Influence of climate variability on wetland cultivation: a case of lake Victoria shoreline wetlands in Misungwi district
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Date
2013
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
This study assessed the influence of climate variability on wetland cultivation using a case
of Lake Victoria shoreline wetlands in Misungwi District. Specifically the study assessed
farmers’ awareness of climate variability taking place in the study area, rainfall and
temperature variability and their influence on wetland farming, and lastly assessed wetland
cover changes in relation to increased agricultural activities and climate variability. The
study used information and data collected from four villages selected from three wards
bordering the lake. Primary data were collected by using a semi-structured questionnaire,
key informant interviews checklist and observations. Also secondary data were collected
from different sources. A total of 147 farmers cultivating in wetlands along Lake Victoria
shoreline were interviewed. Furthermore, remotely sensed imageries were used for land
use and land cover mapping within the study area. Quantitative socio-economic
information was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) while
satellite images were analyzed using ERDAS Imagine and ArcView GIS software. Mann-
Kendal test was used to analyse the trends in rainfall and temperature for different years.
Results indicate that rainfall was declining with varying distribution over time. The
intermediate rainfall mainly January and February increased slightly while long rains
decreased over the whole periods. Maximum and minimum Temperature revealed mixed
treads (increasing and decreasing) over the different periods under considerations. The
land cover/use change analysis revealed that for the period 1975-2011, the cultivated land
increased by 15% and open water bodies by 2% while grassland decreased by 11% and
closed forest by 9%. The changes were attributable to overgrazing, agricultural Expansion,
availability of market for horticultural crops and settlements due to population increase as
revealed from interviews. Results revealed that 95.9% of respondents interviewed were aware on climate variability. The study concludes that climate variability have had
influence on wetland cultivation.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Climate variability, Climate change, Wetlands, Wetland farming