Articles, Conference and Workshop Papers Collection

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://10.10.97.169:4000/handle/123456789/65

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 57

Serological survey of leptospira spp. in livestock and rodents from different settlements in the kilombero wetland, Tanzania
(Pathogens, 2024-11-25) Selemani, Mwajabu; Makundi, Rhodes H; Massawe, Apia W; Katakweba, Abdul S
Background: The circulation of Leptospira has been linked to various occupational activities globally. This study investigated the seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. in rodents and livestock (cattle and goats) in three settlements/villages involved in agriculture, livestock keeping, and mixed agriculture and livestock in the Kilombero district, Tanzania. Methods: Data were collected dur- ing the wet and dry seasons. A total of 179 rodents were live-captured from selected habitats. Livestock samples were collected from 80 cattle in a livestock settlement and 120 goats from both livestock and mixed agricultural–livestock settlements. The microscopic agglutination test was utilized to identify Leptospira serovars. Results: The seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. was 17.3% in rodents (21.7% in Mastomys natalensis and 3.9% in Rattus rattus) and 8.3% in livestock (13.5% in cattle and 12.6% in goats). The prevalence among rodents and livestock differed between settlements (p = 0.01). A higher prevalence was observed among rodents in the agricultural settlement relative to the other settlements. A higher prevalence of antibodies in livestock was observed in the live- stock settlement compared with the mixed agricultural–livestock settlement. The Leptospira serovars Sokoine (serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae) and Hebdomadis (serogroup Hebdomadis) were detected in both rodents and livestock. The serovars Hardjo (serogroup Sejroe) and Gripothyphosa (serogroup Gripothyphosa) were found exclusively in cattle, whereas the serovars Pomona (serogroup Pomona) and Lora (serogroup Australis) were identified in rodents. Leptospira antibodies were found to be elevated during the rainy season compared with the dry season (p = 0.05) in all settlements, with the exception of rodents in the mixed agricultural–livestock settlement. Conclusions: This study demon- strates the presence of anti-Leptospira antibodies in rodents and livestock related to occupational activities in human settlements. It further demonstrates that wild animals (rodents) and livestock are reservoirs of Leptospira and are important in the epidemiology of leptospirosis. Management and control strategies should target both rodents and livestock.
Reconsidering human-wildlife conflicts in communities around wildlife protected areas of Tanzania
(African Journal Online (AJOL), 2008-02-21) Maganga, S. L.; Tarimo, T. M.; Magayane, F. T.; Senkondo, E. M.; Kideghesho, J. R.
Tanzania has a number of wildlife protected areas (WPAs), surrounded by rural communities undertaking various socio-economic activities. These communities are constantly in conflict with wildlife because of the damage they cause. Surveys in some WPAs indicate that the damages of major concern include crop predation and attacks to people and livestock. These damages have social and economic implications to communities in terms of food security. This situation has existed for long without any satisfactory ways of addressing it. Recently, Community-Based Wildlife Conservation (CBWC) through established Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) has been envisaged as an approach to mitigate the conflicts. This approach is still under experimentation in Africa. However, there are indications that it may not be a plausible solution instead it may worsen the problem. Moreover, CBWC is feasible only where WPAs are large enough to establish WMAs. Another complication is that the wildlife policy clearly states that there is no intention of introducing a compensation scheme for wildlife based damages. It is high time this problem is reconsidered for example by instituting a compensation scheme. This would help the poor rural communities who bear the cost of wildlife conservation.
Microhabitat, altitude and seasonal influence on the abundance of non-volant small mammals in Mount Rungwe forest nature reserve
(Elsevier B.V., 2022) Richard, Upendo; Byamungu, Robert Modest; Magige, Flora; Makonda, Fortunatus B.S.
A study on microhabitat, altitudinal and seasonal influences on small mammal abundance in Mount Rungwe Nature Forest Reserve, Tanzania was carried out from March 2019 to February 2020 during the wet and dry seasons. Live traps were used in six grids and six transect lines for capturing small mammals at the low, mid, and high elevations (1700–2600 m.a.s.l.). Generalized linear models were used to examine the effects of microhabitat characteristics, altitude, and seasons on the relative abundance of small mammals. A total of 444 rodents and shrews were recorded on 4320 trap nights. Rodent species recorded included Beamys hindei, Cricetomys ansorgei, Dendromus insignis, Grammomys ibeanus, Graphiurus murinus, Lophuromys machangui, Praomys delectorum, and one shrew, Crocidura sp. Overall, P. delectorum was the most dominant species in all elevations, with 68.9% of all captures. Mid elevation had a higher abundance of small mammals (Estimate ± SE = 1.17 ± 0.49, Z = 2.37, p = 0.0176). Species abundance was influenced differently by elevation. While P. delectorum decreases with increasing elevation, L. machangui increases with an increase in elevation. Although overall small mammal abundance was not affected by microhabitat variables (Estimate ± SE = − 0.08 ± 0.13, Z = − 0.67, p = 0.5050), individual species (P. delectorum and L. machangui; Estimate ± SE = 0.13 ± 0.06, Z = 1.95, p = 0.05 and − 0.31 ± 0.09, Z = 3.34, p = 0.0008 respectively) were affected differently. While P. delectorum abundance showed a positive correlation and increased with an increase in PCA1 in GLM, L. machangui had a negative trend that shows they were affected differently. Small mammal abundance, on the other hand, was affected by season and, in particular, rain, with low abundance during heavy rains and dry cold periods (Estimate ± SE = 0.51 ± 0.14, Z = 3.6, p = 0.0003 and 0.3 ± 0.15, Z = 2.08 p = 0.04 respectively). In general, the results show that microhabitat parameters, elevation, and season influenced small mammals’ abundance in MRFNR. This outcome indicates that altering the microhabitat could have an impact on the small mammal assemblage and particularly their abundance. Thus, microhabitat, elevation, and season influence small mammal abundance and can be used as a proxy for evaluating the biodiversity of montane tropical small mammal communities.
The essence of wildlife crimes and associated effects on wild animals’ protection in Tanzania – legal perspective
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2022) Boniphace, M.
Conservation challenges have surfaced in Tanzania for decades. Several researches have revealed the causes, each research taking own perspective. This article discusses conservation challenges in legal perspective. The article reveals the manner crimes against wildlife initiate human induced wildlife conflicts, but humans have legal ambits to justify their actions. The article uncovers several acts the law permits whilst the same are triggering misery over wildlife. The article discovers environmental crimes posed by humans’ development demands. Yet, humans refuse to acknowledge the situation and camouflage in attributing their ill actions to wildlife by twisting the situation as “human-wildlife conflicts”. The article recommends that, it is technically improper to capacitating wildlife to commit crimes. Particularly, wildlife are the victims of unjust and pre-meditated human actions. In this review, content and thematic analysis used to interpret an in- depth aspects of wildlife law(s). It is concluded that, whilst the law recognizes wildlife in two facets; wild animals and their habitats, and requires the protection of both, there are human-wildlife common interests which the law has not been able to safeguard inter se and thus trigger crimes against wildlife. There is need for suitable laws in the wildlife sector to safeguard wildlife.
Legal reflection on spurring wildlife investments whilst embracing wild animals conservation in Tanzania
(International Journal of Advanced Research, 2023) Bonephace, Mectrida
Tanzania is diversifying wildlife investments. The Special Wildlife Investment Concession Area, (the SWICA) is set aside. The regulations to achieve the purpose are in place.The regulations enlighten on the procedures of carrying out investments within the SWICA. This paper reviewson this new investment scheme;whether itwill spare the ecosystem, specifically, the safety and survival of wild animals.The invited investments activities connote disturbance on the lives of wild animals. This paper observes that, the cumulative promulgation of the regulations threatens the life of wild animals. The apprehension of ecosystem disturbances in the SWICA is too wide to connote probable security on the lives of wild animals. Moreover, the avenues for some actors to excises “their wisdom,” aside of the regulations may invite unnecessary difficulties between the investors and the authority. Lastly, wild animals are likely to suffer a significant prejudice if investments in the SWICAs get through.
Effects of habitat heterogeneity on rodent community ecology in West mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2023-11) Thomas ,Suzana Mei
EXTENDED ABSTRACT Mountainous regions in Sub-Saharan Africa have high diversity of rare and endemic small mammals. Mount Kilimanjaro is among the well-known biodiversity hotspots in the world. Variations in vegetation and climate along the altitudinal gradient of Mt Kilimanjaro create distinct habitats with unique conditions which support high diversity and endemism of small mammals. Rodents are widely distributed small mammals inhabiting a variety of habitats. They are considered ecosystem engineers through burrowing, pollination, and seed dispersal hence they can act as ecological indicators of ecosystem health. However, most rodents are crop pests and reservoir of zoonotic pathogens. Studies on community ecology have reported that, rodent community is directly influenced by many factors like vertical and horizontal vegetation structure, anthropogenic activities, seasonality, predation, inter and intra specific competition, as well as disease and parasites. Understanding rodent diversity, species composition and the ecological interaction in a community is crucial for conservation and management of target species. Mount Kilimanjaro has high diversity of small mammals, however, climate change and increasing anthropogenic activities mainly cultivation and expansion of forest plantations particularly in west Kilimanjaro pause a challenge to conservation of small mammals. In recent decades, research on small mammals including rodents on Mt Kilimanjaro has been seriously ignored. Few existing studies were mainly based on short term surveys that provided a list of rodent species, composition and abundance. The studies did not fill in the gaps on breeding activity, population fluctuations, home range size, survival
Behavioural activities of two sympatric bird species and implications for Conservation and birding tourism in an urban landscape
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2021) Dismas, S.S; Mbilu, J.A.; Rija, A.A
The behaviours of most Afro-tropical birds inhabiting urban landscapes are still poorly understood making species conservation and utilization challenging particularly in increasingly changing cityscapes. This study investigated activity patterns of two sympatric bird species, the Zanzibar red bishop (Euplectes nigroventris) and Black- headed weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) inhabiting urban forest remnants to provide information to improve species conservation and potential plans for avitourism in urban Morogoro, Tanzania. A total of 60 individual Zanzibar red bishop and 28 individual weaver birds were observed, for three weeks to understand their diel activity patterns. Eleven activities were displayed by the birds with the mean time budgets for some activities varying significantly between species, bird sex and habitat types. Further, birds spent significantly longer time during morning than afternoon or evening on most activities probably to offset the energy demands for the survival and reproduction. Variation in activity budgets between the two species was probably due to the species intrinsic strategies such as group foraging by the weaver that enhance easy detection and access to the food resources. These data will be useful for planning bird conservation and utilization programs especially in cities where birds are increasing threatened by human persecution
Human and landscape factors influencing lion mortalities in the maasai steppe ecosystem, northern Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2021) Soka, G; Lyimo, J
The demography of the African lion is increasingly shaped by interactions with humans. Habitat fragmentation and persecution by humans are both linked to the decline in lions in most of their historical ranges such that current populations are largely restricted to isolated protected areas. This study examined the spatial and temporal patterns of lion killings in the Maasai steppe ecosystem. We used eighty-two lion mortality records for the last 13 years (2005 - 2017). Distances from the roads, river, lake, settlements, and the Normalized difference vegetation index value extracted for each lion killing location were the key landscape variables used to map the lion anthropogenic mortalities. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between female and male lions killed from 127 mortality records. The anthropogenic retaliatory killing caused 77.9% of female and 22.1% of male mortalities. About 58% of the lions killed were adults, 39.1% were sub-adults and only 2.9% were cubs. The majority of lion killings incidences took place during the wet season around the Maasai homestead. The lion killings incidences were rampant in the eastern side but slightly clustered in the northern part. Vegetation cover in the actual lion killings areas influenced lion killings incidences. Distances from the public roads, rivers, and human settlements significantly (p<0.05) contributed to lion anthropogenic mortalities. It is anticipated that retaliatory killings of lions could intensify due to growing cattle herds in the ecosystem. To promote coexistence between humans and lions, conservation authorities should invest more in awareness and sensitization programs on the conservation of lions.
Population and conservation status of endangered ashy red Colobus in Ufipa plateau: updates 10 years after first report
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2021) Kitegile, A.S; Mtui, A.S; Mwamende, K
For centuries, forests in Africa have been converted into farm lands and human settlements leading into habitat loss for forest dwelling mammals especially primates. Last century witnessed an extensive decline of primate populations worldwide mostly through habitat destruction. Here we present findings on the current population and conservation status of Ashy Red Colobus monkeys in Ufipa Plateau, southwestern Tanzania after ten years of first report. Using complete animal count and plotless visual assessment, we conducted surveys in each forest assessing for presence or absence of ashy red colobus in these forests and quality of their habitats. There was much disturbance in unprotected Mbuzi forest, reducing the once continuous forest into forest fragments and patches with no primates. In Mbizi, forest has been converted into commercial forest of exotic pine trees leaving remnants of natural forests as habitat for primates. A population size of 528 individual Ashy red Colobus were counted in Mbizi forest, indicating about 56% decline in population size, and mean group size of 26.4 indicate a 35% decline in 10 years. These findings highlight threats to Mbizi population and envisage local extinction of Mbuzi population and recommend for urgent conservation interventions in the area.
Effects of large-scale teak plantation establishment on plant species composition and diversity in Kilombero valley, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2022) Ngatena, G.D; Soka, G; Munishi, P.K.T.
Kilombero Teak Company (KVTC) have cleared more than 7,500 ha of natural miombo woodland since 1992, to establish a teak plantation in Kilombero valley. Currently, less is known about how this large teak plantation supports the previous existed plants species before its establishment. This study, investigated the understory plant species found in teak plantation and made reference on natural remnants around the plantation. The main hypothesis was that, natural remnants around the teak plantation would be richer and diversified in species, than teak plantation. Nested plots of 40 m x 20 m, 20 m x 10 m and 1 m x 1 m were established and used to survey plant species within plantation and natural remnants. Results showed that, natural remnants and plantation were 58% similar in plant species recorded. Natural remnants observed to have a statistically significant higher plant species richness (p = 0.043), families (p = 0.049) and abundance (p = 0.004) but lower plant species diversity (p = 0.01) than the plantation. The higher plant diversity scenario in teak plantation, shows that a plantation can support a variety of non-teak plant species that existed in the valley before its establishment in any favorable condition
Avifauna community in a threatened conservation landscape, western Tanzania: a baseline
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2023) Mgelwa, A.S; Mpita, M.O; Rija, A.A; Kabalika, Z.; Hassan, S.N
Conservation of avian biodiversity in landscapes under immense anthropogenic pressures is dependent on sound population data that could guide informed conservation strategies. Using point count surveys, field observations and interviews, we assessed bird communities in Lake Rukwa, an anthropogenically threatened ecosystem in western Tanzania, to establish some vital parameters on this taxon. A total of 5840 bird individuals belonging to 85 species, 17 orders and 39 families were recorded. Of these, five were globally threatened and 19 were migrant species. Avian Shannon’s (H’) and Simpson’s (D) diversity indices were 2.936 and 0.8655, respectively. Bird species richness was different across foraging and habitat guilds (both p = 0.0001). Insectivores were the most species-rich foraging guild, while nectarivores were the least; similarly, non-forest birds were the most species-rich habitat guild, while forest generalists were the least. Grazing, bushfires, tree cutting, unsustainable fishing and bird harvesting are the major anthropogenic threats to bird biodiversity in the area. Regular provision of conservation-related education programs to local residents is a highly recommended conservation measure. This study serves as a baseline for avifaunal monitoring in Lake Rukwa and provides useful insights into the avifauna conservation planning in anthropogenically disturbed landscapes.
Diet composition and niche overlap of four sympatric rodent species inhabiting mount Rungwe forest nature reserve, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2022) Richard, U; Byamungu, R.M; Magige, F.
Understanding animal feeding behaviour is key in determining coexistence mechanisms which are vital for conservation and management. The coexistence mechanisms of sympatric species in mount Rungwe are unknown. From 2020 to 2021 a study on the dietary contribution, overlap and niche breadth of four rodents in Mount Rungwe Forest Nature Reserve was conducted. Random sampling was employed with the removal method, whereby captured rodents’ stomachs were removed and their contents analyzed. Dietary contribution, overlap and niche breadth were calculated. All species consume diverse food resources and categories where Beamys hindei had a significantly high number of seeds/grains while Grammomys dolichurus and Lophuromys machangui contained a significantly higher number of invertebrates. Narrow niche breadth was observed for G. dolichurus while Praomys delectorum, L. machangui, and B. hindei had a moderate niche breadth but the dietary overlap was high in all four species. Our results conclude that L. machangui, P. delectorum, and B. hindei can coexist without competition as they have >0.5 niche breadth and high overlap, while G. dolichurus might experience competition because of low niche breadth and food diversity. Further investigation regarding seasonal diet partitioning and micro identification of food items is recommended.
A new diet on the menu: yellow baboon foraging on cassod tree (senna siamea), a trypsin inhibitor legume
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2022) Kitegile, A.S
Cassod (Senna Siamea) which belongs to the family Fabaceae is the fast-growing leguminous tree with prolific seed production. The tree contains trypsin inhibitor proteins which are potentially deleterious to monogastric animals. Feeding behaviour of yellow baboons has been extensively studied in the savannah environment of East Africa. However, none of the study has reported on yellow baboon foraging on Senna siamea, this is the first study reporting on its consumption by yellow baboons in East Africa. We used focal animal sampling to collect data on yellow baboons’ consumption of Senna siamea. Finding from the study indicated that, seeds were the only food parts consumed by yellow baboons from Senna siamea; and they were consumed more in the late dry season and never in the wet season. Seeds were consumed either unprocessed or processed by removing the seed coat. Consumption of proceed seeds were done more by adult females and sub adult males (small bodied individuals) than adult males. It is considered that the climatic changes witnessed around the globe might have provided baboons with wider food choices options and adaptation. Therefore, more studies on baboons’ dietary choices are important for the understanding of their complex ecological adaptations
Ecological correlates of population abundance of a pest small mammal species (mastomys natalensis) inhabiting a protected area-farmland landscape in western Serengeti, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2023) Rwebuga, E.J; Mulungu, L.S.; Rija, A.A; Hassan, S.N.
There is growing recognition of the negative impacts pest mammal species have on food security and the human health. Strategies to reduce these impacts could benefit from results of association of population of the pests to ecological aspects. We assessed how environmental and habitat attributes were associated population abundance of Mastomys natelensis in a landscape interspaced with farmland and protected areas in Western Serengeti. Rodents were trapped through Capture-Mark-Release method between April, 2020 and March, 2021 and estimated density of M. natalensis using the Minimum Number of Animals Known to be Alive (MNA) method. We found density to be significantly higher during dry season and in active farmlands; Both active farmlands and areas with sandy- clay-loam soils were strongly positively associated with higher abundance perhaps because of the increased species activity patterns during searching for food and favourable nesting soils thereby exposing the rodents to the traps. Also, the density tended to be significantly lower in areas with high plant species richness probably because M.natalensis is a pestrous species often in high abundance in areas cleared of vegetation for agricultural activities. These results provide useful inputs towards control strategies to reduce impacts associated with these pests in the rural landscapes.
Foraging in a 3-D world: the influence of body size and sex on vertical and horizontal foraging behaviour of yellow baboons
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2022) Kitegile, A.S; Hassan, S.N
Foraging is among complex animal behaviours, which involve making decisions on what and where to forage, so as to maximize nutritional gain and reduce predation risk. In ungulates, it is known to also be influenced by sexual size dimorphism, however, this is not clear in sexually size dimorphic yellow baboon. Using focal animal sampling techniques, we collected data from habituated troops of yellow baboons to test whether body size and/or sex has influence on their use of vertical and horizontal strata when foraging. Results showed that, yellow baboons foraged more frequently on the ground up to 1 m than beyond this height. However, adult females foraged on the ground significantly more frequently than adult and subadult males. While, adult and subadult males used higher canopy beyond 2 m, more frequently than adult females. Moreover, adult females and subadult males foraged more frequently at the troop centre than adult males. This study concludes that sex and to some extent body size significantly influence foraging decisions of yellow baboon in the use of vertical and horizontal strata. Detailed understanding of spacing behaviour of baboons is recommended as it is important towards better understanding f their complex social life
Trypanosomes infection in rodents and their zoonotic potential from Ruaha ward in Kilosa district, Tanzania
(TAJAS, 2022) Samiji, A.M; Katakweba, A.S; Phiri, E.C
Zoonotic haemoparasites are among of the public health problems that affect human population and are capable of being transmitted from wildlife reservoirs. Study on trypanosomes infection in rodents from Ruaha ward in Kilosa district, Tanzania was carried out on March 2020. The total of 99 individuals of rodents were captured from different localities in Ruaha, using Sherman live traps. Blood samples were collected from supraorbital vein of captured individuals, both thick and thin smears were made, dried and stained with Giemsa at the ratio of 1:10. After washing and drying they were observed under microscope at 100 magnifications with oil immersion for trypanosomes infection. Out of 99 rodents captured there were, Rattus rattus 22 (22.22%), Mastomys natalensis 72 (72.73%), and Aethomys chrysophilus 5 (5.05%). Among the captured rodents, 62 (62.63%) were males and 37 (37.37%) were females. Rattus rattus appeared to be predominant species in resident areas, while Mastomys natalensis followed by Aethomys chrysophilus bieng dominant in fallow and cultivated land areas. The infectious agent (Protozoa) belonging to genus Trypanosoma was found infecting the rodent population. Rattus rattus (n=3/99, 3.03%) were shown to have high prevalence compared to Mastomys natalensis (n=1/99, 1.01%), meanwhile Aethomys chrysophilus (n=0/99, 0.00%) were found not infected with any trypanosomes. The overall prevalence of trypanosomes were (n=4/99, 4.04%), however, captured female rodents were not infected. It is concluded that zoonotic agent (Trypanosoma spp.) are prevalent to rodents in Ruaha ward, hence it is recommended that more survey of trypanosomes infections in rodents are crucial for disease surveillance as the way toward ending Trypanosomiasis by 2030.
Geographic biases in cane rat (thryonomyds) research may impede broader wildlife utilization and conservation in Africa: a systematic review
(Elsevier, 2021) Kilwanila, Shadia I; Msalya, George M; Lyimo, Charles M; Rija, Alfan A
There is a growing body of literature about cane rat species but most of the published work is patchy and current spatial distribution is unknown which limits its wide appli- cation in the utilization of the species for the broader commercial game industry and for improving wildlife conservation across Africa. We conducted a systematic review of 56 years (1964 - 2020) of cane rat research to understand existing research gaps, to analyze the spatiotemporal and thematic patterns, and investigated factors that influence the pub- lication of the cane rat research in widely recognized journal outlets. We found 308 pub- lications on the cane rat species from 14 countries authored by 39 nationalities globally. The publications increased significantly over the study period, with 97.7% of these biased geographically and thematically towards the west and central African region. Further, the published research mostly covered one species, the greater cane rat, and none had covered the biogeography, food biology, and conservation of any of the two cane rat species in situ. Also, the author’s nationality had the strongest influence on publishing the research in journals with or without impact factor. These results suggest that the financial limitation and quality of the research influenced most cane rat research published in local national or regional journals which mostly had limited accessibility for widespread research use to improve applied conservation programs. Expanding coverage of the cane rat research in other species-range countries in the east and southern African regions will be necessary to tap the species as a priority commercial game to reducing exploitation pressure on the wild mammal populations particularly in the African savannas where illegal hunting for bushmeat consumption is a growing problem.
Gender and socio-economic factors influencing domestication of indigenous medicinal plants in the west Usambara mountains, northern Tanzania
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2010) Kideghesho, Jafari R; Msuya, Tuli S
The limited capacity of governments in developing countries to service primary health care has resulted in a rapid increase in use of indigenous medicinal plants. This increase, together with other biological and non-biological factors, has rendered these plants vulnerable to over-use and extirpation. Domestication is a conservation intervention that can relieve pressure on medicinal species. In order to ensure effectiveness and sustainability of an intervention, understanding the influencing factors is imperative. We examined the influence of gender and some socio-economic factors on domestication of medicinal plants in the West Usambara Mountains of northern Tanzania. Participatory wealth ranking, structured and semi-structured interviews, botanical surveys and participant observations were employed in data collection. Results showed that domestication has played a fundamental role in conservation of medicinal plants in the study area. Forty (89%) and twelve (27%) of forty-five indigenous plant species were domesticated on farms and around homesteads, respectively. A total of 89% of respondents (n ¼ 173) had domesticated medicinal plants on their farms and around homesteads. Gender was the most important factor that influenced this practice, with more male-headed than female-headed households involved in the domestication effort. This can be attributed to social and cultural factors that, besides dispossessing women of tenure rights over resources and land, also subject them to heavy workloads and therefore diminish the time available for plant domestication. The number of domesticated medicinal plants also depended on age, affluence, farm size, household size and ethnicity. We recommend that agroforestry research should focus not only on integrating forest plants in farmlands, but also on cultural, socio-economic and institutional aspects affecting the whole system of domestication.
Factors and ecological impacts of wildlife habitat destruction in the Serengeti ecosystem in Northern Tanzania
(2006-04) Kideghesho, Jafari R; Nyahongo, Julius W; Hassan, Shombe N; Tarimo, Thadeo C; Mbije, Nsajigwa E
Despite the considerable worldwide efforts to establish the wildlife protected areas - a strategy construed as the most feasible in maintaining the high quality habitats for healthy wildlife populations - destruction of wildlife habitats has remained the leading threat to biodiversity. This destruction, taking different forms (i.e. degradation, fragmentation or outright loss) is a function of the growing human activities - prompted mainly by such factors as poverty, demographic factors, land tenure systems, inadequate conservation status, development policies and economic incentives. This paper reviews these contributing factors and presents the associated ecological impacts – manifested by a decline of wildlife populations and local extinction of species. Provision of adequate conservation status to critical wildlife habitats, addressing the problem of human population growth, adoption of poverty reduction strategies that are conservation- friendly and discouraging the destructive development policies are recommended as the measures to mitigate the problem. Other measures entail genuine involvement of the local communities in conservation, provision of adequate economic incentives, relevant research and participatory land use planning. In conclusion, the paper argues that, given the nature of the problem, if a lasting solution is to be realized, habitat loss should be viewed as a multisectoral rather than a single sectoral issue. Therefore different stakeholders should play an active role in halting and pre-empting the problem. We propose criteria for selection of the relevant stakeholders
Availability, preference, and consumption of indigenous forest foods in the eastern arc mountains, Tanzania
(Taylor and Francis, 2010) Msuya, Tuli S; Kideghesho, Jafari R.; Mosha, Theobald C. E
We investigated the availability, preference, and consumption of indigenous forest foods in Uluguru North (UNM) and West Usambara Mountains (WUM) of Tanzania. Data collection techniques involved focus group discussion, structured questionnaires, and botanical identification. Results revealed (1) there were 114 indigenous forest food plant species representing 57 families used by communities living adjacent to the two mountains; (2) sixty-seven species supplied edible fruits, nuts and seeds: 24 and 14 species came from WUM and UNM, respectively, while 29 came from both study areas; (3) of the 57 identified vegetable species, 22 were found in WUM only, 13 in UNM only, and 12 in both areas; (4) there were three species of edible mushrooms and five species of roots and tubers; (5) unlike the indigenous roots and tubers, the preference and consumption of indigenous vegetables, nuts, and seeds/oils was higher than exotic species in both study areas; and (6) UNM had more indigenous fruits compared to WUM, although preference and consumption was higher in WUM. We recommend increased research attention on forest foods to quantify their contribution to household food security and ensure their sustainability.

Browse

Recent Submissions