Areas of interest

Forest and Beekeeping Resource Assessment

This programme aims at sustainable provision of accurate and reliable forestry resources data and information. Data obtained is a prerequisite tool during decisions at various levels.

Research Activities

• Develop standards and classifications, definitions and structure of trees and forest resources data and information;
• Monitor PSPs established by NAFORMA in various representative vegetation types including trees outside forests;
• Estimate at regular intervals, forest cover, stocking, timber and NTFPs, yield, in different vegetation types for management and carbon accounting;
• Develop affordable technology for collecting, processing and validating tree and forest resource/services database; and
• Develop simple forest resource assessment methods for local communities.

Natural Forests Management

Researches in this programmes focus on the strengthening of biodiversity, watershed management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and soil conservation in the natural forests in the country

Research Activities

The research activities to be carried out in a period of five years under this research programme include:

• Conduct biodiversity surveys and monitor biodiversity and ecological processes in various natural forest types, for effective management;
• Identify and list endemic and or threatened species which need conservation, including characterizing them in terms of uses, and or services;
• Identify and analyse impacts/effects of potential invasive species, pathogens, pests, diseases and vermin in various natural forest types, including identification and assessment of potential deployment of natural plant pest enemies;
• Evaluate suitable ex-situ/in-situ conservation methods including gene banks of threatened species;
• Monitor regeneration and factors influencing it and evaluate different propagation techniques;
• Undertake phenological observations and ecological niches of selected indigenous tree species in various ecosystems;
• Monitor the effects of fire, pathogens, pests, grazing, logging, shifting cultivation, and wildlife to seedling recruitment, species diversity, and soil properties;
• Monitor hydrological processes and the impact of human activities on the hydrological cycle, including water use by different tree species and their respective implications to climate change;
• Identify, and improve growth characteristics of fast growing indigenous tree species for enrichment and restoration of degraded forests;
• Conduct studies on carbon sequestration potential (above and below ground) for different tree species and stands, soil carbon monitoring, and implications to the tapping of carbon trade; and
• Conduct studies on the effect of deforestation on the release of GHGs to the atmosphere.

Commercial Forestry and Tree Improvement

Research in this programme aims at development and management of suitable tree species for forest plantations and enhancing tree improvement for sustainable production of germplasm.

Research Activities

Research activities under this programme include:

• Screen genetically improved material available locally, and from neighbouring countries for use in plantations and development of seed orchards;
• Evaluate the impact of silvicultural practices on the productivity of successive rotations;
• Search for new plantation tree species with emphasis on indigenous species;
• Monitor and evaluate forest health with respect to insect pests, pathogens, invasives and fire;
• Determine the carbon sequestration potential of different tree species in plantations;
• Determine management standards for new tree species in plantations;
• Establish and evaluate mixed species plantations; and
• Assess effects of forest plantations on water resources, biodiversity and soil health

Socio-Economics, Policy and Extention

Researches under this programme address the contribution of forest sector the development of the communities and in GDP at large. Research also link various policies to link the development of the communities. Forest extension also done to bring the research findings to the stakeholders.

Research Activities

The following research activities will be undertaken under this programme:

Policy Research

• Assess current revenue collection methods and identify gaps for improvement including simple ways for establishing forest revenue collection methods and conduct empirical work on policy options for developing markets for NTFPs;
• Undertake studies on the effect of various extra-sectoral policies such as agriculture, mining and energy, taxation, subsidies, trade policies and privatization; and international conventions and agreements on the management and Utilisation of forest resources;
• Undertaking studies on global and national REDD+ and climate change policies in order map opportunities, challenges and enabling architecture and processes;
• Assess the effect of different policy options for addressing issues such as the effect of conventional policy options such as taxes, subsidies, tariffs and regulations; and international transfers to governments to protect forest; and
• Conduct studies to identify and assess critical variables in end-user sectors that are significant in estimating consumption of forest products, and the supply responses of different types of production systems.

Socio-economic Research

• Undertake socio-economic impact of human activities on forest resources and the interaction of forests, including off-farm trees, and the surrounding communities;
• Analyze factors leading to encroachment and degradation of indigenous forests;
• Analyze climate change impacts on forests and livelihoods and propose requisite mitigation measures;
• Estimate socio-economic value of variations in carbon sequestration potential of various forests;
• Study effectiveness of PFM and cost benefit analysis in forest management and estimate opportunity costs for different land uses in relation to REDD+;
• Investigate factors contributing to failure to meet fuelwood, pole and construction timber demand, continuous land degradation, and mismanagement of soil and water resources;
• Investigate modes of land and tree tenure, and the effect of alternative property right regimes on incentives for joint forest management;
• Explore various portfolios for cost and benefit sharing under PFM;
• Assess and update the contribution of the forest sector to food security, GDP, local economy and employment in Tanzania;
• Assess the magnitude of environmental benefits;
• Determine tangible and intangible values of forest resources; and
• Investigate potential and modalities of payment for environmental services (PES) including carbon trade opportunities at national and community levels.

Extension Research

• Conduct a study on the institutional and organizational set up of forest extension;
• Study levels of awareness, attitudes, and participation of local communities in various forestry programmes and projects e.g. AF, PFM, and impact of such constituent projects to local communities’ livelihood;
• Undertake studies on inventory and adoption and diffusion of existing forestry technologies, such as domestication of food and medicinal trees, plant protection etc;
• Carry out a survey of existing indigenous forestry technical knowledge under different land use systems; and
• Evaluate the various forestry extension approaches and determine its levels of awareness and adoption attitudes.

Forest and Beekeeping Operations and Utilization

Forest Operations

Research under this Sub-Programme aims at carrying out activities that are related to timber harvesting. Such activities are necessary for gaining benefits from a forest enterprise as well as its effects on soils, water regimes, wildlife, aquatic resources and other vegetation.

Research Activities

Under this Sub-Programme the following research activities will be undertaken:

• Undertake comprehensive plans to optimize productivity for various terrain, timber characteristics and harvesting system specifications and minimize costs, subject to constraints imposed by silvicultural, environmental and social considerations;
• Improve forest operations staff working conditions and health;
• Revise the current road design guidelines to determine optimal road grade (i.e. the grade which minimizes road construction costs, truck hauling costs and both road and vehicle maintenance costs), spacing and landing spacing to minimize total transport costs;
• Make comparisons of alternative cutting and extraction systems with the aim of adopting the appropriate technologies;
• Undertake studies on log and timber hauling technologies, costs and their impacts on roads;
• Undertake harvesting impact assessment to reduce timber and economic losses as well as environmental degradation resulting from unsuitable harvesting practices;
• Apply ergonomic principles to determine and evaluate the situational, workplace and other factors and propose improvements to attain higher productivity at reduced costs and increased job satisfaction; and
• Undertake studies and develop reduced-impact timber harvesting guidelines for plantations and natural forests.
• Forest Utilisation

Research under this sub-programme aims at carrying out activities that improve the processing and utilisation of timber products and NTFPs. Many of the timber products and NTFPs have tradable goods and have recognised market values in the local and global markets.

Research Activities

Research activities under this Sub-Programme include:

• Determine anatomical, physical, mechanical and strength properties, and natural durability of lesser utilized tree species;
• Develop wood recycling technologies;
• Develop in-situ and ex-situ conservation and management of NTFP plants, including product processing, storage and marketing;
• Carry out studies on marketing potential of lesser utilized tree species, and other plants such as bamboos and rattan;
• Conduct studies on wood industries’ processing techniques e.g. use of different biomass materials for pulp and paper production, use of proven technologies for pulp and paper production, production of bio-composites’ etc;
• Conduct studies on popularisation and development of drying, processing, packaging, storage, and marketing of NTFPs;
• Carry out studies on charcoal quality from different tree species;
• Develop technologies of production of briquettes from wood and crop residues;
• Conduct studies on briquette qualities from different biomass resources;
• Develop technologies on gaseous and liquid fuels from biomass;
• Develop forest certification schemes; and
• Evaluate environmentally friendly wood treatment/product treatment technologies, including use of indigenous knowledge for efficacy tests of various plants.