Conservation and human livelihoods at the crossroads : local needs and knowledge in the management of Arabuko Sokoke Forest
Date
2017-11-23
Authors
Chiawo, David O.
Kombe, Wellington N.
Craig, Adrian J.F.K
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons
Abstract
Arabuko Sokoke Forest is the largest remaining single block of indigenous dry coastal tropical forest in Eastern Africa. Households within a 5 km buffer zone depend heavily on the forest for their livelihood needs, and the
pressure on forest resources is on the increase. In May 2015, 109 households were interviewed on resources
they obtain from the forest, in terms of the self-reported level of monthly income. We found household income
and farm size significantly positively correlated with benefits from the forest, highlighting the possible
influence of household wealth in exploiting forest resources. A large proportion of households (32%) had
limited knowledge of local birds, while human–bird conflict was reported by 44% of the households. While
many households were keen to participate in conservation projects that maintain the forest, 44% had no
knowledge of the forest management plan, and 60% of those interviewed had no idea of how forest zones were
designated for particular activities. Drivers for local community participation in conservation projects appear
to be sustainable income and fulfilment of basic household needs.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Chiawo DO, Kombe WN, Craig AJFK. Conservation and human livelihoods at the crossroads: Local needs and knowledge in the management of Arabuko Sokoke Forest. Afr J Ecol. 2017;00:1–7. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12462