Water Resource Variability and Livelihoods in the Lower Rufiji

Ecosystems (Tanzania)

By

Mwakipesile Augustino

University of Dar es Salaam

Tanzania

Email: eamwakipesile@yahoo.com

Introduction

• Rufiji River maf 800m3 /s• River basin surface 180,000

km2 • Three dams upstream

controlling 23% flow• Planned dam to control 95%

flow of the river• Expected to affect flooding

patterns• To affect LRE and livelihood

strategies of the people

Livelihoods in LRE

• Floodplain agriculture (94%) of 150,000 pop.

• Fishing in RR and small lakes (70%)

• Forests and NTFPs (89%)

• Wetland cultivation (69%)

• Small business (33.3% )

Water Resource Variability in LRE

• Floods (2000-2006) Rainfall (1980-2006)

Rainfall Pattern in Rufiji

0

200

400

600800

1000

1200

1400

Year

Rainf

all (m

m)

Long Rains (mm)January-June

Short Rains (mm0July-December

Total Rainfall

Effects of Water Resource Variability in LRE on Livelihood strategies

• Floodplain agric-terrace agric (forest decline)

• Floodplain agric-cultivation along wetlands

• Long distance to fetch water (women)

• Decline of floodplain food crop produces

• Decline in fish catch and stock

Conclusion and Recommendations

• Collapse of flood dependent livelihoods

• Decline of delta mangroves (500km2)

• Biodiversity studies

• Studies on livelihood strategies

• Flood release management (for environmental flows and livelihood strategies)