Browsing by Author "Mmbaga, Naza"

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Balancing African Elephant Conservation with Human Well-Being in Rombo Area, Tanzania
(Hindawi Advances in Ecology, 2017-05-31) Mmbaga, Naza; Munishi, Linus; Treydte, Anna
The critical assessment of the nature and extent of human-elephant conflict (HEC) and its impact on conservation efforts are essential if we are to meet the challenges related to extinction of local population, as well as loss biodiversity. Conservationists need detailed information on HEC in areas where these challenges prevail to improve intervention in the face of limited funds/resources. We assessed the status of HEC at Rombo area over the last six years. Data based on household surveys, focus group discussions, spatiotemporal analysis of site observations, and reported incidents of damage within the last six years were mapped. Out of all HEC cases analyzed, the most were crop damage which took place at night and the damage was severe between May and July, when cereal crops were mature. In upland areas of Rombo, HEC hotspots were observed inside the protected forest plantation where local people cultivated their annual crops. Cold spots concentrated in upland areas outside the protected forest plantation dominated by settlement and agroforestry less preferred by elephants. In lowland areas,HEChotspotswere observed in village lands close to the PAs, within settlement and farmland dominated by seasonal crops. This suggests that HEC management efforts such as establishment of buffer zones should be directed around the areas adjacent to PAs and prevention should focus on cultivation of the alternative crops and farming systems that are less preferred by elephants. Our study highlights the importance of using a combination of data collection techniques to pinpoint fine-scale HEC hotspots in a highly conflict-prone location of Tanzania.
Cropping patterns along an altitudinal gradient and their implications to wildlife conservation in Rombo, Tanzania
(Elsevier B.V., 2021-08) Mmbaga, Naza; Munishi, Linus; Treydte, Anna
Ecosystem and livelihood sustainability of small-scale farmers in Eastern Africa are often challenged by climate change and unsustainable land use practices. Little is known on the small-scale temporal processes of cropping systems in relation to long-term climatic conditions. To understand the climatic influence on the cropping patterns, and its implications to wildlife/elephant conservation, our study used a combination of time-series datasets on crop and climate as well as geo-spatial layers spanning more than three decades. To validate the information analyzed from secondary data, we carried out participatory observation and interviews, whereby about 5% of village households were selected along an altitudinal gradient of Rombo area, Tanzania. We generated land use change maps using Geographical Information System (ArcGIS 10.4) and used Spearman’s correlation analysis to assess the influence of rainfall, temperature, and crop yield on the observed longitudinal changes in the crop types and other land use patterns both within and across altitudinal gradients. We found that perennial crops like coffee and banana concentrated in upper agro-ecological zones, with a clear division line above 1230 masl while seasonal crops like maize and beans were mostly cultivated in lowlands (below 1230 masl). The results further showed that coffee yields significantly declined with higher average annual minimum temperatures over the last 16 years. Within the same time period, there was a disproportionate shift from coffee to seasonal crop cultivation such as maize and beans. Elephant numbers declined by about 38%, while human settlement area increased by 28% over the last 30 years. We conclude that changes in land use and shifts in climate and cropping patterns have important implications for elephant conservation and sustainability of the ecosystem in Rombo area, Tanzania.
How dynamics and drivers of land use/land cover change impact elephant conservation and agricultural livelihood development in Rombo, Tanzania.
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2017) Mmbaga, Naza; Munishi, Linus; Treydte, Anna
Land use/ land cover (LULC) change affects the provision of ecosystem services for humans and habitat for wildlife. Hence, it is crucial to monitor LULC particularly adjacent to protected areas. In this study, we measured LULC change in Rombo, Tanzania, an area with high potential agro-ecological zones that is dominated by Human Elephant Conflicts (HEC). We used remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) techniques, questionnaires and village meetings to assess spatio-temporal patterns of the LULC changes in the study area. Using Landsat imagery, digital elevation model and ground truthing, we classified and monitored changes in LULC from the year 1987 to 2015. We found that within Rombo settlements were increasing while agricultural and agroforestry lands were decreasing and respondents’ perceptions varied along the altitudinal gradient. Patterns of HEC and LULC were observed to change along the gradient and the later threatened the agricultural land and ecological integrity for elephant habitat, leading to high tension and competition between elephants and people. This research offers baseline information for land use planning to balance wildlife conservation with livelihood development in Rombo and highlights that managing the impacts of LULC changes on HEC and elephant habitat loss is a matter of urgency.
Human population growth as indicator for human-elephant conflicts in Rombo area, Tanzania
(Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES), 2017-04-17) Mmbaga, Naza; Munishi, Linus; Treydte, Anna
Conservationists need detailed information on human population growth and distribution in areas adjacent to protected areas. This information can help determine land use/land cover changes (LULCC), which affect the quality and quantity of elephant habitat and, thus, elephant populations. We assessed the influence of human population trends on demographic characteristics on the African elephant (Loxodonta Africana) population and related conflicts with people in Rombo, Tanzania. Data on household surveys, focus group discussions, site observations and human census records as well as reported human-elephant conflict (HEC) incidents were included. A Digital Elevation Model in GIS was used to produce a map showing spatial distribution of human population density along an altitudinal gradient in relation to LULCC and HEC status. We found that, over the past 40 years, the human population in Rombo area has been growing fast, with an increment of 128% from 1967 to 2012. The population density was low in lower altitudes (<1230 masl), which were strongly used for seasonal cropping and highly dominated by HEC (98%). Settlements expanded from 1987 to 2015 by 30%, particularly at higher altitudes. Most respondents only attained primary education (72%) and strongly depended on agriculture (99%) to sustain their livelihoods. We conclude that with the increasing human population and alteration of land use need interventions to sustain elephant conservation and livelihood of the people. We recommend the establishment of buffer zones for elephant conservation and tourism activities in the lowland areas.