Cultivation and Conservation in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

Abstract

Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), Tanzania, contains renowned wildlife, an expanding human population, and cultivation by Maasai agro-pastoralists and nonMaasai agriculturalists. We used integrated assessments to explore some effects of cultivation on livestock, resident wildlife, and people. Using a Landsat image from 2000, we mapped 3,967 ha [9,803 acres (ac)] of cultivation within NCA, or 39.7 km 2 of the 8,283 km 2 conservation area. Using integrative ecosystem (Savanna) and household (PHEWS) models, we assessed effects of: up to 50,000 ac (20,234 ha) of cultivation; cultivation concentrated into two blocks totaling 10,000 ac (4,047 ha) and 20,000 ac (8,094 ha) that may be more palatable to tourists; and human population growth. Simulations with from 10,000 to 50,000 ac in cultivation showed no large changes in ungulate populations relative to there being no cultivation. When cultivation was altered to be in two blocks, some wildlife populations changed (≤15%) and ungulate biomass remained the same. When cultivation was increased linearly with human population, poor households needed 25% of their diets to come from relief as populations tripled, because livestock could not increase significantly. Our results indicate that having <1% of NCA in cultivation, in its current distribution, is not overly detrimental to wildlife or livestock populations, and is important to Maasai well-being.

Influence of habitat fragmentation on the genetic structure of large mammals: evidence for increased structuring of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) within the Serengeti ecosystem

“…This highlights how rapidly fragmentation can lead to isolation and genetic differentiation, even in such a highly genetically variable and numerous key species as the buffalo, illustrating the real risk of fragmentation in the region. Much has changed over the last decades in NCA, including large increases in the human populations of both Maasai pastoralists and other human immigrants with interests in agriculture (Kijazi et al 1997;Galvin et al 2004;Boone et al 2006). Diseases and drought, among other factors, have resulted in decreasing livestock, which are the sole reliant source of food and income to pastoralists (NCAA 1999;Lynn 2000;Fyumagwa et al 2007).…”

“…Diseases and drought, among other factors, have resulted in decreasing livestock, which are the sole reliant source of food and income to pastoralists (NCAA 1999;Lynn 2000;Fyumagwa et al 2007). Therefore, land-use has become intensified in recent years as the Maasai pastoralists are forced to become more sedentary and practice agriculture in response to food scarcity (McCabe et al 1997b;Neumann 1998;Boone et al 2006). Unfortunately, much of the present agriculture is taking place on fertile areas that otherwise would have provided a good habitat for buffaloes and that could have represented a corridor important for genetic exchange between the NCA and other Serengeti management areas (Fig.…”

Does illegal hunting affect density and behaviour of African grassland birds? A case study on ostrich (Struthio camelus)

“…the Maasai), livestock grazing and small scale cultivation that have increased in the past decade. The human population within NCA in 2002 was approximately 60,000 and has been increasing at a rate of 3.5% per annum (Boone et al 2006). …”

“…Also Thiollay (2006a) noted declines in bird diversity and abundance in high human density areas and that the disappearance of game birds also contributed to a dramatic decline in raptor species (Thiollay 2006c). The human population in both NCA and in the western Serengeti are growing rapidly, which means that human impact is likely to increase in the future (Campbell and Hofer 1995;Boone et al 2006). Considering the extensive use of birds it is therefore crucial that monitoring programs are expanded to also include the avifauna.…”

Cattle dynamics in African grazing systems under variable climates

“…Eleven animal groups were modeled: migratory wildebeest, zebra, and grazing antelope, plus resident zebra and grazing antelope (resident wildebeest live mostly in Ngorongoro Crater, which was not included in this model), browsing antelope, African buffalo, elephants, plus three livestock species, cattle, goats, and sheep. Boone et al (2006) provides more detail about the model application.…”