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Mbeya University of Science and Technology Repository (MUST Repository) is an open-access digital platform dedicated to the collection, preservation, management, and dissemination of the University’s official scholarly and institutional resources. Authorized by the University and aligned with national academic and research objectives, the repository ensures that valuable institutional knowledge remains securely preserved and easily accessible to researchers, students, staff, and the wider public.
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Recent Submissions
10 Invasive Plant Impacts on Soil Macrofauna through Allelopathy and Environmental Modification
(MJRD, 2026) Ojija, Fredrick; Bacaro, Giovanni; Ogwu, Matthew Chidozie
Soil macrofauna taxonomic groups such as annelids (earthworms), arthropods (insects and crustaceans) and molluscs (gastropods/snails) play an essential role in soil ecosystems (van Hengstum et al., 2014; Zulu et al., 2022; Mamabolo et al., 2024). These organisms help convert organic matter into forms that can be utilized by plants, ultimately supporting soil fer¬tility (Sofo et al., 2020; Mamabolo et al., 2024). They influence soil structure, organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, soil aeration and ecosystem functioning (van Hengstum et al., 2014; Ibrahima et al., 2017). Thus, their presence and diversity are integral to maintain¬ing soil fertility and productivity, making them important bioindicators for assessing soil health (Rousseau et al., 2013; Sofo et al., 2020). Soil macrofauna physically and biologically alter the soil structure, enhancing the permeability of the soil and improving water infiltration (Zhou et al., 2022). Besides, they contribute to the creation of microhabitats for other organisms, promoting biodiversity conservation (Huerta and van der Wal, 2012). For instance, earthworms, through their burrowing and feeding activities, not only recycle nutrients but also create channels in the soil that facilitate the movement of water and air (Ibrahima et al., 2017; Yang et al., 2024).
Soil macrofauna – ants, termites and beetles – are involved in the breakdown of organic matter, including plant litter and animal remains, thereby playing a role in nutrient cycling (Jouquet et al., 2011; Ibrahima et al., 2017; Mamabolo et al., 2024). The presence and activity of these macrofauna can also influence the abun¬dance and diversity of soil microorganisms, further enhancing nutrient cycling (Zhou et al., 2022). Research conducted by Liu et al. (2020) and Singh et al. (2019) reveals
Refining final-year engineering outcomes at Mbeya University, Tanzania
(MJRD, 2026-05-20) Katambara, Zacharia
Tanzania’s Vision 2025 agenda emphasise rapid industrialisation, necessitating a technically proficient workforce, particularly in mechanical engineering, to sustain growth in manufacturing, mining, and infrastructure. This study evaluates the academic performance of 117 final-year mechanical engineering students at Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST), employing Exploratory Analysis (EA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to uncover performance patterns and assess curriculum alignment with industrial competencies. Descriptive statistics revealed notable variability in course performance, while correlation analysis identified strong positive associations between GPA and key technical modules, notably ME 8401 (Fluid Power and Control) and ME 8411 (Automation and Robotics). PCA extracted five principal components, explaining 58.2% of the total variance, with Component 1 alone accounting for 30.4%, suggesting a dominant academic structure driven by technical proficiency. High factor loadings for ME 8411, ME 8401, and ME 8415 underscored their central role in student success. At the same time, low-loading courses such as ME 8408 (Industrial Practical Training III) and ME 8413 highlighted potential curricular misalignments. Based on these insights, the study concludes that academic success in mechanical engineering at MUST is tightly linked to performance in core technical subjects. To align educational outcomes with Tanzania’s industrial goals, the study recommends targeted curriculum refinement of underperforming modules, enhancing high-impact courses with structured academic support, routine application of multivariate analytics for curriculum monitoring, faculty training in educational data analysis, and the establishment of formal industry-academic partnerships. These data-driven reforms aim to foster a technically adept graduate pool that meets the evolving demands of Tanzania’s industrial landscape.
Tanzanian University Libraries' Approaches for Promoting Access and Use of Electronic Information Resources
(MJRD, 2026-03-31) Lwankomezi J., Samzugi A.,Mambo H.
This study examines the approaches used by Tanzanian university libraries to promote access to and use of electronic information resources. Although universities have increasingly invested in electronic databases, e-books, and e-journals to support teaching, learning, and research, evidence suggests that these resources remain underutilized. This underutilization is largely attributed to limited user awareness, ineffective promotion strategies, and persistent accessibility challenges. The study therefore sought to identify the types of electronic resources available in Tanzanian university libraries and to evaluate the strategies employed to promote their access and use. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, supported by a mixed-methods approach. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews from a sample comprising 357 postgraduate students, 141 library staff, and 7 library directors across seven universities. This design enabled efficient data collection from a geographically dispersed population while allowing for both quantitative and qualitative insights. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with SPSS version 23, whereas qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The findings indicate that Tanzanian university libraries have established a strong base in providing core electronic resources, particularly online databases, e-books, and e-journals. Promotion strategies such as user orientation programs and the use of university and library websites were perceived as the most effective in enhancing awareness and encouraging usage. However, the study also identified gaps, including limited availability of supplementary resources and a lack of coordinated, multi-channel promotion strategies. The study concludes that while significant progress has been made, further improvements are necessary to maximize resource utilization. It recommends expanding underrepresented electronic resources through subscriptions and collaboration with the Consortium of Tanzania University and Research Libraries (COTUL), strengthening access systems, promoting open-access materials, and implementing integrated, user-centered promotion and monitoring strategies to enhance accessibility and effective use.
Mapping suitability for solar-powered irrigation systems using GIS–AHP in Baringo County, Kenya
(Discover Geoscience, 2026-04-29) Kipkulei H.k., Boitt M., Ahmed A.,Lameck A.S.
Solar-powered irrigation Systems (SPIS) are critical for agricultural production
enhancement, food security and climate change adaptation, especially in Arid
and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL). There is increased attention towards shifting to more
abundant and cleaner energy potential sources for revitalising irrigation strategies in
ASAL areas. This study employed a geospatial approach to identify suitable locations
for solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS) in Baringo County, Kenya. Based on an
integrated use of GIS spatial analysis and analytical hierarchy procedure (AHP),
suitable locations for solar-powered irrigation were mapped. Precipitation, irrigated
areas, proximity to rivers, slope, and solar radiation were analysed and processed
to derive spatially explicit SPIS suitability classes ranging from very low to very
high suitability. The thematic layers were assigned weights based on Saaty’s AHP
method, where weights for each factor were determined from a pairwise comparison
matrix, and a Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) approach was used to derive
the final suitability classes for the county. The findings reveal that approximately
58% of Baringo County falls within the moderately suitable category for SPIS
implementation, while 24% of the area demonstrates high suitability. In contrast,
only 0.8% of the county’s land area was classified as either very low or very high
suitability. These results offer critical insights for guiding spatially informed planning
and investment in suitable, solar-powered agricultural infrastructure within the
region. Furthermore, the findings of the study contribute to the ongoing initiatives
on the expansion of irrigable land using low-cost and innovative technologies such
as SPIS to put marginally arable land under productive use in Kenya.
Taxonomic and functional variation of carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) diversity in pioneer black pine and secondary broad-leaved Karst forests
(Elsevier, 2026-04-24) Bacaro G., Fonda F., Castello M., Ojija F.
Carabid beetles are widely used as bioindicators because they respond rapidly to changes in near-ground
microclimate, litter and understory structure, and habitat continuity. In the Classical Karst of the North Adriatic region,
forest management is shaped by two concurrent trajectories: the aging of Pinus nigra stands established during
late 19th-century afforestation and the recovery of secondary thermophilous broad-leaved forests.
Pine plantations, although now old and prone to biotic and abiotic disturbances, have played an important role in
shaping present forest ecosystems, and their future is currently debated. To evaluate the effectiveness of pioneer
pine plantations in reconstructing forest conditions, we assessed differences in carabid species composition and
functional structure between the two forest types using long-term pitfall-trap data collected across multiple sites
and years. We quantified taxonomic diversity through richness-based comparisons, rarefaction and additive
partitioning, and examined compositional turnover using β-diversity contribution metrics and ordination with
permutation-based testing. Functional structure was evaluated using distance-based functional diversity indices,
functional rarefaction based on expected Rao’s Q and decomposition of functional α-β-γ components, and a
ternary framework separating dominance, functional diversity and redundancy. Finally, we used indicator-
oriented analyses (species-level and trait-informed) to identify taxa associated with each forest type. Overall,
broad-leaved and pine stands showed limited divergence in mean richness and in conventional functional
indices, whereas clearer differences emerged in turnover, site uniqueness and diagnostic species subsets.
Functional rarefaction indicated that expected functional diversity may differ even when aggregate indices appear
similar. Overall, results support the contribution of black pine stands to the maintenance of forest ground-
dwelling biodiversity and functional structure in karst forests and suggest that conversion strategies should
prioritise continuity of microhabitat conditions and microclimatic buffering rather than assuming that replace-
ment by broad-leaved stands will automatically increase biodiversity.