Optimizing biomass in community based forest management for climate change mitigation a case study of Iringa region, Tanzania

PhD ThesisThis study was conducted in Iringa Region, Southern Highlands of Tanzania. The objective was to optimize biomass under Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) in miombo woodlands for climate change mitigation and local livelihoods. By using optimization techniques with the aid of Excel solver computer software the optimization was performed. Six forest management options were created; (1) Business as usual (BAU), (2) Community Based Forest Management (CBFM), (3) total protection for carbon credit (CCO), (4 ) strict quota (SQ), (5 ) medium quota (QM), ( 6) loose quota (LQ) on miombo woodlands extraction.The study sought optimal biomass management options from local community point of view considering financial returns, CO2 storage and sequestration and forest product extraction. Data were collected using pre-tested and pilot-tested questionnaires, direct observations, interviews and focus group discussions. Ecological datawere collected through satellite images for before and after CBFM intervention to provide extent of miombo woodland cover change while forest inventory techniques from with and without CBFM intervention provided status of biomass improvement.Accordingly the study explored the state of art in miombo woodland management; and growth and carbon storage potentials, presented as paper I. In addition the study examined land use and cover change in miombo woodlands as influenced by community based forest management and its implication to climate change mitigation paper II. It was revealed that carbon stock improved significantly under CBFM compared to BAU (P<0.05). The cover change and land use analysis showed increase in cover density after CBFM than before, with decreasing unsustainable utilization. The improved carbon stock was subjected to the emerging voluntary carbon market and its implication on local livelihoods established (paper III). The carbon project feasibility analysis showed carbon trading is feasible based on internal rate of return and therefore carbon business is worth doing than ignoring (paper IV). Optimized biomass for carbon stock in miombo woodlands under CBFM developed as manuscript to be published (paper V). Based on this study biomass under CBFM is thus recommended to be optimized in addressing both climate change and livelihood challenges.Climate Change, Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation (CIAM) Program and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT

Optimizing biomass in community based forest management for climate change mitigation a case study of Iringa region, Tanzania

PhD ThesisThis study was conducted in Iringa Region, Southern Highlands of Tanzania. The objective was to optimize biomass under Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) in miombo woodlands for climate change mitigation and local livelihoods. By using optimization techniques with the aid of Excel solver computer software the optimization was performed. Six forest management options were created; (1) Business as usual (BAU), (2) Community Based Forest Management (CBFM), (3) total protection for carbon credit (CCO), (4 ) strict quota (SQ), (5 ) medium quota (QM), ( 6) loose quota (LQ) on miombo woodlands extraction.The study sought optimal biomass management options from local community point of view considering financial returns, CO2 storage and sequestration and forest product extraction. Data were collected using pre-tested and pilot-tested questionnaires, direct observations, interviews and focus group discussions. Ecological datawere collected through satellite images for before and after CBFM intervention to provide extent of miombo woodland cover change while forest inventory techniques from with and without CBFM intervention provided status of biomass improvement.Accordingly the study explored the state of art in miombo woodland management; and growth and carbon storage potentials, presented as paper I. In addition the study examined land use and cover change in miombo woodlands as influenced by community based forest management and its implication to climate change mitigation paper II. It was revealed that carbon stock improved significantly under CBFM compared to BAU (P<0.05). The cover change and land use analysis showed increase in cover density after CBFM than before, with decreasing unsustainable utilization. The improved carbon stock was subjected to the emerging voluntary carbon market and its implication on local livelihoods established (paper III). The carbon project feasibility analysis showed carbon trading is feasible based on internal rate of return and therefore carbon business is worth doing than ignoring (paper IV). Optimized biomass for carbon stock in miombo woodlands under CBFM developed as manuscript to be published (paper V). Based on this study biomass under CBFM is thus recommended to be optimized in addressing both climate change and livelihood challenges.Climate Change, Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation (CIAM) Program and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT

POTENTIAL OF VOLUNTARY CARBON MARKETS FOR IMPROVED CARBON STOCK IN COMMUNITY BASED FOREST MANAGEMENT OF MIOMBO WOODLANDS, TANZANIA

Community based forest management reduce deforestation and forest degradation in many developing countries including Tanzania. However, the success is threatened by limited alternative economic activities to support local livelihoods. The emerging global voluntary carbon markets aim to deliver multiple benefits including biodiversity; carbon offset and poverty reduction. Despite of its pronounced success, community based forest management of miombo woodlands has not been well explored in light of growing global voluntary carbon markets. The markets can be harnessed to provide alternative income for local livelihoods. This study investigated four community based forests verse vies three proximity open access forests in Southern Highlands, Tanzania. It was found that carbon stock ranges from 66.51tCO2/ha to 168.27tCO2/ha at a mean of 131.60tCO2/ha (SD 74.21) in community based forest managed sites. The proximate open access forests have 18.11tCO2/ha to 92.01tCO2/ha with a mean of 36.38tCO2/ha (SD 9.14). The rate of carbon stock improvement also ranged from 27.69tCO2/ha/yr to 126.38tCO2/ha/yr based on management effectiveness and forest condition.&nbsp; The improvement provide potential net income of 6,233.18$/yr to 327,027.75$/yr if sold at lowest price of 5$/tCO2e. Given the limited economic opportunity available in miombo woodlands, just 50% of this net income could be useful to promote alternative livelihood activities to local community

Review Article Management, Growth, and Carbon Storage in Miombo Woodlands of Tanzania

Despite the local livelihoods support function provided by miombo woodlands of Tanzania under participatory forest management, its growth still has potential for carbon storage and sequestration attractive to REDD+ initiatives. This study has revealed the average growth to be significant, despite the local community livelihoods support function. However, climate change mitigation strategy needs to be more innovative to optimize carbon storage and local livelihoods&apos; potentials in forest-dependent communities like miombo woodlands. Carbon credits resulting from the increased carbon stock and sequestration should contribute to sustainable development. This should also help promote participatory forest management and secure miombo woodland products and services upon which billions of people depend

Feasibility of Community Management of Miombo Woodlands for Carbon Project in Southern Highlands of Tanzania

In response to the pressing global challenges of climate change, community based management of miombo woodlands in Tanzania is promoted for carbon credit project development. However, evidence on its feasibility is scanty and questionable. This study examined the economic feasibility of carbon credit project development in community based forest management (CBFM) using four similar miombo woodlands from Southern highlands. The analysis was based on 144 sample plots from managed woodlands and 100 plots from business as usual (BAU) (open access). Allometric equation was applied to convert biomass to carbon per hectare. Improved carbon stock was determined and its economic value ascertained based on global voluntary carbon markets. Project feasibility analysis was performed using discounted cash flow, internal rate of return, and benefits/costs methods. Annual opportunity cost and variable costs were subtracted from total revenue to obtain annual net profit. The annual rate of return on investment was calculated by dividing profits by total costs. It was revealed that carbon stock improved significantly in CBFM compared to BAU (P<5%). The improvement had positive net present value and benefit-cost ratio of 1.83. Moreover, sensitivity analysis showed that if any unexpected situation occurs, the project will still be of worthiness. The findings are useful to enrich the debate on carbon credit development under community based management of miombo woodlands in Tanzania

The land use and cover change in miombo woodlands under community based forest management and its implication to climate change mitigation: a case of Southern Highlands of Tanzania

In Tanzania, miombo woodland is the most significant forest vegetation with both ecological and socioeconomic importance. The vegetation has been threatened from land use and cover change due to unsustainable utilization. Over the past two decades, community based forestmanagement (CBFM) has been practiced to address the problem.Given the current need to mitigate global climate change, little is known on the influence of CBFM to the land use and cover change in miombo woodlands and therefore compromising climate change mitigation strategies. This study explored the dynamic of land use and covers change and biomass due to CBFM and established the implication to climate change mitigation.The study revealed increasing miombo woodland cover density with decreasing unsustainable utilization. The observed improvement in cover density and biomass provides potential for climate change mitigation strategies. CBFM also developed solidarity, cohesion, and social control of miombo woodlands illegal extraction.This further enhances permanence, reduces leakage, and increases accountability requirement for carbon credits. Collectively with these promising results, good land use plan at village level and introduction of alternative income generating activities can be among the best options to further reduce land use change and biomass loss in miombo woodlands.This article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/459102Tanzanian and Norwegian government

Early performance of Casuarina junghuhniana provenances / land races at Lushoto, Tanzania: scientific paper

A trial involving 21 provenances form Indonesia and 7 ";local"; seed sources of Casuarina junghuhniana was established at Lushoto, Tanzania in March 1997. At 22 and 48 months of age, the following characteristics were assessed: survival, root collar diameter (RCD), breast height diameter (DBH) and height. The following were only assessed at 48 months of age: stem volume, biomass production and foliar nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrient concentration and content. At all assessment occasions except for height (22 months of age), N and P concentration and P content (48 months of age), significant provenance/land race variation was observed for the rest of the characteristics studied. At 48 months of age, the four best performing seed sources were: Mt. Bromo, East Java; Mt. Pohen, Bali; KARI, Muguga, Kenya and Mt. Brumo, East Java while the four worst performing ones were: Kapan, Kumpang, Timor; 25 km S.W.Soe, Timor; Noelmina River, Timor and Buat, Soe, Timor. Although these results are based on early performance of the seed sources, the promising seed sources are recommended for pilot planting at Lushoto and similar sites. Further evaluation is however, necessary to confirm the best provenances/land races. Southern African Forestry Journal No.194 2002: 7-1