Kilimanjaro Research Articles

Comparison and Prediction of the above Ground Carbon Storage in Croplands on the Inhabited Slopes on Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) and the Taita Hills (Kenya)

Mount Kilimanjaro and the Taita Hills are adjacent montane areas that experience similar climate and agricultural activity, but which differ in their geologic history, nature of elevation gradients and cultures. We assessed differences in cropland above ground carbon (AGC) between the two sites and against environmental variables. One hectare sampling plots were randomly distributed along elevational gradients stratified by cropland type; AGC was derived from all trees with diameter ≥ 10 cm at breast height in each plot. Predictor variables were physical and edaphic variables and human population. A generalized linear model was used for predicting AGC with AIC used for ranking models. AGC was spatially upscaled in 2 km buffer and visually compared. Kilimanjaro has higher AGC in cropped and agroforestry areas than the Taita Hills, but only significant difference in AGC variation in agroforestry areas (F = 9.36, p = 0.03). AGC in cropped land and agroforestry in Kilimanjaro has significant difference on mean (t = 4.62, p = 0.001) and variation (F = 17.41, p = 0.007). In the Taita Hills, significant difference is observed only on the mean AGC (t = 4.86, p = 0.001). Common tree species that contribute the most to AGC in Kilimanjaro are Albizia gummifera and Persea americana, and in the Taita Hills Grevillea robusta and Mangifera indica. Significant and univariate predictors of AGC in Mount Kilimanjaro are pH (R2 = 0.80, p = 0.00) and EVI (R2 = 0.68, p = 0.00). On Mount Kilimanjaro, the top multivariate model contained SOC, CEC, pH and BLD (R2 = 0.90, p = 0.00), whereas in the Taita Hills, the top multivariate model contained elevation, slope and population (R2 = 0.89, p = 0.00). Despite of the difference in land management history of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Taita Hills, mean of AGC in croplands does not differ significantly. Difference occurs on variation of AGC, type of trees contributing AGC, and environmental variables that explain AGC distribution. The research results provide reference for management of carbon sequestration on inhabited montane areas.

Spatial-Temporal Characterization of Atmospheric Aerosols via Airborne Spectral Imaging and Growing Hierarchical Self-Organizing Maps

Neural network analysis based on Growing Hierarchical Self-Organizing Map (GHSOM) is used to examine Spatial-Temporal characteristics in Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), Ångström Exponent (ÅE) and Precipitation Rate (PR) over selected East African sites from 2000 to 2014. The selected sites of study are Nairobi (1°S, 36°E), Mbita (0°S, 34°E), Mau Forest (0.0° - 0.6°S; 35.1°E - 35.7°E), Malindi (2°S, 40°E), Mount Kilimanjaro (3°S, 37°E) and Kampala (0°N, 32.1°E). GHSOM analysis reveals a marked spatial variability in AOD and ÅE that is associated to changing PR, urban heat islands, diffusion, direct emission, hygroscopic growth and their scavenging from the atmosphere specific to each site. Furthermore, spatial variability in AOD, ÅE and PR is distinct since each variable corresponds to a unique level of classification. On the other hand, GHSOM algorithm efficiently discriminated by means of clustering between AOD, ÅE and PR during Long and Short rain spells and dry spell over each variable emphasizing their temporal evolution. The utilization of GHSOM therefore confirms the fact that regional aerosol characteristics are highly variable be it spatially or temporally and as well modulated by PR received over each variable.

Optical Characterization of Atmospheric Aerosols via Airborne Spectral Imaging and Self-Organizing Map for Climate Change Diagnostics

Self-Organizing Map (SOM) analysis is used to perform optical characteri- zation of both Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and Angstrom Exponent (AE) retrieved from Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) in relation to Precipitation Rate (PR) from Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) over selected East African sites from 2000 to 2014 and further diagnose climate change over the region if any. SOM reveals a marked spatial variability in AOD and AE that is associated to changing aerosol transport, urban heat islands, diffusion, direct emission, hygroscopic growth and their scavenging from the atmosphere specific to each site. Temporally, all sites except Mbita and Kampala indicate two clusters in AOD that are associated to prevailing dry and wet seasons over East Africa. Moreover, all sites except Mbita and Mount Kilimanjaro show two clusters in AE that are related to aerosol mode of generation and composition over the region. The single cluster in AOD and ？E over Mbita indicate that aerosol characteristics over the site are influenced by biomass burning and local air circulation rather than the monsoon precipitation throughout the study period.

A late Holocene pollen record from proglacial Oblong Tarn, Mount Kenya.

High-elevation ecosystems, such as those on Mount Kenya are undergoing significant changes, with accelerated glacial ice losses over the twentieth century creating new space for alpine plants to establish. These ecosystems respond rapidly to climatic variability and within decades of glacial retreat, Afroalpine pioneering taxa stabilize barren land and facilitate soil development, promoting complex patches of alpine vegetation. Periglacial lake sediment records can be used to examine centennial and millennial scale variations in alpine and montane vegetation compositions. Here we present a 5300-year composite pollen record from an alpine tarn (4370 m asl) in the Hausberg Valley of Mount Kenya. Overall, the record shows little apparent variation in the pollen assemblage through time with abundant montane forest taxa derived and transported from mid elevations, notably high abundances of aerophilous Podocarpus pollen. Afroalpine taxa included Alchemilla, Helichrysum and Dendrosenecio-type, reflecting local vegetation cover. Pollen from the ericaceous zone was present throughout the record and Poaceae percentages were high, similar to other high elevation pollen records from eastern Africa. The Oblong Tarn record pollen assemblage composition and abundances of Podocarpus and Poaceae since the late Holocene (~4000 cal yr BP-present) are similar to pollen records from mid-to-high elevation sites of nearby high mountains such as Mount Elgon and Kilimanjaro. These results suggest a significant amount of uphill pollen transport with only minor apparent variation in local taxa. Slight decreasing trends in alpine and ericaceous taxonomic groups show a long-term response to global late Holocene cooling and a step decrease in rate of change estimated from the pollen assemblages at 3100 cal yr BP in response to regional hydroclimatic variability. Changes in the principal component axis scores of the pollen assemblage were coherent with an independent mid-elevation temperature reconstruction, which supported the strong influence of uphill pollen transport from montane forest vegetation and association between temperatures and montane vegetation dynamics. Pollen accumulation rates showed some variability related to minerogenic sediment input to the lake. The Oblong Tarn pollen record provides an indication of long term vegetation change atop Mount Kenya showing some decreases in local alpine and ericaceous taxa from 5300–3100 cal yr BP and minor centennial-scale variability of montane taxa from mid elevation forests. The record highlights potentials, challenges and opportunities for the use of proglacial lacustrine sediment to examine vegetation change on prominent mountain massifs.

In‐situ prediction of soil organic carbon by vis–NIR spectroscopy: an efficient use of limited field data

SummaryVisible–near‐infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (vis–NIR DRS) has been widely used to predict soil organic carbon (SOC) in the laboratory. Predictions made directly from soil spectra measured in situ under field conditions, however, remain challenging. This study addresses the issue of incorporating in‐situ reflectance spectra efficiently into calibration data when a few field measurements only are available. We applied the synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) to generate new data with in‐situ reflectance spectra from soil profiles. Subsequently, we combined existing spectral libraries with these new synthetic data to predict SOC by partial least squares regression (PLSR). We found that models with added synthetic spectra always outperformed models based on the spectral libraries alone and in most cases also those with added in‐situ spectra only. We used the models to predict the distribution of SOC in soil profiles under five different land uses at Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania). Based on our results, we propose a framework for predicting SOC with a limited number of in‐situ soil spectra. This framework could effectively reduce the costs of developing in‐situ models for SOC at the local scale.Highlights We compare predictions of soil organic carbon from spectra of dried and sieved samples, field samples and calculated spectra. We use the synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) to calculate new soil spectra. Models with SMOTE outperform models with dried and field spectra in most cases. SMOTE can be used to reduce prediction errors when a few field data only are available for calibration.

Using airborne LiDAR to assess spatial heterogeneity in forest structure on Mount Kilimanjaro

Field inventory plots which usually have small sizes of around 0.25–1 ha can only represent a sample of the much larger surrounding forest landscape. Based on airborne laser scanning (LiDAR) it has been shown for tropical forests that the bias in the selection of small field plots may hamper the extrapolation of structural forest attributes to larger spatial scales. We conducted a LiDAR study on tropical montane forest and evaluated the representativeness of chosen inventory plots with respect to key structural attributes. We used six forest inventory and their surrounding landscape plots on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and analyzed the similarities for mean top-of-canopy height (TCH), aboveground biomass (AGB), gap fraction, and leaf-area index (LAI). We also analyzed the similarity in gap-size frequencies for the landscape plots. Mean biases between inventory and landscape plots were large reaching as much as 77% for gap fraction, 22% for LAI or 15% for AGB. Despite spatial heterogeneity of the landscape, gap-size frequency distributions were remarkably similar between the landscape plots. The study indicates that biases in field studies of forest structure may be strong. Even when mean values were similar between inventory and landscape plots, the mostly non-normally distributed probability densities of the forest variable indicated a considerable sampling error of the small field plot to approximate the forest variable in the surrounding landscape. This poses difficulties for the spatial extrapolation of forest structural attributes and for assessing biomass or carbon fluxes at larger regional scales.

Community‐weighted means and functional dispersion of plant functional traits along environmental gradients on Mount Kilimanjaro

AbstractQuestionsHow do community‐weighted means of traits (CWM) and functional dispersion (FDis), a measure of trait variability, change in response to gradients of temperature, precipitation, soil nutrients and disturbance? Is the decrease in trait similarity between plots continuous or discontinuous? Is species turnover between plots linked to trait turnover?LocationMount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa.MethodsSixty plots were established in 12 major vegetation types on Mount Kilimanjaro, covering large gradients of temperature, precipitation, soil nutrients and anthropogenic disturbance representing the dominant ecosystems in East Africa. Environmental data, plant abundances and plant traits were recorded for each plot. Trait CWM and FDis were related to environmental factors with partial least squares regressions. Trait similarity between pairs of plots was assessed with a null model approach.ResultsBoth CWM and FDis of most traits responded strongly to environmental factors, particularly to precipitation and disturbance. FDis of traits associated with growth and reproduction mostly increased with temperature and precipitation, and decreased with disturbance. Pair‐wise plot comparisons revealed an inverse relationship of trait similarity with differences in temperature, precipitation and anthropogenic disturbance. However, changes in similarity were often discontinuous rather than continuous. Several vegetation types differed strongly in species composition but not in traits.ConclusionsTrait dispersion indicating functional niches increased with productivity and temperature. Conversely, low‐productivity conditions were characterized by trait convergence. Discontinuous changes in trait similarity between plots suggested tipping points at which trait expressions change strongly to adjust to environmental conditions. Large sections of the temperature gradient were characterized by species turnover with only minor changes in traits, indicating that the functional composition may be resilient to gradual environmental changes until a tipping point is reached.

Sociodemographic and Other Characteristics Associated With Behavioural Risk Factors of HIV Infection Among Male Mountain-Climbing Porters in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

Alcohol consumption, marijuana use, unprotected sex, and multiple concurrent sexual partnerships are prevalent among youth globally. These factors are regarded as important behavioural risk factors for HIV infection. The aim of this study was to assess the sociodemographic and other characteristics associated with behavioural risk factors of HIV infection among male mountain-climbing porters working on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.This cross-sectional study enrolled a representative sample of 384 male mountain-climbing porters from 7 tour companies in the Kilimanjaro region using a multi-stage sampling technique. Local interviewers completed a structured questionnaire with porters in the local language, Kiswahili. The questionnaire covered demographics, alcohol and marijuana use, sexual history, sexual partners, and condom use. In-person interviews were completed between April and May 2013. Univariate and bivariate analysis were used to describe data and determine significant predictors of behavioural risk factors of HIV infection.Of 384 participants, 381 (99.2%) were sexually experienced, 353 (92.6%) were sexually active, and 168 (44.1%), reported condom use at last sex. The prevalence of ever-use of alcohol was 62%, and 68% of participants reported being current alcohol users. The prevalence of ever-use of marijuana was 15%, and 49% of participants reported being current marijuana users, with 12% reporting daily use. Age, marital status, working duration as a porter, transactional sex practices, and number of concurrent sexual partners were factors that were significantly associated with unprotected sex, alcohol consumption, and marijuana use (P<.05).Age, marital status, working duration, transactional sex practices, and number of concurrent sexual partners were significantly associated with unprotected sex, alcohol consumption, and marijuana use, among porters in this setting. The findings suggest the need for efforts to motivate sexually active male porters to engage in HIV prevention interventions, including condom use and reduction of multiple concurrent sexual partners, transactional sexual practices, alcohol consumption, and marijuana use.

Usable wild plant species in relation to elevation and land use at Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

We used the broad elevational gradient of Kilimanjaro ranging from warm tropical lowland to cold Afro-alpine temperature regimes and the occurrence of natural, nearly untouched as well as of anthropogenic and heavily disturbed habitats to study how elevation and disturbance by humans affect the proportion of useful plant species in different habitat types. Of the 962 vascular plant species recorded in our 60 study plots, 563 species turned out to be listed as useful in the literature. We classified these species into six usage categories. With linear models we tested for relationships between the proportion of useful species per plot and elevation for natural habitats, and with analysis of variance we compared the proportion of useful species between plots in disturbed and natural habitats at similar elevation. The proportion of useful species for all usage categories increased from 860 to 2500 m asl and decreased with higher elevation. We also found an overall positive correlation between the number of useful plants and the species richness of our plots. Human-influenced habitats had higher proportions of useful species for all usage categories, except for construction and fuel wood usage which were higher in natural savanna and lower montane forest than in used habitats at these elevations. Given the high proportions of useful species, we conclude that preserving the biodiversity of Kilimanjaro ecosystems is indispensable for maintaining the diversity of useful plants species for the local people who rely on it for food, sustainable access to medicinal, fuel, construction and forage material.

Geographical Variation, Distribution and Diversity of Rice Yellow Mottle Virus Phylotypes in Tanzania

Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) is the most important disease of rice in Africa. The disease was first observed in1966 inKenya but has now spread in all rice-growing countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. In Tanzania, its distribution has been restricted to the major rice-growing regions. However, the knowledge on RYMV genetic diversity relies on a limited number of coat protein sequences. Previous studies revealed the presence of the phylotypes S4lv, S4lm and strain S5 in Mwanza, Mbeya and Morogoro regions, respectively, and strain S6 in Kilimanjaro region and Pemba Island. Surveys were conducted during the cropping seasons 2013-2014 in eight rice-growing regions of Tanzania to determine geographical variations and phylotypes of RYMV and the influence of environment factors on its distribution and diversity. A total of 185 rice fields were surveyed. Results indicate that prevalence, severity and phylotypes of RYMV varied significantly with rainfall intensity, temperature and relative humidity (P ≤ 0.01). The highest prevalence was found in Morogoro (82%), Mbeya (80%) and Arusha (67.33%) regions whereas Kigoma (9.33%), Rukwa (11.33%) and Shinyanga (18.67%) had the lowest RYMV prevalence. In each region, RYMV prevalence was higher in 2014 than in 2013. The phylotypes S4lm and new determined phylotypes (S6c and S6w) were highly adapted to low temperature (13.3&#176C) and rainfall (13.7 mm) areas. For the first time, strains from the phylotype S4ug were found outside Uganda, in Kilimanjaro region. Strain S4lv (phylotype Lake Victoria) was found for the first time in Arusha region. The strain S4lm was found in Mbeya, Morogoro and Rukwa regions. Strains S4lm and S4lv were also found in Shinyanga and Kigoma regions, respectively. The strain S5 was still restricted to Morogoro but extended to new locations such as Ulanga district. Strain S6 was found in several new areas and new phylotypes of S6 (S6c and S6w) are reported in this study.

Relationships between abiotic environment, plant functional traits, and animal body size at Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

The effect-response framework states that plant functional traits link the abiotic environment to ecosystem functioning. One ecosystem property is the body size of the animals living in the system, which is assumed to depend on temperature or resource availability, among others. For primary consumers, resource availability may directly be related to plant traits, while for secondary consumers the relationship is indirect. We used plant traits to describe resource availability along an elevational gradient on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Using structural equation models, we determined the response of plant traits to changes in precipitation, temperature and disturbance with and assessed whether abiotic conditions or community-weighted means of plant traits are stronger predictors of the mean size of bees, moths, frugivorous birds, and insectivorous birds. Traits indicating tissue density and nutrient content strongly responded to variations in precipitation, temperature and disturbance. They had direct effects on pollination and fruit traits. However, the average body sizes of the animal groups considered could only be explained by temperature and habitat structure, not by plant traits. Our results demonstrate a strong link between traits and the abiotic environment, but suggest that temperature is the most relevant predictor of mean animal body size. Community-weighted means of plant traits and body sizes appear unsuitable to capture the complexity of plant-animal interactions.

Trend Analysis of Aerosol Optical Depth and &amp;amp;#197ngstr&amp;amp;#246m Exponent Anomaly over East Africa

Trend analysis of atmospheric aerosols enhances confidence in the evaluation of both direct and indirect effects of aerosols on regional climate change. To comprehensively achieve this over East Africa, it’s important to understand aerosols temporal characteristics over well selected sites namely Nairobi (1°S, 36°E), Mbita (0°S, 34°E), Mau Forest (0.0°S - 0.6°S; 35.1°E - 35.7°E), Malindi (2°S, 40°E), Mount Kilimanjaro (3°S, 37°E) and Kampala (0°N, 32.1°E). In this context, trend analysis (annual (in Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) at 550 nm and &#197ngstr&#246m Exponent Anomaly (&#197EA) at 470 - 660 nm) and seasonal (AOD)) from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) were performed following the weighted least squares (WLS) fitting method for the period 2000 to 2013. The MODIS AOD annual trends were ground-truthed by AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) data. Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) was utilized to derive rainfall rates (RR) in order to assess its influence on the observed aerosol temporal characteristics. The derived annual AOD trends utilizing MODIS and AERONET data were consistent with each other. However, monthly AOD and RR were found to be negatively correlated over Nairobi, Mbita, Mau forest complex and Malindi. There was no clear relationship between the two trends over Kampala and Mount Kilimanjaro, which may imply the role of aerosols in cloud modulation and hence RR received. Seasonality is evident between AOD and &#197EA annual trends as these quantities were observed to be modulated by RR. AOD was observed to decrease over East Africa except Nairobi during the study period as a result of RR during the study period. Unlike the other study sites, Nairobi shows positive trends in AOD that may be attributed to increasing populace and fossil fuel, vehicular-industrial emission and biomass and refuse burning during the study period. Negative trends over the rest of the study sites were associated to rain washout. The AOD and &#197EA derived annual trends were found to meet the statistical significance of 95% confidence level over each study site.

Local factors mediate the response of biodiversity to land use on two African mountains

AbstractLand‐use change is the single biggest driver of biodiversity loss in the tropics. Biodiversity models can be useful tools to inform policymakers and conservationists of the likely response of species to anthropogenic pressures, including land‐use change. However, such models generalize biodiversity responses across wide areas and many taxa, potentially missing important characteristics of particular sites or clades. Comparisons of biodiversity models with independently collected field data can help us understand the local factors that mediate broad‐scale responses. We collected independent bird occurrence and abundance data along two elevational transects in Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania and the Taita Hills, Kenya. We estimated the local response to land use and compared our estimates with modelled local responses based on a large database of many different taxa across Africa. To identify the local factors mediating responses to land use, we compared environmental and species assemblage information between sites in the independent and African‐wide datasets. Bird species richness and abundance responses to land use in the independent data followed similar trends as suggested by the African‐wide biodiversity model, however the land‐use classification was too coarse to capture fully the variability introduced by local agricultural management practices. A comparison of assemblage characteristics showed that the sites on Kilimanjaro and the Taita Hills had higher proportions of forest specialists in croplands compared to the Africa‐wide average. Local human population density, forest cover and vegetation greenness also differed significantly between the independent and Africa‐wide datasets. Biodiversity models including those variables performed better, particularly in croplands, but still could not accurately predict the magnitude of local species responses to most land uses, probably because local features of the land management are still missed. Overall, our study demonstrates that local factors mediate biodiversity responses to land use and cautions against applying biodiversity models to local contexts without prior knowledge of which factors are locally relevant.

10 Years of Environmental Change on the Slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and Its Associated Shift in Malaria Vector Distributions.

Malaria prevalence has declined in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania over the past 10 years, particularly at lower altitudes. While this decline has been related to the scale-up of long-lasting insecticidal nets to achieve universal coverage targets, it has also been attributed to changes in environmental factors that are important for enabling and sustaining malaria transmission. Herein, we apply spatial analytical approaches to investigate the impact of environmental and demographic changes, including changes in temperature, precipitation, land cover, and population density, on the range of the major malaria vector species Anopheles arabiensis in two districts of Tanzania, situated on the southern slope of Mount Kilimanjaro. These models are used to identify environmental changes that have occurred over a 10-year period and highlight the implications for malaria transmission in this highland region. Entomological data were collected from the Hai and Lower Moshi districts of Tanzania in 2001-2004 and 2014-2015. Vector occurrence data were applied alongside satellite remote sensing indices of climate and land cover, and gridded population data, to develop species distribution models for An. arabiensis for the 2004 and 2014 periods using maximum entropy. Models were compared to assess the relative contribution of different environmental and demographic factors to observed trends in vector species distribution in lowland and highland areas. Changes in land cover were observed in addition to increased population densities, increased warm season temperature, and decreased wetness at low altitudes. The predicted area and extent of suitable habitat for An. arabiensis declined across the study area over the 10-year period, with notable contraction at lower altitudes, while species range in higher altitude zones expanded. Importantly, deforestation and warmer temperatures at higher altitudes may have created stable areas of suitable vector habitat in the highlands capable of sustaining malaria transmission. We show that environmental changes have had an important influence on the distribution of malaria vector species in a highland area of northern Tanzania. Highland areas may be at continued risk for sporadic malaria outbreaks despite the overall range contraction of principal vector species at lower altitudes, where malaria transmission remains at low intensity.

Chagga chiefs’ and others’ advice for saving Mount Kilimanjaro

This paper analyses four different but connected explanations for addressing environmental change on Mount Kilimanjaro. These explanations are: the scientific, the chiefly, the economic, and that which pertains to social policy. Scientists document that the glaciers on Mount Kilimanjaro are thinning and disappearing. Descendants within chiefly lineages argue that their authority needs to be revitalised to protect the environment. Economists defend the value of harvesting and exporting natural and agricultural resources, while social policy advocates recommend teaching the public about these interweaving interests. An effort is needed to connect and question these four narratives through an environmental education that promotes deep anthropological analysis.

An Interview with David Dabydeen on Literature and Politics

Professor David Dabydeen is a Guyanese-born writer, critic and academic at the Centre of Caribbean Studies at the University of Warwick. In 1993 he became Guyana's ambassador at UNESCO and is still a member of their Executive Board. He has been Guyana's ambassador to China since 2010. Professor Dabydeen has also won several international and national prizes such as the Commonwealth Poetry Prize, the Quiller-Couch Prize, and the Hind Rattan (Jewel of India). Among his works are Slave Song (1984), The Intended (1991), Disappearance (1993); and Our Lady of Demerara (2004). He also co-edited The Oxford Companion to Black British History in 2007.

Pre-colonial Ethnic Wars and the Colonization of Northern Tanzania from 1800 to 1950 CE: The Case of Chagga of Kilimanjaro

In the late 19th century, the various chiefdoms of the Chagga people of Mount Kilimanjaro, in north-eastern Tanzania, engaged in continuous warfare among themselves. While the Mangi (chiefs) sought to expand their areas of domination and strengthen their chiefdoms with the wealth acquired through warfare, they also provided an opening for foreigners to become involved in these local conflicts. This paper examines the role and impacts of the Chagga wars in the German colonization of Chagga land. In the initial stages of the colonization process, the Germans could not know where to start or who to partner with in order to facilitate this process in Kilimanjaro. With the entire Chagga community at war, one chiefdom against another, and the axis of power moving from chiefdom to chiefdom, it was not very easy for colonialists to determine which one was dominant. Although Rindi, the Mangi of Moshi, convinced the Europeans that he was the most powerful chief in Kilimanjaro, the ceaseless wars made the Germans aware that there were other more active and even stronger chiefdoms than Moshi. For the Germans to get into Kilimanjaro, and secure a future for themselves there, the solution was to wage war against the Chagga. Hence they engaged in war with the Kibosho Chiefdom which, under Mangi Sina, was by then the most powerful and prosperous chiefdom. Although Karl Peters had signed a treaty with Mangi Rindi of Moshi in 1885, the country was brought under complete colonial rule by Germans in the early 1890s, after subduing the long-running local wars in the area. This paper draws on the author’s research into oral history in Chagga land, and his archaeological survey of the area, to explore the unintended consequences of involving Europeans in the Chagga chiefdom’s local wars.

Relationships between on-farm tree stocks and soil organic carbon along an altitudinal gradient, Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Understanding above-ground tree biomass carbon (AGC) and relationships to soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks across a landscape provide opportunities for better management of the carbon pools. This study determined relationships between on-farm AGC and SOC stocks along an altitudinal gradient on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Fifty plots (100 × 100 m) were established, whereby all trees ≥5 cm dbh, were recorded. Soil samples from top (0–20 cm) and subsoils (21–50 cm) were collected at the centre of the plots using four subplots. Tree inventory and soil analyses were performed and statistical tests were conducted to understand relationships between AGC and SOC stocks. Results indicated that stem density increased with altitude, however the upland and the midland did not differ significantly while the lowland differs with both the midland and the upland. A similar pattern was observed for basal area and above-ground tree biomass (AGB), with no significant difference between the midland and upland whereas the lowland differed significantly from both the upland and the midland. SOC stocks varied significantly, being the largest in the upland, amounting to almost twice the size recorded in the midland or the lowland. SOC stocks indicated poor correlation (Pearson’s: r = 0.327, df = 47, p = 0.023) and poor interaction (Wald = 0.0008, df = 1, p = 0.977) with AGC. This study concludes that the relationship between AGC and SOC stocks was masked by other factors including soil types, precipitation and land management. The protocol used to test the relationships might also have contributed further to current observation. Overall, the lowland area, having low AGC and SOC stocks, requires management interventions aimed at increasing SOC stocks.

THE COLONIAL COFFEE COMPULSION MARKETING POLICIES IN KILIMANJARO, TANZANIA

This is a historical study that utilises primary evidences from Tanzania National Archives (TNA) to examine the compulsion marketing policies imposed by the Tanzania’s colonial authority among small-scale native coffee producers in the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. The policies were provided under Section 36 of the 1932 co-operative legislation. Also, the 1934 Chagga Rule; and the 1937 Native Coffee (Control and Marketing) Ordinance, which became a key and permanent coffee marketing policy in Tanzania that granted the Moshi Native Coffee Board (MNCB) and KNCU monopoly over the native produced coffee.

Risk Determinants of Acute Mountain Sickness and Summit Success on a 6-Day Ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 m)

The aims of this study were to assess incidence of acute mountain sickness (AMS) and summit success on a 6-day ascent profile of Mt. Kilimanjaro and evaluate potential risk factors for these outcomes. All trekkers through a single Australian tour company between August 2012 and July 2014 were included. Participants ascended via the Rongai route and attempted the summit on day 6. Daily assessments were made using the self-reported Lake Louise score (LLS) questionnaire. Two different AMS diagnostic criteria (LLS ≥ 3 and LLS ≥ 5) were used for data analysis. Risk factors for development of AMS and summit success were analyzed. Over the 24-month period a total of 175 participants undertook the trek. Incidence of AMS was 52.6% (LLS ≥ 3) and 22.9% (LLS ≥ 5). Summit success was 88%. Age, sex, body mass index, and acetazolamide use were not associated with risk of AMS development. Age ≥ 40 years (P = .0002) and female sex (P = .0004) were both significantly associated with reduced summit success rate. Our cohort found a lower incidence of AMS and better summit success on a 6-day ascent of Mt Kilimanjaro than previously described in other groups on 4- and 5-day ascents. Female sex and age ≥ 40 years both predicted failure to summit, but did not increase risk of developing AMS. AMS is a common cause of morbidity on Mt. Kilimanjaro, and although the risk can be mitigated by a slower ascent, there is an ongoing need for education of individual trekkers, tour companies, and local authorities.