Ecological impact of tobacco farming in miombo woodlands of Urambo District, Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2005
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley
Abstract
This paper examines the ecological threat of tobacco farming
in Urambo District, the leading producer of flue-cured
tobacco in Tanzania with other major producers being
Tabora, Iringa and Chunya Districts. Structured interviews
were conducted in four villages while 39 ModifiedWhittacker
plots were laid in tobacco fallow lands for
inventory of woody species to ascertain ecological performance
and the impact of tobacco on species diversity,
richness and standing stock functions. There was higher
than expected species richness with a total of 115 tree and
shrub species identified. Tobacco farming showed no signi-
ficant negative effect on the floristic composition and stem
density. However, the significantly reduced biomass and
change in vegetation structure illustrate the potential loss in
ecological function of the woodlands. Land clearing for tobacco
planting account to an annual deforestation of 3.5%
while on average a farmer requires 23 m3 of stacked wood
only for curing per season which adds another 3% of
deforestation. Shifting cultivation is no longer sustainable
given the shortened fallow periods of 4 years. Improved
barn structures, alternative sources of fuel like coal, tree
planting, mixed cropping and cash crops that are environment
friendly are recommended for ecological restoration.
Description
Keywords
Deforestation, Richness, Species composition, Tobacco
Citation
Mangora, M.M., 2005. Ecological impact of tobacco farming in miombo woodlands of Urambo District, Tanzania. African Journal of Ecology, 43(4), pp.385-391.