Improving Conservation Efforts in the Serengeti Ecosystem, Tanzania: an Examination of Knowledge, Benefits, Costs, and Attitudes
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Improving conservation efforts in the Serengeti ecosystem, Tanzania: an examination of knowledge, benefits, costs, and attitudes A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BY Jennifer Ann Schmitt IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Stephen Polasky, adviser January, 2010 © Jennifer Ann Schmitt January 2010 Acknowledgements Thank you to the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), Tanzanian National Parks (TANAPA), and the Tanzanian Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) for permission to carry out my research in Tanzania. I am thankful for Savannas Forever Tanzania, its directors Dr. Craig Packer and Susan James and especially the dedicated field team: Martin Andimile, Andrew Ferdinand, Florentina Julius, Alais Lendii, Cecilia Lukindo, Emmanuel Lyimo, Mwila Mbegu, David Mollel and Gerald Mollel. Their support and assistance in the design, implementation, and recording of questionnaires was integral to my dissertation. Thank you to those who helped fund my research including: Frankfurt Zoological Society, University of Minnesota Consortium on Law and Values in Health, Environment & the Life Sciences, University of Minnesota International Doctoral Dissertation International Research Grant, and Savannas Forever Tanzania. I also wish to thank the initial funders of Savannas Forever Tanzania, including the Friedkin Family Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development. I am grateful for the village leaders and villagers of Bonchugu, Bukore, Engaresero, Iramba Ndogo, Mariwanda, Mbushi, Misseke, Mwamhongo, Nata Mbiso, Nyamburi, Nyanza, Oldonyosambu, Oloirien Magaiduru, Piyaya, Robanda, Sakasaka, Samunge, Sapa, Singisi, and Soitsambu for participating in this study and welcoming the Savannas Forever field team. Thank you as well to the villages of Majengo, Meserani C, Minjingu, Naitolia, Orkesumet, Orngadida, Sangaiwe, and Terrat where we initially piloted our study questionnaires. Thank you to the many people who gave input into the design of the questionnaires used in this study including: Dr. Monique Borgerhoff Mulder, Dr. Jafari Kideghesho, Dr. Alfred Kikoti, Dr. Martin Loibooki, Dennis Rentsch, and the members of Savannas Forever Tanzania previously mentioned. I especially need to thank my adviser, Dr. Stephen Polasky for his support throughout my graduate career and assisting me in returning to Tanzania. Thank you also to the other members of my dissertation committee, Dr. Paul Glewwe, Dr. Steven Manson, and Dr. Craig Packer. I sincerely thank the Allen Mnyenye Family who graciously brought me into their home in Tanzania and let me live with them for over two months while starting out my dissertation research. Studying with Allen’s children at night by candle light is one of my fondest memories of my dissertation research. i I thank those who helped with reviewing and editing my dissertation, including Dr. Stephen Polasky, Dr. Paul Glewwe, Gary Jorgensen, Dennis Rentsch, Hadas Kushnir, and Kasandra O’Malia. I would also like to thank the Statistical Consulting Service at the University of Minnesota and in particular Julia Molony, Mark Holland, and Dr. Aaron Rendahl for their assistance in the statistical analysis of my data. I also would like to thank Amy Damon for her help with STATA. Finally, I thank all my friends and family; their love and support are irreplaceable. ii Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to my parents, who taught me I can do anything; and to my husband, who enables me to do anything. iii Table of Contents List of Tables .................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures .................................................................................................................. viii Abbreviations and Acronyms ............................................................................................ ix Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1: Socioeconomics of Serengeti: an analysis of the daily lives of local people .... 6 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 7 Conservation in Tanzania ........................................................................................... 7 Poverty Alleviation in Tanzania ................................................................................. 9 Study Area ..................................................................................................................... 10 Methods ......................................................................................................................... 14 Sampling Design ....................................................................................................... 14 Household Level Data............................................................................................... 17 Village Level Data .................................................................................................... 17 Statistical Analysis .................................................................................................... 18 Household Demographics ............................................................................................. 20 Religion ..................................................................................................................... 20 Ethnic Groups ........................................................................................................... 21 Immigration............................................................................................................... 23 Livelihoods .................................................................................................................... 24 Subsistence Farming ................................................................................................. 25 Livestock Keeping .................................................................................................... 29 Livestock Loss .......................................................................................................... 31 Paid Employment ...................................................................................................... 35 Natural Resource Based Livelihoods ............................................................................ 35 Natural Resource Use ............................................................................................... 36 Bushmeat Hunting .................................................................................................... 37 Beekeeping ................................................................................................................ 40 Natural Resource Management ..................................................................................... 41 Village Land Use Plan .............................................................................................. 41 Natural Resource Governance .................................................................................. 42 Natural Resource Scarcity......................................................................................... 42 Income ........................................................................................................................... 43 Assets ........................................................................................................................ 44 Housing Materials ..................................................................................................... 46 Income....................................................................................................................... 47 iv Income from Natural Resources ............................................................................... 51 Education ....................................................................................................................... 52 Education Facilities ................................................................................................... 53 Education Levels ....................................................................................................... 54 Wildlife Management Areas ......................................................................................... 57 Livelihoods ............................................................................................................... 58 Natural Resources ..................................................................................................... 59 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 62 Chapter 2: Decisions about conservation: understanding the costs and benefits of conservation facing local people around the Serengeti ecosystem, Tanzania .................. 65 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 66 Study Area ................................................................................................................ 68 Methods ......................................................................................................................... 69 Results ..........................................................................................................................