Abstract
Cultural practices and beliefs are closely linked to biodiversity conservation. The paper presents an analysis of information collected from three indigenous communities (Ichamus/Njemps, Pokots and Tugen) living in Lake Baringo ecosystem, Kenya. We argue that community cultural practices and beliefs have an impact in the conservation of ecosystems such as that of Lake Baringo. Descriptive survey method where semi-structured questionnaires were administered to household heads was used to collect data. Qualitative, participant observation and recording of key informants were also used in data collection. The data collected was guided by the Ecosystem Services (ES) framework. Analysis was done using a combination of descriptive and content analysis. The analysis shows that cultural practices and beliefs have some positive and negative impacts in the conservation of an ecosystem. It is recommended that cultural practices and beliefs may be useful in the conservation of an ecosystem but care must be taken to ensure that those culture practices that are not compatible with ecosystem management are eliminated.
Highlights
The importance of biodiversity cannot be emphasized as it is well revealed by its intrinsic value, use to humans and in maintenance of resilience for the natural environment (Geseret. al., 2009; Hassan et al, 2005)
This study sought to understand theimpact of cultural practices and beliefsof the ethnic groups living in Lake Baringoon the ecosystem
We argue in this paper that community cultural practices and beliefs have an impact in the conservation of ecosystems such as that of Lake Baringo
Summary
The importance of biodiversity cannot be emphasized as it is well revealed by its intrinsic value, use to humans and in maintenance of resilience for the natural environment (Geseret. al., 2009; Hassan et al, 2005). Ecosystem health is a critical precondition for good human health and sustainable livelihoods necessary for achieving sustainable development (Hassan et al, 2005; Geseret al., 2009). For instance despite the fact that lakes provide a source of livelihood for majority of rural people in Africa, they are severely faced by degradation (Hassan et al, 2005; Lockwood, 2000). Lake Baringo ecosystem in Kenya is one such lake whose survival is seriously threatened by degradation with substantial quantity of the vegetation cleared (Akivagaet al., 2010). It is faced with water quality degradation, sedimentation, land use changes and uncontrolled. It is faced with water quality degradation, sedimentation, land use changes and uncontrolled. d abstraction of water which has impacted negatively on its biodiversity (Ballot et al, 2003; Akivagaet al., 2010)
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