Influence of Protected Areas on Water Resource Sustainability: A Case of Kiborian Forest Reserve in Mpwapwa District, Tanzania.

Sanga, Yohanes Edson (2025) Influence of Protected Areas on Water Resource Sustainability: A Case of Kiborian Forest Reserve in Mpwapwa District, Tanzania. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

This study assessed the influence of the Kiborian Forest Reserve on the sustainability of water resources in Mpwapwa District. It aimed to evaluate the current status of surface water resources, examine the influence of vegetation cover on water quality, and explore the relationship between conservation practices and water resource sustainability. The study adopted a pragmatic philosophy and a mixed research approach with a case study research design. A sample size of 365 respondents was selected from a total of 4066 households randomly and purposefully selected. Data were collected via questionnaires, interviews, and document review and analysed through descriptive statistics and content analysis. The study found that surface water resources are available year-round, though with fluctuations during dry periods (Mean = 3.2, SD = 1.3), and while the water quality generally meets local consumption standards, the region faces challenges such as decreasing water levels, particularly in the dry season (Mean = 3.6, SD = 1.2). The vegetation cover was found to be crucial for enhancing water quality by reducing sedimentation, filtering pollutants, and preventing contamination (Mean = 3.8, SD = 1.3). The study highlighted that conservation practices, including forest restoration and sustainable land management, are vital for the sustainability of water resources ((Mean = 3.7, SD = 1.6). The study found a strong positive correlation between conservation practices and the sustainability of water resources, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.705 (p-value = 0.000). The study concluded that surface water availability is moderate, with challenges during the dry season, and highlighted the importance of vegetation cover and conservation practices in maintaining water quality. Keywords: Forest reserve, Conservation, Water resources sustainability

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