Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

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Browsing Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences by Author "Fundisha, Evarist"

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    Assessment of Traditional Environmental Knowledge Systems Applied to Climate Change and Variability Adaptation in Rombo District, Tanzania
    (2019) Fundisha, Evarist
    This study was done to assess the efficacy of traditional environmental knowledge systems (TEKS) applied to climate change and variability adaptation in Rombo District, Tanzania. Different methods of data collection, analysis and presentation were employed for sensible report. Results indicate the study community have, to some extent, managed to withstand the effects of climate change and variability and other stressors by employing TEKS. The devised adaptation strategies to crop failure resulted from climate change and variability can be related to agronomic techniques, social coherence and livelihood diversification. The efficacy of the devised adaptation strategies were hindered by small land sizes, location, insolvency, technical knowhow, and climate change and variability. For effective adaptation to climate change and variability, multidisciplinary approaches that consider location and socio-economic characteristics of individuals are recommended.
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    ASSESSMENT OF TRADITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS APPLIED TO RAINFALL FORECASTING IN ROMBO DISTRICT, TANZANIA
    (2016) Fundisha, Evarist
    Accurate rainfall forecasting enables rural communities to make informed, timely and effective decisions on their farming activities presumably leading to increased productivity. As such, a more appropriate, accessible and user friendly rainfall forecasting methods and information is needed. This study was conducted to assess efficacy of the traditional environmental knowledge systems applied to rainfall forecasting in Rombo District, Tanzania for sustainable climate change adaptation. Triangulation of data collection methods were used to obtain diverse and detailed information. Out of 611 interviewees, 44.2% could forecast rainfall using environmental indicators (EIs) of whom 75.5% were unable to forecast beyond a week. It was somewhat difficult to judge the reliability of some EIs in forecasting rainfall because the same indicator was rated differently by different respondents, as very reliable, reliable, not reliable and no longer reliable. Although half of the respondents anticipated a decrease in rainfall, forecasting from Global Climate Models revealed the opposite. The study recommends a multidisciplinary approach and sharing of knowledge and information for effective rainfall forecasting.
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    Concentrations of Heavy Metals (Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) in the Selected Edible Fish Species along the Coast of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
    (2008) Fundisha, Evarist
    The concentrations of heavy metals in edible fish species were determined to assess their health hazards to fish consumers. Mean concentrations of Zinc (gg-1 dry wt) in liver, kidney, gills and muscles were 121.78, 72.87, 61.66 and 10.30 and 14.13, 8.36, 3.40 and 1.98 for Copper respectively. Cadmium and Lead were below the detection limit (0.01 ㎍ g-1) in muscles but for liver, kidney and gills, the mean values were 0.14, 0.10 and 0.01 gg-1 for Cadmium and 0.03, 0.04 and 0.06 gg-1 for Lead respectively. This indicates that the concentrations of metals in the fish were within permissible levels.
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    Forest Structure and Climate Change Mitigation Potential: A Case of Wilolesi and Ikonongo Forested Hills in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania
    (2021-02) Fundisha, Evarist
    Vegetation plays major roles in carbon storage and ecosystem functioning by modifying the rate of carbon fluxes thereby mitigating climate change. However, the focus of assessing the potentials for different vegetation on climate change mitigation has for so long been conducted outside cities, towns and municipalities. This study was conducted in Wilolesi and Ikonongo hills located in Iringa as representative of the Municipality forested hills in Tanzania to assess vegetation structure and their potential for climate change mitigation. Random sampling technique was employed to establish 20 rectangular plots of 20 m x 40 m (0.08 ha) in each hill to determine plant species composition, richness, diversity, vegetation structure and above ground carbon (AGC). R-statistical software was used to compute Shannon-Wiener diversity indices, species richness and the above ground carbon. Results indicated high species diversity ranging from 3.5 to 4.1 for Ikonongo and Willolesi hills, respectively based on Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H’). We recorded 255 plant species (114 tree species, 51 shrub species, 2 sedge species, 66 herb species, 15 grass species and 7 climbers) in 60 families. Based on Important Value Index (IVI), Brachystegia spiciformis Benth (10.435) and Julbernardia globiflora Benth (4.555) were important species in Wilolesi and Ikonongo forested hills. There was a significant difference on the AGC between Ikonongo (3.12 t/ha) and Wilolesi (8.33 t/ha) (t = 1.83, p = < 0.004). Results have an implication for dedicating more efforts on the management of forest landscapes for biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and provision of other ecosystem services. It is recommended that there should be detailed study for all forested hills in Iringa Municipality for proper forest management initiatives.
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    Livestock Management Strategies in a Changing climate in Rombo District, Tanzania
    (2017) Fundisha, Evarist
    Livestock are important socio-economic assets essentially kept for food, manure, income, bride prize and prestige. This study was conducted in Rombo District to assess the effectiveness of livestock management strategies in a changing climate. Triangulation of the methods of data collection, analysis and presentation facilitated production of comprehensive research report. The study found that about 94 percent of the heads of household used different strategies to reduce the impact of climate change and variability on livestock. The devised strategies include fodder fetching, planted fodder, store fodder, keeping manageable livestock, and livestock keeping avoidance. The constraints to strategies used in livestock-keeping were risks associated with pasture fetching, lack of funds, denying farm supply of manure, and loss of households’ assets. The projected climate change and variability would have less effects on livestock keeping because about 66.7 percent of the heads of household had plans on it. For effective livestock management in a changing climate, appropriate strategies are recommended.
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    Local Community Perceptions on Causes of Climate Change in Dry Areas of Rombo District, Tanzania
    (2019-09) Fundisha, Evarist
    The study assessed community perceptions on the causes of climate change in the drought area of Rombo District in Tanzania. Corroboration of the research findings were made by employing different methods of gathering data including questionnaires, focus group discussions and interviews. While quantitative data were analysed by statistical package for social science software to generate descriptive statistics, qualitative data were analysed thematically. Data were mainly presented by using tables, figures and the participants’ narrations or voices. Results indicated varied perceptions on the causes of climate change that are shaped by levels of education, age, sex, marital status and possession of communication facilities. Despite the varied perceptions on the causes of climate change, the anthropogenic factors were frequently mentioned by the study participants. Thus, the study recommends on creating awareness among members of the studied community through education on the actual causes of climate change for effective intervention measures.
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    TRADITIONAL MITIGATION MEASURES AND PRACTICES TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN ROMBO DISTRICT, TANZANIA
    (2020-07) Fundisha, Evarist
    Mitigation to climate change has been treated as an issue in developed countries whereas adaptation is seen as a priority for the developing countries. The study assessed the effectiveness of traditional mitigation measures and practices to climate change in Rombo District, Tanzania. Data were collected by questionnaire, interview and focus group discussion. Results indicate that the majority of household heads had resorted to tree planting aimed at mitigating climate change. The study found that education, land size and funds were among the stumbling blocks toward effective traditional mitigation measures and practices to climate change. The study recommends involvement of local people in tree planting campaigns coupled with awareness creation on the sustainable climate change mitigation at local levels.