Environmental change and vulnerability in the Usangu plain, southwestern Tanzania: Implications for sustainable development

Abstract

Natural resources are important assets for sustainability of rural livelihoods and economic development. The objectives of the study were to assess linkage of environmental change to emerging water scarcity, livelihoods insecurity and decline in wildlife biodiversity and hydropower generation in the Great Ruaha ecosystem, and to discuss policy lessons for sustainable development. Literature survey, participatory assessments, collection of records from stakeholders, participatory observations and a questionnaire survey were used. Participatory assessment found that increasing water scarcity is associated with degradation of land, vegetation cover and change in rainfall intensity and duration. Rainfall change is supported by 83% of respondents and rainfall trends analysis. About 42% of variation in cereal production is described by the rainfall amount variability. Analysis of trends for per capita cereals production from district records showed a significant (p < 0.05) decline over the years. Changes in water flows in the Great Ruaha River have been evident since 1993, and have affected wildlife diversity in the Ruaha National Park and power generation from the Kidatu hydroelectric plant downstream. Human livelihood activities, exclusiveness, weak coordination and collaboration between sectors and institutions in policy formulation and implementation have played a role. The pro-poor policy formulation through integrated planning, strong coordination and collaboration is recommended for sustainable development.

Agricultural productivity and environmental insecurity in the Usangu plain, Tanzania: policy implications for sustainability of agriculture

“…The land ecology may be affected by nutrient depletion, salinization, over cultivation, overgrazing, acidification and soil compaction (Lal and Pierce 1991). Analyses of local perception, in the study area, show a change in the land ecology due to changes in soil fertility, surface temperature, soil moisture and wind speed (Malley et al 2007b). The changes in land hydrological cycle can be influenced, by droughts and increased runoff of rainwater.…”

“…6). Previous interviews with people in the Usangu plain have revealed that they see the drop in land productivity and shortage of water (Malley et al 2007b). Highly significant (P < 0.01) number of the 266 respondents reported changes in the land productivity and water availability (Table 1).…”

Linking perceived land and water resources degradation, scarcity and livelihood conflicts in southwestern Tanzania: implications for sustainable rural livelihood

“…These results suggest that, the water shortage is linked to the loss of the rural livelihoods and increasing insecurity, in the Usangu plain, in terms of time of need and quantity needed for crop and livestock production. The linear regression estimate, of average cereal production trend depicted a decline over years, from about 114,000 in 1990 to 100,000 tonnes in 2003 (Malley, Taeb, Matsumoto, & Takeya, 2006). This trend is described by 39.3% of the variations in total annual rainfall amount, received during the period (Malley et al, 2006).…”

“…The linear regression estimate, of average cereal production trend depicted a decline over years, from about 114,000 in 1990 to 100,000 tonnes in 2003 (Malley, Taeb, Matsumoto, & Takeya, 2006). This trend is described by 39.3% of the variations in total annual rainfall amount, received during the period (Malley et al, 2006). The direct impact of drought on livestock is the scarcity of grazing resources (Fig.…”

Multiobjective Analysis of Green-Blue Water Uses in a Highly Utilized Basin: Case Study of Pangani Basin, Africa

“…However, many such projects are failing to provide their expected benefits (WCD 2000;Ansar et al 2014). Furthermore, dams often create large negative social and environmental externalities such as the displacement of communities and disbenefits to downstream users (both communities and ecosystem) because of modified river hydrology (Malley et al 2007). …”