The Head of Department of Ecosystems and Conservation (DEC) at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) is delighted to inform you that on 4th June 2021, Ms. Amina Amri Hamad who is a member of academic staff in the Department of Geography and Environmental studies at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) has successfully defended her PhD in Ecosystems and Conservation. Her research work was on “Distribution of Lantana camara and its Impacts on Selected Ecosystem Services and Livelihood in East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania”
Summary of main findings
There is increasing concern worldwide by biologists, ecologists and conservationists about the negative impacts caused by invasive alien species (IAS) in both natural and agro-ecosystems. To successfully manage the alien invasion, it is vital to map the distribution of these species. Especially given the wide range of invasive alien plant species present in the East Usambara, discrimination on interspecies level is an important key. Study aimed at assessing the distribution of L. camara and its fractional cover using very high-resolution satellite image (WorldView-2) and its impacts on selected ecosystem services and livelihood. The study was done in the East Usambara Mountains, Muheza district in North Eastern Tanzania.
The study suggests that Near infrared band (NIR2) and Short wavelength infrared band (SWIR) as suitable bands for species discrimination. It is therefore important that while choosing images for detection of the similar species it should contain these bands. Furthermore, results suggested that L. camara is approaching a pseudo-stable equilibrium in Eastern Africa. A total of 1277 hectares was found to be invaded by L. camara in East Usambara and it is estimated that it will cost 66.62 Million Tanzanian shillings to clear the area. It was also found out that L. camara reduced the growth of maize by 29%, while cassava was not affected. Results also shows a decline in varieties of wild plant species and honey production based on community perception. It is recommended that L. camara should be managed while it is still not very dense and widely spread. The cost of managing will increase substantially with further invasion and mechanical means may not suffice.
Let us all join hands in congratulating Dr. Amina Amri Hamad for her great academic achievement.
Chairperson Prof. Josiah. Z. Katani is giving general procedures of conducting VIVA VOCE
Slide presentation of the Amina’s PhD research findings
Ms. Amina is presenting her findings
Ms. Amina is receiving feedback of the defence from the panel members
For more information please contact,
Head of the Department,
Department of Ecosystems and Conservation,
College of Forestry, Wildlife and Tourism,
PO Box 3010, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
ckilawe@sua.ac.tz
+255 752 581 069
