Agriculture is the main driver of deforestation in Tanzania

Abstract

Reducing deforestation can generate multiple economic, social and ecological benefits by safeguarding the climate and other ecosystem services provided by forests. Understanding the relative contribution of different drivers of deforestation is needed to guide policies seeking to maintain natural forest cover. We assessed 119 randomly selected plots from areas deforested between 2010 and 2017, in Tanzania. Through ground surveys and stakeholder interviews we assessed the proximate deforestation drivers at each point. Crop cultivation was the most commonly observed driver occurring in 89% of plots, compared to livestock grazing (69%) and charcoal (35%). There was evidence of fire in 77% of plots. Most deforestation events involved multiple drivers, with 83% of plots showing signs of two or more drivers. Stakeholder interviews identified agriculture as the primary deforestation driver in 81% of plots, substantially more than charcoal production (12%), timber harvesting (1%) and livestock (1%). Policy-makers in Tanzania have sought to reduce deforestation by reducing demand for charcoal. However, our work demonstrates that agriculture, not charcoal, is the main driver of deforestation in Tanzania. Beyond protected areas, there is no clear policy limiting the conversion of forests to agricultural land. Reducing deforestation in Tanzania requires greater inter-sectoral coordination between the agriculture, livestock, land, energy and forest sectors.

Predicting Behavioral Intention of Rural Inhabitants toward Economic Incentive for Deforestation in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

“…While in the case of developing countries like Africa, deforestation is continued for subsistence agriculture farming and wood production for local markets [43,44]. Agriculture and charcoal production are the main causes of deforestation in Tanzania [45] and fuel-wood in Senegal [46]. In Turkey, the main causes of deforestation are rapid urbanization and industrialization [47].…”

Feeding efficiency gains can increase the greenhouse gas mitigation potential of the Tanzanian dairy sector

“…About 55% of Tanzania’s land area is occupied by woodlands and forests, and these areas are under increasing pressure from anthropogenic activities, especially agriculture 2 . The expansion of land areas for crops and grazing are the two largest causes of deforestation in the country 3 . The country has committed to reduce emissions by 10–20% relative to the business as usual scenario by 2030 under the Paris Agreement 4 , although to date, the agricultural sector is not included in Tanzania’s nationally determined contribution (NDC).…”

Feeding Efficiency Gains Can Increase the Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Potential of the Tanzanian Dairy Sector

“…This is despite the evidence by authors such as Carter et al [67] on the role of crop and grazing land (including for livestock), as a driver of deforestation throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Further, recent studies speci cally in Tanzania [3] , have found that grazing land expansion itself is the 2 nd largest driver of deforestation, second only to cropland expansion. Based on the results of this study, feeding e ciency gains in the dairy sector are more likely to reduce emissions via avoided LUC rather than their impact on enteric fermentation or manure.…”