Joint research project about soil and vegetation dynamics in savanna landscapes and Miombo woodlands of Tanzania

Abstract
Currently the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro (Tanzania) and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research in Birmensdorf (Switzerland) are preparing a joint research project. They will study soil and vegetation dynamics of the Kagera savanna landscape in north western Tanzania (including the border area in Rwanda) and the adjacent Miombo woodlands in view of supporting a sustainable management of these zones. In particular, vegetational shifts over the last centuries and millennia will be assessed.

_13C measurements of soil organic matter together with the dating of the soil organic matter using radiocarbon will allow to quantify historical shifts between C3 (tree-dominated) and C4 (grass-dominated) ecosystems. The soil carbon isotope method is based on the fact that C3 and C4 plants have a different photosynthetic pathway leading to a distinct stable carbon isotope composition of their biomass. For the assessment of vegetational shifts during the last decades historical photographs, aerial photographs, records from the colonial time and oral transmission from the local population will be used as far as possible.

The research partnership should contribute to strengthen the research capacity of both parties. The complementary knowledge of both partners should create synergetic effects in enhancing the quality of the project. The joint research plan should be elaborated until December 2003.

For more information please contact Dr. P.K.T. Munishi from SUA (pmunishi2001@yahoo.com) or Dr. U. Bloesch, consultant from WSL (bloesch@swissonline.ch).