Livelihood Benefits Research Articles

Contribution of Oil Palm Plantation to Household in Kolaka District of Southeast Sulawesi

The study aimed to find out the contribution of oil palm plantation to the household income of villagers in Kolaka District. The study was conducted in three villages in an oil palm plantation zone in Tanggetada sub-district, Kolaka District, Southeast Sulawesi. We selected 73 respondents from the three villages, representing partner farmers, casual workers in the plantation, and partner-farmers who were casual workers. A questionnaire-based interview method and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were used to collect data and information. Research results showed that 68.5% of respondents perceived the plantation to have contributed positively to the household income. The average annual income they received from the plantation was Rp18,915,818 or 57.5% of the total household income. While the present income level was rated slightly better than before, respondents rated the stability of income and the suitability with skills as “same as before,” and rated leisure time and work satisfaction as “worse than before.” The local government and the plantation company should maximize the plantation’s livelihood benefits to enhance social sustainability of oil palm production.

Impact of economic loss due to COVID-19 on happiness among young adults in poverty: Focusing on the mediating effect of financial stress

장기화된 코로나19로 인해 청년들은 실직 및 소득감소로 인한 경제적 상실과 함께 정서적 문제를 가지는 비율이 급증하고 있다. 이러한 상황에서 가용한 자원이 상대적으로 적은 빈곤 청년들은더욱 취약할 수 있다. 이에 본 연구는 빈곤 청년을 대상으로 코로나19로 인한 실직 및 소득 감소와같은 경제적 상실, 경제적 스트레스와 행복 간의 관계를 실증적으로 검증한다. 분석을 위해 2020년9월에 수집된 청년희망키움통장 사업 참여자 패널 자료를 이차자료로 활용하여, 최종적으로 생계급여 수급 가구 청년 558명의 자료가 최종적으로 분석에 사용되었다. 경로 분석을 활용하여 코로나19로 인한 실직 및 소득 감소와 행복 간의 관계와 경제적 상실과 행복 간의 관계에서 경제적스트레스의 매개 효과를 분석한 결과, 코로나19로 인한 실직 경험은 경제적 스트레스를 매개로빈곤 청년의 행복에 부적 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 반면 코로나19로 인한 실직 경험과소득 감소가 행복에 미치는 직접 효과는 유의하지 않았다. 실직이 경제적 스트레스를 매개로 행복에 영향을 미침을 실증적으로 검증한 본 연구의 결과를 바탕으로 향후 청년지원체계 및 제도에대한 실천적, 제도적 함의를 제시한다.Due to COVID-19, the proportion of young adults having emotional problems along with economic loss is rapidly increasing. Particularly, young adults in poverty with relatively few available resources may be more vulnerable due to COVID-19. Therefore, this study empirically examines the associations between economic loss due to COVID-19 (i.e., unemployment experience and income loss), financial stress, and happiness among low-income young adults in South Korea. The secondary data used were obtained from the second wave of the Panel Study of the Hope Growing Account Program for Young Adults conducted in 2020. The sample comprised 558 young adults who were receiving the Livelihood Benefits. The results of the path analysis suggest that unemployment experience due to COVID-19 was negatively associated with happiness among young adults in poverty through increasing their levels of financial stress. However, neither the direct effect of unemployment and income loss due to COVID-19 on happiness nor the indirect effect through financial stress on the association between income loss and happiness were statistically significant. Based on these findings, this study discusses practical and policy implications for developing a support system for young adults.

Unpacking Climate Change Adaptation Strategies: An Account of Smallholder Farmer Experiences in Chimanimani District, Zimbabwe

This article reports on a study that analysed a myriad of adaptation practices adopted by smallholder farmers in Chimanimani District, Zimbabwe. Using a predominantly qualitative design, some in-depth interviews were conducted with purposefully selected key respondents. Focus group discussions with 8 to 12 smallholder farmers per group were conducted in each of the district’s 22 wards. These were corroborated by the guided observation method. The data was analysed using thematic content analysis, where broad strands of responses were synthesised and condensed into narrow themes that made them easier to interpret. Accordingly, smallholder farmers opted for drought tolerant crop and animal species, indigenous seed preservation techniques, aquaculture and conservation farming. The off-farm practices included craftwork, bee-keeping, artesian mining and trade. The sustainable livelihoods framework (SLF) was used as an analytical lens to appraise the sustainability of smallholder farmers’ choices and practices. Therefore, as farmers switched from one practice to another, many of their adaptive options reflected short-term livelihood benefits with concealed medium- to long-term environmental detriments. Strangely, some malpractices have their roots in short-sighted government policy frameworks mainstreamed to alleviate grass roots poverty. A thorough evaluation of adaptive policies is recommended so as to strengthen the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers against the background of climate change.

Local Perceptions on the Impact of Drought on Wetland Ecosystem Services and Associated Household Livelihood Benefits: The Case of the Driefontein Ramsar Site in Zimbabwe

The paper assesses local people’s perceptions on the impact of drought on wetland ecosystem services and the associated household livelihood benefits, focusing on the Driefontein Ramsar site in Chirumanzu district, Zimbabwe. Field data were obtained using a questionnaire from 159 randomly selected households, key informant interviews and transect walks. The study findings show that provisioning, regulating and supporting services are severely affected by a high frequency of drought, occurring at least once every two years, compared to cultural services. There is a reduction in water for domestic use and crop farming, pasture for livestock, fish, thatch grass and ground water recharge. Although cultural services such as traditional rain-making ceremonies and spiritual enhancement are largely unaffected by drought, the wetland’s aesthetic value was reported to be diminishing. The habitat and breeding areas of endangered crane bird species were perceived to be dwindling, affecting their reproduction. All the household heads are not formally employed and largely depend on the wetland resources for food and income. However, drought is adversely affecting wetland-based agricultural activities that are key pillars of the households’ economy. Therefore, there is a need for alternative livelihood strategies that enable local communities to adapt to drought impacts without exerting more pressure on the declining wetland resources.

Pro-Poor tourism strategies in local communities in Uganda: A case study of lake Bunyonyi in Kabale district

The study examined the effectiveness of pro-poor tourism strategies on local communities in Uganda taking a case study of the Lake Bunyonyi tourist area. Using a descriptive research design, data was collected from a total of 120 community members with the aid of questionnaires. Interviews were also conducted on 10 key informants. The study found that pro-poor tourism strategies that are aimed at enhancing economic benefits to the poor are generally moderately effective as established by the composite mean. This is because the tourism enterprises have employed locals within their ranks, created opportunities for the informal sector and small businesses, boosted household income through home projects such as poultry rearing, bee keeping and fish farming. However, this has been undermined by failure by the enterprises to increased access to market opportunities indirectly to tourism enterprises and to increase community access to investment funds, loans, and micro credit schemes. The study also found that pro-poor tourism strategies that are aimed at enhancing non-financial benefits to the poor are generally moderately effective The strategies have really not succeeded as such in enhancing other non-economic livelihood benefits like; increasing access to health care, health care education for example reproductive health, HIV and malaria prevention; increasing local access to infrastructure and services for example roads, running water, internet, and telephones and improving environmental support. The study found that pro-poor tourism strategies that are aimed at enhancing community participation and partnership are generally moderately effective. The strategies have not fully succeeded in enhancing the participation and involvement of the poor in tourist activities. The study concluded that the pro-poor tourism strategies are only moderately effective in improving the economic benefits to the community, in enhancing non-economic benefits and enhancing of community participation and partnership of the poor in tourist activities.

Strategic Pathways to Scale up Forest and Landscape Restoration: Insights from Nepal’s Tarai

Deforestation and forest degradation mostly caused by human interventions affect the capacity of the forest ecosystem to provide ecosystem services and livelihood benefits. Forest and landscape restoration (FLR) is an emerging concept that focuses on the improvement of the ecosystem as well as the livelihood of the people at the landscape level. Nepal has successfully recovered degraded forest land mainly from the hilly region through forest restoration initiatives, especially community-based forestry. However, the Tarai region is still experiencing deforestation and forest degradation. This study navigated the gaps related to forest restoration in the existing policies and practices and revealed that the persistence of deforestation and forest degradation in Tarai is a result of a complex socioeconomic structure, the limitations of the government in implementing appropriate management modality, unplanned infrastructure, and urban development. We suggest that forest restoration should focus on ecological and social wellbeing pathways at the landscape level to reverse the trend of deforestation and forest degradation in the Tarai regions of Nepal. The study provides critical insight to the policymakers and practitioners of Nepal and other countries (with similar context) who are engaged in forest/ecosystem restoration enterprise.

Diversity Bears Fruit: Evaluating the Economic Potential of Undervalued Fruits for an Agroecological Restoration Approach in the Peruvian Amazon

Agroforestry systems with a range of native and often neglected and underutilized tree species (NUS) are increasingly recognized for their potential role in restoration, simultaneously providing ecological and livelihood benefits. Successful adoption of these systems requires knowledge about beneficial species, system-level potential profitability, and barriers faced by farmers. Such information is essential but lacking for most NUS. We analyzed the economic potential of NUS in diverse smallholder-managed agroforestry systems in the Peruvian Amazon. Through semi-structured surveys with local stakeholders (n = 40), we identified 10 native Amazonian NUS fruit with ecological, nutritious and commercial benefits. We then simulated the potential revenue per species and system-level profit of an agroforestry system designed with the 10 NUS. Our projections suggest that a diverse NUS-based agroforestry system can outcompete most alternative land-uses in the region on a per hectare profit basis. This shows that including NUS in restoration efforts could provide economic benefits for smallholders. To realize this potential, we recommend adapted interventions, e.g., increased farmer access to planting material, technical support for production and capacity building with a focus on high-potential NUS.

Are community forests delivering livelihood benefits? Insights from Uganda

ABSTRACT Most developing countries in the tropics have embraced various forms of community-based forest management. Uganda’s Community Forestry (CF) approach grants de jure rights to community groups to manage and own proceeds from specified forest resources to enhance socio-ecological benefits. However, two decades following its implementation, there is insufficient empirical evidence linking changes in local community livelihoods to participation in CF. Guided by insights from the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA), we conducted a cross-sectional survey in seven villages surrounding two de facto CFs in mid-western Uganda to quantify and compare livelihood capitals, strategies and outcomes among 40 households that were members of Communal Land Associations (CLAs) that are mandated to manage the CFs and 91 non-member households. Our results indicate significant improvements in access to natural, social and financial capitals of CLA member households. On-farm income was the main household income source in the area, but households also exhibited heavy dependence on forest environmental income observed to reduce poverty incidence by 12.5% and 5.5% among CLA member and non-member households, respectively. In order to significantly contribute to rural livelihoods, conservation and development interventions should amplify both economic and non-economic incentives to consolidate the gains that have been made while developing human and physical capital.

Green Infrastructure Can Improve the Lives of Slum Dwellers in African Cities

Slums and informal settlements in African cities are notably connected to green spaces and natural ecosystems serving as green infrastructure. Green Infrastructure holds the potential for improvement of the quality of life and the environment by harnessing benefits for people's livelihoods, food security, environmental regulation, socio-cultural appropriation, etc., and by addressing constraints to greening. Policy initiatives and relevant greening programs, especially those utilizing participatory, low-cost, socio-economically empowering approaches, are recommended.

Explaining success on community forestry through a lens of environmental justice: Local justice norms and practices in China

It is of global interest to understand under what conditions community forestry can be successful and sustainable in terms of environmental conservation and local livelihood benefits. Existing theories have explained several influential factors, including small groups of people with shared norms, sound institutions, high levels of decentralization, downward accountability, and security of tenure. This paper explores how local conceptions of environmental justice become closely linked to sustainable community forestry. Based on an in-depth case study in a highly populated and culturally heterogeneous village in southwest China, we examine an enduring example of community forestry, using a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. The results show that village forest cover has increased significantly over the last 30 years, contributing to improvements in local livelihoods. It is argued that one of the important factors in this success has been villagers’ ability to align forest management with local justice norms and practices. Distributive, procedural, and recognition aspects of justice are considered, and we find that, in combination, these become integral to building effective institutions for collective action. To broaden the focus on successful factors in existing theories, this paper argues that the consideration of justice as an important condition for establishing effective and durable local institutions that will be effective for community forestry. The insights from this study suggest a need to consider justice dimensions in community forestry research to enable improved understanding of its dynamics and outcomes worldwide.

Applying a jurisdictional approach to support sustainable seafood

AbstractEnsuring the security of ocean ecosystems that provide food and livelihood benefits from seafood systems requires significant investment in improving the sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture production at scale. Seafood certification and ratings systems have established strong benchmarks for sustainability, but markets need to incentivize sustainability throughout the value chain and at relevant ecological scales in order to generate meaningful conservation impacts and support lasting on‐the‐water stewardship efforts. Here, we propose that market‐based approaches and ecosystem‐based governance initiatives can be integrated to improve the sustainability of seafood production systems using a jurisdictional approach. Jurisdictional approaches are place‐based initiatives deployed in key commodity producing regions to drive sustainability through aligned incentives among government, market, and producer actors. To explore the applicability of this approach in seafood, we first identify key mismatches in existing certification and ratings schemes that stymie the effectiveness of market‐based approaches to drive ecosystem‐scale impacts. Subsequently we identify the differentiated incentives for sustainability among producers, supply chain companies, and governments—drawing evidence from research and practice. Based on this analysis, we review the potential for jurisdictional approaches to align actors' incentives for sustainability at the scale of entire production geographies, bringing market‐based approaches and governance improvements together to achieve conservation outcomes.

Secondary Forests and Agrarian Transitions: Insights from Nepal and Peru

We provide an analytical contrast of the dynamics of secondary forest regeneration in Nepal and Peru framed by a set of common themes: land access, boundaries, territories, and rights, seemingly more secure in Nepal than Peru; processes of agrarian change and their consequences for forest-agriculture interactions and the role of secondary forest in the landscape, more marked in Peru, where San Martín is experiencing apparent agricultural intensification, than in Nepal; and finally processes of social differentiation that have consequences for different social groups, livelihood construction and their engagement with trees, common to both countries. These themes address the broader issue of the necessary conditions for secondary forest regeneration and the extent to which the rights and livelihood benefits of those actively managing it are secured.

Factors influencing the adoption of agroforestry by smallholder farmer households in Tanzania: Case studies from Morogoro and Dodoma

The adoption of agricultural innovations is a critical adaptation mechanism for smallholder farmers to prepare and deal with potential shocks and uncertainty. Agroforestry is proven to be highly impactful at improving the adaptive capacity of farmers, the resilience of local farming systems and in providing diversified livelihood benefits. The adoption of agroforestry in Tanzania is generally uneven, with some successes and some failures and could be better supported. To do so, understanding the most significant factors influencing the adoption of agroforestry is key. Logistic regression (logit model) is used to analyse household survey data collected from 697 smallholder farmers. Results indicate that only 71 farmers (10.19 %) report planting new trees and actively practicing agroforestry. Farmers who are part of a project, are able to rent land and have a source of seedlings are more likely to adopt agroforestry. When farmers perceive rainfall to be changing, their land rights to be only moderately secure and their right to plant trees to be dependent on obtaining permission from the land owner or family members, they are less likely to adopt agroforestry. If the farmer perceives the land to be relatively fertile and has the intention to improve or maintain the fertility of his plot in the future then the likelihood of adopting agroforestry increases. Policy interventions ought to promote the participation of farmers in agroforestry projects to facilitate knowledge and experience building. Policy interventions should provide a reliable source of agroforestry inputs, such as seedlings to ensure that the resource requirements for agroforestry are well fulfilled. Farmer perceptions of land and agroforestry rights must be emphasized, clarified and streamlined to facilitate better policies. Farmer perceptions related to rainfall and soil fertility highlight a lack of awareness concerning the soil and water conservation benefits of agroforestry. Therefore, these must be better addressed through improved education and extension services. Consideration of farmer perceptions is crucial for the adoption of agroforestry.

Celebrating Jodha

Narpat S. Jodha (1937–2020) passed away at the age of 83 years. He is best remembered for his contribution to research on the commons and livelihoods in semi-arid regions in India. His work has transcended geographical boundaries and has won him worldwide recognition. His passing away provides an occasion to revisit the commons issue for multiple reasons, mainly that the livelihood issues that triggered the study of the commons still remain. Despite all the livelihood benefits that the commons provide, it is widely acknowledged that the commons in India are under threat, which throws open multiple questions: Is it due to the absence of secure property rights among local communities or the result of weak governance mechanisms? We also recognize that research on the commons has moved beyond livelihood issues to gender perspectives, digital commons, urban issues, and health.

Ten golden rules for reforestation to optimize carbon sequestration, biodiversity recovery and livelihood benefits.

Urgent solutions to global climate change are needed. Ambitious tree-planting initiatives, many already underway, aim to sequester enormous quantities of carbon to partly compensate for anthropogenic CO2 emissions, which are a major cause of rising global temperatures. However, tree planting that is poorly planned and executed could actually increase CO2 emissions and have long-term, deleterious impacts on biodiversity, landscapes and livelihoods. Here, we highlight the main environmental risks of large-scale tree planting and propose 10 golden rules, based on some of the most recent ecological research, to implement forest ecosystem restoration that maximizes rates of both carbon sequestration and biodiversity recovery while improving livelihoods. These are as follows: (1) Protect existing forest first; (2) Work together (involving all stakeholders); (3) Aim to maximize biodiversity recovery to meet multiple goals; (4) Select appropriate areas for restoration; (5) Use natural regeneration wherever possible; (6) Select species to maximize biodiversity; (7) Use resilient plant material (with appropriate genetic variability and provenance); (8) Plan ahead for infrastructure, capacity and seed supply; (9) Learn by doing (using an adaptive management approach); and (10) Make it pay (ensuring the economic sustainability of the project). We focus on the design of long-term strategies to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises and support livelihood needs. We emphasize the role of local communities as sources of indigenous knowledge, and the benefits they could derive from successful reforestation that restores ecosystem functioning and delivers a diverse range of forest products and services. While there is no simple and universal recipe for forest restoration, it is crucial to build upon the currently growing public and private interest in this topic, to ensure interventions provide effective, long-term carbon sinks and maximize benefits for biodiversity and people.

Predicting the long-term social and ecological impacts of tree-planting programs: Evidence from northern India

• We demonstrate a novel approach to understanding long-term impacts of public forest plantations. • Predictive proxy indicators (PPIs) can help predict and track long-term impacts of public forest plantations. • We use process-tracing and qualitative comparative analysis to validate PPIs for community-oriented plantations. • Secure property rights, community-led monitoring and enforcement, and seedling survival rate are key PPIs. Planting trees has long been a major forest improvement and management activity globally. Forest plantations take years, even decades to mature and establish. Yet most national and international projects to support plantations are of relatively short duration, which presents a major challenge to near-term accountability as well as assessment of longer-term social and ecological impacts. Here, we address this challenge by identifying and empirically validating a set of predictive proxy indicators (PPIs)—measures on key variables taken during program implementation that are predictive of longer-term impacts—for community-oriented tree-planting efforts in northern India. Using process-tracing and qualitative comparative analysis, we find that clusters of PPIs explained vegetation growth trajectories and other outcomes over more than a decade in 23 randomly selected public forest plantations in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh. PPIs relating to property rights and local livelihood benefits, community-led monitoring and enforcement, and seedling survival rate, together, were associated with successful long-term forest plantation outcomes, including more tree cover and socio-economic benefits for local communities. The causal pathways identified in this study suggest that measuring and comparing indicator values in specific spatial and temporal contexts can help to assess the likelihood and directionality of the long-term social and ecological impacts of forest plantations. In addition to the empirical contribution it makes, this study also demonstrates a novel approach to understanding long-term impacts of public forest plantations relevant to country contexts around the world.

Where to put community-based forestry?: Reconciling conservation and livelihood in Lampung, Indonesia

Community-based forestry (CBF) has been promoted as a potential win-win solution for improving forest conservation and livelihood outcomes. Incorporating location-specific factors from participants’ perspectives in the design and implementation of CBF has been noted as an important prerequisite for ensuring positive outcomes. This study investigates benefits and challenges of CBF perceived by participating farmers in two Community Forests (HKM – Hutan Kemasyarakatan) in Lampung, Indonesia. Two sites were chosen systematically based on their distinct biophysical characteristics. Through qualitative assessments using interviews and focus group discussions with the farmers, we found that securing land tenure is the most important motivation for them to participate in CBF and abide by the government-imposed rules and regulations. Participants in both sites have experienced increased income, as well as other benefits, such as reduced fire incidents and illegal activities. However, benefits and challenges that the two HKMs face differ and are affected by their biophysical features, such as elevation, slope, proximity to village and roads. Participants, especially in the remote HKM in high elevation, perceive long-term and poorly monitored goals, such as reforestation, unrealistic. Site-specific and targeted technical supports are needed to identify overstory tree species that can also provide livelihood benefits. We argue for explicit considerations of biophysical features for CBF site designations and technical supports that meet site specific needs. This study provides a practical pathway to ensure economic benefits of CBF, which is an important factor for promoting CBF's success.

Degradation of wetlands and livelihood benefits of Lake Abaya-Chamo wetland, southern Ethiopia

Abaya-Chamo and other wetlands of Ethiopia provide multiple ecosystem services, the wetlands are extremely affected by various anthropogenic factors. The unsustainable use of wetlands stems from the negligence of users about wetland degradation and limited policy attention by decision-makers. This study was aimed at analyzing the livelihood benefits of Abaya-chamo lake-wetland and the driving forces of its degradation. Data were gathered using a questionnaire survey of 384 households (selected via systematic random sampling), focus group discussion, and interview and field observation. Percentage, regression was used for data analysis. Multiple linear (binary logistic) regression model was applied to evaluate the impact of household-related independent variables on the dependent variable. It was found that Abaya-chamo lake-wetland offers fish, lumber, firewood, fodder, irrigation water, farmland, rainfall, recreation, tourism, aesthetics, carbon sinks, air quality, and climate regulation, services to local people. Farm expansion, sedimentation, irrigation, invasive plants (water hyacinth), open access and overuse of resources, lack of legal framework, and rapid population growth were the main causes of wetland degradation. Applying the lakes salty-water for irrigation is expected to lead to chemical land degradation in the next few decades. The invasive emboch (water hyacinth) plant results in dwindling aquatic resources (e.g., fish), loss of economic and tour benefits, and change in local climate, thereby depleting the lake water of the lake-wetland rapidly. The lakes salty-water-based irrigation is expected to result in land degradation to the extent of abandoning crop farming in the next few decades unless some actions are taken. Thus, the government should devise a clear policy and legal framework about sustainable management of wetland resources.

Evaluation of Lowland Bamboo Propagation Techniques in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Bamboo has diverse utility ranging from construction to delicacy in Asia and Africa, and also several desirable qualities that make it a useful resource compared to many other plants. For example; it uses as food and feed preservative, construction, medicine purpose, natural conservation, charcoal and energy, arts and culture, aesthetic value, financial return and environment protection. Bamboo has additional unique characteristic that a fast growing plant than any other tree species and starts to give utility within three or four years of planting time in the exception of bearing fruits. To give fruit full seed takes a long time that after 50 years old. So to get its utilities has to be raised through various propagation methods. In this trial; propagations with culm cut, offsets cut and branch cut on Dendrocalmus membracius, Dendrocalmus hamlitonii and Oxytenanthera abyssinica bamboo species had been executed in RCBD design with three replications, respectively. So that in this experiment, among the methods of bamboo propagation technique; offset cutting (bamboo rhizome) followed by branch cut had been recommended based on consideration of giving adequate planting materials. The outcomes showed highly significant difference at (p<0.001) level between and within treatments as well as interaction effect based on the given parameters. Regardless of this fact; the highest mean value discovered under Dendrocalmus hamlitonii bamboo species with culm cut planting followed by Dendrocalmus memebranceous with branch cut planting, while the least mean value was recorded under Oxytenanthera abyssinica with culm cut planting based on number of new emerging bamboo shoot parameter. Based on root collar diameter, Length of shoot and number of node parameters, the highest mean value recorded under Dendrocalmus hamlitonii and Dendrocalmus memebranceous with offset cut planting, while the least mean value was recorded under Dendrocalmus hamlitonii with branch cut planting, respectively (Table 2). Despite this fact, the recommend that with offset cut plating for Dendrocalmus hamlitonii and Dendrocalmus memebranceous of bamboo species followed by Oxytenanthera abyssinica. The Culm cut planting parts designated higher mean value for Dendrocalmus hamlitonii bamboo species only, while branch cut planting designated higher mean value for Dendrocalmus memebranceous bamboo species only (Table 2). Generally, the study was propagations of lowland bamboo species (Dendrocalmus membracius, Dendrocalmus hamlitonii and Oxytenanthera abyssinica) with culm cut, offsets cut and branch cut techniques under Mechara and for related agro ecology zones is trustworthy so, the research advocated these technologies with further economic and livelihood benefits for different stakeholders through expanding the plantation materials with full package.

Grizzly and polar bears as nonconsumptive cultural keystone species

Grizzly bears and polar bears often serve as ecological “flagship species” in conservation efforts, but although consumptively used in some areas and cultures they can also be important cultural keystone species even where not hunted. We extend the application of established criteria for defining cultural keystone species to also encompass species with which cultures have a primarily nonconsumptive relationship but that are nonetheless disproportionately important to well-being and identity. Grizzly bears in coastal British Columbia are closely linked to many Indigenous Peoples (including the Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk), Kitasoo/Xai’xais, and Nuxalk First Nations), where they are central to the identity, culture, and livelihoods of individuals, families, Chiefs, and Nations. Polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba, provide another example as a cultural keystone species for a mixed Indigenous and non-Indigenous community in which many of the livelihood benefits from the species are mediated by economic transactions in a globalized tourism market. We discuss context specificity and questions of equity in sharing of benefits from cultural keystone species. Our expanded definition of cultural keystone species gives broader recognition of the beyond-ecological importance of these species to Indigenous Peoples, which highlights the societal and ecological importance of Indigenous sovereignty and could facilitate the increased cross-cultural understanding critical to reconciliation.