Land-cover and land-use changes, dynamics and impacts in the Tarangire-Simanjiro ecosystem, Northern Tanzania
Fortunata Msoffe
During the wet season, a majority of the large wild mammals lea by key migratory species such as elephant (Loxodonta africana), wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) and zebra (Equus burchelli) move out of Tarangire National Park (dry season range) into the wider ecosystem, such as Simanjiro Plains. Specifically, the Simanjiro Plains are important for the key migratory species as they are used as calving grounds by wildebeest and zebra. When they move out of the park, they are followed by other species such as large carnivores, lion (Panthera leo) and leopard (Panthera pardus) which are of interest to tourism business (both consumptive, like hunting as well as non-consumptive like photographic and game viewing), but on the other hand this bring conflicts with local communities, i.e. livestock predation and crop damages. This project implemented a pilot study towards introducing a monitoring system of the key migratory wildlife species outside protected areas in collaboration with the local communities, local authorities and institutions mandated with wildlife monitoring in Tanzania.