The Importance of Frame Participation in Rehabilitating Regarded Uluguru Mountain Slopes: The Experiences from Magadu and Towero Villages in Morogoro Region, Tanzania

The land of the Uluguru mountain slopes located above the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) main campus is characterized by degraded poor soils with deep gullies endangering the University infrastructures and the lives of the local people. To curb further damage to the environment, SUA initiated the Uluguru Mountain Integrated Soil Conservation Project (UMISCP). Farmers from two villages were involved from the beginning in carrying out rehabilitation and land management activities. Through participation, farmers identified themselves with the project and were able to determine and implement the strategies deemed relevant for rehabilitating the degraded areas. The strategies which were used to involve farmers and the achievements attained due to farmer participation in the project are described in this article. Authors are of the opinion that some of the experiences encountered could provide lessons to similar development oriented projects

Human Influences on Tree Diversity and Composition of a Coastal Forest Ecosystem: The Case of Ngumburuni Forest Reserve, Rufiji, Tanzania

This paper reports on the findings of an ecological survey conducted in Ngumburuni Forest Reserve, a biodiversity rich forest reserve within the coastal forests of Tanzania. The main goal of this study was to determine the influence of uncontrolled anthropogenic activities on tree species diversity and composition within the forest ecosystem. It was revealed that economic activities including logging, charcoaling, and shifting cultivation were the most important disturbing activities affecting ecological functioning and biodiversity integrity of the forest. Further to this, we noted that the values of species diversity, composition, and regeneration potential within the undisturbed forest areas were significantly different from those in heavily disturbed areas. These observations confirm that the ongoing human activities have already caused size quality degradation of useful plants, enhanced species diversification impacts to the forest ecosystem, and possibly negatively affected the livelihoods of the adjacent local communities. Despite these disturbances, Ngumburuni forest reserve still holds important proportions of both endemic and threatened animal and plant species. The study suggests urgent implementation of several conservation measures in order to limit accessibility to the forest resources so as to safeguard the richness and abundance of useful biodiversity stocks in the reserve

Growth of second rotation Pinus patula stands: effect of intercropping with Leucaena diversiforlia legume at Shume Forest Plantations Project, Tanzania.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Leucaena diversifolia on the growth of second rotation Pinus patula stands as one of the options for increasing growth and yield. The trial was conducted at Shume Forest Plantations Project, Lushoto, Tanga, Tanzania. Site preparation was done through clearing of the harvested first rotation stands, burning of the logging slash, followed by complete cultivation. Nursery raised potted seedlings of the Pinus patula were planted in 1997 at a spacing of 3 m × 3 m within each plot, while those of Leucaena diversifolia were interplanted in alternating rows in 1998, followed by complete weeding twice a year. A Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with three replications was adapted. Total tree height and diameter at breast height (dbh) were measured in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and analyzed for growth. Within the limits of the present study, the results on the cumulative growth performance of the second rotation pine plantations in their pure stands were, generally superior to those recorded in the mixtures with Leucaena trees - mainly resulting from the underground competition for limited nutrient resources. The mean cumulative heights were 3.67, 4.82, 5.58 and 7.77 m in pure stands and 3.64, 4.71, 5.55 and 7.60 m in the mixtures while the corresponding diameters were 4.74, 6.95, 9.78, 12.39 cm and 4.65, 6.69, 8.64, 11.41 cm for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th years of assessment respectively. The corresponding 1st, 2nd and 3rd annual height increments were 1.15, 0.76, 2.19 m and 1.07, 0.84, 2.05 m with annual diameter increments being 2.21, 2.83, 2.61 cm and 2.04, 1.95, 2.77 cm respectively. Although, within the time limits of the present study, the anticipated beneficial effects of the Leucaena legumes in promoting the growth of none leguminous plantation trees were not indicated in terms of cumulative growth, they were clearly manifested in the fourth year of annual increment trends. These results should, therefore, be treated as preliminary and an extended monitoring protocol is recommended to give room for the observed emergence of favorable effects, through the annual increment trends, to translate into positive cumulative growth expected to manifest within the first half of the pine\'s 25-30 years rotation age. TJFNC Vol. 76 2007: pp. 110-11

Control of soil erosion in mzinga river catchment In the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania: Approaches and practices

Tanzania Journal for Population studies and Development, 2009, 16 (1)Soil erosion is a serious problem in Tanzania that leads to land degradation and rapid siltation of water reservoirs and water supply structures. This paper presents findings from a project initiated in 2003/2004 to rehabilitate the Mzinga River Catchment. The objective of the project was to rehabilitate the highly degraded catchment in order to improve peoples’ economic well being by imparting knowledge of raising tree seedlings in nurseries, growing forest and fruit trees, practicing agroforestry, and by establishing mechanical conservation works. The catchment conservation approach adopted was land user free choice in collaboration with community conservation committee and other key stake holders. Soil erosion measurements were done on fields, fallow lands, and semi-natural vegetation areas to monitor land use practices that contribute greatly to catchment degradation. Sediment yield modelling was done to determine rates of sediment yields from the catchment. The study results show very high soil erosion rates (up to more than 33 tons/ha) on agricultural lands, and sediment yields from the Mzinga river catchment of about 17 tons/ha per year. The study showed that conservation activities need extension to overcome the bad historical experiences of the communities in the catchment area, and to have more farmers adopting appropriate soil conservation measures after demonstrated increased productivity and economic benefits that will be achieved through good land husbandry practices and planted forest and fruit trees