The role of Bahi swamp wetlands in enhancing household food security and income of adjacent communities

The study was conducted to assess the role of Bahi swamp resources in enhancing household food security and income of adjacent communities. Specifically, the study assessed the socioeconomic activities in the swamp with a potential contribution to local livelihoods, the contribution of the swamp in enhancing household food security and income and the level of local dependence on the swamp. Two villages (Makulu and Nagulo-Bahi)  were involved. Data were collected through questionnaire, PRA techniques(resource mapping, key informant interviews and focused group  discussions) and direct observation. Data were summarized and analysed using Microsoft Excel, SPSS and content analysis. Other data from  discussions were analysed through relative ranking. The socioeconomic activities with potential contribution to food security and income of adjacent communities in order of importance included crop cultivation, fishing,  livestock grazing and collection of thatching grasses. Cultivation of paddy rice contributed significantly to household food security generating 65.4% of total household food crop production compared to other crops grown in drier areas adjacent to the swamp. Fishing played a substantial contribution to household food security through household consumption of 10% of fish caught. For household income, sales of paddy rice from the swamp contributed 59.6% while fish sales contributed 36% of the total annual household income. Multiplier activities emerging during fishing season facilitate income to a wider group of communities. On average, 56.2% of the population depend on the swamp for daily socio-economic activities associated with generation of household food and income. The Bahi swamp and related products play a significant role in enhancing local livelihoods for the adjacent communities. Planning for  wise use of the swamp in respect of the dominant socioeconomic activities will likely improve its  contribution to livelihoods.Key words: Bahi swamps, food security, income, wetland

A Learning Networks approach to resolve conservation challenges in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Conservation Biolog

African elephant poaching rates correlate with local poverty, national corruption and global ivory price

Poaching is contributing to rapid declines in elephant populations across Africa. Following high-profile changes in the political environment, the overall number of illegally killed elephants in Africa seems to be falling, but to evaluate potential conservation interventions we must understand the processes driving poaching rates at local and global scales. Here we show that annual poaching rates in 53 sites strongly correlate with proxies of ivory demand in the main Chinese markets, whereas between-country and between-site variation is strongly associated with indicators of corruption and poverty. Our analysis reveals a recent decline in annual poaching mortality rate from an estimated peak of over 10% in 2011 to <4% in 2017. Based on these findings, we suggest that continued investment in law enforcement could further reduce poaching, but is unlikely to succeed without action that simultaneously reduces ivory demand and tackles corruption and poverty