Livelihood Benefits Research Articles

Mixed active and passive forest restoration facilitates plant diversity recovery in southern Ethiopia

Global deforestation and forest degradation threaten the sustainability of natural and human systems. Forest landscape restoration, through active approaches such as plantations, woodlots, boundary planting, and agroforestry, and passive approaches like exclosures, presents an opportunity to mitigate adverse effects, enhance ecosystem service recovery, and associated benefits for livelihoods. Here, using different spatial scales, we compare the contribution of both approaches to the recovery of plant diversity in southern Ethiopia. Using forest inventory data (891 plots) from multi‐aged stands, we estimated and compared alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) diversity in regeneration and tree layers between the approaches. We observed increasing α‐diversity in the order grazing lands‐active‐passive‐forest sites. β‐Diversity revealed similarity between passively restored sites and natural forests. γ‐Diversity was higher in active restoration for the regeneration layer, but passive restoration had higher γ‐diversity in the tree layer. For both approaches, γ‐diversity was consistently highest in intermediate‐aged stands (10–20 years). Results highlight the potential of active restoration strategies to facilitate vegetation recovery in human‐dominated landscapes, especially when management allows natural regeneration, while stand age variation may be associated with disturbance intensities for both approaches. Our results support a paradigm shift toward implementation of a mixture of these approaches in the landscapes to meet increasing human demands while restoring important ecosystem services like biodiversity. We recommend enhancing species diversity on restored sites to improve performance and ecosystem service recovery. On actively restored sites, we recommend protecting regenerated species; on passively restored sites, enrichment planting, increased protection, and sustainable utilization.

Regional Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Screening.

Cancer screening is the most cost-effective prevention strategy that enables improved cancer mortality and morbidity rates. However, there was a significant decline in cancer screening during the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. This study aimed to measure regional differences in cancer screening by comparing screening rates before and during COVID-19 and to examine factors explaining the regional difference in cancer screening. All variables including the differences in cancer screening rate before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were collected from 229 administrative subregions in South Korea and joined with each community in ArcGIS environment. Factors explaining regional difference in cancer screening were analyzed through descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and interactive decision tree modeling. Cancer screening rates decreased in all regions during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. The findings revealed that national health insurance premiums, the number of cancer screening facilities, livelihood benefit recipients, and the population aged 65+ could be classified as variables highly affecting the decrease in cancer screening rate. These findings highlight the efforts to appraise different barriers to cancer screening in each community. In addition, it is important to promote sustainable cancer screening strategies from regional perspectives based on regional vulnerabilities and their complex impact on cancer screening.

Agroforestry Contribution to Native Woody Species Conservation, Carbon Sequestration, and Livelihood Benefits in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review

Agroforestry Contribution to Native Woody Species Conservation, Carbon Sequestration, and Livelihood Benefits in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review

Carbon emission reduction initiatives: Lessons from the REDD+ process of the Asia and Pacific region

Carbon emission reduction through land use management and forest-based initiatives such as REDD+ depends on multiple factors, including awareness programs, capacity building and inclusive design, and equitable and transparent benefit-sharing mechanisms. Even after a couple of decades of discussion over the REDD+ process, there have still been many contested issues that need to be resolved. Taking the case of three countries in the Asia and Pacific Region ― Vietnam, Nepal, and Fiji, ― at different stages of the REDD+, we have mapped the countries’ progress toward emission reduction program and its benefit-sharing mechanism, documented the perceived impact of a capacity building program and provided the stakeholders’ perspective on the performance of REDD+ program. Our study shows REDD+ participating countries are implementing various REDD+ capacity-building programs, but having a different level of impact from the stakeholders’ perspective. Multilevel governance presents challenges for REDD+ outcomes, as REDD+-related policies and legislations are constrained within the forest ministry but not in other sector ministries, leading to both vertical and horizontal coordination issues. Much emphasis has been given to the technical content of capacity-building programs but little has been done to enhance the functional capacity of REDD+ implementers, especially of Indigenous People and Local Communities. The decision-making process on emission reduction benefit-sharing is neither transparent nor inclusive. Although various social safeguard mechanisms are proposed by the studied countries, there is still a huge gap in understanding the impact capacity building programs in inclusive decision-making, and equitable benefit sharing for Indigenous people. REDD+ stakeholders perceived that REDD+ can be a promising financial tool for developing countries and also contribute to non-carbon benefits, but the prospects of benefit-sharing plans are not fairly inclusive. Increasing transparency and accountability through digital platforms, raising the carbon price from $5/tCO2, adopting unified safeguards, and strengthening horizontal and vertical collaboration at all levels are pivotal for the REDD+ program to generate manifold environmental and livelihood benefits in the Asia and Pacific Region.

Mangrove ecology guiding the use of mangroves as nature‐based solutions

Abstract Mangroves are implemented as nature‐based solutions (NbS) for coastal protection, climate change mitigation (carbon sequestration) and other services. They play a core role in providing benefits for biodiversity, livelihoods and human well‐being. Ecological research has informed the use of mangroves as NbS, but failure of NbS projects has often been due to misconceptions about mangrove ecology and the limited use of the wide range of ecological knowledge available. Enhanced knowledge of the spatial and temporal variation in ecological processes, and differentiation among mangrove tree species and assemblages (including fauna and microbial communities) in the provision of ecosystem functions and services, will support successful use of mangroves as NbS. Knowledge of mangrove responses to the interacting pressures of climate change and human uses of the coastal zone will support resilient NbS projects. Synthesis. The success of mangroves as NbS can be improved with increased incorporation of knowledge of the ecology of mangrove plants, animals and microbes and by sharing and co‐producing knowledge within mangrove societies.

Principles for equitable and resilient tropical peatland restoration in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

Indonesia's tropical peatlands are crucial global carbon stores but have been heavily degraded in recent decades. We present seven principles for equitable and resilient tropical peatland restoration in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, host to 19% of Indonesia's tropical peatland area, where local livelihoods, cultural practices, and indigenous social relations remain closely connected. Our collaborative methods employed a Delphi survey and focus group discussions with researchers from various disciplines to develop a shared vision for restoration. This vision served as a boundary object during interviews with diverse stakeholders involved in peatland restoration in Central Kalimantan, allowing for refinement and adaptation of the vision and the development of principles to achieve it. The principles emphasize inclusive and collaborative decision‐making, planning, and implementation; site‐specific approaches adapted to local social and ecological conditions; and ensuring the informed consent of and fair benefit distribution to all local social groups. They also emphasize a holistic, integrated, and long‐term approach to restoration that considers multiple aspects, including hydrological function, vegetation regeneration, fire prevention, locally appropriate livelihood benefits, inclusive governance, and adaptive management practices. These principles serve as a starting point for resilience‐oriented social‐ecological restoration practice and policy formulation, aiming to facilitate equitable, effective, and resilient tropical peatland restoration outcomes.

Review of forest ecosystem services evaluation studies in East Africa

The East African region hosts diverse forest ecosystems, such as woodlands, highland forests, and coastal mangrove forests. These ecosystems are crucial for biodiversity and support various plant and animal species. They provide essential resources, benefiting livelihoods directly and indirectly. Examining regional and global variations in forest ecosystem valuation, especially regarding livelihood benefits, is crucial for sustainable resource management aligned with forest-based climate solutions. The aim of this review is to assess how regional contextual factors and global trends impact the valuation of ecosystem services (ES) in East Africa, with two main objectives (1) to identify the most evaluated ES in East Africa and (2) to identify the preferred ES valuation methods and approaches applied in East Africa. Data from the Web of Science/Clarivate platform was used in the systematic review process using the Reporting standard for Systematic Evidence Syntheses to retrieve and analyse 222 articles. The ES were categorized using the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment framework and the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services in order to create a review database. Provisioning services i.e., wood biomass and food production were the most assessed at 55%, followed by 30% regulating services i.e., carbon storage, 8.6% support services i.e., habitat and 6.4% cultural services i.e., ecotourism which reflected communities’ direct reliance on forest resources. The preferred direct ES valuation techniques included market price at 14.9% for assessing provisioning services and travel cost methods at 10.4% for cultural services. Amongst the indirect ES valuation techniques, remote sensing at 14.7% were preferred as they proved efficient for large and remote tropical forest areas. Participatory methods such as interviews at 11.8% were also preferred because they offer holistic perspectives on community priorities. This review provides spatial context on the regional priorities of ES valuation which is vital for safeguarding natural resources for future generations.

Comparing carbon offsets and livelihood benefits in a long‐term reforestation project: Agroforestry versus native timber versus enrichment planting

Abstract Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLC) can play an important role in reforestation for climate change mitigation while providing environmental and livelihood benefits. However, there is a lack of direct comparison between different reforestation design's carbon uptake potential and their relevance to community reforestation. We evaluate the carbon capture and survival of the four most common reforestation designs in a 14‐year‐long project in an Emberá community in eastern Panama. We look at native timber mixtures and monocultures, agroforestry, and natural regrowth with enrichment planting. To explain the differences between plots, we compare design, management and environmental characteristics using redundancy analyses (RDA). We then contextualize our results with the project leader's perspectives of success using interviews and workshops. In the first decade, mixtures and monocultures of timber stored on average roughly 3× more carbon than agroforestry and enrichment planting (140 tCO2/ha compared to 40 tCO2/ha and 53 tCO2/ha). The project design had the largest influence on carbon storage and survival with an explanatory power of 31% followed by management and environmental characteristics (14% and 2% respectively). The largest threat to the survival and growth was the risk of fire which caused mortality in more than 2/3 of the plots. Some damage was offset by natural regrowth which accounted for 34% of the total carbon, but the participants generally perceived natural regrowth as being “dirty.” They had a strong preference for agroforestry, particularly coffee (Coffea spp.), a crop with negligible carbon value, but high economic value. ‘Practical implication’: The findings underscore the need to balance carbon sequestration with local economic preferences, integrate community input, mitigate environmental risks and adopt long‐term, holistic approaches for effective reforestation projects.

Regional Differences and Spatial-Temporal Evolution Characteristics of Digital Economy Development in the Yangtze River Economic Belt

Digital economy has emerged as one of the primary driving forces for economic globalization. However, assessing digital economy development in a robust and scientific manner remains a great challenge. This paper proposes an evaluation system with measurement errors correction to accurately research the regional differences in and the spatial-temporal evolution characteristics of digital economy development in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YEB), combining the entropy method, the Dagum–Gini coefficient, an σ convergence model and grey correlation analysis. The results present that the digital economy development index in the YEB rose from 2012 to 2021, with the greatest weight being social livelihood benefits. Meanwhile, there were noticeable regional differences in digital economy development in the YEB; in particular, the middle reaches showed obvious convergence. The grey correlation degree between the influence factors and the digital economy development ranged from 0.5286 to 0.9144, demonstrating a robust positive correlation. The theoretical framework of this paper integrates economic development models with advanced statistical analysis techniques, providing a robust analytical perspective for examining the complexities of digital economy evolution. The insights offer a blueprint for policymakers seeking to foster a robust and equitable digital economy, underscoring the potential of data-driven policy formulations in navigating the intricate landscape of economic globalization.

Analysis of Regional Social–Economic Spatial Pattern and Evolution along the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal

With the proposal of the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal Cultural Belt, the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal has become an indispensable component of China’s economic development pattern. Despite relatively high regional-economic-development levels along the canal, there still exists a common imbalance in regional development which will hinder the high-quality collaborative development of the region, highlighting the importance of measuring this disparity. This study adopts the district and county as spatial scales and selects five dimensions: economic growth, livelihood benefits, green ecology, innovation drive, and food guarantee in order to construct a comprehensive socio-economic index. Entropy weight method, Moran index, and Theil index analyses are used to examine the recent ten-year evolution laws in regional socio-economic spatial patterns along the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal. Results indicate that socio-economic indicators designed for each dimension effectively measure both individual districts’ and counties’ economic situations as well as those of entire regions. In 2021, limited significance was observed regarding the level of regional economic agglomeration along the Grand Canal region, suggesting a tendency towards fragmented development rather than forming a well-coordinated model. Over the decade from 2011 to 2021, there was an increase in social and economic agglomeration. From a city unit perspective, developmental disparities among districts and counties within cities follow three distinct patterns. Cities at different stages of development can learn from each other’s models to enhance integration cooperation and collectively promote high-quality economic advancements in the Grand Canal region.

Catching Dory: selling aquarium fish supports coastal livelihoods in Indonesia

The global marine aquarium trade has created new local markets across the planet, including in Indonesia, now the second-largest exporting country of marine aquarium fish in the world. Participating in the global aquarium trade has been touted as a potentially sustainable addition to fisher livelihoods, but scant data exist showing the numbers of fish coming off the reef and how those fish contribute to income. To determine how participants in the trade incorporate aquarium species in their livelihoods, we examine source-level aquarium fish collecting and trading data in the Banggai Archipelago, a region in Central Sulawesi that has become a significant source for popular aquarium, also known as ornamental, fish species. Using a sustainable livelihoods lens, we examine this data to understand how participants in the aquarium trade both contribute to as well as benefit from the trade and consider how their participation relates to emerging Blue Justice principles. From one year of buying and selling data at the fisher, intermediary buyer, and regional trader levels, we show that catching and selling fish for the aquarium trade represents an average of nearly 20% of their gross annual income and provides added diversity and flexibility to fisher and trader livelihoods in the region, especially during seasons of rough weather. We suggest that managers of an impending marine protected area in the region would do well to consider how to sustain these livelihood benefits.

Enhancing wood to charcoal conversion efficiencies from smallholder plantation charcoal production systems: Implications for carbon emissions and sustainable livelihood benefits in North Western Ethiopia.

Charcoal production stemming from small-scale Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantations has brought about significant socio-economic benefits and improved livelihoods in Ethiopia. Nevertheless, the current practice involves the use of traditional earth mound kilns, leading to inefficiencies, reduced charcoal income, and environmental pollution. This research aims to assess charcoal conversion efficiency, perform a cost-benefit analysis, and measure gas emissions from improved charcoal-making kilns sourced from Eucalyptus camaldulensis small-scale plantations in comparison to traditional earth mound kilns in northwestern Ethiopia. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was executed, with a significance level set at 0.05. The study results indicate a significant (P < 0.001) disparity in charcoal conversion efficiency across the various tested kilns, with the ranking as follows: Green mad retort kiln (33.7%) > Casamance kiln (32.09%) > MRV steel kiln (28.25%) > traditional earth mound kilns (23.55%). The improved charcoal-making kilns enhanced wood-to-charcoal conversion efficiency by 20-43% compared to traditional earth mound kilns. In terms of financial viability, Casamance improved kilns generated the highest equivalent annual charcoal income (117,126.9 ETB/year), followed by Green Mad Retort (82,893.8 ETB/year) and MRV steel kilns (58,495.9 ETB/year). As anticipated, traditional earth mound kilns yielded the lowest net present value (47,304.3 ETB/year). Traditional earth mound kilns also exhibited significantly longer carbonization times (P < 0.001), taking 3.6 times longer than the Mark V kiln and 2 times longer than the Casamance kiln. Furthermore, the statistical analysis demonstrated that improved charcoal-making technology reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 36.1-50.7%, carbon monoxide (CO) emissions by 39.2-54.3%, and methane (CH4) emissions by 29.6-47%. In conclusion, the use of improved charcoal-making kilns has demonstrated significant enhancements in charcoal conversion efficiency, charcoal income, and environmental sustainability. Given these positive outcomes, we strongly recommend a decisive transition from traditional to cleaner, sustainable, and less emissions-intensive charcoal making kilns.

Principles of people‐centric forest restoration projects in south‐eastern Bangladesh: implications for sustainability

Forest and landscape restoration is considered worldwide as a powerful approach to recovering ecological functionality and improving human well‐being in degraded and deforested landscapes. A comprehensive study including the social, ecological, management, and regulatory aspects of restoration projects can help to understand the sustainability of these interventions. The purpose of this study was to comprehend the principles of Bangladeshi community‐based forest restoration (CBFR) projects. Empirical data was collected from four CBFR projects, of which two were Bangladesh forest department (BFD)‐led and two were community‐led. We used a comprehensive list of principles covering management and governance issues and human and ecological aspects along with Ostrom's design principles. Data were collected through 223 semi‐structured interviews, four focus group discussions, and personal observation. A 5‐point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree) was used to assess participants' agreement on different statements of principles. In BFD‐led projects, participants had restricted harvesting rights, state control over management, land, planning, and the formation of rules, and they perceived lower scores for some important statements (e.g., project planning, selection of tree species, local knowledge, income generation activities, livelihood benefits, food security, and skill development). Therefore, participants presumed that these CBFR projects are moderately sustainable. On the other hand, participants in community‐led projects scored high (mean score above 4.0) for most of the principles across different aspects, and a bundle of Ostrom's design principles was also observed. Hence, the evidence of sustainability in community‐led CBFR projects is high. Project authorities in developing countries can take lessons from this study and undertake appropriate actions toward the sustainability of forest restoration programs.

Does Equity Matter in Natural Resource and Livelihood Benefits? Revenue Sharing Policy Implementation at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

This paper presents and interprets key parameters within Revenue Sharing policy implementation framework and links them to people’s livelihood improvement and conservation. This study creates a linkage between equitable distribution of Revenue Sharing projects, people’s livelihood improvement and conservation support. The paper further presents the distribution of projects across various sections of people boardering with Bwindi. Data was analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively to generate frequencies and percentages in order to illustrate the differences. Not all the variables to explain benefit distribution were significant for both livelihood improvement and conservation support. Significant variables included; resource users, ethnicity, gender, proximity from park boundary and homestead distance to vehicle roads and village centres. Results further indicate that projects are not well targeted and there is no equity during implementation. Those who bear the most conservation costs are not well targeted by resource benefits. The paper recommends a Revenue Sharing Equitable Framework and Community Based Monitoring approach in order to improve the policy implementation practice.

Anthropogenic Threats to Crocodiles, and the Level and Sociodemographic Determinants of their Utilization in Lower River Tana Basin, Kenya

Background and Research Aims Globally, crocodile ranching programs are intended to generate livelihood benefits for local communities and incentives for crocodile conservation. However, there is need for their contextual scientific evaluation in many human-dominated tropical landscapes. We investigated the anthropogenic threats to crocodiles, and examined the level and sociodemographic determinants of their utilization in lower River Tana basin, Kenya. Methods We conducted seven key informant interviews, four focus group discussions and a quantitative household survey involving 365 respondents randomly selected from local villages. We analyzed anthropogenic threats to crocodiles and other qualitative data thematically. We summarized quantitative data using descriptive statistics and used multinomial logistic regression to analyze the association between selected sociodemographic variables and crocodile utilization. Results The main anthropogenic threats to crocodiles were agricultural expansion into their habitat, their retaliatory killing, and consumption of their meat and eggs. Only 5% of the respondents utilized crocodiles legally, whereas 32% utilized them illegally. Increasing age, increasing income, being male and being Christian all increased the likelihood of illegal crocodile utilization. Being male increased the likelihood of legal crocodile utilization, whereas increasing age decreased this likelihood. Conclusions Our study demonstrates multiple anthropogenic threats to crocodiles in lower River Tana despite a long-term ranching program. Furthermore, local community participation in this program is marginal and markedly varies among sociodemographic groups. Taken together, our findings suggest that crocodile ranching, as practiced in this landscape, is largely ineffective in achieving its intended socioeconomic and conservation goals. Conservation Implications To enhance their effectiveness, crocodile ranching programs in such landscapes should be tailored for local socio-cultural contexts. We recommend capacity building and awareness raising initiatives tailored for specific groups to increase local community participation in sustainable crocodile utilization and minimize their engagement in practices that are detrimental to crocodiles.

IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON PEOPLES’ LIVELIHOOD AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN UGANDA

Livestock sector in Uganda contributes significantly towards individual household income and food security and even though peoples’ dependance on livestock production for survival in Uganda is a reality, it’s also undeniable that livestock, which provides food and revenue on a worldwide scale, would be vulnerable to the direct or indirect consequences of climate change. Agriculture contributed 24.1% of the Uganda’s GDP in the financial year (FY) 2021–2022 and according to the Uganda bureau of standards (UBOS), agriculture employs over 70% of Uganda's working population. The purpose of this present study was to to evaluate the impact of climate change on peoples’ livelihood and livestock production in Uganda. Bibliometric analysis was the quantitative technique used for reviewing and describing published publications that assisted in evaluating academic works from secondary data obtained on digital databases in the context of this study. The VOS viewer software was used as a tool to perform the co-occurrence analysis, and then to realize the visualization of the impact of climate change on peoples’ livelihood and livestock production in Uganda using articles analysed on platform research with associated references from the Web of Science database. The visualisation highlighted topical areas that reflect the impacts of climate on peoples’ livelihood and livestock such as diseases, drought, coping strategies, greenhouse gases, drought, vulnerability, dry lands, mobility among pastoral communities, low productivity, reduced forage resources, elevated temperature extra all of which negatively affects the economic levels of individuals and the national income from livestock either directly or directly. Conclusively, interventions that are aimed at improving climate smartness in Uganda’s livestock farming communities may have significant food security and income benefits for different livelihoods. Keywords: climate, livestock animals, livelihood, income

Perceptions on utilization, population, and factors that affecting local distribution of Mimusops zeyheri in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa

Abstract. Lubisi NP, Ramarumo LJ, Manyaga M, Mbeng WO, Mokgehle S. 2023. Perceptions on utilization, population, and factors that affecting local distribution of Mimusops zeyheri in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa. Biodiversitas 24: 6432-6439. Mimusops zeyheri Sond., was once an important plant species to local communities in Southern Africa but nowadays is considered as underutilized plant. Undoubtedly, the neglect of indigenous knowledge associated with M zeyheri could lead to its gradual disappearance. This study aimed to evaluate local people‘s perceptions about the contribution of M. zeyheri to their livelihoods, population status and factors affecting its local distributions in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Semi-structured research questionnaires were administered to 52 randomly selected respondents. The majority of respondents (67.31%) perceived the decline in the population of M. zeyheri within the studied sites. More than three-quarters of laypeople (78.6%), two-thirds of farmers (66.7%), and 57.1% of environmentalists stated that M. zeyheri possessed more economic benefits than other livelihood benefits. A total percentage of 44.20% of participants perceived fire as the main factor that negatively affects the distribution of M. zeyheri in the studied regions. Documenting information about people's perceptions regarding the contributions of M. zeyheri to local livelihoods and assessing factors that affect its local distribution is a fundamental step toward understanding its associated sociocultural values, socio-economic, and threats. Future studies should incorporate both ethnobotanical and ecological data-gathering methods and validations.

Tree size diversity is the major driver of aboveground carbon storage in dryland agroforestry parklands

Despite the importance of agroforestry parkland systems for ecosystem and livelihood benefits, evidence on determinants of carbon storage in parklands remains scarce. Here, we assessed the direct and indirect influence of human management (selective harvesting of trees), abiotic factors (climate, topography, and soil) and multiple attributes of species diversity (taxonomic, functional, and structural) on aboveground carbon (AGC) stocks in 51 parklands in drylands of Benin. We used linear mixed-effects regressions and structural equation modeling to test the relative effects of these predictors on AGC stocks. We found that structural diversity (tree size diversity, HDBH) had the strongest (effect size β = 0.59, R2 = 54%) relationship with AGC stocks, followed by community-weighted mean of maximum height (CWMMAXH). Taxonomic diversity had no significant direct relationship with AGC stocks but influenced the latter indirectly through its negative effect on CWMMAXH, reflecting the impact of species selection by farmers. Elevation and soil total organic carbon content positively influenced AGC stocks both directly and indirectly via HDBH. No significant association was found between AGC stocks and tree harvesting factor. Our results suggest the mass ratio, niche complementarity and environmental favorability as underlying mechanisms of AGC storage in the parklands. Our findings also highlight the potential role of human-driven filtering of local species pool in regulating the effect of biodiversity on AGC storage in the parklands. We conclude that the promotion of AGC stocks in parklands is dependent on protecting tree regeneration in addition to enhancing tree size diversity and managing tall-stature trees.

자립준비청년 사회보장제도 이용의 영향요인 분석

Objectives: This study aims to examine the predictors on welfare receipt among youth in out-of-home care (youth preparing for independence) by using administrative data including the Social Welfare Facilities Information System and the Social Security Information System. Methods: The study analyzed 12,280 youth in out-of-home care, and the logistic regression models using Stata 15.0 was employed to examine the associations between sociodemographic characteristics, out-of-home care characteristics, and welfare receipt including self-reliance allowance, Child Development Account (Didim Seed Account), and the National Basic Livelihood Security benefits.&#x0D; Results: First, the study found that the younger youth, who stayed for a longer period at out-of-home care, youth in foster care, youth with higher educational level, and unemployed youth were less likely to receive self-reliance allowance when compared to older, youth who stayed for a shorter period at out-of-home care, youth in childcare facilities, youth with lower education, and employed youth. Second, female, the older, youth who stayed shorter period at out-of-home care, youth in foster care, and youth with higher education level were less likely to open the Child Development Account when compared to male, the younger, youth who stayed for a longer period at out-of-home care, youth in childcare facilities and group homes, and youth with lower educational level. Third, male, the older, youth who stayed for a shorter period at out-of-home care, youth in foster care, youth with higher educational level, and employed youth were less likely to receive the Livelihood Benefits including medical and housing assistance when compared to female, the younger, youth who stayed for a longer period at out-of-home care, youth in childcare facilities, youth with lower educational level, and unemployed youth.&#x0D; Conclusions: Based on the findings, the study suggests implications for promoting the use of welfare receipt among youth in out-of-home care.

Endogenous irrigation in arid Zimbabwe: farmer perceptions of livelihood benefits and barriers to scaling

In Zimbabwe, farmer-led irrigation is far more widespread than planners and policy makers realise. Along the Shashani sand river, in the arid to semi-arid lands of south-western Zimbabwe, diverse farmer-initiated irrigation ventures exist. This qualitative case study focuses on bucket irrigation, in which very small vegetable fields of up to 450 m2 are fenced by tree branches, and irrigated with water from scoop holes in sandy river beds. Farmers initiate and operate their fields with no external assistance. This study presents the benefits of bucket irrigation as an often-overlooked form of farmer-led irrigation development. Through this qualitative and strongly observational study, 26 bucket irrigation farmers and 4 non-irrigators were interviewed using semi-structured interviews where farmers’ perceptions and experiences were captured. We investigate what drives and sustains bucket irrigation, its significance to rural livelihoods under harsh economic and climatic conditions, and the barriers towards scaling this type of farmer-led irrigation development. The results show that drivers for bucket irrigation stem from economic hardship and are gendered. Women are motivated to irrigate mainly by the need to produce vegetables for household consumption, whereas men pursue irrigation due to a lack of employment. Bucket irrigators experience enhanced food security, and have more secure income, contributing to improved wellbeing. Furthermore, despite the desire to scale, the farm size is mainly constrained by fencing and energy for transporting water, which is a result of a persistent lack of financial capital to invest in irrigation technologies. We conclude that bucket irrigation acts as an important livelihood strategy, and that it significantly enhances farmers’ resilience to economic and climatic shocks. Bucket irrigation should not be overlooked in policies that advocate scaling of irrigation. Bucket irrigators have the potential to expand and benefit significantly if supported with innovative financial mechanisms that enable investments in the required technology and knowledge.