CATHERINE ALOYCE MASAO

Seniour Lecturer, Institute of Resource Assessment
Education:

BSc General (Zoology & Wildlife management) University of Dar es Salaam, MSc in Conservation Biology (Kent University, Canterbury, UK), PhD Natural resource Management and Biodiversity Management (Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania in Sandwich Pr

Teaching:

  1. Applied Ecology
  2. Conservation Biology & Tropical Ecosystems
  3. Environmental Assessment
  4. Climate Change, Biodiversity & Ecosystems Managemen

Research:

  1. Biodiversity & Nature Conservation
  2. Ecosystems & Conservation
  3. Environmental Assessments

Projects:

Selected Projects

  1. Research on the Afro-alpine Sky Islands”: Genetic Versus Taxonomic Biodiversity, Biodiversity Conservation and implications of Climate Change. This is an umbrella project part of my PhD work, funded by NUFU (2008-2013)
  2. National studies for the SADC Trans-boundary water resources management programme (2013/2014)
  3. Terminal Evaluation of the WWF project on Improving Natural Resources use on the Eastern Side of Udzungwa Mountains National Park (2008)
  4. Midterm Evaluation of the WWF Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) project in the great Ruaha River Catchment, Tanzania (2009)
  5. Development of Integrated Management Plan for the Malagarasi-Muyovosi Ramsar Site for sustainable conservation of the ecosystem (Wildlife division) (2007)
  6. Policy reviews before the implementation of REDD+ and Abertine rift Climate Change Initiative projects (2007)
  7. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed SBS projects in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Arusha Tanzania (2006).
  8. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed SBS projects in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania (2006).
  9. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study for the proposed Power line (TANESCO) within Mikumi National Park (2006)
  10. ESIA for the Proposed Mihango Coffee farm Project in Kigonsera Village, Mbinga District, Ruvuma Region (2016)
  11. Review of the TAFORI’s institutional structure and suggestions towards institutional transformation process (2007)
  12. Research on the Implications of Agricultural commercialization on Agro-diversity management and food security in the Dry lands of Central Tanzania (Funded by RPSUD) (2007)
  13. In-depth assessment of climate change vulnerabilities within agriculture, forest and livestock sectors (UNDP through Vice President’s office) (2013-2014)
  14. Establishment of baseline on the status of mainstreaming environment and climate change adaptation in key MDAs and sector plans (UNDP through Vice President’s office) (2013-2014)
  15. Preparation of guidelines for sustainable management of wetlands in Tanzania (Vice President’s office, Environment Section) (2013-2014)
  16. Biodiversity education in Ololoskwan village through education for sustainable development approach. Establishing the manuals for Environmental Education for community Radio and Secondary schools on environmental education, Funded by UNESCO; Tanzania (2015/2016)
  17. Economic potentials, phytochemical evaluation and genetic characterization of some selected East and West African neglected and underutilized plant species (Funded by International Foundation for Science –IFS – 2015/2016-2017
  18. Implementation of Concrete Adaptation Measures to Reduce Vulnerability of Livelihoods and Economy of Coastal Communities of Tanzania – 2016/2017-2018
  19. Integrated Landscape Management Planning for the SAGCOT Ihemi Cluster (Funded by UNEP through Ministry for Agriculture) – 2017/2018
  20. Mangrove Capital Africa: Rufiji Delta Livelihoods Baseline Study (Wetlands International)
  21. Policy and advocacy training needs assessment and development of a capacity building plan and training of WWF Tanzania office staff and partners- WWF, 2018
  22. Building knowledge for sustainable biodiversity conservation, from virtual learning to hands-on experience (BIOCOVE) (NORPAT, 2021-2027)
  23. Developing curricula for biodiversity monitoring and conservation in Tanzania (EU-CONTANT, 2021-2024)
  24. Disaster risk reduction and urban-natural resource interactions in Dar es Salaam (UK Research Innovation, 2020/2021)
  25. Young People’s Climate Change Engagement in Tanzania (Y-ENGAGE) (DANIDA, 2021-2025)
  26. Climate change and ecosystems management in Malawi and Tanzania (NORHED, 2021-2025)
  27. Building Capacity to Crosslink Coastal Pollution with Climate Change_BC5 (NORHED, 2021-2025)

Publications:

List of publications

  1. Baddoo, R.N.N. and C.A. Masao (2016). Factors influencing spatial and temporal trends in Lushoto’s agro biodiversity. Res. J. Agric. Envon. Manage 5(3): 065-074.
  2. Chala, D., Brochmann, C., Psomas, A., Ehrich, D., Gizaw, A., Masao, C.A., Bakkestuen, V., Zummermann, N.E. (2016). Goodbye to tropical alpine plant giants under warmer climates? Loss of range and genetic diversity in Lobelia rhynchopetalum. Ecology and Evolution. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2603.
  3. Gałka M. Bergonzini L., Williamson D., Majule A., Masao C. and Huguet A. (2015). Macrofossil evidence of Late Holocene presence of AldrovandavesiculosaL. in Central-Eastern Europe (Poland) and East Africa (Tanzania). Quaternary International
  4. Gizaw, A., Brochmann, C., Nemomissa, S., Wondimu, T. Masao, C.A., Mugizi T.F., Abdi, A.A.  Oxelman, B., Popp, M. & Dimitrov, D. (2016): Colonization and diversification in the African ‘sky islands’: insights from fossil-calibrated molecular dating of Lychnis (Caryophyllaceae). New Phytologist 211: 719–734 doi: 10.1111/nph.13937.
  5. Gizaw, A., Wondimu, T., Mugizi, T.F., Masao, C.A., Abdi, A.A., Popp, M., Ehrich, D., Nemomissa, S. & Brochmann, C. (2016): Vicariance, Dispersal and hybridization in a naturally fragmented system: the afro-alpine endemics Carex monostachya and C. runssoroensis. Alpine Botany.
  6. Igoli, J.O. Masao, C.A., Orkpeh, U., Nakamatte, E., Yakumbur, D.T, Nnadozie, T., Yunusa, S., Vihior, B., Manyi, M.M and. Tor-Anyiin, T.A. (2016): In Vivo Antimalarial Activity of Cleome gynandra Extracts. Journal of Natural Products Research Updates: 2, 19-29
  7. Kivuyo, J.S., and Masao, C.A (2020) Land-Use/Cover Changes and their Implications to University of Dar Es Salaam Natural Ecosystem. Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation (TJFNC), Vol. 89 No. 2.
  8. Leopody G., Cuthbert L.N., and Masao C.A. (2020) Temporal Dynamics of Trophy Size and Spatial Hunting Distribution of Lions in Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Vol 89, No. 2.
  9. Leopody G., Cuthbert L.N., and Masao C.A. (2020): Will the sustainability of lion tourist hunting be certain amidst non-compliance to conservation legal frameworks? A case of Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Sociology Volume 6.
  10. Leopody G., Cuthbert L.N., and Masao C.A. (2020): Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Local Community Perceptions Towards Lion Conservation: A Case of the Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania. Journal of Asian and African Studies.
  11. Liwenga, E.T., Kangalawe, R.Y.M., Masao C.A. (2009). Agricultural Commercialisation and its Implications on Agrodiversity Management in the Drylands of Central Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Vol. 79 No.2.
  12. Lulandala, L., Bargués-Tobella, A., Masao, C.A., Nyberg, G., & Ilstedt, U (2021): Excessive livestock grazing overrides the positive effects of trees on infiltration capacity and modifies preferential flow in dry miombo woodlands. Land Degradation and Development, Willey.
  13. Mallya, V.A. and Masao, C.A. (2020): Contribution of Non-Timber Forest Products to Rural Household Economy and Conservation: A Case of Rural Mufindi District, Iringa Region, Tanzania. TJFNC, Vol 89, No. 1: 15-23.
  14. Masao C.A., Gizaw A., Piñeiro R., Tusiime F.M., Wondimu T., Ahmed A.A., Popp M., Gussarova G., Lye K.A., Munishi P., Nemomissa S., Brochmann C. (2013). Phylogeographic history and taxonomy of some afro-alpine grasses assessed based on AFLPs and morphometry: Deschampsia cespitosa, D. angusta and Koeleria capensis. Alpine Botany.
  15. Masao, C.A., Makoba, R., and Sosovele, H. (2015). Will Ngorongoro Conservation Area remain a World Heritage site amidst increasing human footprint? International Journal of Biodiversity Conservation
  16. Ruvuga P.R, Wredle, E., Nyberg, G., Hussein, R.A., Masao, C.A., Selemani, I.S., Anthony, Z. S., and Kronqvist, C. (2021). Evaluation of rangeland condition in miombo woodlands in eastern Tanzania in relation to season and distance from settlements. Journal of Environmental Management
  17. Tusiime FM, Gizaw A, Gussarova G, Nemomissa S, Popp M, Masao C.A., et al. (2020): Afro-alpine flagships revisited: Parallel adaptation, intermountain admixture and shallow genetic structuring in the giant senecios (Dendrosenecio). PLoS ONE 15(3): e0228979. https://doi.org/ 10.1371/journal.pone.0228979.
  18. Tusiime FM, Gizaw A, Wondimu T, Masao, C.A., Abdi, A.A., Muwanika, V., Tr_avn_ı_cek, V., Nemomissa, S., Popp, M., Eilu, G.,  Brochmann, C., Pimentel, M., (2017): Sweet vernal grasses (Anthoxanthum) colonized African mountains along two fronts in the Late Pliocene, followed by secondary contact, polyploidization and local extinction in the Pleistocene. Mol Ecol. 26:3513–3532.
  19. Uisso, A. J., Masao, C. A. and Kauzeni, A. S. (2015). Understanding women’s perceptions on agroforestry practices for environmental conservation: the case of communities adjacent to Kitulang’halo Forest Reserve in Morogoro rural District, Tanzania. Octa Journal of Environmental Research.
  20. Uisso, A.J. and Masao, C.A. (2016). Women Participation in Agroforestry farming System: A strategy towards porverty reduction inMorogoro Rural District, Tanzania. Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management. ISSN: 1998-0507.
  21. Wondimu T, Gizaw A, Tusiime FM, Masao C.A., Abdi AA, Hou Y, Nemomissa, S., Brochmann, C. (2017) Genetic structuring, dispersal and taxonomy of the high-alpine populations of the Geranium arabicum/ complex in Tropical Eastern Africa. PLoS ONE 12(5): e0178208.
  22. Wondimu, T., Gizaw, A., Tusiime, F.M., Masao, C. A., Ahmed, A.A., Gussarova, G., Popp, M., Nemomissa, S., Brochmann, C. (2013). Crossing barriers in an extremely fragmented system: two case studies in the afro-alpine sky island flora. Plant systematic and Evolution.

 

List of Consultancy Reports

  1. *Masao, C.A., Emma, T. Liwenga (2018): Integrated Landscape Management Planning for the SAGCOT Ihemi Cluster, (Reports and policy Brief Submitted to Ministry of Agriculture)
  2. *Kangalawe, R., Masao, C.A., Mwanga, S., Mujwahuzi, M., (2018) Implementation of Concrete Adaptation Measures to Reduce Vulnerability of Livelihoods and Economy of Coastal Communities of Tanzania. (Reports & Policy Brief Submitted to Vice President’s Office)
  3. *Masao, C.A. (2016) Biodiversity education in Ololoskwan village through education for sustainable development approach. Establishing the manuals for Environmental Education for community Radio and Secondary schools on environmental education. UNESCO-Tanzania.
  4. *Masao, C.A., Majule, A., Lyimo J., Mwanga, S., (2014). Guidelines for Sustainable Management of Wetlands in Tanzania through the Vice President’s office, Environment Section.
  5. Liwenga, T.E., Masao, C.A., (2017): Cost Benefit and viability analysis of the UNDP Poverty Environment Initiatives in Tanzania. UNDP - Tanzania
  6. Masao, C.A., Majule, A., Lyimo J., Mwanga, S., Undertaking (2013): In-Depth Assessment of Climate Change Vulnerabilities within Agriculture, Forest and Livestock Sectors by UNDP through the Vice President’s Office.
  7. Yanda, P.Z., Kikula, I.S., Mung’ong’o, C., Majule, A., Masao, C.A., Moshy, V., Integrated Management Plan for the Malagarasi-MuyovosiRamsar Site 2007-2012. WildlifeDivision, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
  8. Yanda P.Z., Mung’ong’o, C., Liwenga. E.T., Masao, C.A. (2006): Macro Level Assessment Report for World Vision Tanzania, Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
  9. Sosovele, H., Mwakaje, A., Mchome, B., Masao, C.A., (2006): Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed SBS projects in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Arusha Tanzania.
  10. Sosovele, H., Mwakaje, A., Mchome, B., Masao, C.A., (2006): Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed SBS projects in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
  11. Yanda, P.Z., Mung’ong’o, C., Mwansasu, S., Masao, C.A. (2005): The Ecological Viability of the Game Controlled Areas of Tanzania. Wildlife Division, Tanzania.
  12. Nahonyo C.L., Mwamsumbi L.B., Msuya C.A., Suya, T.M., Masao, C.A., (2005): Ngezi – VumaWimbi Forest Reserves Biodiversity inventory Report, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.