Theses and Dissertations Collection

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Browsing Theses and Dissertations Collection by Subject "Forest condition"

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    Effects of institutional changes on forest condition: A case of Chenene forest reserve in Bahi district, Tanzania
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2015) Nkonoki, J. B.
    This study assessed the effects of institutional changes on forest condition, stakeholders’ interests, the performance of local institutions and factors influencing the performance of local governance structures, using a case study of Chenene Forest Reserve (CFR) in Bahi, Tanzania. Data were collected through forest inventory using 120 systematically selected sample plots. Satellite images were collected and analysed using Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System techniques. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), focus group discussions (FGD), key informants and questionnaire survey were used to collect data on socio-economic factors. Quantitative data on forest condition and forest governance were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, while qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. Logistic regression model was developed to analyze factors influencing performance of local governance structures. Nine areas of conflicting interests that occurred among stakeholders were identified which were routed in institutional and socio-economic perspectives. The study showed that the performance of Village Environmental Committees (VECs) in governing forest resources had improved. The inventory carried out in 2011 revealed that, an average number of stems per hectare (N), basal area per hectare G (m2ha-1) and volume V (m3ha-1) were 199, 1.71 and 6.46 respectively. The low parameters in wood-stock were due to massive exploitation and other human disturbances in the past. The tree diversity of 4.0 was recorded which was in line with other past studies on dry miombo woodlands. Results on forest cover changes revealed that, the forest condition had improved by 2 576 ha at the rate of 0.50% after decentralization of CFR. Socio-economic factor that significantly influenced most of the performance of local governance was found to be education level. The study concludes that, institutional change reforms on forest management are one of the best options in improving forest condition and forest governance. The study recommends that, monitoring studies are needed in order to have comprehensive understanding on implications of institutional changes on forest resource condition and forest governance.
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    Forest condition, threats and management effectiveness of rau catchment forest reserve, Moshi district, Tanzania
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2015) Mkiramweni, Elimoo Nzinyangwa
    Forests and in particular catchment forests are important in providing economic and environmental resources supporting natural systems and catering for the welfare of the community. Poor management and unsustainable utilization to meet community needs for forest products and other forest based ecosystem services can however compromise forest conservation. This study was carried out to assess forest condition, threats and management effectiveness of Rau catchment forest reserve in Moshi District, Tanzania. The extent of disturbance was assessed through Threat Reduction Assessment Tool (TRA) and the management effectiveness was assessed using the World Commission Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool on Protected Areas. Socio-economic factors influencing forest utilization were assessed through a questionnaire survey administered to forest adjacent communities. The results showed that forest disturbance occurs in both forest edge and forest interior, though at different levels. The disturbance and use intensity through trees and poles cutting was significantly higher in the forest interior than the forest edge statistically (p<0.05). This signifies that there is higher human impact in the interior than the edge or periphery of the reserve. Plant species diversity using Shannon Winner index was 2.998≈ 3 indicating that the reserve is above average in terms of plant richness and diversity. The socio-economic factors influencing utilization in the reserve were education and age whereby increasing age increases the likelihood of forest conservation while education level on the other hand decreases the likelihood of conservation. The Threat Reduction Index was 19% implying that the reserve is highly threatened. The major threats were encroachment, illegal fire wood cutting, pole cutting, fodder and grazing. The management effectiveness score was 29% which indicates poor management with potential for deterioration of the ecosystem services provided by the forest. Among shortfalls in the management of the forest are lack of management plan, unclear and unconsolidated boundaries for the forest, inadequate and unavailable funding, unavailability and poor condition of working gears, weak law enforcement and poor community involvement. Proper management plans, strengthening law enforcement, consolidation of forest boundaries and community involvement in management are important in ensuring sustainability of the forest reserve.