Biodiversity information availability and usage in Morogoro, Tanzania
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Date
2010
Authors
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Publisher
Open University of Tanzania.
Abstract
This study was designed to find out and assess available biodiversity information and
usage in Morogoro region. Specifically the study was to identify biodiversity data location
and information holders; classify identified biodiversity information according to their
technological structure and geographical area of coverage; determine the extent to which
the available biodiversity information is used; and recommend the best ways in which
Biodiversity Information Facility can be established in Morogoro and other Tanzanian
regions. The study was implemented in two phases. The first phase involved in depth
literature review. The outputs of first phase were used to choose eight institutions for
comprehensive study in the second phase. The second phase involved questionnaire
survey, interview and participants observations. Collected quantitative data was analysed
using Microsoft Office Excel as spreadsheet, while qualitative data were analysed by using
the content and structural functional analysis techniques. The results revealed that
Morogoro region has at least 25 datasets, of which large proportion of datasets (44%) is
held by research institutions.
Based on studied institutions the findings show that
mammals and birds classes have been studied more than other classes. The results further
show that an average of 72% datasets has been totally or partially digitalised and 80% of
datasets are freely accessible. These findings provide baseline evidence that regional
biodiversity information facility units can be established and function, despite the fact that
potential amount of biodiversity information is still scattered, unreported and inaccessible.
Description
Master's Dissertation
Keywords
Biodiversity, Geographical area, Research institutions, Mammals, Birds classes