Udzungwa Mountains Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation (UMFM) - Announcement

Support to Research Projects under the Udzungwa Mountains Forest Management Project, Tanzania

Background

The Udzungwa Mountains Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation Project (UMFM), in Tanzania, was launched in 1999 and is funded by Danida. The UMFM project is a component of the MEMA projects in Iringa District. One of the main objectives for the UMFM Project is to develop, test and implement joint forest management models. As the Project operates in Catchment Forest Reserves of national importance, the final joint forest management agreements have to be based on environmentally sustainable natural resource extraction levels to bolster the protection of natural forest habitat and biodiversity resources. To assist the Project in meeting these objectives, research opportunities for students and graduates will be offered.

A Biodiversity Research Advisory Group has been established to prioritise incoming proposals, oversee selected projects and assure an appropriate scientific standard. The group is comprised of Tanzanian and Danish scientists from several different research institutions.

Budget

The total UMFM budget for research project activities is about USD 87,000 (DKK 700,000). At least three projects will be selected for funding. The number of projects selected for support depend on their relevance for the UMFM Project as well as the size of the incoming budgets.

Research themes

As the research projects have to assist the Project in creating a more firm base for drafting sound Joint Forest Management Plans, the approach should be applied science. The term Joint Forest Management means that the local stakeholders, through agreements with the government, are involved in forest management either directly or indirectly. Examples of relevant issues to be studied are mentioned below. It must be emphasised that the research projects should not necessarily be limited to these research themes. All proposals will be carefully screened and evaluated.

• What is the biodiversity value of small forest fragments, and to what extent do they contribute to overall biodiversity maintenance e.g. through their intrinsic value or by providing dispersal possibilities as stepping-stones or landscape corridors for forest organisms?
• What is the impact of the present methods of honey collection on the forest cover and the biodiversity, and what are the means to improve the situation for both the forest and the honey collectors?
• To what extent do the existing land-use practices outside the evergreen forests contribute to regrowth of natural forest and biodiversity conservation?
• What guidelines would be most feasible for a forest zonation system, balancing human needs and biodiversity conservation?
• What is the natural history of forest glades, to what extent does e.g. natural montane grassland exist inside the forests, to what extent are the forest glades natural, and how do they contribute to biodiversity conservation?
• How well is evergreen forest able to regenerate in the fire-maintained grasslands, and what are the trends of forest expansion and/or shrinkage in the pilot areas?

Outputs

The output from each of the selected projects should be a comprehensive report covering all the outputs envisaged in the project proposal; this could be combined with the production of papers for scientific journals as well. The report, scientific papers and all data obtained during the project must be submitted to the UMFM Project in both hard-copy and electronic formats. Guidelines for financial reporting will be provided to successful applicants. Final reports have to be submitted before 1 January 2002.

How to apply

The proposals for funding of research projects can be submitted by students at any level as well as post-graduates.

The application should include:

• a comprehensive project description, including objectives, outputs, activities, time frame
• a detailed budget
• a Curriculum vitae of the applicant(s)

The applications should be submitted to Regulus Consult, att. Mr. Thomas Lehmberg with a copy to the UMFM Project, preferably by email (see below).

The dead-line for applications is 1 November 2000.

The applicants with proposals selected for funding should expect to receive an answer before 1 January 2001, and should in turn be ready to start their research projects soon after.

For further information and submission of applications, please contact:

Thomas Lehmberg, Regulus Consult, Telephone: +45 33 25 08 00 or email: TL@regulus.dk
Copy of application should be send to: The UMFM Project, email: memairinga@twiga.com

M E M A
Matumizi Endelevu ya Misitu ya Asili (Wilaya ya Iringa)

The aim of the MEMA Projects is to introduce and promote natural resources management that provides long-term environmental benefits by safeguarding the future existence of selected Natural Woodlands and Catchment Forest Reserves in Iringa District as well as direct benefits to the rural communities in line with the new Forest Policy (1998), the Wildlife Policy (1998) and the proposed Land Bill and the Village Land Act (1998).