Forest Adjacent Communities Research Articles

Collaboration or Contravention? Ramifications For Effective Participatory Decision-Making in Collaborative Forest Management at Echuya Central Forest Reserve, South Western Uganda

Participatory decision-making has been extensively adopted worldwide as an essential mechanism and a good governance principle to reach a consensus in natural resource management. However, in most communities, local people who depend on forests are not involved in the decision-making process regarding conserving protected areas. This research assesses the ramifications of collaboration or contravention on effective participatory decision-making in collaborative forest management in Echuya Central Forest Reserve. It provides insights into how community consultations and participation of forest-adjacent communities in planning meetings influence the conservation of protected areas. We collected data from a total of 639 respondents, including Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) group members and non-CFM community members, government institutions, conservation organizations, and local community leaders, using semi-structured questionnaires, interview guides, and Focus Group Discussion guides. Results indicate that community consultations allow CFM stakeholders, particularly community members, to give ideas on how such projects can be implemented without destroying forest resources, promoting the goal of conserving the forest reserve. Community members’ participation in planning meetings allows them to contribute ideas about relevant and appropriate forest conservation approaches. However, the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and other non-community actor groups dominate the decision-making process mainly because the NFA has the legal mandate to manage the forest reserve on behalf of the Government. We concluded that the connivance of government forestry officials with unauthorized forest resource users undermines the spirit of participatory decision-making. Dishonesty and lack of accountability hampered effective participatory decision-making, and low attendance at meetings undermines effective participation in decision-making. Thus, community members’ consistent attendance of meetings is paramount for positive outcomes of participatory decision-making for the conservation of forests

Logging moratorium in Kenya and its impacts on Community Forests Associations:

The Forest Sector is Key to Kenya’s social and economic well-being since most of the financial activities rely on environmental-based resources for their sustenance. The Forest Conservation and Management Act, of 2016, provides for the conservation and management of public, community, and private forests. This has brought a paradigm shift in forest management from central command to involving various stakeholders. Adequate stakeholders' engagement in the direction of forest resources, results in minimal conflicts. Local involvement promotes a sense of ownership to the Forest Adjacent Communities Consequently, reducing conflicts in the management of the forest resources. This dissertation focuses on the impacts of logging moratorium on Community Forest Associations in our state forests, with a focus of two CFAs in Meru County. It uses both quantitative and qualitative research design. An in-depth literature review was, used to enrich the research findings. Data was collected from 289 Mucheene and Ruthumbi CFA residents. Their views on the impacts of logging moratorium to the CFA were also documented. The study found out that forest conservation cannot be delinked from livelihood improvement by the Forest Adjacent Communities. There lie difficulties for the area population of the study area to support their life demands with the moratorium in place owing to the fact that they highly depended on the forest to support their livelihoods pre-moratorium. The study found that 93.4 % of the respondents believe that legal logging promotes job creation in the sawmill value chain circular economy. Findings are expected, to inform policy on forest conservation in collaboration with the FAC. The study recommends that the Government should adopt a regulation mechanism that safeguards logging in the extension forest of the community whenever there is an ongoing logging moratorium in the public forest. Communities, Forests, Logging, Moratorium, Livelihoods, Stakeholders engagement.

NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT: A SMALL BUSINESS STRATEGY OF WALNUT

The management of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) holds significant benefits for forest-adjacent communities, including the potential for commercial ventures such as the walnut enterprise. This study aims to examine the walnut business in Onto Village, Bontomatene District, Selayar Islands Regency, Indonesia, analyse internal and external factors, and formulate a development strategy for the walnut business. This study employs SWOT analysis and the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The findings suggest that the walnut industry has the potential to be a profitable venture and a standout product in the region. Internal factor analysis indicates that the the availability of labour is the most significant strength (0.021) in the walnut business, while insufficient accessibility of commodity sources represents the most notable weakness (0.085). On the external front, a promising farming business emerges as the highest priority opportunity (0.146), whereas the absence of a walnut business development program poses the most significant threat (0.235). The prioritised strategy for implementation is the W-T2 strategy, with a value of 0.75, focusing on enhancing community and government cooperation to improve infrastructure, particularly roads leading to walnut fields.

Changing Livelihoods, Development, and Cultural Practices: Reshaping Forests Among the Tau Taa Vana People

The Tau Taa Vana people live in the Bulang Highlands, Tojo Una-Una, in Central Sulawesi Province. The region's development has shaped the marginalization of forest-dwelling and forest-adjacent communities. From the 1980s to the 1990s, illegal logging networks served as the power holders, backed by Indonesia’s authoritarian regime of that time. Illegal logging destroyed a large part of the Tau Taa Vana's sacred forest (pengale kapali). As part of the massive logging agenda, the government launched many legal programs that further isolated the Tau Taa Vana people from their land. The first program was transmigration in 1995-1998, which converted sacred forests into plantation areas and worker camps. Meanwhile, the Tau Taa Vana people were forced to relocate from their forest livelihoods (pengale lipu). In 2014, development shifted towards government-supported gold and nickel extraction identified in the Tau Taa Vana people's traditional regions. The government's planned material extraction of the region has forced the Tau Taa Vana people to adapt traditional environmental management systems. In the past, the forest had three main functions, as the source of food, medicine, and livelihoods. Nowadays, those functions are reduced drastically and the sacred forest with the Kaju Marangka'a region as the center has lost its cultural importance. Tau Taa Vana people today use the remaining forests as the center of their resistance movements and consider it as their last bastion for cultural preservation. In this regard, the role of traditional healers (tau valia) has become even more critical amidst the lack of traditional elders.

Use of Plantation Establishment and Livelihood Improvement Scheme (Pelis) in the Rehabilitation of Nyamweru Forest Reserve, Kiambu County, Kenya.

PELIS is a program globally known as the Taungya system, which involves the allocation of parcels of land to forest-adjacent communities to grow tree seedlings as well as carry out cultivation of crops during the early stages of tree seedlings growth until they form canopies, with the aim of increasing forest cover. The program has been successful in some countries, but it has failed in other countries, especially developing countries. This study investigated the impeding factors to the realization of the PELIS program, using a case study of the Nyamweru forest reserve in Kiambu County, Lari sub-county, Kenya. Descriptive research design was employed, with a sample size of 40 respondents. About 80% of the results showed an apparent weakness of the institutions mandated in the governance of the forest to effectively manage PELIS program. The study concluded that all the challenges experienced under the PELIS program can be linked to poor forest governance practices. The study recommended, that an integrated watershed resource management, adoption of a bottom-up approach in order to achieve participatory forest management in all aspects of the PELIS program, and development of a platform for awareness creation, such training and use of current technologies, to strengthen and enhance social capital in PELIS program Management in order to, rejuvenate and achieve the constitutional recommended 10% of forest cover in Kenya.

Perceptions of commercialisation and value-addition of non-timber forest products in forest adjacent communities in Ghana

Residents living adjacent to forests commonly gather non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for income, nourishment, ailment treatment, firewood, religious reasons, and artefacts. This study investigates local perceptions of the commercialisation and value addition of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in forest-adjacent communities in Ghana. NTFPs are integral to food security and cultural practices. However, more is needed to know about local perceptions of these products' commercialisation and value addition. In this study, we collected data using a qualitative research approach through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with community members involved in NTFP collection and sales. To determine which NTFPs are collected, we interviewed 732 residents about their perception of value addition to the NTFPs collected and if value addition has impacted the commercialisation and quality of the products obtained from the forest. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data for the study. From the survey, frequencies and percentages of responses were analysed for each indicator related to value addition and commercialisation of NTFPs. The study found that 97.5% of those surveyed frequently visited the forest to gather different NTFPs. For example, mushrooms, snails, honey, and others were the most collected. Also, most interviewees do not process or add value to the NTFPs collected from the forest; thus, adding value to these NTFPs could increase incomes in the future. The findings indicate that locals have a variety of perceptions and understandings about commercialisation and value-addition processes. The study emphasises the importance of understanding local perceptions to develop effective strategies for the commercialisation and value addition of NTFPs. By incorporating the perceptions and insights of locals, interventions can be tailored to meet the needs and aspirations of forest-adjacent communities and promote sustainable resource management and equitable distribution of benefits. Future research should focus on educating locals about the value addition to NTFPs, and processes for increasing the price of NTFPs by adding value and commercialising these products. Proper commercialising of NTFPs may well help improve the lives of the locals.

Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Household on Non-Timber Forest Product Dependency from Chilimo Forest, Ethiopia

Non-timber forest products are very important in providing basic needs, cash deposits, and home consumption to forest-adjacent communities. Several socio-economic factors influence household dependence on non-timber forest products. This study focused on analyzing the socio-economic factors determining a household’s dependency on non-timber forest products from the Chilimo forest in Dandi, Ethiopia. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were applied to analyze the data. The main NTFPs extracted by local communities in the study area included honey, fodder, wild vegetables, medicinal plants, firewood, and charcoal. Thus products are used for home both consumption and commercial purposes. Availability of the non-timber forest product also influenced its extraction from the forest (χ2 (2,432) = 4.973, p<0.084). A majority of households (87%) who got NTFPs explained that this resource availability had decreased when compared to ten years ago, thus diminishing their chances of getting NTFPs possibly due to the degradation of the forest. Based on the results from logistic regression factors like age, the career of a household head, and distance to the market had a significant positive correlation on household NTFPs exploitation dependency. Household that lives near the forest has more advantages to extracting NTFPs from the forest than those who live further away. Also, land size, formal education, and household need for fuel wood were positively correlated with the local household, dependency on NTFPs from the Chilimo forest.

Is Fair Benefit Sharing a Reality or A Fallacy? Implications for Effective Collaborative Forest Management at Echuya Central Forest Reserve, S. W. Uganda

It is generally accepted that equitable benefits sharing from protected areas (PAs) is a probable technique for both sustainable management and PA conservation. Evidence however, suggests that this might not be entirely true since such benefits might not be equitably shared among local communities as they would have wished. This research compares benefits received by Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) community members with those of non-CFM community members adjacent to Echuya Central Forest Reserve (ECFR). The study further assesses the most preferred benefits by local community members around ECFR and the perceived barriers to equitable benefit sharing. It provides insight into how benefit sharing under CFM influences the conservation of protected areas. We conducted 458 household interviews, 26 key informant interviews and 4 focus group discussions to obtain data from CFM and non-CFM community members, government institutions, conservation organisations and local community leaders around ECFR. Benefits received by community members include access to firewood, grass, medicinal plants, materials to make ropes, honey and bamboo rhizomes, livelihood project support, cash benefits and training. The preferred benefits in their descending order include agricultural support, financial support, ecotourism, and livestock farming. The failure to monitor the implementation of CFM activities and corruption hinder equitable benefit sharing and promote overexploitation of forest resources. This study recommends that the National Forestry Authority (NFA) should include forest-adjacent communities in budget frameworks in order to provide financial support for CFM activities. The NFA and conservation organisations working around ECFR need to enhance the monitoring of CFM activities to ensure transparency and equitable sharing of forest resources

Awareness and Perceptions of Climate Variability Adaptation among Forest-adjacent Communities in Mau Forest, Kenya

Adequate knowledge of climate variability is essential for the success of any adaptation or mitigation efforts. Thus, a study was conducted to investigate the levels of awareness and perceptions on the adaptation of climate variability among forest-adjacent communities (FACs) in Mau Forest, Kenya. Data for the investigation was generated through the administration of 313 questionnaires across randomly selected forest-adjacent households. Of the entire questionnaire, 311 were analysed, while two were returned uncompleted and therefore discarded. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted. Descriptive analysis showed that 96% of the respondents had knowledge of climate variability, while 4% claimed no knowledge of it. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (65%) reported that they receive weather information, with media (electronic and print) cited as the most common (63%) source of this information. As regards frequency of information, those respondents who get information about climate variability occasionally constituted 60%, while 29% of respondents received information frequently. However, 14% of respondents rarely received any climate-related information. Respondents who received climate-related information occasionally (sometimes) constituted 56%. Alternatively, respondents reported that they obtained weather information from agricultural extension officers (17.6%) and Kenya Forestry Service (KFS) officials (15.3%). The perceptions of the farmers that they had observed erratic weather patterns with a general decline in rainfall and an increase in temperatures were corroborated by scientific data as a trend analysis on rainfall and temperature data over a 20-year period mirrored the farmer’s perceptions. A logistic regression model was fitted to determine the socioeconomic factors that influence farmers’ choice of adaptation to climate variability. The ANOVA test results (F-test) show that overall, the logistic regression model was significant (df = 310, p = 0.002). Results of the model revealed that household head age (df = 310, p = 0.015), household head years of residency (df = 310, p = 0.034), and farming experience (df = 310, p = 0.024) were all significant factors that influence FACs’ decision to adopt to climate variability either positively or negatively. This study therefore recommends for more awareness creation and training of FACs of East Mau on how to identify and deal with changing climatic conditions.

Can recognition and respect of forest resource rights save Echuya Central Forest Reserve? A precursor for appropriate collaborative forest management

Recognition and respect for tenure and forest resource rights has long been considered essential for policy makers in order to promote forest conservation, and several initiatives have been undertaken to promote recognition and respect for such rights. One such initiative was the introduction of Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) in Echuya Central Forest Reserve in south-western Uganda. This study used cross sectional and explanatory research designs to assess the influence of recognition and respect for resource rights under CFM for the conservation of Echuya. Results showed that community members' resource access rights are generally respected by the National Forestry Authority (NFA). Recognition and respect for tenure and forest resource rights have a significant positive influence on forest conservation. However, conspiracy between community members and Government forestry officials undermined the essence of collaboration. Poverty exhibited by inadequate access to food compelled local community members to violate CFM agreements. Strengthening alternative livelihood support projects among forest adjacent communities is vital in order to support forest conservation.

Economic Valuation of Forest Ecosystem Services in Kenya: Implication for Design of PES Schemes and Participatory Forest Management

Forest ecosystem services are critical for human well-being as well as functioning and growth of economies. However, despite the growing demand for these services, they are hardly given due consideration in public policy formulation. The values attached to these services by local communities are also generally unknown in developing countries. Using a case study of the Mau forest conservancy the study applied a choice experiment technique employing the efficient design criteria to value salient forest ecosystem services among forest adjacent communities. The values attached to various ecosystem services were estimated using the conditional logit, random parameter logit model and random parameter logit model with interactions. The results revealed high level of preference heterogeneity across households and that communities would prefer conservation programs that would guarantee them improved forest cover, reduced flood risk and high water quality and quantity for drinking but would experience a loss in welfare for choosing an alternative with medium wildlife population. One significant finding from the study is the altruistic nature of forest adjacent communities as revealed by the high willingness to pay for flood mitigation showing that they are not just concerned with the private benefits accruing to them but also the welfare of the society. Overall, we found that there is much appreciation for the role of forest ecosystem services and that forest adjacent communities are more pro conservation mainly motivated by the direct use and non-use values. In terms of policy, the information forms a basis for the design of market based incentives such as PES and the roll out, design and implementation of participatory forest management. Policy makers also need to focus on policy options with higher mean welfare impacts to deepen community involvement in forest conservation while taking into account the heterogeneity in preferences to ensure equity.

The Role of Forest Resource and Resource Users’ Boundaries in Improving the Livelihoods of Communities Adjacent to Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve, Kenya

The role of forest resource and resource users’ boundaries in improving the livelihood of forest adjacent communities has been of great concern in current literature. Studies have shown that there is likelihood that forest adjacent communities can draw significant benefits from the forest resource use and users’ boundaries. But is not clear the extent to which this can happen. Thus this study focuses on examining the role of forest resource and resource users’ boundaries in improving the livelihood of forest adjacent communities in Kenya using the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve as a case study. To fill this gap the study used a sample size of 220 households, including 100 households participating in the Arabuko-Sokoke forest management arrangement, 90 non-participating households in the Arabuko-Sokoke forest management arrangement and 30 key informants. It then used both primary and secondary sources of data. Primary data collection involved administering semi-structured questionnaires to the participating and non-participating forest management households and key informants, while the secondary data involved a review of relevant and reliable materials on forest resource management, browsing from both internet sources as well as from books, daily newspapers, and published articles. Data analysis was done through coding responses from the different interview categories namely the participating and non-participating households and key informants and grouping them into similar themes in order to answer the study objectives. It is concluded in the study that successful governance of Common Pool Resources requires well established forest resource use and users’ boundaries, and that well established boundaries for resource use and resource users’ can improve community livelihood. It is recommended that, governments should develop forest resource use and users’ boundaries to enhance forest conservation and improved livelihoods of forest dependent households.

Evidence of Climate Changes in a Tropical Rainforest: Case Study Kakamega Tropical Rainforest

Aims: To assess trends in rainfall and temperature as evidence of climate change in the Kakamega tropical forest ecosystem over the last 30 years (1980-2010).
 Study Design: Secondary data on temperature, rainfall and other climate related phenomena that have occurred within the Kakamega forest ecosystem over the last 30 years were obtained from the Kenya Metrological Department (KMD), Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), and local metrological stations and analysed to assess trends. This data was supplemented with data from questionnaires and structured interviews.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out among forest adjacent communities in the Kakamega tropical forest ecosystem between April and December 2020.
 Methodology: Data on awareness and preparedness for climate change was collected using structured questionnaires, focused group discussions (FGD) and structured interviews. Three villages in the east, west, north and south of the forest that are within a 2km radius of the forest were randomly selected for sampling. From the 52,729 households, 397 households were randomly chosen from each of the three selected villages. Questionnaires targeted family heads in all the selected households. The questionnaire sought first-hand information on climate change awareness and impacts of climate change among the forest-adjacent communities. Each questionnaire comprised of open and closed-ended questions. Focused Group Discussion involved specialized groups of women, village elders, local administrators, CBOs working in the ecosystem, among others. Further information was obtained using key informants. A total of forty-eight (48) key informants were randomly selected for discussion. The interview method involved key personnel working within the forest ecosystem which included staff from KWS, County environmental officers, National Environment Officers, Agriculture officers at the national and county levels. The interviews focused on preparedness, mitigative and adaptive capacity to climate change by the forest adjacent communities.
 Results: Analysis of the mean rainfall trends over the last 30 years (1980-2018) reveal that, mean monthly rainfall ranged from a monthly minimum 36mm (2012) to a maximum mean of 402.30mm (2018). Similarly, analyses of the mean monthly rainfall reveal dissimilarities in amounts of rainfall in each year over the last 30 years. The mean monthly rainfall fluctuations appear to increase overtime. Analysis of temperature records for the last 30 years (1990-2018) revealed a maximum mean daily temperature of 27.720C, a minimum temperature of 25.35⁰C and a maximum of 31.96⁰C with a range of 25⁰C - 30⁰C. From 2005 to 2018, higher temperatures (above 30⁰C) are evident. When a moving cumulative mean, using data on the minimum temperature over the last 30 years (1982 – 2018) was calculated, a forecasted trend gave a mean minimum temperature of 14.41⁰C, a minimum temperature of 12.33⁰C and a maximum temperature of 18.67⁰C. In the year 1990, the minimum temperature rose from 150C to 18⁰C. The forecasted temperature for 2019 also follows the same trend, with temperatures now stabilizing above 30⁰C. Majority of the respondents (96.7%, n=290) were aware of changes in climatic conditions now, compared to previous years. Most of the respondents had moderate (53%, n=159) to high (30.7%, n=92) knowledge about changes in climate. Majority of the respondents (57.7%, n=173 ) affirmed that information on climate change was obtained from broadcast media. Majority of the respondents were very concerned about climate change 91.7% (n=275) suggesting that they understood the seriousness of the changing climate. Further analyses of the data revealed that many of the respondents were aware that natural causes (31%, n=93), human activities (34.3%, n=103) and a combination of both (34.7%, n=104) were the main causes of climate change, while many of the respondents (58%, n=174) had experienced some extreme weather events in the last five years.
 Conclusion: There is a clear evidence of climate changes in the Kakamega forest ecosystem as observed from the rising temperatures and variability in precipitation. Most people adjacent to the forests are aware of climate changes and its effects. The main sources of information are the electronic media. The increase in temperature may be due to deforestation, urbanization and agricultural activities.

Spatial Trend Analysis of Temperature and Rainfall and Their Perceived Impacts on Ecosystem Services in Mau Forest, Kenya

The Mau Forest Complex is an important ecosystem in Kenya providing many ecosystem services to the local communities. However, its degradation has rendered its ability to deliver its ecosystem services such as climate regulation ineffective. This study's objective was to assess the local climate trend in terms of rainfall and temperature and their perceived impacts on ecosystem services in Mau Forest, from 1984 to 2020. We obtained gridded meteorological data for the study area from the Kenya Meteorological Department and analyzed it using Mann Kendell’s test to identify significant trends in temperature and rainfall. Focus Group Discussions were also carried out to establish the people's perceptions of local climate change and its impacts on ecosystem services. The results of the study indicate no significant trend, p>0.05, in annual rainfall over time. On the other hand, the results show a significant trend, p=3.696e-06, in average annual temperature with approximately 2℃ increase from 1984 to 2020. The local climate change has seen a decline in ecosystem services, mainly water levels and agricultural produce. To cope with and mitigate the effects of climate change, there is need to emphasize establishment of agroforestry woodlots and practice of climate-smart agriculture among the forest adjacent communities.

LAND USE CHANGES AND FLORAL DIVERSITY IN KENYA’S MT. ELGON FOREST ECOSYSTEM

<p><strong>Background</strong>. Montane forests encompass spectacular landscapes, a wide variety of ecosystems, a great diversity of species, and distinctive human communities. Mountain forests support about one quarter of world’s terrestrial biodiversity and include nearly half of the world’s biodiversity “hotspots.<strong> </strong>Understanding of land use change (LUC) in mountain forest ecosystem is crucial for sustainable management of the ecosystem especially in developing countries like Kenya where the majority of the people depend on natural resources for their livelihoods. Changes in land use in this forest ecosystem could lead to a decline in biodiversity and in the livelihoods of the forest adjacent communities. <strong>Objective:</strong> To evaluate the differences in land use changes and floral diversity of Mt. Elgon forest ecosystem. <strong>Methodology:</strong> Differences in land use changes on floral diversity were evaluated using quadrats that were placed in different land uses to measure species diversity and abundance. The Shannon-Weiner diversity index and Whittaker beta diversity index was used to determine changes and similarities in floral diversity, while Kruskal-Wallis test and chi square test was used to determine differences in species abundances. <strong>Result:</strong> This study established that there were differences in floral diversity in relations to land use changes. The Shannon-Weiner diversity index revealed that control (natural forest) site had the highest species diversity (H=2.07331, evenness=0.884), followed by indigenous plantations (H=1.93962; evenness 0.69957), urban settlements (H=1.85081; evenness=0.66754), Nyayo Tea Zone (H=1.5324, evenness=0.56), mixed farming (H=1.43694, evenness=0.43694) and exotic plantation (H=1.28231, evenness=0.61612). Whittaker beta diversity index for control site verses urban settlements was (0.5385), indigenous plantations (0.2222), Nyayo Tea Zone (0.1429) while mixed farming and exotic plantations (0.000). Kruskal-Wallis test revealed a statistically significant differences in total number of plant species in the various study sites (H=8.288; P=0.049). Similarly, the results revealed a significant difference between specific plant communities (trees, shrubs, herbs, ferns, and climbers) in the study area (H=38.116; P=0.000). Chi square test of homogeneity was used to test difference in distribution of species communities in different location and the results revealed that the differences were insignificant. <strong>Implications:</strong> Results of species diversity analyses show differences in floral diversity and similarities in areas under different land uses. <strong>Conclusion</strong>: There are significant differences in floral diversity in areas under different land uses of Mt. Elgon forest ecosystem. Species diversity and similarity of indigenous planted forests and urban settlement closely approach that of the natural forests. Floral diversity play a critical role in provisioning of essential ecosystem services.</p>

Assessment of Climate Change Awareness in the Kakamega-Nandi Forest Complex in the Western Region

Aims: This study assessed the level of climate change awareness among the forest-adjacent communities in the Kakamega-Nandi forest ecosystem complex. Four locations were chosen for the study, Buyangu and Isecheno in the Kakamega forest, Kaptumo in Nandi South and Kipsamoite in Nandi North forest ecosystems.
 Study Design: A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from primary sources. Structured questionnaires were administered to the residents aged 25years and older within the study area.
 Place and Duration of Study: The Kakamega, north and south Nandi forest ecosystems in western Kenya between June -December 2019.
 Methodology: A total of 280 questionnaires were randomly administered to the forest-adjacent respondents with, Kakamega forest 163 respondents, South Nandi forest 60, while North Nandi had 57respondents. A total of 217 questionnaires were filled and returned and the information wherein used in data analysis. Focused Group Discussion and key informants were used to supplement data collects by the questionnaires.
 Results: Majority of the residents (54%) were less concerned about climate change. In addition, 85% of the respondents had very little knowledge on coping and adapting to the adverse impacts of climate change. Some 40 % and 45% of the respondents got information about climate through televisions and radios, respectively. Further analysis of the results revealed that climate change was responsible for fourteen key impacts. These included an increase in rainfall, prolonged drought, decrease in the quality and quantity of fresh water, decrease in food security, an increase in temperature, a decrease in agricultural resources, an increase in sickness and disease, a decrease in quality of life, flooding, decrease in forest cover, loss of homes, reduction in biodiversity, and rise in storm surge. A Chi test revealed a significant relationship between forest cover decline and changes in rainfall patterns (X2 = 111.86, df =12, p<0.001), increasing temperature (X2 = 80.492, df =12, p<0.001);, drought( (X2 = 204.84, df =16, p<0.001) and storm surges (X2 = 74.34, df =8, p<0.001)]. The respondents' level of education was significantly different from their level of climate change awareness (X2=44.88, df=4, p<0.001).
 Conclusion: Forest-adjacent communities in the Kakamega-Nandi forest ecosystem complex are vulnerable to climate change as a result of insufficient knowledge about climate change and its impacts. The Kakamega-Nandi forest ecosystem is already experiencing climate change effects such as erratic rainfall and increasing food insecurity.

Forest Management Plan for Implementation of a Pilot REDD+ Project for Masito Community Forest Reserve, Kigoma, Tanzania for 2012-2017: General Description

A forest management plan is a document that guides management of a formally managed forest. The general description is a component of a forest management plan, which describes the target forest and the focal landscape in socioeconomic and ecological terms. This paper gives a general description as part of a forest management plan for implementation of a pilot REDD+ project for Masito Community Forest Reserve, Kigoma, Tanzania for 2012-2017. The methodology used to obtain the data and information for the description was literature review. The general description is given under six main sections, namely: (1) legal status, ownership and administration; (2) location, size and boundaries; (3) physical features; (4) biological aspects; (5) buffer zones and corridors, and; (6) socio-economic aspects of adjacent communities. The forest was not yet gazetted. The vegetation type was predominantly miombo woodlands. The main land use of the forest adjacent communities was agriculture. The general description formed the basis for development of the other components of the management plan.

Exploring the Role of Forests as Natural Assets in Rural Livelihoods and Coping Strategies Against Risks and Shocks in Dedza East, Malawi

ABSTRACT Forests are important natural capital for forest-adjacent communities and play an important role in dealing with risks and shocks. The study therefore examined the roles of forests in rural livelihoods in Dedza district eastern Malawi with focus on basic needs and assets, shocks and coping strategies. The findings showed that efforts were made by the co-management program in the study area to increase the livelihood capitals of the people, but the extent could not be ascertained. There were gaps in meeting basic needs of the households with forest products playing an insignificant role in both livelihood and coping strategies. The forest mainly supports subsistence needs with negligible contribution toward provision of safety net and as a pathway out of poverty. The main livelihood strategies were farm based, wage based and diversified. The prominent shocks that the households faced were serious crop failure and serious illness. Casual work, sale of agricultural products and reducing consumption constituted the prominent coping strategies of the people. The study further showed that land-holding size and age are the main determinants of livelihood diversification. Longitudinal data collection is, therefore, recommended to investigate further the nature of contribution of forests to livelihood diversification at household level.

Scaling up crop diversification among farming communities for food security under climate change: A case study of the Kenyan pelis programme

Climate change poses significant risks to food security globally with predictions of 10-20 % decline in rain-fed crop yields by 2050. Sub-Saharan Africa remains highly susceptible to food shortage since over 95 % of the region’s total cropland is rain-fed. Kenya’s over reliance on rain-fed agriculture predisposes the country to climate-induced food insecurity. Murang’a County in Kenya is experiencing climate change challenges manifested in prolonged droughts and floods. The consequences,are failed cropping seasons, soil erosion, landslides, altered crop suitability and a resurgence of human, livestock, crop pests,and diseases,culminating into food insecurity. This study was conducted with Kimandi-Wanyaga community in the Gatanga Sub-County in Murang’a County, Kenya. Residents are smallholder subsistence rain-fed farmers. The study explored the potential of up-scaling crop diversification under the Plantation Establishment and Livelihood Improvement Scheme (PELIS) for food security vis-à-vis climate change. The community’s climate change coping strategies were explored to account for the need to up-scale crop diversification under PELIS. A mixed methods research design was applied whereby a systematic sampling method was used to select 281 household-heads. Three key informants were purposively selected and primary data were collected through a household survey, in-depth key stakeholder interviews, focus group discussions and on-farm trials. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data were analysed using thematic and content analysis. The study established that 92.9 % of the community perceived climate change and its impacts. They had adopted a combination of coping strategies most of which,were found to be informed by short-term survival and hence,considered inadequate for long-term adaptation. The PELIS approach had been piloted in Murang’a County and was found to be a promising strategy for crop diversification and food security among forest-adjacent communities. However, only 11 % of the studied community participated in the scheme. Therefore, the study endeavoured to work with the community to promote cultivation of traditional vegetables under PELIS for crop diversification and food security in the face of climate change.The PELIS beneficiaries who adopted cultivation of Black nightshade, Amaranths and Cowpeas managed to produce enough for household consumption and sale of surplus for income. The PELIS,therefore, possesses the co-benefits of climate change adaptation through crop diversification for food security and climate change mitigation through afforestation for carbon sequestration.

Impacts of Forest Resource Use Conflicts on Conservation Efforts within Enderit Forest Block in Mau Forest Complex, Kenya

This paper examined the relationship between forest resource use conflicts and conservation, which are contemporary issues in the field of environment conservation. The study was carried out in Enderit forest block, Mau forest Complex. The study findings indicate that the forest block has lost considerable vegetation cover in the recent past due to resource use conflict which in turn attracted conservation efforts from various stakeholders. The identified conflicts not only threaten the sustainability of these efforts but also community livelihoods that depend on this vital resource in the long term. The study therefore sought to establish the types of forest resource use conflicts, identify the stakeholders and their areas of focus and examine how the forest resource conflicts are affecting forest conservation efforts. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. The results indicate that there exist various forms of conflicts within the forest block while various actors are involved in the forest conservation efforts. However, despite the concerted conservation efforts, there existing forest resource use conflicts that frustrate these efforts and slow the implementation of conservation programs. Based on the findings, the study recommends that for sustainable conservation of the forest block, the Government and the stakeholders should put in place policy measures aiming at increasing income and generating off-farm employment activities for the forest adjacent communities. This will reduce forest dependency and consequently enhance biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of the forest resources.