A guideline for the formation of sub-national climate-smart agriculture alliances in Tanzania

About the guideline: This document summarizes recommendations on best practices on how to form and operationalize of sustainable sub-national Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) alliances for CSA actors in Tanzania. These are based on the experience and recommendations of existing District CSA Alliances and views from selected CSA actors in the country. It seeks to support ongoing efforts in the country to promote the adoption of CSA practices and technologies

Characterization of some typical soils of the miombo woodland ecosystem of Kitonga Forest Reserve, Iringa, Tanzania: physico-chemical properties and classification

Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology A Volume 4, Number 3, March 2014Despite the fact that miombo woodland soils have significant implications in global climate change processes, few studies have been done to characterize and classify the soils of the miombo woodland ecosystem of Tanzania. The current study was carried out to map and classify soils of Kitonga Forest Reserve, which is a typical miombo woodland ecosystem, in order to generate relevant information for their use and management. A representative study area of 52 km2 was selected and mapped at a scale of 1:50,000 on the basis of relief. Ten representative soil profiles were excavated and described using standard methods. Soil samples were taken from genetic soil horizons and analyzed in the laboratory for physico-chemical characteristics using standard methods. Using field and laboratory analytical data, the soils were classified according to the FAO-World Reference Base (FAO-WRB) for Soil Resources system as Cambisols, Leptosols and Fluvisols. In the USDA-NRCS Soil Taxonomy system the soils were classified as Inceptisols and Entisols. Topographical features played an important role in soil formation. The different soil types differed in physico-chemical properties, hence exhibit differences in their potentials, constraints and need specific management strategies. Texture varied from sandy to different loams; pH from 5.1 to 5.9; organic carbon from 0.9 g/kg to 20 g/kg; and CEC from 3 cmol/(+)kg to 24 cmol/(+)kg. Sustainable management of miombo woodlands ecosystem soils requires reduced deforestation and reduced land degradation

Characterization of some typical soils of the miombo woodland ecosystem of Kitonga Forest Reserve, Iringa, Tanzania: physico-chemical properties and classification

Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology A Volume 4, Number 3, March 2014Despite the fact that miombo woodland soils have significant implications in global climate change processes, few studies have been done to characterize and classify the soils of the miombo woodland ecosystem of Tanzania. The current study was carried out to map and classify soils of Kitonga Forest Reserve, which is a typical miombo woodland ecosystem, in order to generate relevant information for their use and management. A representative study area of 52 km2 was selected and mapped at a scale of 1:50,000 on the basis of relief. Ten representative soil profiles were excavated and described using standard methods. Soil samples were taken from genetic soil horizons and analyzed in the laboratory for physico-chemical characteristics using standard methods. Using field and laboratory analytical data, the soils were classified according to the FAO-World Reference Base (FAO-WRB) for Soil Resources system as Cambisols, Leptosols and Fluvisols. In the USDA-NRCS Soil Taxonomy system the soils were classified as Inceptisols and Entisols. Topographical features played an important role in soil formation. The different soil types differed in physico-chemical properties, hence exhibit differences in their potentials, constraints and need specific management strategies. Texture varied from sandy to different loams; pH from 5.1 to 5.9; organic carbon from 0.9 g/kg to 20 g/kg; and CEC from 3 cmol/(+)kg to 24 cmol/(+)kg. Sustainable management of miombo woodlands ecosystem soils requires reduced deforestation and reduced land degradation

Predictor variables for soil organic carbon contents in the Miombo woodlands ecosystem of Kitonga forest reserve, Tanzania

Few studies have established the variables which adequately predict SOC storage in the Miombo woodlands. Multiple regression analysis was used to establish the variables which could predict SOC contents in dominant soils of the Miombo woodlands of Kitonga Forest Reserve, Tanzania. Thirty soil mini-pits located at different elevations across a topographical gradient were selected, geo-referenced, excavated and samples from the natural horizons were collected for physico-chemical analysis. A total of 85 samples were collected, each representing a natural soil horizon. The results indicated that total nitrogen (TN), (P< 0.001, R2 = 0.97) and TN in combination with calcium (Ca) (P< 0.001, R2 = 0.99) were important predictor variables of SOC contents. The combination of cation exchange capacity, Zinc, Copper, clay and iron together with TN and Ca predicted well the SOC contents (P< 0.001, R2 = 0.999). Considering time and cost implications for field and laboratory analysis in predicting SOC stocks, the combination of TN and Ca that predicted the SOC contents by 99% provided equally strong prediction when compared to the combination of all the variables. Thus, proper land management strategies which enhance conservation of TN and Ca in concert would provide adequate prediction of SOC contents in soils.This article is available at http://www.internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ijasThe Climate Change Impacts Adaptation and Mitigation (CCIAM) programme under NORAD support

Soil organic carbon stocks in the dominant soils of the Miombo woodland ecosystem of Kitonga Forest Reserve, Iringa, Tanzania

Few studies have determined the soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in the Miombo woodlands ecosystem in Tanzania. Standard field and laboratory procedures were used to evaluate SOC storage in the Miombo woodlands ecosystem of Kitonga Forest Reserve Iringa, Tanzania. A study area of 52 km 2 was selected and ten soil profiles were studied. Representative sampling points were geo-referenced and soil samples collected from natural horizons to the depth of 60 cm. Results show that the total soil organic carbon stocks in soil profiles varied from 19.4 to 28.9 Mg C ha-1 in leptosols; from 45.6 to 80.1 Mg C ha-1 in fluvisols; and from 33.9 to 134.6 Mg C ha-1 in cambisols. The SOC increased significantly (p< 0.05) with increasing elevation, horizon thickness and % clay, but it decreased significantly (p< 0.05) with increasing slope gradient and increasing % sand. The areal distribution of the soil types was 61%, for cambisols, 19% for leptosols, 11% for fluvisols and 9% for natural forest which was not surveyed because of inaccessibility. Proper management of Miombo woodlands would increase the SOC storage and contribute to climate change regulation.This article is available at http://www.journalissues.orgThe Climate Change Impacts Adaptation and Mitigation (CCIAM) programme under NORAD suppor

Potential of carbon storage in major soil types of the Miombo woodland ecosystem, Tanzania: A review

This review was undertaken to explore the potential of soils to sequester and store large quantities of carbon (C) in the form of soil organic carbon (SOC) from the view point of global climate change regulation and reduced CO2 emissions. Miombo woodland forest soils are an important sink of atmospheric C. The major soils found in the Miombo woodlands include: Cambisols (Inceptisols), Leptosols, and Fluvisols (Entisols), Luvisols (Alfisols), Acrisols (Ultisols), Ferralsols (Oxisols), and Vertisols (FAO-WRB classification system and USDA- Soil Taxonomy). The soils differed in physico-chemical properties and exhibited differences in morphological characteristics, nutrient status and SOC storage, suggesting a remarkable variation in potential, constraints and management strategies for the different soil types. The review underscored the potential of soils as one among the important strategies in fighting against climate change due to the presence of soil humus that stabilizes soil organic carbon for a long period of time. Overall, Miombo woodland soils have a high potential for storing substantial SOC stocks. Miombo are composed of different tree species (average of 45 species per biome) with differences in C storage capacity. Thus, strengthening land/forest conservation could lead to build up of SOC stocks that would contribute to global climate change regulation.This article is available at http://acascipub.com/Journals.ph