Use of Weather and Climate Information in Decisions on Conservation of Water Resources in Kilombero River Catchment, Tanzania

Emanuel L Moirana ,Japhet J Kashaigili

doi:10.7176/jees/10-4-06

Abstract

The authors thankfully acknowledge the financial support from Uncertainty Reduction in Models for Understanding Development Applications (UMFULA) Project under the Future Climate for Africa (FCFA). Special thanks go to Declan Conway (London School of Economics and Political Science) who contributed invaluable inputs to the publication. Abstract This study assessed the use of climate information in decisions on the conservation of water resources and determined influencing factors in Kilombero River Catchment in Tanzania. A cross-sectional research design was employed. Purposive sampling was used to select Kilombero, Ulanga and Malinyi districts and Lumemo, Nakafulu and Biro villages while simple random sampling was used to select respondents. A total of 120 household respondents were interviewed in the three villages. In addition, 7 Key Informants’ Interviews (KIIs) involving officers from Kilombero Game Controlled Area (KGCA) and Rufiji Basin Water Board (RBWB) and 3 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with the villagers were conducted. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and STATA computer programs while qualitative information was analyzed using content analysis. Results show nearly half of respondents of weather and climate information in decisions to conserve water resources. Although ten decisions were identified in the area, weather and climate information was highly used in deciding conservation measures (X 2 =5.992, p<0.05), construction of small pans or bore holes for water storage (X 2 =6.580, <0.05) and reducing the number of livestock (X 2 =5.889, p<0.05). Four variables which had significant and positive correlation with conservation of water resources were identified. Foremost among them is extension visits (s=0.079; p<0.01) which implied access and frequency of extension visits influence use of weather and climate information in making decisions. It is concluded that communities in the area use weather and climate information in decisions which conserve water resources. Policy makers are advised to emphasize factors which had positive significant correlation with conservation of water resources. Keywords: Climate Information Use, Water Conservation Decisions. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-4-06 Publication date: April 30 th 2020

Highlights

IntroductionInformation on weather (hours to months) and climate (months to decades) are useful tools for building adaptive capacities of communities and governments to climate change (Ambani & Abalabe 2017)
Information on weather and climate are useful tools for building adaptive capacities of communities and governments to climate change (Ambani & Abalabe 2017)
3.1 Socio-demographic Characteristics of Respondents The results show that the majority 53.3% of the respondents were aged between 40 and 59 years, 65.8% were males and 91.7% were married (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Information on weather (hours to months) and climate (months to decades) are useful tools for building adaptive capacities of communities and governments to climate change (Ambani & Abalabe 2017). It does this by reducing the vulnerability of societies and people to the effects of increased variability and changes through; reducing shifts in hydro-meteorological trends, protect and restore ecosystems that provide critical land and water resources and closing the gap between water supply and demand (Bergkamp et al 2003). Little is known regarding the uses of weather and climate information in decisions on the conservation of water resources in Tanzania, especially in the Kilombero River catchment. The specific objectives are as follows; 1, to assess the use of climate information on decisions to conserve water resources, and 2, to determine factors that influence the use of weather and climate information in decisions on conservation of water resources

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion