DEVELOPMENT OF WOOD FUEL CONSUMPTION PREDICTIVE MODEL IN TANZANIA

This study aimed to develop a wood fuel predictive model that could be used to give information which can be used to manage woodfuel supply with a view foster forest resources stewardship. The paper has briefly defined predictive modelling concepts, highlighted the significance of predictive modelling and described the salient steps involved in constructing predictive models. The paper has explicitly described how the predictive model was developed and validated. In light of the validation results, the paper also highlights the adjustment that has been made to the model to make it more plausible. It is concluded that in the current Tanzanian situation where there is no any model that can be used to predict and/or estimate wood fuel consumption, the developed wood fuel consumption predictive model can be useful in sustainable forest management strategies. Prior to its use, however, the constructed model needs to be further validated and adjusted accordingly using newly collected longitudinal data from the study area. Sufficient data should be collected from the strata (locations) commensurate with those used in the present study

Socio-Economic Determinants of Household Dependency on Forest Resources in Masida Community Forest in Zambezi Region, Namibia

The purpose of the study was to assess the socio-economic determinants of household dependency on forest resources in Masida community forest in Zambezi, Namibia as one of the contributions to the national strategies to ascertain sustainability of the scarce forest resources. A cross-sectional study was conducted during December 2018 to April 2019 using a semi-structured questionnaire, Focus group discussion and key informant’s interview.  A total of 185 randomly sampled household were interviewed. Logistic regression model was used to determine the socio-economic characteristics influencing household forest dependency and a multiple response was used to assess reasons for dependency on the forest. Results shows that age and education level of respondents together with the size of agricultural land owned are some of the socio-economic determinants that significantly (p<0.05) influenced forest dependency. Though the indices of forest dependence are generally low, the forest’s provision of medicine natural ablution function and easy access are among the motives that influence people to depend on the forest in the study area. We recommend the provision of alternative livelihood income such as farming and animal husbandry to alleviate the dependence problem. This can be facilitated by the government and other stakeholders through projects, training and extension services

Households’ woodfuel consumption and deforestation in Morogoro and Songea Districts, Tanzania

There paucity of empirical evidence of deforestation attributable to household wood fuel consumption hampers effective strategy to reduce wood consumption and mitigate climate change impacts.  The objectives of the study were to: (i) obtain households’ characteristics, (ii) determine quantity of charcoal consumption, (iii) determine quantity of firewood consumption, (iv) estimate deforestation due to charcoal consumption; (v) estimate deforestation due to firewood consumption, and (vi) estimate environmental cost of deforestation. Data were collected using household questionnaire survey, focus group discussion, key informant interview, direct measurements of household fuels and researcher’s direct observation. Data were analysed using SPSS and Excel statistical computer programmes. The findings reveal that charcoal consumption is estimated at 3.50±0.26kg/household/day (256±18/capita/year) and firewood consumption at 7.30±0.46 kg/household/day (533±33kg/capita/year). Deforestation attributable to charcoal consumption was 1.20–4.80 (× 10-4) ha/household/day [0.88–3.49 (× 10-2) ha/capita/year]. Deforestation attributable to firewood consumption was 6.85–33.07 (× 10-6) ha/household/day [5.01–24.12 (× 10-4) ha/capita/year].  The net deforestation was 3.37-21.59 ha/household/day. Findings suggested that woodfuel contribute 49% of total deforestation. and cost of deforestation was US$ 6,252,012.  The study recommends that woodfuel production and consumption technologies need improvement

FOREST RESOURCES PERCEIVED IMPORTANCE AND DEPENDENCY IN MASIDA COMMUNITY FOREST, ZAMBEZI REGION, NAMIBIA

The purpose of the study was to examine the perception of people on forest dependency. Specifically, the study assessed the trend of availability and extraction of forest resources over a period of 10 years, since when the Masida Community Forest was established 2007 until 2017, and determined the level of dependence on identified products. A cross-sectional study was conducted in villages of Masida Community Forest using a semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 185 randomly sampled respondents were interviewed. Likert scale questions were used in examining the usefulness, availability and extraction of forest resources, and assessing the level of dependence on forest resources. Results indicate that people depend on the forest for poles, thatch grass, wild fruits, fodder, firewood and medicinal plants. The results on forest usefulness were subjected to the Pearson’s chi-square test which showed that all these four-scaling differed significantly (p < 0.001) across the six villages. On forest products availability 36% of the respondent perceive firewood to be increasing over the past 10 years, 74% decrease of thatch grass while 85% perceive medicinal plants to have remained unchanged over the same span of years. Furthermore 63% of the respondents reported thatch grass and fodder (40%) as decreasing; 55% reported increasing pole and Wild fruits (56%) harvesting; while 79% and 56% of the respondents reported firewood and medicinal plants not to have changed respectively. Study revealed that people’s level of dependence on forest resource for building materials is perceived to be high (82.2%), high on Income (69.7%) and fodder (43.8%), medium on food (46.5%) and medicinal plants (58.4%). It is recommended that Agroforestry, brickmaking and Apiculture be an appropriate conservation intervention to curb the depletion of forest resources in the area

Impacts of Community-Based Forest Management on Governance in Selela Village Forest Reserve, Monduli District, Tanzania

This paper is based on the analysis of the impacts of Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) on forest governance in the western part of Monduli District in Tanzania. The objective was to assess the impacts of CBFM on accountability, transparency, power relations and equitability. Primary data collection involved use of PRA techniques, governance assessment and mapping, multi-stakeholder analysis, checklists, structured questionnaire, and participant observation. Secondary sources such as government reports were used. Microsoft excel and SPSS software were used to analyze quantitative data.  Content and Structural-Functional Analytical tools were applied on qualitative data. A logistic regression analysis model was developed to identify socio-economic factors, influencing performance of institutions in Selela Village Forest Reserve. Accountability, transparency, and equitability statistically (p<0.05), increased the odds of good governance by factors of 5.575, 0.325 and 3.036 respectively. The findings revealed poor transparency in revenue collection and administration, which is attributed to an “elite capture”, which is a formation of a new ‘’social class’’ of corrupt and irresponsible elites. Strategic, institutional and structural powers were observed in the study area. The study concluded that CBFM has negative impact on forest governance; and recommended periodic assessment of CBFM activities

Effects of Participatory Forest Management on Livelihoods of Communities Adjacent to Forests in Redd+ Pilot Areas of Mufindi, Iringa Rural and Mbozi Districts, Tanzania

Participatory Forest Management (PFM) has been introduced as a strategy for sustainable forest management. The extent to which forests managed under PFM strategies contribute to the livelihoods of its adjacent communities remains poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to (i) analyse socio-economic characteristic of respondents in the study area (ii) assess forest products accessed by the communities living adjacent to the forests, (iii) analyse the local communities’ perception on the importance of forests under PFM to their livelihoods and (iv) analyse socio-economic factors influencing the households’ perception on the importance of PFM. Methods of data collection were household survey, direct observations, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Data analysis was done using chi-square analysis and binary logistic regression. Findings revealed that χ2 test on the importance of PFM forests (compared to non-PFM forests) was statistically significant. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that household size was a statistically significant factor influencing the household’s perception on the importance of PFM forests on livelihoods. We conclude that PFM forests are perceived to have positive effects on their livelihoods. Further studies are recommended explicitly to paint a picture on benefits attributable to PFM

Dynamics of Timber Value Chain in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania

The dynamics of the timber value chain in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania well known. The study strove to identify key actors, their roles, functions, and interactions in various nodes along the timber value chain. Data were collected using key informants’ interview, focus group discussions and researchers’ direct observation. The study identified various value chain nodes: land, inputs, production, harvesting, processing, transportation, and marketing. Actors of the timber value chain identified were village government, villagers, tree growers, seedlings producers, middle-men, institutions, district government, traders, saw millers, and porters. The paper describes points out outstanding differences and similarities across the three study districts. Results revealed that there was a considerable variation (dynamics) in the study districts in terms of seedlings quality, tending operations, timber harvesting age, transportation modes, distance from the market, marketing aspects, government regulations and taxations. Further, the governance of value chain in the study areas was examined and issues related to regulations, quality and standard setting are described. The paper recommends that one-size-fits-all approach should not be used to address existing challenges of the value chain. The paper finds it prudent to use location-specific initiatives to improve timber value chain in the study area