The role of plantation forestry in addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation issues in Tanzania

Abstract

Forest plantations play duo role of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. Tanzania’s forest plantation area covers more than 250,000 ha and it is estimated that, forest plantations in Tanzania hold about 8.8 million tons of carbon, and 15.9 tons Carbon/ha which corresponds to Co2e 58.2tons/ha. Climatic change incidences have repeatedly altered ecosystem balance and function in unpredictable ways. Cited examples, some with cost implications; include: Cypress aphid infestations in Cupressuslusitanica and other genera in the Cupressaceae family in the late 1980s. Recent insect pest outbreak in a 500 ha Pinuspatula stand at Itimbo West, Sao Hill. In the 2000s, P. patula needle browning has been observed at Shume and Meru Plantations, while in Rungwe District the species is progressively becoming invasive and growing well at higher altitudes in the Mount Rungwe crater. Late flushing and flowering has been observed in teak plantations in Longuza, and in Eucalypts stands at Malya. Weed growth rate in plantations seems to be intensifying. It is expected that these stressors will most likely intensify as the climate changes. It is proposed that management for adaptation has to focus on maintaining/restoring forest health, and has to seek overlap areas with management for mitigation, and both need uphold cognizance of the concept of sustainable forest management (SFM) as their core objective. Current plantation forest management practices do not seem to augur well with the concept. Suggestions for securing improvements are provided.