Mangrove resource utilization and impacts in the Pra and Kakum estuaries of Ghana

Abstract

Mangrove forests provide a wide range of valuable uses or benefits that contribute to the wellbeing of inhabitants in coastal communities. This study evaluated the economic and ecological contribution of mangrove resources to coastal livelihoods in communities that depend on the Kakum and Pra River estuaries and the impact of the uses on the structural development of the mangrove species. Information on the utilization of mangrove resources was obtained from 136 respondents in ten communities, using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Structural parameters of the mangrove species were estimated and the data analysed using descriptive statistics and regression. The study revealed that coastal inhabitants harvested fuelwood, timber (poles), crabs and periwinkles from both mangrove forests, while tilapia was collected from only the Pra mangrove forest. About 34 % of the respondents depended solely on mangrove resource harvesting as their main occupation. The mean net annual incomes derived from fuelwood and periwinkles were about US $ 1,000 – 1,730 and US $ 660 – 2,000 respectively, whereas that from tilapia was about US $ 2,310, per respondent. The observation suggested that mangroves income contributed substantially (about 65%) to the overall income of the mangrove resource users. All the mangrove species had low structural developments in terms of size and height. Given that widespread harvesting of mangrove trees affects their structural development, this study therefore makes a compelling case to strengthen conservation strategies at the local level to ensure sustainable utilization of these mangrove forests.