Browsing by Author "Fundisha, Evarist"

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    Assessment of traditional environmental knowledge systems applied to climate change in Rombo district, Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2016) Fundisha, Evarist
    The Traditional Environmental Knowledge systems (TEKS) have been widely used to solve problems in places where modem environment knowledge systems (MEKS) are difficult to access and use. This study assessed the efficacy of (TEKS) applied to climate change and variability forecasting, Adaptation and mitigation in Rombo District, Tanzania. Triangulation of research methods allowed in the study to obtain diverse and detailed information to enhance confidence in the findings. The study results affirm the existence of climate change and variability in the study area because the majority of household heads had perceived abnormal characteristics of rainfall, temperature and wind run. Analyses meteorological data indicate similar characteristics, which were not statistically significant in all periods. Most of the household heads believed that climate change and variability are induced by anthropogenic factors which have exerted their effects more indirectly on crops and pasture. Moreover, a significant number of household heads could forecast rainfall using traditional tools in time ranging from an hour to a month in advance. On the other hand, it was somewhat difficult to determine the efficacy of some traditional tools in forecasting rainfall because the same tool was rated differently by different respondents, as very reliable, reliable, unreliable or no longer reliable. Although half of the heads of household anticipated a decrease in rainfall, forecasting from Global Climate Models revealed the opposite. Most of the household heads had devised different adaptation practices and mitigation measures based on their TEKS to cope with climate change and variability. In fact, the majority had resorted to water conservation practices to cope with crop failure and fetching fodder from afar due to pasture deterioration and tree planting aimed at mitigating climate change and variability. The efficacy of these adaptation practices and mitigation measures were stymied by small land sizes, location, funds, technical knowhow, and climate change and variability. The anticipated climate change and variability effects might not be felt by the majority of household heads because they were both prepared for adaptation and mitigation. For effective forecasting, adaptation and mitigation of climate change and variability, multidisciplinary approaches that consider location and socioeconomic characteristics of individuals are recommended.
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    Concentration of heavy metals in selected edible fish species along the coast of Dar es Salaam
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2003) Fundisha, Evarist
    The concentrations of zinc, copper, cadmium and lead in fish were determined to asses the health hazards they constitute to fish consumers. Fish species were collected from local fishermen at four landing sites along the coast of Dar es Salaam from May to July 2002. Samples were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results show that heavy metal concentrations vary among organs within and between fish species. The highest metal concentrations were found in the liver, followed by kidney, gills and muscles. Mean concentrations of zinc (|jg g-1 dry wt.) in liver, kidneys, gills and muscles were 121.78, 72.87, 61.66 and 10.30 and 14.13, 8.36, 3.40 and 1.98 for copper respectively. Cadmium and lead were below the detection limit in muscles but for liver, kidney and gills, the mean values were 0.14, 0.10 and 0.01 pg g_1 for cadmium and 0.03, 0.04 and 0.06 [ig g-1 for lead respectively. There was significant difference in metal concentrations in tissues between fish species. When the results from this study were compared with those from other geographical regions of the world, they showed that Dar es Salaam coastal waters are not polluted. In general, the concentrations of zinc, copper, cadmium and lead in the muscles of the five fish species were within the permissible levels set for human consumption.