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Relevance of Neglected and Underutilized Plants for Climate Change Adaptation & Conservation Implications in Semi-arid Regions of Tanzania

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Abstract

Neglected and underutilized plant species (NUS) in Tanzania are maintained by socio-cultural preferences. However, a majority remains inadequately characterized and neglected by research and conservation initiatives. Over long time ago, the NUS have been part of the major component in the food systems of local communities especially in the dryland areas to overcome challenges brought about by uncertain climatic conditions. This study documents the NUS diversity and indigenous knowledge on their availability, agronomic and cultural practices in the Semi-arid zones of Tanzania to verify their economic potentials and promote their sustainable utilization for climate change adaptation as well as natural resources conservation. The study involved field plant identification, quantification and participatory rural appraisals (PRAs). The results indicate that the study regions have very rich diversity of NUS contributing significantly to the people’s adaptation to drought conditions and food shortages in the areas. The NUS in the studied regions had varied uses including food and medicine. A majority of the consulted farmers in the study area indicated that the NUS utilized in the areas were either minimally cultivated on farms, freely obtained from the wild or grew as weeds in the farmlands. Despite the potentials for NUS in contributing to climate change adaptation in the areas, so far there have been no efforts geared towards their sustainable utilization and conservation. It is observed that promotion of NUS through improved packaging and marketing could contribute to the economy of the local people who have access to NUS in the area and therefore enhance resilience of semi-arid communities.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the International Foundation for Science (IFS). We are grateful to the technical assistance provided by our botanists Mr. Heriel Moshi, Mr. Charles Chami and Yahaya from the botany Department, University of Dar es Salaam. Thanks to all the Regional and District authorities in all the areas covered by this study. We are also grateful to all the farmers and informants for very fruitful discussions while collecting the data for this study. The chosen local field assistants were so much useful in the processes of field NUS verifications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O.Box 35097, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    Catherine Aloyce Masao & Emma T. Liwenga

  2. Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture PMB 2373, Makurdi, Nigeria

    John Igoli

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  1. Catherine Aloyce Masao
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  2. John Igoli
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Correspondence to Catherine Aloyce Masao.

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Masao, C.A., Igoli, J. & Liwenga, E.T. Relevance of Neglected and Underutilized Plants for Climate Change Adaptation & Conservation Implications in Semi-arid Regions of Tanzania. Environmental Management 71, 114–130 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-022-01656-1

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