Whose knowledge matters in climate change adaptation? Perceived and measured rainfall trends during the last half century in south‐western Tanzania

Abstract

Parts of eastern Africa have experienced substantial climatic variability and extremes during the last few decades. Here we explore the extent to which local place‐based knowledge is used and is relevant to understanding and appropriately responding to place‐based climate variability and change (specifically rainfall) in an area of considerable rainfall variability in south‐western Tanzania. Primary data were collected using focus group discussions and household questionnaire surveys, and secondary data obtained from government institutions. Various changes associated with the frequency, intensity and consistency of rainfall during the period 1960 to 2014 are explored. Findings indicate that knowledge and perceptions associated with climate operate at a local level, and that these are not necessarily applicable to neighbouring regions. Smallholder farmers in the Great Ruaha River Sub‐Basin rely on incremental adaptations of agricultural practices, in response to climatic stresses which have long‐term implications. We argue that incremental adaptations ought to be supplemented by more transformative changes of existing agricultural practices, such as using more climate‐adapted crops and livestock. Moreover, caution is required when examining human perceptions and responses to climate variability and change at the site‐specific scale, as such findings may not necessarily be applicable to broader regions in all cases.

Local Perceptions of Climate Change and Adaptation Responses from Two Mountain Regions in Tanzania

“…An increase in extreme droughts was not identified in previous studies on Mount Kilimanjaro, although it was cited in the Pare and Udzungwa Mountains. An increase in wind strength during the rainy season was previously mentioned in the Pare Mountains [64], but not on Mount Kilimanjaro and the Udzungwa Mountains. While our study participants in both mountains reported important changes in fog, only one previous study recorded this change in the East Usambaras [66].…”

“…However, in the Udzungwa Mountains, the early onset of the rainy season was noted instead of a later onset of rainfall-which we report here. Decreased stream flow was previously reported in both mountains [27,45,59,61,64,65]. An increase in extreme droughts was not identified in previous studies on Mount Kilimanjaro, although it was cited in the Pare and Udzungwa Mountains.…”

Role of Climate-Smart Agriculture in Enhancing Farmers' Livelihoods and Sustainable Forest Management: A Case of Villages Around Songe-Bokwa Forest, Kilindi District, Tanzania

“…According to them, it resulted in a shortage of food, a decrease in income, youth emigration, increased disease outbreaks, and increased cost of food. A similar situation was also noted in the Great Ruaha River sub-basin that the shift in rainfall onset affected the normal growth of crops leading to reduced crop yield to the extent that farmers faced food insecurity (Pauline et al, 2017;Pauline and Grab, 2018). Likewise, Ndaki (2014) in his study of CC adaptation strategies at Mkomazi sub-catchment found similar results regarding out-migration.…”

“…Also, the study of Magreth and Bushesha (2017) on the potential of forest resources on adaptation to CCV in the Kilindi District revealed that farmers perceived that CC has prolonged droughts and shifts in rainfall patterns. Similar perceptions have been given by farmers in the Great Ruaha sub-basin: rainfall pattern is fluctuating and temperature increases (Pauline et al, 2017, Pauline andGrab, 2018). Likewise, farmers perceived that CC affects agriculture, forestry components, other environment components, and household livelihoods.…”

Editorial: Physical geography and environmental papers in the Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography

“…Local farmers indicate how weather patterns, such as delays to the start of rainfall, rainfall fluctuation and reduction before the growing season ends affects their cropping activities. Pauline and Grab () study various changes associated with the frequency, intensity and consistency of rainfall during the period 1960 to 2014 in south‐western Tanzania. Their study reveals how smallholder farmers in the Great Ruaha River Sub‐Basin rely on incremental adaptations of agricultural practices, in response to climatic stresses which have long‐term implications.…”