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

Abstract

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.

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

“…Sustainable standing plant biomass production to support livestock and wildlife in grasslands requires understanding critical variables in soil, plant, and grazing effects imparted by grazers. A study conducted in western Serengeti showed that agro-pastoral activities resulted in low residue standing biomass availability in communal grazing and cultivated lands [3]. High livestock grazing pressure was the leading cause of low-standing biomass in communal grazing lands.…”

“…Agricultural expansion, human population growth, and bushfires are considered to be salient ecological drivers of changes in the abundance of plants [33]. Agricultural expansion and human population growth are common phenomena in Western Serengeti and Ugalla ecosystems [3,34,35]. This situation leads to the shrinkage of grassland due to land clearance for cultivation.…”

“…Grassland covers more than 40% of the Earth's surface [2] and about 6.8% of the land surface of Tanzania [3]. Grassland plays an essential role in ecosystem productivity and biogeochemical processes [4].…”