Climate change impacts and adaptive strategies in the Rufiji delta
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Date
2009
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The study aimed at investigating Climate Change impacts and adaptive strategies in the Rufiji Delta. The specific objectives included the following; to establish the local perceptions on climate and its associated changes, to establish evidences and/or indicators of climate change, to examine impacts of climate change on livelihood activities and to determine coping and adaptation strategies by local communities and other parties. The study employed descriptive design, together with qualitative and quantitative techniques of data collection. The data collection methods included interviews, questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and documentary evidence. The study also took in a sample of households and Village Executive Officers. Findings of the study showed that livelihood activities in the study area particularly farming and fishing are already impacted by climate change. It was observed that most of the crops used to be grown have been abandoned with the exception of paddy that depend on irrigation. Similarly, fish catch was noted to have declined with disappearance of some of the species. On the other hand the study noted the increasing scarcity of basic household necessities especially food and water that was associated with the current frequent dry spells as well as altered rainfall patterns. The study also noted the impacts of sea water rise to settlements, underground aquifers and soils. Therefore, it is evident that the community is already impacted by climate change, a situation that calls for institutionalisation of such means as dry land agriculture, advanced fishing methods as well micro-crediting to enable such communities sustain their economies by engaging in secondary economic activities rather than relying upon nature.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library
Keywords
Climate change, Impacts and adaptive, Rufiji delta
Citation
Ndesanjo, R. (2009) Climate change impacts and adaptive strategies in the Rufiji delta, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam.