Herbaceous plant species diversity in communal agro-pastoral and conservation areas in western Serengeti, Tanzania

Kavana, Pius Y.; Sangeda, A. Z.; Mtengeti, E. J.; Mahonge, Christopher; Bukombe, John; Fyumagwa, Robert D.; Nindi, Stephen

doi:10.17138/tgft(7)502-518

Cited by 5 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 8 publications

(8 reference statements)

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“…Grasslands in Tanzania are dominated by native plants that include grasses, sedges, herbs, and scattered trees. The dominant plants in western Serengeti include Themeda triandra in wildlife grazing areas, Cynodon dactylon in livestock grazing areas, and Chloris pycnothrix in areas with mixed grazing of livestock and wildlife [21]. Grasslands in the Ugalla ecosystem are dominated by plant species that include Digitaria macroblephara, Setaria pumila, and Echnocloa pyramidalis in protected areas.…”

Section: Natural Resources Available In Grasslandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Agro-Pastoralism on Grasslands in Serengeti and Ugalla Ecosystems, Tanzania

Yoram Kavana,

John Kija,

Pagiti Reuben

et al. 2024

Agricultural Sciences

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This chapter delves into the intricate relationship between agro-pastoralism and grassland ecosystems in Tanzania’s Western Serengeti and Ugalla Ecosystems. Despite the acknowledged contribution of agro-pastoralism to rural well-being and economic development, its impact on the delicate balance of grassland ecosystems remains unclear in these crucial Tanzanian landscapes. The chapter aims to illuminate agro-pastoralism’s environmental, social, and economic dimensions in these regions. Guided by research questions exploring current conditions, potential solutions, and the path toward sustainable grassland resource utilization, the study employed a systematic literature review and data analysis using R software. Key findings highlight challenges from the progressive expansion of agro-pastoral activities, leading to trade-offs between ecosystem services and productivity. The study identifies agro-pastoral clusters across the area, revealing variations in economic activities and their impact on grassland utilization. Impacts on natural resources, such as soil pH changes, reduced herbaceous biomass, and shifts in plant composition, are discussed. The legal framework related to natural resource conservation in grasslands emphasizes the need for a balanced, ecologically sustainable approach. Efforts to alleviate agro-pastoral impacts, including introducing climate-smart agriculture, are explored. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the importance of integrated, participatory methods for sustainable management in the Serengeti and Ugalla ecosystems. Recommendations include promoting sustainable land use practices, implementing rotational grazing, and enhancing community involvement in decision-making.

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Section: Natural Resources Available In Grasslandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Agro-Pastoralism on Grasslands in Serengeti and Ugalla Ecosystems, Tanzania

Yoram Kavana,

John Kija,

Pagiti Reuben

et al. 2024

Agricultural Sciences

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“…Grasslands dominated by annual grasses are of poorer quality during the dry season because the plants mature faster and lose nutritive value faster as well. Perennial grasses are observed to be vulnerable to agro-pastoral activities, and they are replaced by annual grasses [17]. This situation causes changes in plant diversity in grasslands subjected to anthropogenic activities.…”

Section: Importance Of Plant Diversity For Agro-pastoralismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant diversity in agro-pastoral grasslands of Tanzania

Yoram Kavana,

John Kija,

Pagiti Reuben

et al. 2024

Vegetation Index and Dynamics - Methodologies for Teaching Plant Diversity and Conservation Status

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This chapter delves into the intricate relationship between agro-pastoral activities and plant diversity in Tanzanian grasslands. The study addresses three critical research questions: the current status of plant diversity in agro-pastoral grasslands, the impact of anthropogenic activities on plant diversity, and strategies for maintaining plant diversity in Tanzania’s agro-pastoral grasslands. A systematic literature review and primary vegetation sampling were conducted. The impacts of agro-pastoralism on plant diversity were observed to have both detrimental and win-win scenarios. Practices such as deferred and controlled grazing contribute to soil conservation and biodiversity conservation, whereas continuous grazing and land cultivation lead to land degradation and loss of plant diversity. The study underscores the importance of perennial grasses, which contribute to soil improvement and provide a stable feed resource base for grazing animals. However, anthropogenic activities, threaten plant diversity, especially in lowlands. Altitude is a significant factor affecting plant diversity, with a decline observed in lowlands subjected to agro-pastoral activities. As human population increased agro-pastoral activities, the chapter concludes by highlighting the potential negative consequences on ecosystem services and biodiversity in lakes. It emphasizes the urgency of adopting sustainable agro-pastoral practices and ecosystem-specific conservation measures to ensure these vital grassland ecosystems’ long-term health and resilience.

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“…The desirability of grass species in western Serengeti natural grassland. Source: Authors' computation based on Kavana et al [38].…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Interaction of Grassland Ecosystem with Livelihood and Wildlife Sustainability: Tanzanian Perspectives

Kavana¹,

Bukombe²,

Kija³

et al. 2022

Grasses and Grassland - New Perspectives

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In Tanzania, pure grasslands cover is estimated to be 60,381 km2, about 6.8% of the total land area, and is distributed in different parts. These grasslands are diverse in dominant grass species depending on rainfall, soil type, altitude, and management or grazing system. They support livestock and wildlife distributed in different eco-tomes and habitats of the country. The potential of grasslands for the livelihood of rural people is explicit from the fact that local people depend solely on natural production to satisfy their needs for animal products. Analysis of grazing lands indicated that livestock population, production of meat, and milk from grasslands increased. But the wildlife population, when considered in terms of livestock equivalent units (Large Herbivore Units) showed a declining trend. The contribution of grasslands to the total volume of meat produced in the country showed a declining state, while milk production showed a slight increase. This situation entails a need to evaluate the grasslands of Tanzania to ascertain their potential for supporting people’s livestock, wildlife, and livelihood. This study concluded that more research is needed to establish the possibility of grasslands to keep large numbers of grazing herbivores for sustainable livestock and wildlife production.

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Herbaceous plant species diversity in communal agro-pastoral and conservation areas in western Serengeti, Tanzania

Cited by 5 publications

References 8 publications

Impact of Agro-Pastoralism on Grasslands in Serengeti and Ugalla Ecosystems, Tanzania

Impact of Agro-Pastoralism on Grasslands in Serengeti and Ugalla Ecosystems, Tanzania

Plant diversity in agro-pastoral grasslands of Tanzania

Interaction of Grassland Ecosystem with Livelihood and Wildlife Sustainability: Tanzanian Perspectives

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