Developing Sediment Yield Prediction Equations for Small Catchments in Tanzania - Advances in Data, Methods, Models and Their Applications in Geoscience - page 246

Fig. 2.2. Map showing Climatic zones of Tanzania (as adopted from URT, 1999)
According to PLDPT (1984) Tanzanian soils are very varied, a simplified classification
follows: a) Volcanic soils: are of high agricultural potential and livestock production tends to
be restricted to zero-grazing systems. They predominate in Arusha, Kilimanjaro and South
west Highlands, Kitulo plateau. At high and medium altitudes they are notable for the
production of forage for dairy production; b) Light sandy soils: predominate in the coastal
areas. Grazing is available during the rains but the soils dry out rapidly thereafter and the
forage has little worth; c) Soils of granite/gneiss origin: are poor and occur mainly in mid-
west especially in Mwanza and Tabora; d) Red soils: occupy most of central plateau. They
produce good grazing in the limited rainy seasons and the quality of herbage persists into
the dry seasons; e) Ironstone soils: found in the far west, mainly in Kagera, Kigoma and
Sumbawanga. They are poor and acidic but can be productive with inputs, i.e. , mulching
and manuring; and f) The mbuga black vertisols are widespread and an important source of
dry season grazing.