Forest cover and use changes under different tenure regimes: a case of “Ngitili” in Meatu District, Tanzania
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Date
2009
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Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Despite the fact that forestland tenure changes occurred in “Ngitili” management systems
in Meatu district Tanzania, no study had been conducted to assess the impacts of these
changes on forest cover, stocking, tree species diversity and use. This study was an
attempt to address this knowledge gap. Spatial, biophysical, and socio-economic data were
collected. The Spatial data were obtained through satellite imageries and ground
verification using a hand held GPS. Biophysical data were collected through woodland
inventory whereas socio-economic data were collected through PRA and a checklist.
Spatial and biophysical data were analyzed by using ERDAS IMAGINE Software and
MS-Excel computer programs respectively. Socio-economic data were analyzed with the
help of the participants as well as through content and structural-functional techniques.
Results show that open land, grassland, bushland and open forest decreased in favour of
semi closed forest after tenure changes in both HASHI and outside HASHI Ngitili”. The
number of stems, volume and basal area per hectare outside HASHI “Ngitili” w'ere 3197
steins/ha, 36.04m3/ha and 6.92m2/ha respectively. “Ngitili” under HASHI were found to
have number of stems, volume and basal'area per hectare of 1233 stems/ha, 20.24 m3/ha
and 6.8 m2/ha respectively. No significant difference was observed in basal area and
volume per hectare between HASHI and outside HASHI “Ngitili”. Furthermore, fodder
which was a dominant product in “Ngitili” for feeding young, seek and oxen animals
before tenure change, changed dramatically to production of wide range of products and
services including timber, thatching materials, hiring grazing rights, gums, firewood and
medicinal herbs after tenure changes in both HASHI and outside HASHI “Ngitili”. The
study concludes by supporting the alternative hypothesis that, forest land tenure changes
have significant impacts on forest cover and use. Furthermore species diversity was
similar in HASHI and outside HASHI areas. The study recommends that, a follow upiii
study is needed to assess the impact of devolution on forest cover change in the future. Furthermore, economic analysis of the products emanating from “Ngitili” need to be done.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Management systems, Forestland tenure, Ngitili, Forest cover, Meatu District, Tanzania