Browsing by Author "Mwakalila, Shadrack"
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Item Assessing the Hydrological Conditions of the Usangu Wetlands in Tanzania(Scientific Research, 2011-03) Mwakalila, ShadrackAlthough wetlands make up less than 10% of Tanzania, their “critical, life support, ecosystem services” sustain over 95% of lives, of wildlife and of livestock. They provide security as sources of food, water, energy, economy and livelihoods, therefore, the aim of this paper is to address the current hydrologic conditions of Usangu wetlands. Several approaches were used in the collection of data for analysis. Both primary and secondary data was collected and analysed. The key finding shows that, the overall area of the Usangu Wetlands is divided into two main portions, the Eastern Wetland and the Western Wetland, the core wetland, the Ihefu Swamp varies between 30 and 65 km2 , whereas the seasonally wetted areas varies between 260 and 1800 km2 . Major perennial rivers which feed the Ihefu swamp in Usangu wetlands include Kimani, Mbalali, Ndembera and the Great Ruaha River. The contribution from Mbalali River ranges between 69.17% and 47.78%; from Ndembera River ranges between 25% and 13.83%; from Kimani River ranges between 25% and 8.33% and from Great Ruaha River contribution ranges 24.0% and 2.96%. The irrigated agriculture is most important as a user of water and impacts most heavily on wetlands. Abstraction of water for agriculture is leading to dried up rivers, falling ground water tables, salinated soil and polluted waterways.Item Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies in Kilimanjaro Transect in Tanzania(2013) Mwakalila, ShadrackClimate change and variability exerts multiple stresses at different spatial and temporal scales on the biophysical as well as the social-economic and institutional environments in Kilimanjaro transect in Tanzania. The primary stresses include climate risks such as drought and flood, which in turn trigger secondary stresses such as the spread of water borne diseases, increased competition for resources, disruption of ecosystem services, habitat and biodiversity losses. This paper presents the key findings of the study which investigated the impacts of climate change on socio-economic activities and existing local adaptation strategies. The study was undertaken across the Kilimanjaro transect located in Pangani river basin upstream of Nyumba ya Mungu dam in Tanzania. The study area was sub-divided into three agro ecological zones namely: lower, middle and upper zone. Three villages were sampled purposively one from each zone in order to capture various economic activities requiring water as an input for development. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used for data analysis. The study shows that, traditional surface irrigation (flooding) methods is the most common adaptation strategy for crop production and account for more than 79% of the total irrigation schemes in the study area. However, traditional irrigation schemes are characterized by poorly constructed and temporary infrastructures that are usually associated with significant water losses and low crop productivity. Therefore, promotion of efficient irrigation water use through research and adoption of good farming practices is, critical to ensuring sustainable use and management of the water resources for sustaining water availability for other socio-economic sectors. This study recommends application of Ecosystembased Adaptation (EBA) approach that integrates the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services into climate change adaptation strategies.Item Climate Change Impacts, Local Knowledge and Coping Strategies in the Great Ruaha River Catchment Area, Tanzania(Scientific Research, 2011-12) Kangalawe, Richard Y. M.; Mwakalila, Shadrack; Masolwa, PetroClimate change has profound implications for managing freshwater resources and species dependent on those resources. Water is an essential component of the life support system of the earth, and a basic resource for socio-economic development. The Great Ruaha River Catchment Area is a dynamic and complex ecosystem requiring inclusion climate change adaptation in the management of the freshwater and natural resources available to reduce the severity of climate change impacts. Rainfall has decreased considerably during the last 10 - 30 years, and characterised by high interannual variability, seasonal shifts and variable seasonal distribution with unpredictable onset and ending of rains and shortened growing seasons. Temperature has increased considerably during this period causing increased evapotranspiration losses and incidences of pest and diseases. The freshwater of Ruaha River and it tributaries are vulneable to changing climate, such as drought, which can negatively impact on the livelihoods of the people through de- creased crop and livestock production, and on local biodiversity. The changing climate has had negative impacts on, among other aspects, land use and water shortages for irrigation, livestock and domestic uses. This has compelled riparian communities in the catchment to devises coping strategies including practicing irrigation to provide supplementary water to crops, using drought tolerant crop varieties, rationing of irrigation water in farmlands, wetland cultivation, and diversification to non-agricultural activities. Despite the existence of many indicators used for local climate forecasting, there are limitations to local adaptation, including among others, poverty, institutional aspects and limited integration of climate adaptation in various sectors. The bulk of indigenous knowledge could be integrated into formal adaptation planning, and may be important components of environmental conservation at the local level.Item Climate Change Impacts, Local Knowledge and Coping Strategies in the Great Ruaha River Catchment Area, Tanzania(2011) Kangalawe, Richard; Mwakalila, Shadrack; Masolwa, PetroClimate change has profound implications for managing freshwater resources and species dependent on those resources. Water is an essential component of the life support system of the earth, and a basic resource for socio-economic development. The Great Ruaha River Catchment Area is a dynamic and complex ecosystem requiring inclusion climate change adaptation in the management of the freshwater and natural resources available to reduce the severity of climate change impacts. Rainfall has decreased considerably during the last 10 - 30 years, and characterised by high interannual variability, seasonal shifts and variable seasonal distribution with unpredictable onset and ending of rains and shortened growing seasons. Temperature has increased considerably during this period causing increased evapotranspiration losses and incidences of pest and diseases. The freshwater of Ruaha River and it tributaries are vulnerable to changing climate, such as drought, which can negatively impact on the livelihoods of the people through decreased crop and livestock production, and on local biodiversity. The changing climate has had negative impacts on, among other aspects, land use and water shortages for irrigation, livestock and domestic uses. This has compelled riparian communities in the catchment to devises coping strategies including practicing irrigation to provide supplementary water to crops, using drought tolerant crop varieties, rationing of irrigation water in farmlands, wetland cultivation, and diversification to non-agricultural activities. Despite the existence of many indicators used for local climate forecasting, there are limitations to local adaptation, including among others, poverty, institutional aspects and limited integration of climate adaptation in various sectors. The bulk of indigenous knowledge could be integrated into formal adaptation planning, and may be important components of environmental conservation at the local level.Item Climate variability, Impacts and Adaption Strategies: The Case of Mbeya and Makete Districts in the Great Ruaha River Catchment of Tanzania(Scientific Research, 2014) Mwakalila, ShadrackThis paper presented key findings from the study which aimed to assess the impacts of climate variability and local adaptation strategies in selected villages of Mbeya and Makete Districts located in the most upper Great Ruaha River catchment in Southern Tanzania. Together, the study districts cover a wide range of climate change related hazards. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are used for data collection and analysis. The study shows that, there is significant change in pattern and amount of rainfall contributing to water stress, making people more vulnerable. Local communities are adapting to spatial and temporal climate variability, with varying degrees of success. Traditional smallholder irrigated systems used as adaptation strategies for crop production are characterized by low water use efficiency and high water losses. This implies that, if irrigation is managed properly, it can lead to sustainable increases in small farmer’s productivity and income, thus alleviating rural poverty and enhancing environmental management objectives.Item Community Initiatives in Water Quality Management in Simiyu Wetland in the Lake Victoria Basin, Tanzania(2009) Mwakalila, ShadrackItem Environmental Flow Assessment of Great Ruaha River in Southwestern Part of Tanzania(David Publishing, 2011) Mwakalila, Shadrack; Masolwa, PetroEnvironmental Flow Assessments (EFAs) are becoming the global standard for determining the amount of water required to sustain aquatic ecosystems and sustain socio-economic development. EFAs comprise structured, science-based approaches to determine how much water must be left in the river to protect the aquatic ecosystems and achieve the desired ecological state. The building block methodology (BBM) that was used in this study is designed to identify a series of important flows (the building blocks) which will together provide the essential aspects of the natural hydrological regime that ensure the persistence of as much of the biodiversity as possible. The results show that a total inflow into eastern wetland of 5.52-6.81 m3 /s is required in order to sustain an outflow of 1-2 m3 /s past Ng’iriama and hence meet the “minimum” recommended flow rates further downstream at BBM1 and BBM2 during the drought low flow conditions. The rationale being that a satisfactory flow during drought low flow conditions will guarantee sufficient flows during low flow periods in normal and wet years. The low flows of 2.5 m3 /s and 19 m3 /s are recommended for the driest and wettest months, respectively.Item Factors Affecting the Adoption and non Adoption of Biogas Technology in Semiarid Areas of Tanzania(2010) Wawa, A.; Mwakalila, ShadrackItem Hydrological Assessment for Rural Supply and Sanitation Development in Mbeya District, South East Tanzania(2012) Mwakalila, ShadrackItem Importance of Intergrated Water Resources Management in the Great Ruaha Basin of Tanzania(2011) Mwakalila, ShadrackItem Integrated water resource management as climate change adaptation strategy in the Great Ruaha river catchment of Tanzania(2013) Mwakalila, ShadrackThis paper presents analysis of the impacts of climate change to the livelihoods of people and the importance of Integrated Water Resources Management approach as climate change adaptation strategies for the sustainable development, allocation and monitoring of water resource use in the context of social, economic and environmental objectives. The analysis was based on the study which was conducted in the Great Ruaha River Catchment. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used for data collection and analysis. The analysis shows that, climate variability leads to changes in the quantity, timing, intensity and duration of rainfall contributing to water stress in many areas and making people more vulnerable. The analysis also shows that, water-related adaptation measures to climate change can be provided with the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) for efficient, equitable and sustainable development and management of water resources and water demands.Item Policy Processes and Perceived Wisdom on the Use of Natural Resources in the Upper Great Ruaha Basin in Tanzania(2010) Mwashihava, M.; Mwakalila, Shadrack; Mbwete, T.Item Vulnerability of People’s Livelihoods to Water Resources Availability in Semi Arid Areas of Tanzania(Scientific Research, 2011-09) Mwakalila, ShadrackIn semi-arid areas of Tanzania vulnerability context is depicted as the starting component for policy process analysis through the sustainable livelihood approach. Giving vulnerability a high prominence in this analysis allowed the research to consider all kinds of vulnerabilities as central issues to the ways in which livelihoods are shaped. Hence the Sustainable Livelihood framework was used in this research as the comprehensive framework for assessing the contributing factors to limited water resources availability to sustain people’s livelihoods. The study revealed that, changes in the quantity, timing, intensity and duration of rainfall as a result of climate change contributes to greater water stress and making people more vulnerable. Due to over-abstraction upstream of the Great Ruaha River, it implies that, people depending on the water resources downstream of the Great Ruaha River catchment are vulnerable. Their livelihoods are at risks as they don’t have water for irrigation and other economic activities. The study also revealed that, both vulnerability and livelihood strategies are derived through natural water availability which features droughts, climate change and the link between water availability, agricultural production, and outcomes.