Climate change is a global and local challenge to both sustainable livelihoods and economic development. Tanzania as other countries of the world has been affected. Several studies have been conducted on farmers’ perceptions and adaptation to climate change in the country, but little attention has been devoted to forest adjacent households in humid areas. This study assessed this gap through assessing forest adjacent households’ voices on perceptions and adaptation strategies to climate change in Kilombero District, Tanzania. Data collection involved key informant interviews, focus group discussions and household questionnaires. Results showed that the majority of households perceived changed climate in terms of temperature increase, unpredictable rainfall, frequent occurrence of floods, increased dry spells during rainy season coupled with decreased water sources and emergence of new pests and diseases. The perceived change in climate has impacted agriculture productivity as the main livelihood source. Different coping and adaptation strategies are employed. These are; crop diversification, changing cropping calendar, adopting modern farming technologies, and increasing reliance on non-timber forest products. These strategies were positively and significantly influenced by socio-economic factors including household size, residence period, land ownership and household income. The study concludes that, there are changes in climatic conditions; and to respond to these climatic changes, forest adjacent households have developed numerous coping and adaptation strategies, which were positively and significantly influenced by some socio-economic factors. The study calls for actual implementation of local climate change policies and strategies in order to enhance adaptive capacity at household level.
The sustainability of the seriously threatened African miombo woodlands depends on their capability to maintain sufficient natural regeneration. This study focused on the regeneration dynamics and the impacts of silvicultural treatments of fencing, site preparation, and thinning in the Kitulangalo forest reserve in Tanzania. Mixed models were applied to analyze the change in number of stems during the nine-years observation period on a set of permanent experimental plots. There was a significant decrease in the total number of stems (from 29 800 ha −1 to 19 100 ha −1 ) but a significant increase in the number of main stems (from 9 300 ha −1 to 11 100 ha −1 ) during observation period. The proportion of empty regeneration plots (zero seedlings and saplings on a regeneration plot of 4 m 2 ) was initially very low (7.3%) and decreased further during the study period to 5.3%. Greater stand density was associated with lower density of regeneration. Fencing implied a greater increase in the number of main stems but a sharper drop in the total number of stems by reducing animal disturbances. The findings indicate that the forests at Kitulangalo are recovering from past abuse and likely developing toward more sustainable stand structures and sustainability.
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