water resource variability and livelihoods in the lower rufiji ecosystems (tanzania) by mwakipesile...
TRANSCRIPT
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)