Masters Dissertations

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Browsing Masters Dissertations by Subject "Adaptation"

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    Adaptation strategies to climate variability and change by gender in agro-pastoral communities of central Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2012) Mtupile, Eliya Elias
    Resource inheritance to male individuals rather than females is predominant in agropastoral communities of semi arid areas of central Tanzania; and is a major cause for inequality in distribution of resources, participation in decisions and share of roles between men and women. This study examines gender-based vulnerability and adaptation strategies of such communities focusing on their roles. It was undertaken in Chamwino District, in Solowu and Mloda villages. 78 households were randomly chosen as respondents in a sample size of 5%. The majority of these (58.5%) came from male headed households, and 70.5% of all respondents were married. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through participatory methods and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Excel. Climate data for the past 30 years were also collected and analysed. Climate change and variability indicators were revealed from both climate and social data. Annual mean rainfall decreased from 700mm in 1980 to 490mm in 2010 while average temperature increased gradually. The late onset and early end of the rain season resulted into an increase in the hot season of the year and early drying of water sources for domestic use. Pests and diseases increased which affected crops, livestock and humans. Crop harvests particularly and consistently became very poor. Women and girls were most negatively affected due to increased roles with climate impacts. Their ability to recover from climate shocks were also limited by fewer resources. It was concluded that there are signs of climate change and variability affecting the study area. It was recommended that, an entry point to adapt to climate change is to identify roles that are most affected and identify and empower those most affected social groups. Key words: Adaptation, Climate Change, Gender, Agro-Pastoralist, Tanzania.
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    Community vulnerability and adaptation to the impacts of climate variability and extremes on wetlands
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2007) Tumbo, Madaka
    This study aimed at assessing community vulnerability and adaptation to the impact of climate variability and extremes on wetlands and its implication for livelihoods in Simiyu catchment, Southwest of Lake Victoria, Tanzania. The results of this study provide baseline information on vulnerability assessments and development of adaptation strategies in the country. Moreover this study will likely contribute significantly to similar future studies on other wetlands within Tanzania. Rainfall anomalies were used to characterise wet and dry seasons. Questionnaire surveys and focus group discussions were used to establish the impacts and coping strategies used during extreme events of floods and droughts. The results showed high rainfall fluctuations between seasons and from one year to the other. They further indicated that normally the October -November -December (OND) and March-April-May (MAM ) seasons do not have the same strength and sign of anomalies, that is there are seasonal variation within the same year. Communities living around the Simiyu wetlands are vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations as their socio-economic activities are highly dependent on rainfall since 87% of respondents practice rainfed agriculture. It is concluded that incidences of climate variations are increasing and have implications for livelihoods that depend on wetlands resources. The implication of these seasonal variations is the reduction in agricultural and livestock production. This has recently led to mixed croping along the wetlands and lake shores as a coping strategy. The responses of livestock keepers to seasonal variations in rainfall include holding vast and varied grazing grounds (transhumance) in order to ensure ownership of abundant grazing land.