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The implication of water accessibility challenges to urban water governance in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania
No full textResearch articleThis study investigates water accessibility challenges in urban and peri-urban areas and its
implication to urban water governance in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania. A cross-sectional
research design was adopted using a survey of 90 randomly selected households. The key
informant interview was used to collect key information. Quantitative data were analyzed using
descriptive statistics. The Mann-Whitney U Test was employed to establish the extent to which
factors affected water accessibility differently in urban and peri-urban areas. Content analysis was
used to analyse qualitative information. Approximately 69% of the respondents accessed water
from public piped water system. Some accessed water from public water taps while others used
private boreholes and tank carts. Water supply, more so in peri-urban areas, was not reliable. In
addition, water leakage, cost of connecting to the public piped water system, cost for constructing
a borehole, climatic and environmental factors piled up into challenges of water accessibility
suggesting poor urban water governance. The Mann-Whitney U Test showed that households in
peri-urban areas were significantly affected by the challenges compared to households in urban
areas at 5% level of significance where p = 0.000. The study concludes presence of challenges in
water access due to multiple factors with implications on urban water governance. Therefore,
urban water governance should be improved to heighten water accessibility. Further studies
should focus on developing an urban water governance framework in Tanzania
Organophosphorus pesticide residues in tomatoes: a case of Mlali and Doma wards in Mvomero district, Morogoro
No full textJournal ArticleExtensive pesticide use poses a significant challenge to Tanzania's horticulture industry,
particularly affecting the leading tomato producer, the Morogoro region. This study focused on
assessing organophosphorus pesticide residues in tomatoes from Mlali and Doma divisions in
the Mvomero district of Morogoro. A total of 40 samples were collected from both farms and
markets for analysis, utilizing Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for extract
analysis. Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) Version 9.1 was employed for data analysis. The study
identified six organophosphorus pesticides, with concentrations in the following order: pirimiphos
methyl > diazinon > fenitrothion > dimethoate > profenofos > chlorpyrifos. Pirimiphos methyl
levels ranged from 3.32±0.03 to 9.53±0.05 μg/kg in Mlali samples and 0.20±0.01 to 6.33±0.03 μg/
kg in Doma samples. Chlorpyrifos was detected in the lowest concentrations across all samples.
Interestingly, higher pesticide levels were found in market samples compared to those from farms,
suggesting potential misuse post-harvest and during distribution. This misuse could have severe
consequences for tomato consumers, including both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects.
The study underscores the importance of educating farmers on the proper use of pesticides and the
potential adverse effects resulting from their misuse. Addressing this issue is crucial for ensuring
the safety of tomatoes in the market and protecting consumers from harmful effects associated with
pesticide residues
Large-scale estimation and mapping of forest biodiversity indicators and ecological threats in the West Usambara montane forests
No full textMSc. in ForestryAssessment of the indicators of forest biodiversity, such as tree species diversity,
evenness, and richness, is crucial for monitoring and managing forest
ecosystems. Quantifying the relationship between environmental factors, such as
topography, soil, and climate, and tree species diversity and distribution is also
critical for understanding the pattern of the indicators of forest biodiversity and
informing conservation efforts.
Various studies have therefore, shown that environmental factors can significantly
influence tree species diversity and distribution in forest ecosystems, with
topography and soil moisture being important predictors of forest structure and
species richness. Such factors have also been used to develop models for large
scale predictions under different environmental conditions. However, in the recent
decades, remote sensing based had been considered to be as one among the
tools for facilitating the assessment of tree species diversity and distribution
patterns across large areas of dense montane tropical forests. By modelling the
relationship between remotely sensed data and tree species diversity, these
techniques can help identify priority areas for conservation and guide
management strategies. Furthermore, remotely sensed based techniques had
useful in assessing ecological threats such as wildfire which essentially play a
significant role in shaping the structure and composition of tropical forests.
This thesis consists of three manuscripts that assessed indicators of forest
biodiversity in the West Usambara montane forests of Tanzania. The first
manuscript aimed to determine the role of environmental factors on tree species
composition and diversity in the West Usambara montane forests. The field data
were collected through a two-phase systematic sampling approach, and
environmental data were obtained from USGS, ISRIC, and NCCS for
topographic, soil and climate respectively. The second manuscript aimed to
assess the potential use of remotely sensed data to model and monitor forest
biodiversity in the study area. The study computed field diversity, predicted
diversity using GAM and XGBoost models for Sentinel 2 and PlanetScope
imagery, and compared the efficiency of the sensors and models. The third
manuscript aimed at studying the post fire recovery of forest composition and
structure. It assessed the difference in structure and composition between burnt
and unburnt areas and lastly burnt area mapping was conducted.The results grouped the 183 identified tree species into three distinct forest
communities using cluster analysis. Indicator species analysis identified species
significantly associated with each community, like Dombeya burgessiae in the
higher elevation community. Environmental data on climate, soil properties, and
topography were compiled. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed
variables like precipitation, soil nitrogen, and elevation were influential in driving
community patterns. The communities differed significantly in diversity and
richness, with greater values in lower elevation communities. Species turnover
linked to environmental gradients was the primary contributor to beta diversity.
Overall, the study highlighted the importance of multi-scale abiotic factors in
shaping tropical montane forest communities. The findings have implications for
ecological monitoring and conservation efforts in these biodiverse yet threatened
ecosystems. An integrated assessment of climate, edaphic, and topographic
variables is therefore key to understanding the environmental forces structuring
tree communities and diversity in tropical montane systems.
Combining field-based approaches and remote sensing techniques provides
valuable insights into the factors that influence tree species diversity and
distribution in West Usambara Montane forests. The results highlight the strong
influence of soil factors such as pH and nitrogen on tree diversity and distribution,
while also demonstrating the potential of remote sensing data, particularly
PlanetScope data, for assessing and estimating forest biodiversity indicators. The
study recommends that conservation efforts should prioritize areas showing low
tree species diversity and take into account the influence of environmental factors
such as soil properties. The use of remote sensing techniques can facilitate the
identification of these priority areas and guide management strategies.
Additionally, further research is needed to explore the potential of other remote
sensing data sources and models to improve the accuracy and reliability of
biodiversity assessments.
Forest fires play a significant role in the diversity and composition patterns in the
tropical montane forests. It is therefore important to understand the manner
through which these ecosystems are affected by forest fires together with their
recovery patterns. From this study, it was observed that while fire did not
significantly alter overall tree species composition, it did reduce structural
parameters like density, basal area, biomass, and diversity compared to
unburned forest. However, these structural attributes exhibited recovery and
increased with time since fire. Indicator species analysis identified unique taxa in
burned areas. A 14-variable model integrating spectral, textural, and vegetation indices was used to map ~ 1430 ha of burned forest. The study demonstrated the
resilience of tropical montane forest composition to fire disturbance, although
more work is needed to fully understand post-fire dynamics and long-term
recovery. Overall, the study highlights the utility of integrating field measurements
and satellite data for assessing fire impacts in tropical ecosystems.The Eastern Arc Mountain Conservation Endowment Fund
(EAMCEF), Tanzania Forest Fund (TaFF), and RMCRD/GMES and Africa gran
Sources and knowledge of smallholder farmers in agricultural information in Mvomero District, Tanzania: where does misinformation originate?
No full textTanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences (2024) Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 19-32This study examined the access to sources and knowledge of smallholder farmers in agricultural information in Mvomero District, Tanzania, and identified the origin of misinformation among these farmers. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, including a survey of 192 smallholder farmers and interviews with agricultural extension officers and key informants. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design involving both qualitative and quantitative research methods through key informant interviews and questionnaires respectively. Descriptive statistics results indicated that more than half of the respondents (70%) were poorly accessing the reliable agricultural information. Furthermore, more than three quarters of the respondents (96%) had high level of knowledge on agricultural misinformation but still, they could not well access reliable agricultural information. Likewise, more than half of respondents (74.5%) accessed agricultural information through farmers – farmers while half of respondents (50%) accessed agricultural information through other sources such as radio, television, mobile phones, smartphones, and extension officers, and this may be a problem in accessing the reliable agricultural information. Additionally, the study revealed that misinformation among smallholder farmers originates from various sources, including fellow farmers, traditional beliefs, and inadequate agricultural extension services. The study recommends interventions to improve smallholder farmers' access to agricultural information, including expanding communication channels and improving agricultural extension services, to mitigate the spread of misinformation
Implementation extent and impact of village land use planning on tree cover trends in Miombo woodland landscapes of Tanzania
No full textDissertationMultiple social, cultural, and economic forces are causing fast land-use changes in
forests. Agriculture, logging, and other human activities cause the loss of about 6 million
hectares of primary forest per year around the world. Therefore, it is important to assess
the trend of tree cover across time and space and the extent to which the village land
use plans have been executed. The study is in line with National land policy (1995),
Village Land Act No. 5 of 1999 and National Land Use Planning Act No. 6 of 2007.
This study used the analysis of remote sensing data to assess trends in vegetation cover
10 years before and after land use planning in Ihombwe, Gole, and Kisegese villages
located in various climatic areas in Miombo woodlands of Tanzania. Additionally, the
study assessed the perception of local communities on the extent of implementation of
land use planning through interviews administered to 30 households randomly selected
in each village.
Land use planning process was carried out in Ihombwe, Gole and Kisegese villages and
remote sensing data were used to reveal the forest cover before and after the planning
process. The analysis of remote sensing data revealed that tree cover was declining by
33.31%, 36.75% and 46.17% before land use planning in Ihombwe, Gole and Kisegese
villages respectively. After the land use planning, there were mixed results. In areas
designated for village forest reserve, there was an increase in tree cover by 9.74% and
25.23% in Ihombwe and Gole respectively. However, in Kisegese, the tree cover
continued to decline, but at a slower rate of 35.42%. Outside of the forest reserves, in
areas allocated for settlement, agriculture, community service, and grazing, tree cover
continued to decline even after land use planning. The perception of survey participants
regarding the extent of implementation of the approved village land use plan was higher
in areas designated as forest reserves by 57% and 65% in Ihombwe and Gole
respectively but very poor in Kisegese with 20%. Also, there was poor implementation in
areas designated for grazing by 15%, 24% and 0% in Ihombwe, Gole and Kisegese
respectively. Poor implementation of the land use plans was mainly constrained by the
resistance of certain village inhabitants who did not approve of certain specified land use
classifications and exclusion of the communities during the drafting of the plans and
partly due to the lack of suitability of the land use categories. The level of involvement in
the planning and implementation process varies, with Ihombwe and Gole villages
showing higher participation than Kisegese to which to which the respondents were only
involved in implementation of the plan. Drivers that motivated the formulation of the land
use plans are mainly deforestation, immigration and occurrence of the land use conflicts.
There was an increase in tree cover in forest reserves and decline outside the forest in
Gole and Ihombwe, also the decline in tree cover in Kisegese, before and after land use
planning. Exclusion of the communities during the drafting of the plans led to poor plans
implementation. Effective conservation measures are needed to reverse the trend of
forest loss and promote sustainable land use in Kisegese village. Active community
engagement during planning process is needed to contribute to the alignment of land use
plans with local needs and fostering ownership
Handling practices and bacteriological quality of fresh vegetable salads served in food service establishments in Mwanza city
No full textDissertationFood service establishments (FSE) offer a wide variety of foods,
including the ready-to-eat (RTE) cold foods like fresh vegetable
salads; also known as Kachumbari in Tanzania. Kachumbari, is often
consumed raw without any further preparation or processing that
could completely eliminate or substantially reduce pathogens to
acceptable levels. Therefore, this salad is potentially risky if not well
handled. The objective of this study was to assess handling practices
and bacteriological quality of Kachumbari prepared and served in FSE
in Mwanza City, Tanzania. A cross-sectional study involving thirty food
handlers from 10 restaurants and 20 street food vending sites was
conducted from March to April 2023. A semi-structured questionnaire
and observation checklist were used to collect data on handling
practices. In parallel, thirty samples of Kachumbari, along with 30
swabs from hands and chopping boards were collected and analyzed.
The assessment of handling practices indicated that 93.3% of the food
service establishments lacked formal food handling training, and
66.7% did not prioritize clean-as-you-go practices for food safety.
Moreover, only 26.6% underwent annual medical checkups at work
places. The majority of the handlers (66.7%) demonstrated a poor
understanding of food safety principles and procedures. On the other
hand, the bacteriological quality analysis revealed high contamination
levels of total bacterial counts (ranging from 4.8 to 6.7 log CFU/g),
Staphylococcus aureus (<1 to 6.7 log CFU/g), and Escherichia coli
(<1 to 6.7 log CFU/g). All Kachumbari samples (100%) were
unsatisfactory, and 17 (56.7%) had unsatisfactory E. coli levels.
Moreover, 22 samples (73.3%) had unsatisfactory S. aureus levels,
and 10 samples (33.3%) showed unsatisfactory Salmonella ssp.
contamination. Also, chopping boards and hands had higher total
counts ranging from 3.5 – 4.7 log CFU.cm -2. The comparison of
microbiological contamination levels between plastic and chopping
boards, demonstrated that Kachumbari chopped on wooden chopping
boards had statistically significantly higher S. aureus contamination
levels (p < 0.05), than the one sliced on plastic cutting boards. Based
on these findings, we recommend regular training in hygiene and safe
handling of food among handlers to enhance handling practices.
Furthermore, relevant government authorities should conduct frequent
inspections and supervision in food service establishments to promote personal hygiene and overall safety throughout the food value chain,
thus, ensuring the quality and safety of vegetable salads in food
service establishments in Mwanza City and Tanzania as a whole.Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT), firstly for grating me permission to pursue MSc studies. Secondly, for financing my studies through the East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP)
Ecology of small mammals and their ectoparasites in mount Meru, Tanzania: insights for biodiversity conservation
No full textDissertationThis Thesis has been prepared in accordance with the Publishable
Manuscripts format of the Sokoine University of Agriculture. The
study on the elevational distribution of non-volant small mammals
over time, their demographic characteristics, and their associations
with arthropod ectoparasites was conducted between 2021 and
2022 at different elevations and habitats in Tanzania's second-
highest mountain, Mount Meru. Mount Meru is one of the
biodiversity hotspots in eastern Africa, hosting high level of species
richness and endemism, and providing important ecosystem
services. However, relatively, little is known about the ecology of
small mammals and their arthropod ectoparasites. Similarly, little is
known about the effects of environmental factors on the small
mammal distribution, which potentially extending to the parasites
they host. Tanzania is among the handful of countries in Africa
where active foci of deadly zoonotic diseases that can be
transmitted by small mammals and their ectoparasite vectors have
been persistent. Moreover, Mount Meru is home for endemic and
threatened species that are documented on the IUCN Red List.
However, there is currently no available information regarding the
possible role of arthropod ectoparasites of small mammals in the
transmission of zoonotic disease.
The over all goal of the study was to understand the ecological
dynamics and distribution patterns of small mammals and their
arthropod ectoparasites across different elevations of Mount Meru in
Tanzania. The study aimed at addressing three key specific
objectives: i) Assesing a decade-long change in the elevational
distribution of non-volant small mammals on Mount Meru; ii)
determining the breeding and demographic aspects of montemys
delectorum, an east african endemic rodent in mount Meru; iii)
Examining arthropod ectoparasites of two rodent species occurring
in varied elevations on Tanzania’s second highest mountain. To address the first objective, the small mammals were surveyed
from February to November 2021 at six elevations between 1500 m
and 3650 m using Sherman and Havahart traps. The results show
that two shrew and thirteen rodent species were recorded, including
Crocidura newmarki and Lophuromys verhageni, which are endemic
to the study area. Species richness was highest at mid-altitudes, in
line with the general patterns globally, though less pronounced in
Africa. The species Arvicanthis niloticus, Mastomys natalensis,
Lemniscomys striatus, Dasymys incomtus, and Cricetomys ansorgei
were not documented in 2009 but have been recorded in 2021.
Upward shifts in species’ ranges were observed between 2009 and
2021, suggesting the influence of climate change on the small
mammal community.
It is important to note that the rodent species mentioned in Chapter 2
as Praomys species have been identified as Montemys delectorum
after genetic identification and recent taxonomic revisions.
For the second objective, a Capture – mark – release studies were
undertaken in dense and open patchy forests in four 70 m X 70 m
grids from February 2021 to June 2022. The findings revealed that
the species exhibited bimodal patterns of breeding seasonality,
characterized by a low rate occurring during the short interval
between December and February and a pronounced rate taking
place from May to July. The population of Montemys delectorum
was unstable in the different forest types. There was a larger
population in the patchy open forest (F = 8.1; df = 1; p = 0.0001)
than in dense forest, suggesting its importance as a refuge for the
species.
To achieve the third objective, trapping of the two most dominant
rodent species of the study area, Montemys delectorum and
Rhabdomys dilectus, from five elevations (1500 to 3500 m), were
examined for arthropod ectoparasite infestations. The results
revealed that Ctenophthalmus calceatus cabirus, Dinopsyllus
ellobius, Varroa rindereri, and Xenopsylla cheopis were recovered from the rodents. This study demonstrates that the elevational
distribution of arthropod ectoparasites is influenced by host sex, host
species, and environmental temperature. With rising altitude,
parasite prevalence and abundance decrease, indicating that colder
environmental conditions at higher altitudes inhibit parasite
reproduction and development. This indicates conservation efforts
should focus on higher altitudes. Moreover, the rodents and
ectoparasites reported in this study have been identified as possible
vectors of medical and veterinary diseases in different parts of
Africa, including Tanzania. It is crucial to take precautions in order to
effectively reduce the risk of parasitic infection, which can pose an
additional threat to both the endemic and threatened species listed
on the IUCN Red List as well as the overall biodiversity of the study
area. Furthermore, molecular results from this study reported a
previously unidentified mite species within the Mesostigmata
taxonomic group that had previously been recognized exclusively as
a parasite of honeybees. Further research efforts may provide
insights into the significance of this particular species of mite, Varroa
rindereri. Generally, while there remains much to be learned, this
particular study establishes the foundation for future initiatives in
wildlife disease surveillance and biodiversity conservation
management.
In abroader sense, the shift in the distribution of small mammals and
their ectoparasites on Mount Meru is a microcosm of the broader
challenges facing mountain ecosystems worldwide. These insights
go beyond the immediate context of Mount Meru and suggest that
we need to consider the long-term consequences of environmental
dynamics on biodiversity conservation. As these complexities
continue to shape mountain landscapes, their impact is not limited to
species interactions but also touches the field of human well-being.
The conservation of biodiversity is intrinsically linked to our own well-
being, as biodiversity and human societies are intricately intertwined.
Therefore, the findings of this research serve as an urgent reminder
for effective conservation action.African Center of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest
Management and Biosensor Technology Development (ACE
IRPM&BTD) ACE II‒ Credit number 5799‒TZ at Sokoine University
of Agriculture, Tanzani
Livestock farmer's awareness of tick- borne diseases and susceptibility profile of selected cattle ticks to acaricides in selected areas of Eastern Tanzania
No full textDissertationTicks are arthropods that are responsible for the transmission of tick-
borne diseases in cattle. The use of acaricides is the most preferred
method for the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases in cattle.
However, this method is challenged by ticks’ resistance to different
classes of acaricide. This study aimed to assess livestock farmers’
awareness of tick-borne diseases (TBDs) and acaricide resistance of
cattle ticks against frequently used acaricides in Eastern Tanzania.
Assessment of farmers’ awareness was conducted by administering a
structured questionnaire to 129 individuals. To determine the species
composition of ticks infesting cattle and assess of acaricide resistance
of cattle ticks, field collection of ticks was performed whereby a total of
384 cattle were examined. An experimental design was adopted to
evaluate the effectiveness of the selected acaricides against F1 tick
larvae from collected field tick species. A judgmental or purposive
sampling method was applied whereby a total of 952 ticks were
collected and stored in plastic bottles filled with 70% ethanol for tick
identification, while female engorged ticks were placed onto 50 ml
perforated plastic containers with moisture cotton wool inside to allow
egg laying and subsequently obtain F1 tick larvae that were tested for
acaricides resistance. Identification of ticks was achieved using
prescribed macroscopic and microscopic morphological features. In-
vitro acaricide susceptibility test using Larval Packet Test (LPT) was
performed to assess acaricides resistance of eight commonly used
acaricides with active ingredients; Amitraz (AM), Organophosphates
(OPs); chlorfenvinphos & chlorpyrifos and Synthetic Pyrethroid (SP);
alphacypermethrin and cypermethrin. The data obtained were organized and analyzed for tick species
occurrence and mean percentage mortalities by using a Microsoft
Excel spreadsheet and the IBM Statistical Package for Social Science
version 20. Generalized linear models (GLMs) with univariate analysis
were employed to compare the performance of acaricide resistance of
collected tick strains at 95 % confidence and p-value ≤0.05. The
findings indicate that the general understanding of livestock farmers on
tick and TBDs was low, as only 27.9%, 28.7%, and 29.5% of the
respondents identified Rhiphicephalus (Bo) spp, Amblyomma, and
Rhipicephalus ticks species respectively. A proportion of respondents
understood the specific tick-borne disease names such as East Coast
Fever (17.1%), Babesiosis (7.0%), and Anaplasmosis (6.2%). Hand
spray application of acaricide was the most preferred method (89.1%)
for the control of ticks and TBDs by livestock farmers. About half of
respondents (48.8%) applied the acaricide once per week, followed by
those practicing irregularly (39.6%). The majority of the livestock
keepers (69.8%) do prepare acaricide at higher concentrations than
that recommended by manufacturers. Among the tick species found in
the study areas, R. (Bo) microplus was the most predominant species
(57.9%) followed by Amblyomma variegatum (25.9%), R (Bo)
decoloratus (6.8%), Hyalomma rufipes (4.3%) while the least species
were R. everts (3.8%) and R. appendiculatus (1.1%). On the other
hand, acaricide susceptibility status appeared to be low for acaricide C
(Cypermethrin 15g/l) and acaricide D (Alphacypermethrin 100 g/l) by
84.60% and 85.70% respectively followed by emergence resistance for
acaricide E (Alphacypermethrin 10g/l)
and acaricide B
(Alphacypermethrin100g/l + Chlorpyriphos 100g/l) by 91.30% and
93.90% while acaricide H (Amitraz 125g/l), acaricide A (Amitraz
12.5%), acaricide F (Chlorpyriphos 500g/l + Cypermethrin 50g/l) and
acaricide G (Chlorfenvinphos 300g/l) showed no resistance as
exhibited by 97.80%, 97.90% 99.80% and 99.90% percentage mortality respectively. Acaricide malpractices observed including the use of
wrong dilution rates, use of single acaricide over prolonged time, and
uncontrolled application intervals are some of the factors which might
contribute to acaricide failure therefore more effort should be directed
at educating the livestock farmers on ticks and TBDs control practices
using livestock field officers and frequent training on good tick and
TBDs control practices
Large-scale estimation and mapping of forest biodiversity indicators and ecological threats in the West Usambara montane forests
No full textMSc. in ForestryAssessment of the indicators of forest biodiversity, such as tree species diversity,
evenness, and richness, is crucial for monitoring and managing forest
ecosystems. Quantifying the relationship between environmental factors, such as
topography, soil, and climate, and tree species diversity and distribution is also
critical for understanding the pattern of the indicators of forest biodiversity and
informing conservation efforts.
Various studies have therefore, shown that environmental factors can significantly
influence tree species diversity and distribution in forest ecosystems, with
topography and soil moisture being important predictors of forest structure and
species richness. Such factors have also been used to develop models for large
scale predictions under different environmental conditions. However, in the recent
decades, remote sensing based had been considered to be as one among the
tools for facilitating the assessment of tree species diversity and distribution
patterns across large areas of dense montane tropical forests. By modelling the
relationship between remotely sensed data and tree species diversity, these
techniques can help identify priority areas for conservation and guide
management strategies. Furthermore, remotely sensed based techniques had
useful in assessing ecological threats such as wildfire which essentially play a
significant role in shaping the structure and composition of tropical forests.
This thesis consists of three manuscripts that assessed indicators of forest
biodiversity in the West Usambara montane forests of Tanzania. The first
manuscript aimed to determine the role of environmental factors on tree species
composition and diversity in the West Usambara montane forests. The field data
were collected through a two-phase systematic sampling approach, and
environmental data were obtained from USGS, ISRIC, and NCCS for
topographic, soil and climate respectively. The second manuscript aimed to
assess the potential use of remotely sensed data to model and monitor forest
biodiversity in the study area. The study computed field diversity, predicted
diversity using GAM and XGBoost models for Sentinel 2 and PlanetScope
imagery, and compared the efficiency of the sensors and models. The third
manuscript aimed at studying the post fire recovery of forest composition and
structure. It assessed the difference in structure and composition between burnt
and unburnt areas and lastly burnt area mapping was conducted.The results grouped the 183 identified tree species into three distinct forest
communities using cluster analysis. Indicator species analysis identified species
significantly associated with each community, like Dombeya burgessiae in the
higher elevation community. Environmental data on climate, soil properties, and
topography were compiled. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed
variables like precipitation, soil nitrogen, and elevation were influential in driving
community patterns. The communities differed significantly in diversity and
richness, with greater values in lower elevation communities. Species turnover
linked to environmental gradients was the primary contributor to beta diversity.
Overall, the study highlighted the importance of multi-scale abiotic factors in
shaping tropical montane forest communities. The findings have implications for
ecological monitoring and conservation efforts in these biodiverse yet threatened
ecosystems. An integrated assessment of climate, edaphic, and topographic
variables is therefore key to understanding the environmental forces structuring
tree communities and diversity in tropical montane systems.
Combining field-based approaches and remote sensing techniques provides
valuable insights into the factors that influence tree species diversity and
distribution in West Usambara Montane forests. The results highlight the strong
influence of soil factors such as pH and nitrogen on tree diversity and distribution,
while also demonstrating the potential of remote sensing data, particularly
PlanetScope data, for assessing and estimating forest biodiversity indicators. The
study recommends that conservation efforts should prioritize areas showing low
tree species diversity and take into account the influence of environmental factors
such as soil properties. The use of remote sensing techniques can facilitate the
identification of these priority areas and guide management strategies.
Additionally, further research is needed to explore the potential of other remote
sensing data sources and models to improve the accuracy and reliability of
biodiversity assessments.
Forest fires play a significant role in the diversity and composition patterns in the
tropical montane forests. It is therefore important to understand the manner
through which these ecosystems are affected by forest fires together with their
recovery patterns. From this study, it was observed that while fire did not
significantly alter overall tree species composition, it did reduce structural
parameters like density, basal area, biomass, and diversity compared to
unburned forest. However, these structural attributes exhibited recovery and
increased with time since fire. Indicator species analysis identified unique taxa in
burned areas. A 14-variable model integrating spectral, textural, and vegetation indices was used to map ~ 1430 ha of burned forest. The study demonstrated the
resilience of tropical montane forest composition to fire disturbance, although
more work is needed to fully understand post-fire dynamics and long-term
recovery. Overall, the study highlights the utility of integrating field measurements
and satellite data for assessing fire impacts in tropical ecosystems.The Eastern Arc Mountain Conservation Endowment Fund
(EAMCEF), Tanzania Forest Fund (TaFF), and RMCRD/GMES and Africa gran
Farmers' knowledge and traditional processing practices of pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan) in Rural Areas in Lindi Region Tanzania: a quantitative and qualitative mixed study
No full textTanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences (2024) Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 61-74Pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan) are an important protein source in many parts of tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. However, their quality and availability may be affected by post-harvest handling and processing practices in use. In the present study, knowledge and practices of pigeon pea growers (PPG) in Lindi Region were evaluated with respect to harvesting, storage, processing and cooking preparation. A sample of 597 randomly selected PPG from two villages, were interviewed and 60 farmers participated in focus group discussions. Majority PPG (83.6%) harvested pigeon peas (PPs) by cutting and putting them in polyethylene sacks while 86.6% had knowledge on only one storage method. Also, majority of PPG (77%) lacked any processing knowledge on mentioned methods such as hulling and solar drying. Results also indicated 75.7% of PPG having no knowledge on cooking preparation methods out of which 94.5% had no knowledge on soaking, 89.6% on use of bicarbonate and 89.9% on methods to increase shelf life of PPs. Overall, 49.4% had little/limited knowledge on harvesting, storage, processing, and cooking preparation practices, with no significant gender difference. All PPG prepared stew using green or dry PPs. A sizeable proportion (45%) of PPG used dry PPs for stew preparation, after traditional hulling. The threshing of peas from pods was carried out manually. Traditional methods in the Lindi Region are laborious and time-consuming; resulting in poorly prepared products thus affecting the appearance of processed PPs. Training farmers on proper postharvest handling and processing can improve food security and market appeal