Pedological investigations of sites for slash and burn experiment in Lupilo village and soil erosion studies in Tukuzi village, Mbinga District, Tanzania

It is a report from Miombo Woodland Research Project (MWRP)The study area (Mbinga district) is under the Miombo Woodland zone of Tanzania which are areas that are or at one time were under Miombo Woodlands. Two villages namely Lupilo and Tukuzi were covered in the study at the request of other scientists interested to carry out experiments respectively on "slash and burn" type of agriculture and on soil erosion. Detailed characterization of two sites representative of the two villages was done including general ecological conditions, pedological measurements and soil clay mineralogy.Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA

Pedological characterization, clay Mineralogy and classification of, some Soil of Mikese Area, Morogoro District, Tanzama

Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences1999, Vol. 2(1); 7-18A study was carried out in Mikese Ward, Morogoro District, with the objective to make an inventory·of the soils of the area, to determine their physico-chemical and mineralogical properties and to classify them. Eight soil profiles were identified and form three major groups of soils ·namely, very deep, well drained, dark reddish brown to dark brown, sandy clay loams and sandy clays on the steep convex slopes; very deep, well drained, dark brown to dark red, sandy clay loams and; sandy clays on the linear slopes; and very deep, well and imperfectly drained sa1'1dy loams to sandy clay loams a~q sandy clays in the valley bottoms. The soils of the convex and linear slC?pes classified as Isohyperthermic, deep, mixed, Kanhaplic Haplustalfs and Isohyperthermic, deep, mixed Oxic Ustropepts representin~ a relatively advanced pedogenic development as indicated by high contents of Fe, Al and,Ti and relatively low SiiAI ratios. The soils of the valley bottoms classified as Isohyperthennic, deep, mixed, 'Typic Argiustolls, Isohyperthermic, deep, mixed, Typic Tropaquepts and Isohyperthermic, deep; mixed, Fluventic Ustropepts. These soils are of low to intermediate pedogenic development as indicated by the relatively lower Fe, Al and Ti contents and both high Stand SilAI ratios. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the studied soils have a mixed clay mineralogy including kaolinite and mica. Small amounts of smeciite were identified in one profile with alkaline subsoil reaction. Bulk densities of surface horizons are rela~ tively lower than those of subsoils rangingfrom 1.1 to I. 6 Mglm3 in topsoils andfrom i.4 to i.-9Mglm1 in subsoils. Total porosity rangedfrom 40 to 58% in surface soiis and frbm'28 to,32 % in ~ubsoils. Available water holding capacities of the soils are between 155 and 248 mmlm of soil. The soils IWve overall poor supply of Nand P. The basic catio,!s Ca++, Mg+ + and, K+' are medium to high throughout the profiles. The CEC of the soils is very low with values rangingfroin 6 to 13 cmol(+ J/kg soil). These results imply that continuous utilization of the soils for c;rop production withoutproper management will result into a drastic loss of soil fertility

Institutional arrangements and stakeholder power relations underlying apiculture for conservation of natural resources in west Usambara Mountains,Tanzania

A study was conducted whereby 98 respondents were interviewed out of which 54 were beekeepers while 44 were non –beekeepers. Statistical package SPSS v 16 was used to analyze the data. Age, awareness of national beekeeping policy, awareness of Village land act, number of individual beehives and number of group beehives were significant variables affecting performance of dominant formal institution (Village Natural Resource Committee) at p<0.05 whereas number of individual beehives and number of group beehives owned were significant variables affecting performance of dominant informal institution (cultural practices) at p<0.05. Stakeholder Power Relations were constructed not only through individual position of community members in the kinship hierarchy, but also through social and economic achievement and networks that may be used in gaining access to key resources such as land, woodlands and water

Stakeholders’ views and perceptions on emerging conflicts with respect to apiculture in the western Usambara mountains, Tanzania

The study identified key stakeholders and their interests and analyzed socio-economic factors influencing the perceptions and resource use conflicts of apiculture as an intervention towards improved natural resource management (NRM) by local communities in Lushoto district in Tanzania. Opinions from 98 respondents selected through a purposive, stratified simple random sampling were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that the majority of the farming community (61.4%) perceived apiculture as a reliable source of income and would adopt it as a complementary activity. There was a significant relationship between occurrence of resource use conflicts and age (P = 0.044); nature of conflict (P = 0.006); level of interest (P = 0.038) and duration of residence in the area (0.091). Farmers in the area had favourable perception towards apiculture. Measures should therefore be taken to sustain the favourable attitude of farmers towards apiculture to enhance NRM. In order to promote apiculture industry in Lushoto district, the study recommends a stepped up and focussed approach for mobilisation of beekeepers, capacity building and establishment of coordinated marketing system

Soil and land resources of Morogoro urban district, Tanzania

A semi-detailed characterization of soils ofMorogoro Urban district was carried out to provide a physical resource base for developing suitable programmes on land use planning, agricultural development and natural resources conservation at district level. The generated information would also be used for develop the agricultural land suitability, with a statement of potential and constraints on sustained use of soil and land resources of Morogoro Urban district. Results of the study could also facilitate transfer of agrotechnology from one area to another. Base map for the study was compiled from aerial-photo interpretation and subsequent overlaying on 1:50,000 scale topographic map of the district. A geological map was later on prepared and overlain on the former map to produce a landform and geology map of the district. A tentative working legend based on landforms and geology was developed for the landform and geology map. Field observations on soil morphology and their spatial distribution were carried out following the established landform and geology units. Soils were studied and described according to standard FAO (1990) guidelines. Both disturbed and undisturbed soil horizon samples were taken for laboratory studies including physico-chemical and mineralogical characterization of the soils.Sokoine University of Agricultur

Investigation of environmental factors for Land management in Litembo village, Mbinga District, Tanzania

It is a report from Miombo Woodland Research Project (MWRP)This report describes the natural resources study of Litembo village as part of the continuing project on the assessment of the natural resources of Mbinga district. The study covers measurements of terrain elements, soil physical and chemical properties, land use systems including farming and production systems and an appraisal of the ecological potential and constraints of the village natural resources.Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA

Investigation of the environmental attributes for agricultural development in kitanda village, Mbinga district, Tanzania

Project reportThis report describes the study of environmental attributes of Kitanda village as part of the continuing project on the assessment of the natural resources of Mbinga district. The study involved measurements of terrain elements, quantitative investigations of soil properties, inventory of land use systems and an assessment of the ecological potential and constraints as determined from a balance sheet analysis of resources and land use requirements.Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA

Investigation of environmental factors for Land management in Litembo village, Mbinga District, Tanzania

It is a report from Miombo Woodland Research Project (MWRP)This report describes the natural resources study of Litembo village as part of the continuing project on the assessment of the natural resources of Mbinga district. The study covers measurements of terrain elements, soil physical and chemical properties, land use systems including farming and production systems and an appraisal of the ecological potential and constraints of the village natural resources.Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA

REDD and sustainable development : perspectives from Tanzania

NONEIIED, NORA