Browsing and plant traits in nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor savannas in Tanzania

Mramba, Rosemary Peter; Andreassen, Harry P.; Skarpe, Christina

doi:10.1017/s026646741700030x

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 73 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The GSE is characterized by two major seasons: a dry season extending from June to October and a wet season extending from November to May (Mmassy, Fyumagwa, Bevanger, & Røskaft, 2018). Rainfall is bimodal; the short rains from November to February and the long rains from April to June, and mean annual rainfall of 600-1,200mm (Mramba, Andreassen, & Skarpe, 2017;Mmassy et al, 2018). The mean monthly maximum and minimum temperatures in the western Serengeti fluctuate between 25°C-32°C and 13°C-19°C, respectively (Campbell & Hofer, 1995).…”

Section: Description Of the Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Household Reliance on Environmental Income in the Western Serengeti Ecosystem, Tanzania

Kyando¹,

Nyahongo²,

Nielsen³

2019

ENRR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Pressures on protected areas (PAs) in Tanzania are increasing through the extractive use by surrounding communities. Understanding how environmental reliance varies in relation to distance from PAs and in relation to household’s socio-economic characteristics is important for PAs management and decision of poverty alleviation strategies. This study therefore aimed to quantifying the reliance on cash environmental income as a share in total household income over a gradient of distance from PA boundaries in Western Serengeti and evaluates how it is influenced by socio-economic characteristics. Data was collected through a semi-structured questionnaire of 150 households, randomly selected in three villages. Results indicate that environmental cash-income varies from 21.3% to 45.2% of the total annual cash-income, representing on average 37.8% of the total annual cash-income of all households surveyed. Households closest to the boundary of Serengeti National Park (SNP) are relatively more reliant on environmental income than those located relatively far. Environmental cash-income reliance is associated with household socio-economic factors including distance from SNP boundary, household wealth rank and absolute income from off-farm activities. The main sources of environmental cash-income are fuel-wood, construction materials and wild foods. Reducing environmental reliance requires promotion of off-farm activities, improved wood fuel stoves electricity and alternative sources of fuels.

show abstract

Section: Description Of the Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Household Reliance on Environmental Income in the Western Serengeti Ecosystem, Tanzania

Kyando¹,

Nyahongo²,

Nielsen³

2019

ENRR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The GSE is a highland savannah region with plains and woodlands at an altitude of 1,000-1,800m above sea level. The area receives two rainy seasons; the short rains which normally start in late November to February and the long rains from March to May, with an average of annual rainfall ranging from 600 to 1,100mm (Mramba et al, 2017). The mean annual temperature fluctuates with minimum range of 13 to 19°C and maximum of 25 to 32°C (Campbell & Hofer, 1995).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

The Importance of Bushmeat in Household Income as a Function of Distance from Protected Areas in the Western Serengeti Ecosystem, Tanzania

Manyama¹,

Nielsen²,

Nyahongo³

2019

ENRR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Bushmeat hunting is widespread in villages adjacent to protected areas in Western Serengeti. However, little information is available about the role of bushmeat income in the household economy as a function of distance from the protected area boundary, preventing the formulation of informed policy for regulating this illegal trade. This study was conducted in three villages in Western Serengeti at distances of 3 (closest), 27 (intermediate) and 58km (furthest) from the boundary of Serengeti National Park to assess the contribution of bushmeat to household income. The sample consists of 246 households of which 96 hunted or traded bushmeat, identified using snowball sampling through the aid of local informers. The average income earned from bushmeat was significantly higher for bushmeat traders than hunters. The contribution of bushmeat to household income was significantly higher in Robanda the village closest to the protected area boundary compared to Rwamkoma and Kowak, the more distant villages. A Heckman sample-selection model reveals that household participation in hunting and trading bushmeat was negatively associated with distance to the protected area boundary and with the household head being female. Household reliance on bushmeat income was negatively associated with age and gender of the household head and distance to the protected area boundary. Hence, efforts to reduce involvement in hunting, and trading bushmeat should target male-headed households close to the protected area boundary.

show abstract

“…For instance, the presence of E. tenuifolia, C. dactylon, and C. gayana influenced the occurrence of grazers like zebras, antelopes, hartebeests as well as generalists like the elands. Other studies have reported that plant species drive the occurrence of the mammalian herbivores in a particular locality by providing the much-needed food to the animals [37,15]. In most cases, the mammalian herbivore grazers and browsers were seen foraging together among the park's grasses and herbs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Herbivory and Invasive Plant Species dynamics in Protected Rangelands: A Case for Conservation of Hell’s Gate National Park, Kenya

Gichure,

Nyaga,

Ngendo

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The status of vegetation and the impacts of mammalian herbivores on rangelands are complex, and such studies in Kenya are scanty. We investigated the dynamics of ground cover vegetation in Hell’s Gate National Park in relation to mammalian herbivory. Removal of palatable vegetation is postulated to enhance the development of invasive plant species. We investigated the influence of mammalian herbivores on vegetation diversity and dynamics in this rangeland. Three sampling blocks approximately 3 Km apart measuring 100 m x 50 m were established, each divided into three belt-transects (100 m x 10 m), and separated by a 10 m buffer zone. 2 m by 2 m quadrats at 20 m intervals were established in each transect. We measured composition the richness of plant and mammal species, and herbivory levels four times for six months (September 2018 to February 2019). Plant cover (P&lt; 0.001) and species diversity (P&lt; 0.001) differed significantly among sampling blocks and between seasons (P&lt; 0.001). Non-metric multidimensional scaling of plant species and herbivores showed co-occurrence of Zebras with Sida tenuicarpa and giraffes with Solanum incunum. We conclude that the removal of preferred plants through herbivory may be giving an edge to invasive species in the park.

show abstract

Browsing and plant traits in nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor savannas in Tanzania

Cited by 6 publications

References 73 publications

Household Reliance on Environmental Income in the Western Serengeti Ecosystem, Tanzania

Household Reliance on Environmental Income in the Western Serengeti Ecosystem, Tanzania

The Importance of Bushmeat in Household Income as a Function of Distance from Protected Areas in the Western Serengeti Ecosystem, Tanzania

Herbivory and Invasive Plant Species dynamics in Protected Rangelands: A Case for Conservation of Hell’s Gate National Park, Kenya

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About