Preliminary economic assessment of water resources of the Pangani River Basin, Tanzania: economic values and incentives

River basinsEconomic analysisDomestic waterIrrigated farmingLivestockPolicyWater supplyFinancing

Preliminary economic assessment of water resources of the Pangani River Basin, Tanzania

River basin managementWater useWater allocationEconomic evaluationDomestic waterIrrigation waterLivestockWater power

Assessing The Suitability Of Partial Equilibrium Modelling In Analyzing The Forest Sector Of Developing Countries: Methodological Aspects With Reference To Tanzania

This paper evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of applying partial equilibrium modeling for forest sector analysis in Tanzania. The aim of the evaluation is to determine the usefulness of this model framework in analyzing the impact of various policies on the development of the forest sector. The structure and specifications of the model, and the data input requirement and availability are examined. The results of a partial equilibrium model are examined against the findings from separate interviews conducted with the main stakeholders in the Tanzania forest sector. Based on the evaluation, the paper gives some recommendations regarding model improvements and areas of future research. The main assumptions of a perfect competitive market hypothesis underlying the Tanzania Trade Model (TTM) are violated especially on the supply of round wood, the existence of monopoly situation in wood-based panels and paper industry, and lack of a competitive transport market. However, there is competition in the domestic market between imports and local manufacturers, and for products such as sawn wood. Despite these violations, the quantitative analyses with the model together with the findings from stakeholders in the forest sector of Tanzania provide some useful lessons on the key deciding factors and the competitiveness of the forest industry products. TJFNC Vol. 76 2007: pp. 11-2

Exploring watershed conservation and water governance along Pangani River Basin, Tanzania

Land Use Policy, 2015; 48 (2015): 351–361tWater scarcity is among the contemporary problems of our time across the globe. The problem is wors-ened by policy failures to enforce water governance and watershed conservation. Consequently, it hascurtailed the capacity of watersheds to release hydrological services, water in particular. We carried outthis study to explore approaches for watershed conservation and investigate water governance challengesin Pangani River Basin, Tanzania. We collected data by using structured questionnaires and meetings withdifferent actors in the study area. We found that retaining riparian vegetation is the appropriate strategyfor watershed conservation and sustainable water flow. Water governance challenges include ineffectiveand uncoordinated water governing institutional structures; and untrustworthy financial management.We feel that building the capacity of water users association could bring about positive outcomes forboth watershed conservation and water governance. We recommend that strategies and policies aimedat improving the flow of hydrological services should also focus on improving the welfare of the localcommunities, who are the primary beneficiaries of water from watersheds

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' 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

Joint Forest Management In Chome Catchment Forest Reserve, Tanzania: The Role Of Socio-Economic And Institutional Factors In Determining Sustainable Forest Conservation

This study was conducted in Chome Catchment Forest Reserve, South Pare Mountains, Tanzania to assess the role of ecological, socio-economic and institutional factors in determining successful implementation of the Joint Forest Management approach. Data were collected through participatory rural appraisal techniques, household questionnaire surveys and key informant interviews. Data on timber resources were based on existing inventories and direct observations. It was observed that the volume of timber resources in the forest is among the highest known for the Eastern Arc forests. Over 72% of this volume consists of high value timber species, making this resource an extremely desirable option for income generation. Household income is at par with other Eastern Arc areas but existing land scarcity is relatively higher. Household plot sizes tend to be as small as (>0.44 ha) with population density of about 13 persons ha-1. Farm plot fragmentation through inheritance is also high. Limited livelihood options, high timber demands and poor resources accessibility are the major drivers of illegal timber harvesting in the reserve by adjacent communities. Illegal timber harvesting was estimated at 100.7 thousand m3 per annum between 1998 and 2001. The implementation of joint forest management, centered on Village Environmental Councils, lacks clear guidelines on institutional responsibilities and duties leading to its failure. A number of other factors including corruption, policing difficulties and inadequate benefit sharing contribute to management failure. It is recommended that joint forest management be developed and implemented in a holistic framework which promotes alternative livelihood options; reduce dependency on forest-based income and strength institutional structures through legal frameworks. It is proposed that the forest sector expand its management approach through adopting a multi-disciplinary approach which incorporates external sectors, particularly agriculture. TJFNC Vol. 76 2007: pp. 1-1

Analysing ecosystem services at watershed scale: implications for conservation in Upper Kikuletwa Sub-Catchment, Tanzania

Catchment forests perform myriad ecological functions including provision of ecosystem services. They are, however, increasingly degraded due to anthropogenic activities in such a way their capacity to regulate and supply watershed services is significantly dwindling. We carried out this study in order to identify and document ecosystem goods and services in Upper Kikuletwa Sub-Catchment, Tanzania. A structured questionnaire was administered so as to solicit socio-economic data. Qualitative data was collected through group focus discussions and formal and informal interviews. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to compare means and MS excel was applied to generate figures. T-test and one-way ANOVA was applied to test the variation between location and across villages. Wild fruits, vegetables, grasses, birds, mushrooms are the ecosystem goods available in the area. Ecosystem services encompass control of soil erosion, climate regulation, water flow regulation, production of hydroelectricity, water purification, etc. The reason for WTP was people’s reliance on irrigated agriculture. We concluded that sustainable supply of ecosystem goods and services in depends largely on how forests and watersheds are conserved. Therefore, we recommend designing of a feasible PWS scheme that could ensure increased and sustainable supply ecosystem goods and services especially water flow for irrigated agriculture.German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD

Conflicts and their management in the use of Miombo woodlands in selected areas of Tanzania

Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation Vol. 77 2008: pp. 9-24Miombo woodlands are increasingly becoming major centres of conflicts due to a variety of causes such as growing populations of both humans and livestock. Research in the area of conflicts in the use of miombo woodlands is more of a recent phenomenon in the wake of these new challenges on natural resource use. This paper is based on research findings from three sites in Tanzania aimed at exploring the nature of conflicts related to the use of miombo woodlands and how these conflicts are managed or resolved. The findings show that the key players in these conflicts are at three levels involving the regulators, the commercial sector, and the local communities. Conflicts involving these parties are complex within and between these parties. Also these conflicts generally differ from site to site due to differences in the factors that generate these conflicts. Factors such as population pressure, economic activities, institutional arrangements, a changing value system and policies, poverty and general awareness on the part of both the local communities and outsiders greatly influence their nature and intensity. Although there are several avenues existing towards conflict management, our experiences from the three sites reveal that only two mechanisms are used across sites. The paper concludes by suggesting areas for further research and the need to have more dynamic policies that accommodate changing situations

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