Water Resource Variability and Livelihoods in the Lower Rufiji
Ecosystems (Tanzania)
By
Mwakipesile Augustino
University of Dar es Salaam
Tanzania
Email: [email protected]
Introduction
• Rufiji River maf 800m3 /s• River basin surface 180,000
km2 • Three dams upstream
controlling 23% flow• Planned dam to control 95%
flow of the river• Expected to affect flooding
patterns• To affect LRE and livelihood
strategies of the people
Livelihoods in LRE
• Floodplain agriculture (94%) of 150,000 pop.
• Fishing in RR and small lakes (70%)
• Forests and NTFPs (89%)
• Wetland cultivation (69%)
• Small business (33.3% )
Water Resource Variability in LRE
• Floods (2000-2006) Rainfall (1980-2006)
Rainfall Pattern in Rufiji
0
200
400
600800
1000
1200
1400
Year
Rainf
all (m
m)
Long Rains (mm)January-June
Short Rains (mm0July-December
Total Rainfall
Effects of Water Resource Variability in LRE on Livelihood strategies
• Floodplain agric-terrace agric (forest decline)
• Floodplain agric-cultivation along wetlands
• Long distance to fetch water (women)
• Decline of floodplain food crop produces
• Decline in fish catch and stock
Conclusion and Recommendations
• Collapse of flood dependent livelihoods
• Decline of delta mangroves (500km2)
• Biodiversity studies
• Studies on livelihood strategies
• Flood release management (for environmental flows and livelihood strategies)