Effects of Some Meteorological Parameters on Land Degradation in Tanzania

Abstract

The impact of some meteorological parameters on land degradation in Tanzania is analysed. Rainfall is responsible for floods in case if it is in excess and drought in case of deficit. In recent years, parts of Tanzania have experienced recurring droughts. The most devastating droughts were those of 1983–1984 and 1993–1994. According to Tanzania historical data, droughts occur every four years which affect over 3.6 million people. The most frequently hit areas are, central areas of Dodoma, Singida and some parts of Pwani, Shinyanga, Mwanza and Mara. Experience over the twenty-year period from 1980 to 2000 has shown that floods occurred 15 times, killing 54 people and affecting 800,000 people. Flood prone regions are Tanga, Mbeya, Pwani, Morogoro, Arusha, Rukwa, Iringa, Kigoma and Lindi. The impact of El-Niño rains is discussed and the probability of rainfall exceeding specific thresholds is analysed. Wind erosion is discussed. The impact of climate change and its relationship to land degradation is analysed. Finally the impact of solar radiation, temperature and evaporation is discussed. The paper concludes that climate and weather contribute significantly to land degradation in Tanzania. The paper recommends that there is a need to: make an inventory of national land resources; assess potentials and constraints in dryland farming; identify agricultural options to safely increase cropping intensity and yields; adopt more sustainable forms of land use, including contingency crop planning in the case of droughts; study the reasons behind poor land use; encourage pastoralists to reduce their herds of stocks and finally encourage the use of indigenous knowledge in land preservation.