An assessment of the role of ecosystem services in enhancing resilience of local communities to Climate change: Case of Ngarambe-Tapika Wildlife Management Area, Rufiji District

This study examined the role of ecosystem services in enhancing resilience of local community to climate change in Ngarambe Tapika Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The study aimed to identify forms of ecosystem services that can be gained from conservation of WMA, assess the ecosystem services which are mostly affected by the impacts of climate change, and evaluate the capacity of local community in conservation and management of Ngarambe-Tapika WMA ecosystem. Further, the study incorporated both quantitative and qualitative research. Purposive sampling was employed in selecting respondents for household questionnaire, focus group discussion and key informant interviews. The study revealed that most economic activities were agriculturally oriented including poultry keeping; small businesses and only extension officers were formally employed. Illiteracy rate was high as most had attained only primary education. Income obtained from Ngarambe-Tapika WMA by the communities were invested in material welfare and livelihoods that enhance resilience to climate change, primarily social services (54.9%) like construction of houses, dispensaries, and rehabilitation of the primary schools, some of the money was spent on generators, which provide electricity to community and energy for the water pumps. Other benefits involved employment (16.5%), protection from dangerous and problematic wildlife (14.3%), and petty business (14.3%). The rainfall data of the past over 30 years (1980-2014) in the study area showed a minor variation in distribution. There was a low correlation in the pattern of the mean annual rainfall (R =0.0096). The trend seemed to decline implying that on average rainfall was decreasing. From the results of the assessment it is evident that Ngarambe-Tapika ecosystem encompasses the variety of existing life forms, the ecological roles they perform, and the genetic diversity they contain. It is key to enhancing resilience and adaptation of local community plant and animal species to climate change. The continued loss and degradation of biodiversity in Ngarambe Tapika WMA will weaken the ability of ecosystems to respond to climate change and support the community. In Ngarambe Tapika WMA there is a need to emphasize on conservation awareness and extension programs toward advocating sustainable utilization of wildlife resources, climate change and adaptation strategies to both local community and wildlife through indigenous knowledge on conservation and management of WMA. I recommend that the Ngarambe Tapika community with the help of Rufiji District council to change source of power from generator dependence to solar energy, for pumping water and lighting the area so as to receive solar radiation all year roun