Browsing by Author "Sigala, Atuhombye"

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    Awareness and involvement of local communities adjacent Kihansi catchment in conservation of the re-introduced Kihansi spray toads (Nectophrynoides asperginis)
    (Elsevier BV, 2021) Sigala, Atuhombye; Ngongolo, Kelvin; Mmbaga, Naza
    Community awareness and participation in biodiversity conservation is vital for the establishment of community based conservation (CBC). However little information is available on the awareness and involvement of local communities adjacent to Kihansi catchment areas (KCA) on the conservation of re-introduced Kihansi spray toad (KST) and their habitat. This study focused on assessing the awareness and involvement of local communities adjacent to the KCA on the conservation of the re-introduced KSTs and their habitats. The study was conducted in three villages located adjacent to the Kihansi river gorge namely; Mgugwe, Udagaji and Ukami. Semi-structured questionnaires with both open and closed-ended questions were used to collect data from the respondents from villages surrounding the Kihansi Gorge through a cross-sectional survey. The awareness of local communities on the re-introduced KST was as follows; 98.9% (n = 361) had heard about KST and the variation across villages was significant (p < 0.05). In addition, 46.03% (n = 168) had ever seen the toads although only 27. 67% (n = 101) were able to identify the toads through their physical features. About 43.01% (n = 157) of people heard about KST through friends, while 33.15% (n = 121), and 23.84% (n = 87) heard from experts and local government leaders respectively with insignificant variation across the three villages (p = 0.236). The participation of local communities in conservation was low (<30%) which was related to little awareness of local communities on the re-introduced KST. Challenges such as habitat destruction, pollution, fires, and predation by invasive species have been reported to affect KSTs and their habitats. The study recommends strengthening the participation of local communities in habitat restoration, conservation education, and research activities on the re-introduced KST.
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    Land use land cover changes, water quality and locals’ involvement in conserving Kihansi spray toads (Nectophrynoides asperginis), in Kihansi Tanzania
    (The University of Dodma, 2021) Sigala, Atuhombye
    Biodiversity hotspot areas host global potential for the conservation of wildlife species particularly those that are endemic and critically endangered. This study focused at assessing the land use land cover change (LULCC) of Kihansi catchment and adjacent areas, water quality along the Kihansi River and the involvementof local communities on the conservation of the Kihansi spray toads (KST)(Nectophrynoides asperginis). Landsat images were used to classify and monitor LULCC for 25 years from 1995 to 2020. Also, water quality of KihansiRiver was assessed in terms of pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS). Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data from the respondents from three adjacent villages namely: Mgugwe, Udagaji and Ukami. Settlements and agricultural land increased by 26.23% and 3.7%, respectively. On the other hand, forest land decreased by a rate of 1.2% per yearbetween 1995 and the year 2020.Cultivation of crops such as paddy and maize were the dominant socio-economic activity (p<0.05). Significant variation for water quality variables was observed (p<0.05) for temperature (Mean ± S.E=25.34±0.31oC), pH (Mean ± S.E.=6.88±0.03) and DO (Mean± S.E. =5.41±0.03 mg/L) among the three sampled zones while human activities such as agriculture significantly influenced water quality (p<0.05). About 98.9% (n=361) of local communities wereheard about KST and the variation across villages was significant (p<0.05). Also 46.03% (n=168) have seen the toads although only 27. 67% (n=101) were able to identify the toads through their physical features. Human activities influence LULCC of KC thereby threatening the KC ecosystem and KST due to habitat loss. Ifnoproper measures are taken for management of the Kihansi River continued increase of TDS from human activitieswilldecreases DO in water, thismay threaten sustainabilityofthe re-introduced toads.This study provides baseline information for land use planning in KC and adjacent areas that consider sustainable conservation of the re-introduced KST which includes establishment of buffer zone around the catchment. It also calls for proper management of the Kihansi River through involvement of local communities to ensure sustainability of the re-introduced KST.Local communities should be involved in conservation activities like habitat restoration and research activities on the re-introduced KST throughconservation education, and outreach programs.