Assessment of wetland ecosystem services and human wellbeing nexus in sub-Saharan Africa: Empirical evidence from a socio-ecological landscape of Ghana

Abstract

In a rapidly urbanized socio-ecological landscape like that of the Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar Site (KLCRS) with the increasing trend of anthropogenic and natural stresses, careful understanding of the relationship between ecosystem services (ESs) and human wellbeing (HWB) is central to its sustainability. We use subjective quantitative indicators and structural equation model (SEM) based on the MA framework to assess the complex relationship between ESs and HWB while considering the mediating effect of subjective social status (SSS). Using a semi-structured questionnaire, primary data was collected randomly from 794 household heads in six communities within the KLCRS enclave. SSS provided a good cumulative indicator of status across different aspects of socioeconomic standing. Our results showed that the contentment levels of provisioning, regulatory, and cultural ESs were low and moderate for most of the respondents, but there were significant community variations attributed to the differences in livelihood opportunities and prevailing environmental challenges. The study communities accounted for more than 40% of the variations in respondents' wellbeing levels. High and moderate levels of wellbeing exclusively coincided with areas where respondents had high and moderate contentment with each ESs. From the SEM, provisioning ESs had the strongest positive effect on respondents’ wellbeing and hence suggesting that HWB has mainly been achieved through provisioning ESs. Therefore, provision of alternative livelihood options, scaling-up restoration of vital habitat, and development of comprehensive strategic spatial plans were recommended to relevant stakeholders to help improve the capacity of the KLCRS to supply the regulatory services and the other ESs.