Nature’s contribution to poverty alleviation, human wellbeing and the SDGs

Millions of households globally rely on uncultivated ecosystems for their livelihoods. However, much of the understanding about the broader contribution of uncultivated ecosystems to human wellbeing is still based on a series of small-scale studies due to limited availability of large-scale datasets. We pooled together 11 comparable datasets comprising 232 settlements and 10,971 households in ten low-and middle-income countries, representing forest, savanna and coastal ecosystems to analyse how uncultivated nature contributes to multi-dimensional wellbeing and how benefits from nature are distributed between households. The resulting dataset integrates secondary data on rural livelihoods, multidimensional human wellbeing, household demographics, resource tenure and social-ecological context, primarily drawing on nine existing household survey datasets and their associated contextual information together with selected variables, such as travel time to cities, population density, local area GDP and land use and land cover from existing global datasets. This integrated dataset has been archived with ReShare (UK Data Service) and will be useful for further analyses on nature-wellbeing relationships on its own or in combination with similar datasets

Nature’s contribution to poverty alleviation, human wellbeing and the SDGs

Millions of households globally rely on uncultivated ecosystems for their livelihoods. However, much of the understanding about the broader contribution of uncultivated ecosystems to human wellbeing is still based on a series of small-scale studies due to limited availability of large-scale datasets. We pooled together 11 comparable datasets comprising 232 settlements and 10,971 households in ten low-and middle-income countries, representing forest, savanna and coastal ecosystems to analyse how uncultivated nature contributes to multi-dimensional wellbeing and how benefits from nature are distributed between households. The resulting dataset integrates secondary data on rural livelihoods, multidimensional human wellbeing, household demographics, resource tenure and social-ecological context, primarily drawing on nine existing household surveys and their associated contextual information together with selected variables, such as travel time to cities, population density, local area GDP and land use and land cover from existing global datasets. This integrated dataset has been archived with ReShare (UK Data Service) and will be useful for further analyses on nature-wellbeing relationships on its own or in combination with similar datasets

Mangrove change detection, structure and condition in a protected area of eastern Africa: the case of Quirimbas National Park, Mozambique

Given the high dependence of coastal communities on natural resources, mangrove conservation is a challenge in Mozambique, even within several types of marine protected areas. This study assesses the condition of a mangrove forest in the Quirimbas National Park (QNP), where use by the local community is allowed with restrictions. Satellite imagery (1991 – 2013) and ground forest assessment were used to assess forest structure, conservation status, and regeneration potential of the forest. Random 10x10 m quadrats were set within the forest, for species identification, diameter at breast height (DBH), height measurement, assessment of levels of cut, and quality of the main pole. Young individuals were also counted to assess the regeneration potential. The overall mangrove cover has increased by 10% from 11 244 ha to 12 348 ha between 1991 and 2013. The forest is dominated by Ceriops tagal and Rhizophora muctonata, but other 4 species were also identified (Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Sonneratia alba, and Xylocarpus granatum). Trees tend to be small in height and width (mean: 5.96 ±3.2 m and 7.69 ± 4.5 cm respectively), with a total density of 572 trees/ha. Statistical analysis indicated distinct patterns of transformation; the south with higher densities of crooked poles (p< 0.05) (369 trees/ha), and the north with higher density of stumps (p< 0.05) (250 stumps/ha). The north and south parts of the park also had higher densities of crooked than straight and semi-straight poles (p< 0.05). Natural regeneration was observed with adequate seedling/sapling density of between 36 733 to 126 133 saplings/ha. The results indicate that, despite being a protected area, the mangroves of the QNP are subject to pressure from the community, reflected in the loss of certain areas areas, and high density of cut trees and stumps. Appropriate measures are necessary to effectively protect these mangroves and meet conservation objectives.

Nature’s contribution to poverty alleviation, human wellbeing and the SDGs

Millions of households globally rely on uncultivated ecosystems for their livelihoods. However, much of the understanding about the broader contribution of uncultivated ecosystems to human wellbeing is still based on a series of small-scale studies due to limited availability of large-scale datasets. We pooled together 11 comparable datasets comprising 232 settlements and 10,971 households in ten low-and middle-income countries, representing forest, savanna and coastal ecosystems to analyse how uncultivated nature contributes to multi-dimensional wellbeing and how benefits from nature are distributed between households. The resulting dataset integrates secondary data on rural livelihoods, multidimensional human wellbeing, household demographics, resource tenure and social-ecological context, primarily drawing on nine existing household surveys and their associated contextual information together with selected variables, such as travel time to cities, population density, local area GDP and land use and land cover from existing global datasets. This integrated dataset has been archived with ReShare (UK Data Service) and will be useful for further analyses on nature-wellbeing relationships on its own or in combination with similar datasets