Browsing by Author "Ernest, S."

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Nicotine contents in honey from tobacco and non-tobacco growing areas in Kigoma Region, Tanzania
(Tanzania Forest Fund (TAFORI), 2018-10) Balama, C.; Mbwambo, L.; Kagosi, P.; Tewele, C.; Laswai, F.; Msalilwa, U.; Ernest, S.
Nicotine content in honey is currently the major issue of concern to honey quality in Tanzania. This study was carried out to determine nicotine content in honey from tobacco and non-tobacco growing areas in Kigoma Region, Tanzania. Specifically, the study determined nicotine contents in honey and bee fodder samples. Fresh honey samples were collected from beehives within tobacco and non-tobacco growing areas and from vendors for laboratory tests. Results showed that nicotine content in the fresh honey which was collected from beehives located within tobacco growing areas is significantly higher than that collected from non-tobacco growing areas (0.46μg/g vs. 0.26μg/g, p <0.05). The honey samples from vendors in town and villages had nicotine contents of 0.41μg/g and 2.98μg/g, respectively. It was observed that most of the bee fodder tree species in Miombo woodland had traces of nicotine. Among the most important bee fodder tree species with the highest amount of nicotine were Brachystegia spiciformis (20.966μg/g), and Julbernardia globiflora (13.168μg/g). Meanwhile Vernonia colata, Combretum collinum and Combretum mole had the lowest nicotine contents of 0.836μg/g, 0.006μg/g, and 0.004μg/g, respectively. Generally, honey samples which were collected from all sources contained different amounts of nicotine. However, these contents were perceived to be tolerable for human health. The sampled bee forage tree species were also observed to have nicotine, which is associated with nicotine in the honey. The study recommends for the establishment of the national standards indicating the allowable amount of nicotine in honey for human consumption. Further research needs to be done in other areas and vegetation types in order to address this concern country- wise.
Urban Climate Analysis with Remote Sensing and Climate Observations: A Case of Morogoro Municipality in Tanzania
(2017-06-15) Ernest, S.; Nduganda, A. R.; Kashaigili, J. J.
Rapid urbanization is threatening sustainable development of urban areas in Tanzania. Among the risks of rapid urbanization are Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect and climate change. While this has been noted, it is not known to what extent these risks are being realized in fast growing urban areas like Morogoro and other areas of similar geographic and climatic conditions. Therefore a study was conducted to assess the influence of urbanization on UHI and climate in Morogoro Municipality using remote sensing and climate data. Landsat imageries acquired in 1990, 2000 and 2015 were used to assess the change of impervious surface for the year 1990 to 2015 using a Classification and Regression Tree (CART). Radiant surface temperature and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) were derived from thermal band and reflectance bands respectively. Mann-Kendall test was used to analyze climate data for trends. Results revealed an increase of impervious surface (built up areas) from 9 km2 in 1990 to 48 km2 in 2000 and 82 km2 in 2015; which is associated with UHI. UHI was not apparent in 1990, but was apparent in 2000 and 2015 with the temperature rise of 1.08˚C and 1.22˚C respectively. A linear relationship between radiant surface temperature (TB) and percent Impervious Surface (ISA); and between TB and NDVI it revealed that NDVI is better indicator of variations in TB dynamics than percent ISA. Mann-Kendall test indicated a significant increasing trend in mean annual maximum temperature. The results imply that increasing ISA coupled with vegetation degradation has contributed to temperature rise and change. Consequently, Morogoro Municipality residents are likely to suffer heat stress due to rapid urbanization. It is recommended that education on the use of reflective surfaces should be given to the residents; and an effective master plan that protects vegetation should be in place.
Water and Pasture Availability on Livestock Routes Under a Changing Climate: A Case of Ilemela and Magu Districts in Tanzania
(Journal of the Geographical Association of Tanzania, 2017-02-07) Ernest, S.; Hagai, M.; Kashaigili, J. J.
The beef cattle production system practiced in the Lake Victoria Basin is mainly extensive, which involves cattle grazing on natural pastures. This system is characterized by overgrazing, low livestock production and soil degradation. Under the effects of global climate change, these pastoral management challenges are expected to increase. As the impacts of climate change to beef cattle production over the Lake Victoria Basin is unknown, this study used participatory mapping method and focus group discussions to assess spatial changes in livestock routes in relation to water and pasture availability in Ilemela and Magu districts of Mwanza region, Tanzania. GIS technology was used for the formalization of spatial layers. It was revealed that there were many changes in livestock routes such that some have become roads, some have been lost, and others narrowed. These changes were due to increase of settlements and cultivated areas, and more specifically a general decline of water sources and grazing land. This implies that appropriate strategies such as a land use planning, stock routings modification, education on effective cattle farming and intervention by rainwater harvesting should be designed so as to adapt to climate change effects, and improve livestock production in Ilemela and Magu districts.