. These experiments were carried out from February to August 2012. Data was analyzed using SAS statistical package whereas means were separated by Least Significant Difference (LSD). The results for seedlings showed that foliage morphological traits for single leaf area in male seedlings (4.4 cm 2 ) were significantly higher (p< 0.05) compared to the female seedlings (3.2 cm 2 ). However, all the other foliage variables did not show any significant difference although male seedlings were greater in leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves, total leaf area and leaf area/0.3m relative to the female seedlings by 13%, 14%, 19%, 63% and 69% respectively. The females were superior in only leaf shape index by 1.4% compared with the males. On the other hand, rooted cuttings showed a similar pattern with those of seedlings although there was no significant difference in all the morphological traits measured. However, males showed higher foliage growth compared with the females in leaf length, leaf width, single leaf area, number of leaves and total leaf area by 37%, 43%, 95%, 155% and 458% respectively. The results indicate that single leaf area can be used for sex differentiation in juvenile Jojoba plants hence recommended at the nursery stage in order to determine the right planting ratio of male to female of 1: 10 respectively in the field for maximum stand production. Further research is recommended for a longer period to identify other foliage traits useful for sexing of Jojoba nursery plants.
The silviculture of woodlots of smallholder forest producers in Mufindi District, Tanzania: knowledge and treatments
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2021) Mwambusi, J.N; Kapp, G; Chamshama, S.A.O
Smallholder forestry is experiencing many challenges like limited understanding of silvicultural treatments to impact the quality and performance of woodlots. This study determined the silvicultural treatments of smallholders in Mufindi district by interviewing 78 respondents then assessing the silviculture of 78 woodlots in 13 sampled villages. The study found out that more than 80% of smallholders had a certain level of understanding of some treatments like weeding and pruning. A major source of knowledge was personal experiences from fellow farmers and Sao Hill Forest Plantation. Based on market demand, P. patula and E. grandis were the most planted species in the woodlots. Smallholders reported planting trees at a spacing of 3 x 3 m without clear knowledge on factors to consider for initial spacing. Also, reported harvesting trees for sawn timber at 8 - 13 years and transmission poles at 6 - 8 years. Contrary to knowledge, the assessment found out that majority of woodlots had a spacing of 2.5 x 2.5 m. Many woodlots were poorly pruned and surrounded by shrubs which affected timber quality. Generally, woodlots management was unsatisfactory due to insufficient technical knowledge. Thus, more training is needed to strengthen smallholder forestry to ensure sustainable tree farming.
Stand biomass and volume estimation for Miombo Woodlands at Kitulangalo, Morogoro, Tanzania
(Southern African Forestry Journal, 2004-03) Chamshama, S.A.O; Mugasha, A. G; Zahabu, E
Tree volume and biomass equations developed for Kitulangalo area in Morogoro, Tanzania ignored small branches and small trees. Consequently, this study was carried out to develop new individual tree volume and biomass equations, and assess current regeneration status, biodiversity and yield of miombo woodlands of the area. Volume and biomass equations based on stump diameter for the estimation of volume and biomass of felled trees were also developed. A total of 30 trees were measured for stump diameter (StD), diameter at breast height (dbh) and total height and felled for the determination of volume and biomass. Different tree stem, branch and total volume and biomass models were then fitted. For the determination of current regeneration status, biodiversity and yield, data were collected from three strata: (a) Forest Reserve managed by the Central Government, (b) Forest Reserve under Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and (c) General land (free access by the public). In each stratum, temporary concentric circular sample plots were laid out on transects at 150 m intervals for a 1% sampling intensity. Stand variables such as number of stems per ha, basal area, biomass, volume and plant diversity, were computed for each stratum. The study has revealed the presence of average volumes (m3ha-1) and basal areas (m2ha-1) of: 76.02 + 9.14 and 9.13 + 0.78 for the Government forest reserve, 76.03 + 9.34 and 8.95 + 0.73 for SUA forest reserve, and 43.9 + 7.75 and 7.78 + 1.1 for general land forest. The respective biomass values were 43.56 + 7.06, 41.40 + 4.90 and 29.31 + 6.56 t ha-1. Tree species composition and regeneration status revealed that though disturbed, the public land species composition is not different from the other two strata. More studies should be done on the nursing of the abundant regeneration in the disturbed general land. The developed volume and biomass models are recommended to be used for the miombo woodlands at Kitulangalo area especially where small trees (< 8 cm dbh) are involved.
Towards transferable functions for extraction of Non-timber Forest Products: A case study on charcoal production in Tanzania
(Elsevier, 2012-05) Schaafsma, M; Morse-Jones, S; Posen, P; Swetnam, R.D; Balmford, A; Bateman, I.J; Burgess, N.D; Chamshama, S.A.O; Fisher, B; Green, R.E; Hepelwa, A.S; Hernández-Sirvent, A; Kajembe, G.C; Kulindwa, K; Lund, J.F; Mbwambo, L; Meilby, H; Ngaga, Y.M; Theilade, I; Treue, T; Vyamana, V.G; Turner, R.K
Mapping the distribution of the quantity and value of forest benefits to local communities is useful for forest management, when socio-economic and conservation objectives may need to be traded off. We develop a modelling approach for the economic valuation of annual Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) extraction at a large spatial scale, which has 4 main strengths: (1) it is based on household production functions using data of actual household behaviour, (2) it is spatially sensitive, using a range of explanatory variables related to socio-demographic characteristics, population density, resource availability and accessibility, (3) it cap- tures the value of the actual flow rather than the potential stock, and (4) it is generic and can therefore be up-scaled across non-surveyed areas. We illustrate the empirical application of this approach in an analysis of charcoal production in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania, using a dataset comprising over 1100 obser- vations from 45 villages. The total flow of charcoal benefits is estimated at USD 14 million per year, providing an important source of income to local households, and supplying around 11% of the charcoal used in Dar es Salaam and other major cities. We discuss the potential and limitations of up-scaling micro-level analysis for NTFP valuation