The effects of different grazing intensities on soil properties in Miombo Woodlands of Tanzania
| dc.contributor.author | Mchelu, Hadija Ahmad | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-11-01T09:20:51Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-11-01T09:20:51Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-05 | |
| dc.description | MSc Dissertation | |
| dc.description.abstract | This study was conducted at Miombo woodlands in Tanzania to enhance the sustainability of miombo woodlands in response to the increasing grazing pressure in miombo woodlands, driven by agricultural expansion, population growth, and rising demand for livestock products, has led to soil degradation, land scarcity, and socio-economic conflicts among land users. The study aimed to evaluate dynamics of selected soil physical and Soil organic carbon under different grazing intensities for sustainability of Miombo woodlands. The research used a purposive sampling and random sampling design. Grazing intensity was evaluated through two approaches: livestock stocking rates based on official records and a scoring method derived from field observations. Soil organic carbon (SOC) content was determined from topsoil samples collected from 188 plots whereas soil hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) and underground Water movement was estimated in 117 of these plots. Statistical analysis was carried out using R® software version 4.4.2, using Linear Mixed-Effects Models (LMM) and Gamma Generalized Linear Mixed-Effects Models (GLMM) with a random intercept. The results showed a slight agreement (k=0.14) between the stocking rate and scoring methods on classification of grazing intensities. Significant positive effects of increasing grazing intensity GI were observed on bulk density (BD) and preferential flow (P<0.001), while significant negative effects (P<0.001) were observed on SOC, (Kfs), percentage dye cover, and uniform infiltration flow. The mean SOC ranged from 2.38 ± 0.84% under light grazing intensity to 1.42 ± 0.75% under high grazing intensity. Kfs showed a mean range of 100.08-± 65.56 mmhr-1 under light grazing intensity to 27.28 ± 22.99 mmhr-1 under high grazing intensity, while BD ranged from 1.64 ± 0.12 gcm-3 under high grazing intensity to 1.34 ± 0.17 g cm-3 under light grazing intensity. The study recommends developing and implementing proper sustainable livestock management practices made to the specific conditions of Miombo ecosystems. Adhering to sustainable | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | The Swedish Research Council | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/6424 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Sokoine University of Agriculture | |
| dc.subject | Grazing | |
| dc.subject | preferential flow | |
| dc.subject | soil organic carbon | |
| dc.subject | uniform infiltration depth | |
| dc.title | The effects of different grazing intensities on soil properties in Miombo Woodlands of Tanzania | |
| dc.type | Thesis |