Exploring the role of forests as natural assets in rural livelihoods and coping strategies against risks and shocks in Dedza East, Malawi

Forests are important natural capital for forest-adjacent communities and play an important role in dealing with risks and shocks. The study therefore examined the roles of forests in rural livelihoods in Dedza district eastern Malawi with focus on basic needs and assets, shocks and coping strategies. The findings showed that efforts were made by the co-management program in the study area to increase the livelihood capitals of the people, but the extent could not be ascertained. There were gaps in meeting basic needs of the households with forest products playing an insignificant role in both livelihood and coping strategies. The forest mainly supports subsistence needs with negligible contribution toward provision of safety net and as a pathway out of poverty. The main livelihood strategies were farm based, wage based and diversified. The prominent shocks that the households faced were serious crop failure and serious illness. Casual work, sale of agricultural products and reducing consumption constituted the prominent coping strategies of the people. The study further showed that land-holding size and age are the main determinants of livelihood diversification. Longitudinal data collection is, therefore, recommended to investigate further the nature of contribution of forests to livelihood diversification at household level.The University of Pretoria through the Postgraduate bursary and World Wildlife Fund .https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wjsf20hj2023Plant Production and Soil Scienc

Potential of institutional arrangements for sustainable management of forests under co-management with local forest organisations in Mua-Livulezi Forest Reserve, Mtakataka, Malawi

Adoption of participatory forest management has initiated the trend of transfer of access, management and control of forest resources from government to committee based institutions. Hence, understanding the institutional arrangements that support implementation of comanagement with Local Forest Organisations is crucial for sustainable forest management. This study therefore examined the potential and contribution of institutional arrangements to sustainable forest management under co-management arrangement in Mtakataka, Malawi. Our results show that while co-management has created new multi-level local forest organizations in the communities, the potential of the organizations to contribute to sustainable forest management has been negatively affected by lack of appropriate power and legitimacy. There are clear and well defined boundaries for the forest resources and communities involved in comanagement of the forest reserve. However, co-management is faced with issues such as low participation of community members, ineffective rule enforcement, inadequate human and financial resources, and conflict of forest use. Despite these issues, it is concluded that with improvement in the co-management program, the local forest organisations have potential to achieve sustainable management of forest resources. It is thus recommended that the LFOs should be encouraged to follow what was jointly agreed upon and documented in the management plans. The management plans should also be regularly evaluated and effectively monitored for sustainable management and use of the forest products.http://www.cfa-international.org/international_forestry_review.phphb201

Willingness-to-pay for environmental services provided by trees in core and fringe areas of Benin City, Nigeria

Economic valuation of environmental services has emerged as a new and more direct argument and incentive for protection of trees and sustenance of environmental quality. This study's aim was to estimate the monetary value for conservation of urban trees and environmental services in Benin City, Nigeria. A Contingent Valuation Method involving a survey of 350 residents was adopted for the study. Flooding and erosion control, scenic beauty, provision of shade and regulation of local temperature received positive rankings and high scores. Thus, an average of US$1.20/month, which yielded an aggregate value of US$1 200 000 to US$1 860 00, was the amount Benin City residents were willing to contribute towards the conservation of trees. This study identified profession, years of residency and indigenous knowledge of ES as significant predictors that can influence willingness-to-pay. The findings provided quantitative data to demonstrate the importance of conserving trees to town planners, forest managers, policy makers and the urban community.The National Research Foundation (NRF)-Innovation Doctoral Program of South Africa (Grant UID: 102432).http://www.cfa-international.org/international_forestry_review.phphj2019Plant Production and Soil Scienc

A case study assessment of socio-economic sustainability and alternative management regimes for state forest plantations in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Assessing the socio-economic sustainability of small scale forest plantations provides the basis for monitoring compliance with sustainable forest management principles and prescription of appropriate interventions. Considering that state forest plantations in South Africa have been scheduled for transfer to community-based entities, determination of the potential of alternative forest management types is vital. This study therefore assessed the socio-economic sustainability of current forest management strategies in state forest plantations at Gaba and Rossbach in Limpopo Province of South Africa. It also determined the potential of alternative forest management regimes using perceptions of local communities. Summated rating scales principles were applied by using likert scaling to acquire the perceptions of local communities through scoring of indicators and verifiers. While the local community for Rossbach forest plantation was content with all indicators of socio-economic sustainability, the local community for Gaba was discontent with provision of products and the forest plantation‟s contribution to their livelihoods. Both communities perceived joint forest management to be the optimal forest management regime across all indicators while expressing total lack of confidence in managing the forest plantations communally. Optimal socio-economic sustainability in the post-transfers era can be achieved through joint decision-making and formalized sharing of responsibilities and benefits between the communities and government.South African Forestry Company Limited (SAFCOL) through the University of Pretoria and the University of Venda.http://link.springer.com/journal/104572017-08-31hb2016Plant Production and Soil Scienc

Sawmill conversion efficiency and wood recovery of timber species in cross river state Nigeria

Wood wastage during conversion has been identified as one of the factors contributing to forest loss. This study analysed efficiency of timber conversion at the sawmill section of Calabar Wood Export Processing Factory (CWEPF), Cross River State, Nigeria. Ten commonly processed timber species were monitored through the various machines during the conversion process. The various wastes associated with the conversion and numbers of sawn timber produced were analysed. The mean percentage of total wood waste generated during conversion process at the mill was found to vary from 46.89% in Cylicodiscus gabunensis to 55.49% in Tectonia grandis. The mean volume of wood waste due to back was found to vary from 0.019m3 in Cylicodiscus gabunensis to 0.133m3 in Afzelia africana. The mean percentage of recovery efficiency for the ten sampled log species was 46.87%. The recovery percentage varied from 46.24% in Afzelia Africana to 53.11% in Cylicodiscus gabunensis. The percentage of recovery of the ten sampled species was found to be significantly different. The study shows that conversion efficiency of the mill is comparably low; this has the potential of increasing demand for more logs and forest exploitation. There is need for improved technology that promotes efficient and effective timber conversion to facilitate sustainable timber exploitation in the state.Velika količina drvnog otpada tokom konverzije je jedan od faktora koji doprinose gubitku šuma. Stoga, ova studija analizira efikasnost konverzije drveta u sektoru pilane u fabrici za preradu i izvoz drveta u gradu Kalabar (CVEPF), u državi Kros River, u Nigeriji. Posmatrana je obrada različitim mašinama deset najčešće obrađivanih vrsta drveta tokom procesa konverzije. Analziran je otpad koji nastaje konverzijom i prizvedena rezana građa. Utvrđeno je da prosječna vrijednost ukupnog drvnog otpada generisanog tokom procesa konverzije u pilani varira od 46.89% kod Cylicodiscus gabunensisdo 55.49% kod Tectonia grandis. Utvrđeno je da prosječna zapremina drvnog otpada zbog starosti varira od 0.019m3 kod Cylicodiscus gabunensis do 00.133m3 kod Afzelia africana. Prosječna vrijednost efikasnosti oporavak deset uzorkovanih vrsta iznosila je 46.87%. Utvrđeno je da se procenat oporavka značajno razlikuje kod deset uzorkovanih vrsta. Studija pokazuje da je efikasnost konverzije na pilani niska, što otvara mogućnost povećanja potražnje i održiviju eksploataciju šuma. Postoji potreba za savremenijom tehnologijom, koja promoviše efikasnu i efektivnu konverziju drveta, kako bi se obezbijedila održiva eksploatacija šuma u zemlji.http://www.agricultforest.ac.me/am201

Socio-economic contributions of an indigenous tree in urban areas of southwest Nigeria

Indigenous trees have been discovered to be disappearing from urban areas at alarming rates, and the contributions of the existing trees are not adequately documented. Milicia excelsa is an indigenous trees species in tropical Africa and popularly known as Iroko. Due to extensive exploitation for wood production and other socio-economic activities, the tree species is classified as threatened and relics could only be found in a few locations. A survey of the trees in the city of Ibadan was therefore carried out to determine their distribution as well as their socio-economic contributions to the urban people. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the people living close to the trees or working in the locations where the trees are sighted to determine the socio-economic benefits. A total of 65 trees (0.14 trees/km2) of M. excelsa were sighted. As observed in the city, the benefits of the tree species were categorized as: environmental, medicinal, economic, spiritual and ecological services. Provision of shade that creates a ‘microclimatic environment’ in the form of cooling effects from the heat of the day was mentioned by about 95% of the respondents as the major benefit obtained from the trees. A strategy for the conservation of the trees as urban trees and their protection against damage to life and property are considered imperative. There is also a need for an appropriate policy that protects indiscriminate felling of indigenous trees in the city and constant monitoring of the trees’ status for any sign of weakness.http://adonisandabbey.com/show_journal1.php?list_journals=14am2014gv201

Assessing forest-based rural communities' adaptive capacity and coping strategies for climate variability and change : the case of Vhembe district in South Africa

In this study, various coping strategies used by forest-based rural communities in Vhembe District of South Africa in response to climate variability and change challenges were investigated. The effect of community socio-demographic characteristics on the adaptive capacity and choice/effectiveness of coping strategies was examined. Household level data were collected from 366 respondents selected from 21 rural communities using the proportionate random sampling procedure. The Pearson Chi-square test was used to analyse the coping strategies. The effects of household and community socio-demographic characteristics on choice and effectiveness of coping strategies were determined using the binary logit model. It was observed that the respondents used diverse coping strategies, depending on the nature of climate variability and extreme weather events they were confronted with. Rainwater harvesting was the most popular strategy that the respondents in Makhado (90%), Mutale (96.3%), and Thulamela (50%) used to cope with erratic rainfall. Tree planting around houses and on farmland were the most popular strategies (90 100%) to counter the effects of extreme temperature. Furthermore, household and community demographic characteristics in particular education and skills levels, and forest products, institutional services and infrastructure available in the communities such as markets, and water supply facilities significantly (p&#0600.05) influenced the choice of households' coping strategies. Therefore, it can be hypothesized that efforts that enhance the household's capacity and community infrastructural development might be viable and sustainable ways of improving rural communities' resilience to climate change and variability challenges.Chidiebere Ofoegbu undertake this research as part of his Ph.D. in Forestry studies.The National Research Foundation of South Africa and South Africa Forestry Company Limited (SAFCOL)(Grant UID: 82942) funded this research through the Forestry Postgraduate Programme at the University of Pretoria.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/envdevPlant Production and Soil Scienc

Socio-economic factors influencing household dependence on forests and its implication for forest-based climate change interventions

In most African countries, forest-based climate change intervention initiatives such as the nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs) and national adaptation programme of actions (NAPAs) are widely accepted. This is mainly due to the fact that they are relevant in addressing multiple challenges associated with rural development, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, and sustainable forest management. However, there are concerns about the implications of strategic and practical steps taken in this context on forest-dependent communities. Thus, there is need to reconcile local socio-economic vulnerabilities and forestbased climate change intervention initiatives. In the current study, socio-economic factors influencing households’ dependence on forest resources and associated implications on climate change interventions were investigated. Proportionate stratified random sampling was used to select 366 households from forest-based rural communities in Vhembe District of South Africa. A structured questionnaire was administered to household heads in 21 villages. The Pearson Chi-square test was used to analyse the factors that influence household dependence on forest. The effects of household socioeconomic characteristics on households’ forest dependence influencing factor were determined using the binary logit model. Up to 97 % of the respondents depended on the forest resources predominantly because of low costs associated with using them. It was observed that socio-economic characteristics of households such as farm husbandry skills, years of residence (53-65) in the community and age of respondents (≤ 38-65) significantly (P < 0.05) influenced use of the forest resources. Thus, effectiveness and sustainability of forest-based climate change intervention initiatives can be promoted if the socio-economic conditions prevailing within households in areas next to forests are improved.The National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa and the School of Postgraduate Forestry Programmes at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tsfs202018-02-28hb2017Plant Production and Soil Scienc

Perception-based analysis of climate change effect on forest-based livelihood : the case of Vhembe District in South Africa

Forests are vulnerable to climate change and are also major sources of livelihood for many rural households in Africa. This study examines rural people’s perceptions of climate change impacts on forest-based livelihoods using rural communities of Vhembe District in South Africa as a case study. The study was based on the principles of perceived impact-based assessment, and sustainable livelihoods framework. Using the stratified proportionate random sampling procedure in combination with weighted Enumeration Area for the selected communities, 366 households were chosen and interviewed. Data analysis involved computing frequencies and conducting the Chi-square, binomial tests and binary logistic regression analysis. The respondents identified erratic rainfall, extreme temperature, extreme drought and flooding as key climatic events in their community. But not all identified key climatic events were perceived to constitute risk to forest products and forest-based livelihood. Only extreme drought was indicated to constitute risk to availability of forest products. In addition, the binary logistic regression showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the perceived risk of climate change to the availability of essential forest products across the three municipalities. Hence the need for forest development initiatives that target vulnerable forest products per community as a means of enhancing resilience of forest-based livelihood to climate change impacts in rural community development in South Africa.The National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant UID: 82942) funded this research through the Innovation Doctoral Scholarship Program at the University of Pretoria.http://www.jamba.org.zaam2017Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI

Risks and coping strategies of production and marketing of cocoa in Ondo State, Nigeria

In recent time, yields from cocoa producing states have been decreasingwhile farmers are facedwith a number of challenges that predispose them to risks and uncertainties. The study therefore assessed the major production and marketing risks in Ondo State, Nigeria. The socio-economic characteristics of the cocoa farmers were analysed using descriptive analysiswhile Kruskal– Wallis ranking analysis was used to assess the farmer’s perception on sources of risks. Ranking on top of the ten identified cocoa production risks was pest and diseases attack while undue exploitation by exporters ranked on top of marketing risks. The major coping strategies adopted by the farmers of the cocoa include diversification of production system by growing substitute crops (47.5 %), and involvement in non-farm business to generate additional income (35.0 %). In other to reduce risks faced by the farmers, government should put in place a marketing scheme aimed at assisting cocoa farmers through price regulation and monitoring. Cocoa farmers also needed to be introduced to the current technologies of production with the provision of necessary incentives such as improved varieties of cocoa seedling, as well as provision of fertiliser and approved pesticides, financial assistance, and simple processing technologies that produce standard cocoa beans.http://link.springer.com/journal/104572018-04-30hb2016Plant Production and Soil Scienc