Evaluation of rangeland condition in miombo woodlands in eastern Tanzania in relation to season and distance from settlements

Ruvuga, Peter Rogers; Wredle, Ewa; Nyberg, Gert; Hussein, Ramadhani Ally; Masao, Catherine Aloyce; Selemani, Ismail Saidi; Sangeda, A. Z.; Kronqvist, Cecilia

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112635

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…For the process of recovery to be smooth, the human impact on the natural environment must decrease. Various studies have shown human settlements to critically effect the biodiversity and characteristics of the vegetation communities in major desert ecosystems [4,5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Human Settlements on Diversity of Range Vegetation

et al. 2022

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The rapidly increasing population of human beings in semi-arid areas is often considered as a major factor of land degradation. Only a few studies have examined the dynamics of human settlements on the composition, diversity, structure and palatability of range vegetation in Southern Punjab Pakistan. The current study aims to assess whether the distance from settlements had any effect on the range vegetation’s diversity and cover. In order to determine the impact of human settlements on the vegetation, the sampling area (Thal rangeland) was classified into three categories, i.e., Near (1–2 km from human communities), Away (2–4 km from human communities), and Far (4–6 km from human settlements). A total of 75 transects in all of the three sites were placed in the study sites. Along the transects, a quadrate of 1 m2 after every 10 m was randomly placed. The study site yielded floral diversity of a total of 29 species, representing 23 genera and belonging to 9 families. Results showed that the areas away from the human communities had higher species diversity (20), while the site near to human settlements depicted lower diversity (14). It was observed that, although the site near to communities had lower diversity, it depicted higher plant density, while the highest diversity along with the lowest plant density was observed in sites away from the communities. The study concluded that the diversity of range grasses, especially desirable species, was affected by distance to human settlements. These findings could be useful to detect flora changes, establish habitat protection priorities and improve efforts for conserving natural landscapes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Human Settlements on Diversity of Range Vegetation

et al. 2022

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“…Intensive communal grazing, which is a common feature of most smallholder grazing systems in Africa [ 34 , 35 ], often causes a decline in herbaceous biomass production [ 4 , 5 ]. The highest herbaceous forage biomass observed on the study area, 281 kg DM/ha on lightly grazed site at lowland elevation ( Table 2 ), was much lower than reported for arid/semi-arid rangelands elsewhere in Ethiopia [ 36 ] and East Africa [ 37 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 57%

Grazing intensity effects on rangeland condition and tree diversity in Afar, northeastern Ethiopia

Mathewos,

Sisay,

Berhanu

2023

Heliyon

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“…Smallholder dairy farmers in the tropics and sub-tropics are faced with a shortage of high-quality feedstuffs needed to meet the nutritional requirements of high-producing dairy cattle. The shortage is attributed to low herbage yields of predominantly native forage species contributed by low genetic potential, seasonal rainfall patterns, and poor soil properties (Ruvuga et al, 2021;Boote et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selected soil properties and small-holder dairy farmers perceptions on improved forage varieties in the Southern highlands of Tanzania

Safiel¹,

David²,

Boniface³

2022

Afr. J. Agric. Res.

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The current study is aimed at accessing selected soil properties of forage gardens and perceptions of small-holder dairy farmers to newly introduced improved forage in Southern highlands, Tanzania. A total of 101 respondents were randomly sampled and interviewed on the issues relating to management, preferences, and adoption challenges of different pasture varieties. Some surveyed households (38) were purposefully chosen for soil sampling and analysis, since they had pasture plots >256 m 2 (~0.1 acres) and established Brachiaria hybrid, cv Cayman and cv Cobra, as well as Pennisetum purpureum cv Ouma and cv ILRI 16835 in their plots at the time of this survey. Results showed that total soil nitrogen was sufficient, exchangeable potassium was on the borderline between medium and low, and available phosphorus was below the required amount for optimum pasture production. The soil in some farms was acidic (pH<5.5) which could inhibit phosphorus uptake and other cations availability. Little land was allocated for pasture cultivation and household income from dairy production was moderate. It was concluded that improving access to planting materials and dairy marketing could encourage farmers to intensify pasture and dairy production, hence, improving pasture farms' soil condition and their livelihoods.

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Evaluation of rangeland condition in miombo woodlands in eastern Tanzania in relation to season and distance from settlements

Cited by 8 publications

References 42 publications

Impact of Human Settlements on Diversity of Range Vegetation

Impact of Human Settlements on Diversity of Range Vegetation

Grazing intensity effects on rangeland condition and tree diversity in Afar, northeastern Ethiopia

Selected soil properties and small-holder dairy farmers perceptions on improved forage varieties in the Southern highlands of Tanzania

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