The impact of bushfires on animal abundance and diversity across land tenures in Miombo woodlands, Tanzania

Abstract

Abstract. Matimbwi L, Madoffe SS. 2022. The impact of bushfires on animal abundance and diversity across land tenures in Miombo woodlands, Tanzania. Asian J For 6: 43-51. Southern Africa is dominated by Miombo forests (woodlands), the world's largest savanna. The purpose of this research was to examine how bushfires affect mammalian populations in Miombo woodlands under various forest tenure systems. The data was gathered through household questionnaires, a probing question checklist for key informants, participant observation, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods, and a field inventory. We enlisted the aid of the local communities in our analysis of the PRA data we collected. Quantitative and qualitative data and information were subjected to content and structural-functional analysis. Quantitative data was examined using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Microsoft Excel was used to examine inventory data on animal stocks. The average number of mammals collected from each forest tenure system was compared using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to see if there were statistically significant variations. The variety of mammal species in various forest tenure systems was measured using the Shannon-Wiener Index (H). Based on the findings, agricultural activities (44.5%), charcoal production (21.1%), and wildlife hunting (18.9%) accounted for the vast majority of bushfires in Miombo woods. It was thought that illegal logging and honey collection were the only contributing factors. Mammal populations tend to be most significant in Central Governmental Forest Reserves, then in those of the Local Government, and finally in those of the Village Government. Mildly burned sections in the Central Governmental Forest Reserve had a diversity index of 3.2. In contrast, those in the Local Government Forest Reserve and the Village Forest Reserve had indices of 2.0. There was little difference in the diversity index values of the Central Governmental Forest Reserve (2.0) and the Village Forest Reserve (2.0) for moderately burned blocks and the Local Government Forest Reserve (1.6) for unburned blocks. The Central Governmental Forest Reserve had a diversity value of 1.5 for the severely burned blocks, the Village Governmental Forest Reserve had a value of 1.4, and the Local Government Forest Reserve had a value of 1.2. Like other mammals with a low fire escape rate, bushfires hit the rock hyrax particularly hard. As a result, it is suggested that the current management regimes of Local Government Authorities be strengthened to ensure enhanced local community participation with more effective law enforcement measures to save the woods from deterioration. Similarly, communities should be given access to financing and encouragement to pursue income-generating activities to lessen their reliance on Miombo woodlands.