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

Institutional and land use dynamics of Chagga homegardens in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

This study examined the dynamics of institutions in managing homegardens and land use changes in the pre- and post-independence Tanzania, specifically by the Chagga people, dwellers of slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro. Socio-economic data were collected using household questionnaires, key informants, checklist and focus group discussions. Spatial data were analyzed by using ERDAS Imagine 2011 and ArcGIS 10.0 software programs. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics respectively. Results indicate a decline in importance of informal institutions due to changes in political landscape from the pre- to the post-independence era. We observed, through land cover change between 1987and 1995 and between 1995-2013 that the Chagga homegardens declined in size by 70.42%, a trend that is likely to continue. We conclude that changes that have taken place in management of the home gardens is an alarm calling for strategies to protect the traditional agro forestry practices that have contributed significantly to livelihood and food security of the communities. We recommend that homegarden land use systems be identified, protected and promoted to tap the rich indigenous knowledge and skills that were used in balancing and sustaining agricultural production, food and livelihood security with environmental conservation

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

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

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

Institutional changes in management of Common Pool Resources (CPR) in Eastern Same Tanzania: Challenges and opportunities

During the last four decades Tanzania has witnessed several macro and sectoral policy changes with a trickle down effect, shaping both the management of CPR and livelihoods of resource users and other stakeholders. The study was carried out in the eastern part of Same district, focusing on the highland-lowland CPR interaction among the Maasai pastoralists and the Pare who are predominantly farmers. The main objective was to analyse institutional changes underlying the management of CPR and the factors driving the change with emphasis to resources such as forest, water for irrigation and grazing lands. The theoretical approach for the study is based on Hardin characterization of the tragedy of the commons which is the basic problem of CPR management and the way contemporary scholars such as Ostrom and other researchers have tried to approach the problem. Primary data collection involved the use of anthropological methods and socio- economic surveys employing household questionnaires, key informant interviews, oral histories and participants observation. Secondary sources such as government reports were also used. The results indicate that institutional changes have resulted into resource use conflicts and the challenge is that these conflicts have been increasing. The types of conflicts included micro-macro conflicts between conservation authorities and resource users, inter-micro micro conflicts between farmers and between farmers and herders and intra-micro micro conflicts between people in the same family or household. The factors that increased the likelihood of institutional changes included political, technological and distance to markets. The study recommends ecosystem based institutional framework that is capable of accommodating the changes, improving people’s welfare and sustainable management of the CPR in the study area. The opportunity that is presented by the current policy changes where power is devolved to local resource users and stakeholders can be utilized to achieve the desired goals of sustainable management of the CPR