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Janssens de Bisthoven L, Vanhove MPM, Rochette AJ, Hugé J, Verbesselt S, Machunda R, Munishi L, Wynants M, Steensels A, Malan-Meerkotter M, Henok S, Nhiwatiwa T, Casier B, Kiwango YA, Kaitila R, Komakech H, Brendonck L. Social-ecological assessment of Lake Manyara basin, Tanzania: A mixed method approach. J Environ Manage 2020; 267:110594. [PMID: 32349949 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The social-ecological system of the Lake Manyara basin (Northern Tanzania), a UNESCO Biosphere reserve (BR) suffers from social-economic and environmental problems due to decreasing water levels, erosion and land and water use conflicts. We propose an integrated assessment of the social-ecological interactions of the area to support future sustainable management. Within the Drivers-Pressures-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework an integrated literature review and several methods of knowledge collection were combined to identify future management priorities and challenges. During focus groups with farmers and pastoralists, stakeholders confirmed the role played by land use changes as driver and pressure in the landscape, e.g. through increased erosion rates and siltation of the lake. Moreover, economic and social issues were identified as prominent factors being influenced by, or influencing these processes. These statements match the scientific literature. During participatory mapping exercises different spatial and resource allocation perceptions appeared amongst pastoralists and farmers. The multidisciplinary approach proved to be useful to acquire an integrated and comprehensive understanding of the state, challenges and opportunities of Lake Manyara BR, to feed into a decision support system in service of an integrated management plan. Our assessment suggests that improved water governance in a multi-actor approach (with a focus on distribution of benefits, rights, and a specific role of the water authorities) should be a priority for future integrated management strategies. Also, awareness raising amongst decision makers, scientists and local communities is needed to demonstrate the advantages of an integrated approach. And finally, visible and fair mechanisms to share conservation revenues should be designed in a way that local benefits can be obtained together with incentive mechanisms for co-management and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Janssens de Bisthoven
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, OD Nature, CEBioS Programme, Vautier Straat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - M P M Vanhove
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, OD Nature, CEBioS Programme, Vautier Straat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium; KU Leuven, Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation, Charles Deberiotstraat 32 - box 2439, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Hasselt University, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Research Group Zoology: Biodiversity and Toxicology, Agoralaan Gebouw D, B-3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Zoology Unit, Finnish Museum of Natural History, P.O.Box 17, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - A-J Rochette
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, OD Nature, CEBioS Programme, Vautier Straat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - J Hugé
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Département de Biologie des Organismes, Écologie des Systèmes et Gestion des Ressources, Campus du Solbosch, CP 169, Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt 50, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium; Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Biology Department, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; Open University of the Netherlands, Valkenburgerweg 177, 6419, AT, Heerlen, the Netherlands; Hasselt University, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Research Group Environmental Biology, Agoralaan Gebouw D, B-3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - S Verbesselt
- KU Leuven, Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation, Charles Deberiotstraat 32 - box 2439, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - R Machunda
- Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), PO Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - L Munishi
- Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), PO Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - M Wynants
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, UK
| | - A Steensels
- KU Leuven, Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation, Charles Deberiotstraat 32 - box 2439, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - M Malan-Meerkotter
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa
| | - S Henok
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa
| | - T Nhiwatiwa
- University of Zimbabwe, Lake Kariba Research Station, P.O. Box 78, Kariba, Zimbabwe
| | - B Casier
- Trias, P.O. Box 12005, Arusha, Tanzania
| | | | - R Kaitila
- TANAPA, P. O. Box 3134, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - H Komakech
- Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), PO Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - L Brendonck
- KU Leuven, Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation, Charles Deberiotstraat 32 - box 2439, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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