Rural community dependency on woodland resources: the case of Foley and Makomoto settlements in Central-East Botswana

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ABSTRACT The unsustainable exploitation of savanna woodland resources in Botswana threatens the capabilities of the ecosystem to provide goods and services that are vital to rural household livelihoods, hence affecting the ecosystem sustainability and rural livelihoods. Therefore, this study documented the levels of rural households’ dependence on and socio-economic factors contributing to woodland resource dependency in Foley and Makomoto localities. Data was obtained in 92 sampled households using semi-structured questionnaires. The probit model was used to predict factors contributing to woodland resource dependency. Results established that rural household adapted various portfolios of livelihood activities which contribute to household income. Furthermore, woodland resources have a great significance to rural households’ well-being. The results show that the income derived from the woodland resources constitutes 58% in Makomoto and 43% in Foley of the total household income. The econometric results revealed that education, place of residence, non-agricultural income and household size significantly influenced the dependence on woodland resources . Woodland dependency decreased with educational level and non-agricultural income. Hence, a need to promote education and non-farming enterprises in rural communities. To combat unsustainable exploitation of the woodland resources, this study recommends the introduction of a community monitoring tool to rural communities.