Detecting trade-offs, synergies and bundles among ecosystem services demand using sociodemographic data in Omo Biosphere Reserve, Nigeria

Abstract

The complexity of the relationships among multiple ecosystem services (ES) is not fully understood. This could be because of the difficulty in assessing ES relationships, in general, and particularly, an uneven study of geographical distribution and the relationships among ES demand remains under-researched. Yet, understanding relationships among multiple ES can support policy and management decisions, from problem definition to interventions. This novel research focused on addressing some of the challenges, presenting relationships among ES demand undertaken in Omo Biosphere Reserve (OBR), Nigeria, to improve understanding and extend the geographical coverage of ES relationship studies. In this study, primary data were obtained using a questionnaire survey administered to 302 individuals in OBR. Multinomial regression, correlation and factor analysis were used to identify key ES, explain the influence of sociodemographic attributes on ES preferences and identify the trade-offs, synergies and bundles of ES demand, respectively. The results showed that there were 18 key ES demanded with more preference for provisioning ES such as crops than other ES. Few sociodemographic attributes were identified to influence people’s preferences for ES. Furthermore, major trade-offs occurred between provisioning ES with synergies observed among provisioning, regulating and cultural ES. Of the six bundles identified, the first three bundles explained 53% of the total variance which involved environmental, health and basic needs. Our findings not only provide valuable information that could help achieve a well-managed landscape but also support decision-making process and management strategies that could potentially strengthen rural livelihoods.