Assessing selected ecosystem services in urban green spaces in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Ngulani, Thembelihle Tshandapiwa
- Authors: Ngulani, Thembelihle Tshandapiwa
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5856 , vital:20982
- Description: Urbanization has resulted in the building of numerous structures such as buildings and roads which reduces the amount of natural land. Urban space planning has taken this into consideration resulting in planned urban green spaces and remnant land within urban areas. Urban green spaces provide a number of ecosystem services which are beneficial to urban residents. This study sought to determine residents’ use and perception of urban green spaces in Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe, and to quantify and value four selected ecosystem services, i.e. carbon sequestration by urban trees, urban heat island amelioration, spiritual services and firewood provision. All ecosystem services were valued using local a variety of direct or substitutive methods. Questionnaires were administered at green spaces to green space users to capture responses on reasons why they use green spaces and their perception of green spaces. Residents’ responses showed that they appreciate green spaces as multidimensional spaces which provide a number of benefits for cultural and provisioning services. The role of the green spaces in providing regulating services was not well appreciated by the residents as they did not directly experience these benefits. An association was revealed between primary purpose of visit to urban green spaces and household income. Residents in areas of medium and high density housing visited green spaces on a daily basis, whereas those in more affluent, low density housing areas visited green spaces less often, i.e. a few times a month Carbon sequestration rate was determined by measuring tree diameter within one year to determine increase in carbon sequestered. Bulawayo’s urban green spaces sequester 3 290 t/C/yr valued at approximately $13 000/yr. There was a significant difference in carbon sequestration by urban trees between formal and informal green spaces with formal green spaces sequestering more carbon. Indigenous trees were shown to sequester more carbon than exotic trees and trees with bigger stem diameter were determined sequester more carbon than trees with small diameter. The effect of urban green spaces on ambient temperature was determined by measuring ambient air temperature in green spaces and built up areas over six months. Urban green spaces in Bulawayo play a role in urban micro-climate regulation by reducing the ambient temperature in the green spaces as well as is built up areas. The mean difference between green spaces and surrounding urban areas was up to 60C, with larger green spaces generally showing larger differences. The green spaces extend their cooling effect to surrounding areas thus reducing the temperatures in surrounding residential areas thus reducing the energy demand used for indoor cooling. To determine why residents worship in green spaces, questionnaires were administered to congregation members to capture reasons why and how often they worship in green spaces, challenges faced by the congregants as well as assistance that can be given by the Bulawayo city council to improve the outdoor worship experience. Green spaces offer ideal places for worship in natural areas for congregants to be in touch with nature. The green spaces are also used by some congregations who ordinarily would worship in buildings but fail to do so due to lack of funds for rent or to purchase or construct a church building to use. The value of Bulawayo’s green spaces spiritual services was determined to be $92.50/ha/yr. Firewood provision was also determined by measuring tree diameter within one year to determine increase in fuelwood. The green spaces showed a significant difference in firewood production among sites. Formal green spaces were shown to produce more firewood as compared to informal green spaces and no difference was determined in growth rates between exotic and indigenous tree species. Bulawayo’s green spaces produce 1.9t/ha/yr of firewood with an ecosystem service value of $340 to $490 /ha/yr. These findings indicate the importance of urban green spaces in Bulawayo. They are multifunctional spaces, providing multiple ecosystem services. The local appreciation of the services provided by urban green spaces differs according to the type of service and location in the city. The value of services provided by green spaces is high, albeit not taken into account in planning decisions.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ngulani, Thembelihle Tshandapiwa
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5856 , vital:20982
- Description: Urbanization has resulted in the building of numerous structures such as buildings and roads which reduces the amount of natural land. Urban space planning has taken this into consideration resulting in planned urban green spaces and remnant land within urban areas. Urban green spaces provide a number of ecosystem services which are beneficial to urban residents. This study sought to determine residents’ use and perception of urban green spaces in Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe, and to quantify and value four selected ecosystem services, i.e. carbon sequestration by urban trees, urban heat island amelioration, spiritual services and firewood provision. All ecosystem services were valued using local a variety of direct or substitutive methods. Questionnaires were administered at green spaces to green space users to capture responses on reasons why they use green spaces and their perception of green spaces. Residents’ responses showed that they appreciate green spaces as multidimensional spaces which provide a number of benefits for cultural and provisioning services. The role of the green spaces in providing regulating services was not well appreciated by the residents as they did not directly experience these benefits. An association was revealed between primary purpose of visit to urban green spaces and household income. Residents in areas of medium and high density housing visited green spaces on a daily basis, whereas those in more affluent, low density housing areas visited green spaces less often, i.e. a few times a month Carbon sequestration rate was determined by measuring tree diameter within one year to determine increase in carbon sequestered. Bulawayo’s urban green spaces sequester 3 290 t/C/yr valued at approximately $13 000/yr. There was a significant difference in carbon sequestration by urban trees between formal and informal green spaces with formal green spaces sequestering more carbon. Indigenous trees were shown to sequester more carbon than exotic trees and trees with bigger stem diameter were determined sequester more carbon than trees with small diameter. The effect of urban green spaces on ambient temperature was determined by measuring ambient air temperature in green spaces and built up areas over six months. Urban green spaces in Bulawayo play a role in urban micro-climate regulation by reducing the ambient temperature in the green spaces as well as is built up areas. The mean difference between green spaces and surrounding urban areas was up to 60C, with larger green spaces generally showing larger differences. The green spaces extend their cooling effect to surrounding areas thus reducing the temperatures in surrounding residential areas thus reducing the energy demand used for indoor cooling. To determine why residents worship in green spaces, questionnaires were administered to congregation members to capture reasons why and how often they worship in green spaces, challenges faced by the congregants as well as assistance that can be given by the Bulawayo city council to improve the outdoor worship experience. Green spaces offer ideal places for worship in natural areas for congregants to be in touch with nature. The green spaces are also used by some congregations who ordinarily would worship in buildings but fail to do so due to lack of funds for rent or to purchase or construct a church building to use. The value of Bulawayo’s green spaces spiritual services was determined to be $92.50/ha/yr. Firewood provision was also determined by measuring tree diameter within one year to determine increase in fuelwood. The green spaces showed a significant difference in firewood production among sites. Formal green spaces were shown to produce more firewood as compared to informal green spaces and no difference was determined in growth rates between exotic and indigenous tree species. Bulawayo’s green spaces produce 1.9t/ha/yr of firewood with an ecosystem service value of $340 to $490 /ha/yr. These findings indicate the importance of urban green spaces in Bulawayo. They are multifunctional spaces, providing multiple ecosystem services. The local appreciation of the services provided by urban green spaces differs according to the type of service and location in the city. The value of services provided by green spaces is high, albeit not taken into account in planning decisions.
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Changes in household food security, nutrition and food waste along an agro-ecological gradient and the rural-urban continuum in mid-sized South African towns
- Authors: Chakona, Gamuchirai
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa , Women -- South Africa -- Nutritiona , Urban women -- South Africa -- Nutrition , Rural women -- South Africa -- Nutrition , Wild foods -- South Africa , Food supply -- South Africa , Malnutrition in children -- South Africa , Grants-in-aid -- South Africa , Household ecology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6484 , vital:21127
- Description: The lack of dietary diversity is a severe problem experienced by most poor households globally. Most poor communities are at high risk of inadequate intake of micronutrients resulting from diets dominated by starchy staples. The present study considered the diets, dietary diversities and food security of women of reproductive age between 15-49 years, households and communities along the rural-urban continuum in three mid-sized towns situated along an agro-ecological gradient in South Africa. A 48-hour dietary recall was performed across two seasons (twice in summer and once in winter) and focus group discussions were held to gather all information including food abundance, seasons of food scarcity as well as coping strategies which households employ during periods of food shocks. Households were further asked to quantify any type of food waste that they could have generated in the previous 48 hours. Nutritional status of children under the age of five in all three towns was also measured using height-for-age (HAZ) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as indicators of stunting and wasting respectively. The household surveys were conducted with 554 women randomly selected in rural, peri-urban and urban locations of Richards Bay, Dundee and Harrismith. For nutritional status, the sample consisted of 216 children who were randomly selected from the sampled households in rural, peri-urban and urban locations of the study sites. Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS) and Women’s Dietary Diversity Scores (WDDS) were calculated from the food items consumed by each household and each woman over a two-day period, respectively. Household food access was also measured for each household using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The mean WDDS and HDDS for the wettest site of Richards Bay (3.8±0.29 and 8.44±1.72, respectively) was significantly higher than at Dundee (3.4±0.30 and 7.76±1.63, respectively) and Harrismith (3.5±0.27 and 7.83±1.59, respectively) which were not different from one another. The mean HFIAS for Dundee (9.39±7.13) was significantly higher than that in Richards Bay (5.57±6.98) and Harrismith (6.43±6.59) which were not significantly different from one another. Dietary diversity scores were also significantly higher in urban locations than in peri-urban and rural ones whilst HFIAS was significantly lower in the urban locations than peri-urban and rural locations. There was lower dependence on food purchasing in Richards Bay compared to Dundee and Harrismith where the majority of the population was purchasing most of their food. The majority of Richards Bay households were involved in subsistence agriculture and also produced a surplus for sale, as well as collecting wild foods, which improved food security, unlike Dundee and Harrismith. Food insecurity was higher in rural and peri-urban areas compared to urban areas. In all towns, food was always available throughout the year but was beyond the reach of many households. In urban areas food was readily available and only limited by access, whereas rural populations have limited access to affordable food and face higher prices. The peri-urban populations were more food insecure because of high levels of poverty, unemployment and lack of access/entitlements to land. Periurban dwellers are therefore more sensitive to changes in incomes and food prices because they lack safety nets to absorb income or price shocks as they purchase more, rather than growing their own food. Household dietary diversity was significantly negatively correlated with household food access, that is households with low HDDS had higher HFIAS scores. Due to high levels of food insecurity, a greater percentage of children under the age of five years were stunted (35 %) and wasted (18 %). There were no significant differences in stunting along the agro-ecological gradient, along the rural-urban continuum and sex of child. However, significant differences were observed in child wasting along the agro-ecological gradient with Harrismith having more wasted children than the other two towns, which were not significantly different from each other. Significant differences were also observed between MUAC and sex of child where male children had higher MUAC than females. Wasting was significantly negatively associated with HDDS, with children from households with low HDDS tending to have large MUAC thus showing an inverse association among HDDS and obesity. However, further studies are needed to confirm this finding. In general food insecurity was closely associated with low wealth, food expenditure, large household size and limited access to land. The study did not find any significant role in the use of wild foods and social grants in improving food security for those households who were consuming wild foods and those receiving social grants. Although a greater percentage of households were food insecure, significant amounts of unprepared food (495±179 g per household) were wasted in Richards Bay alone in 48 hours mainly because the food had passed the best before date or had visibly gone bad. The amount of food waste was closely significantly negatively associated with household size. In general, the prevalence of food insecurity and wasting followed the agro-ecological gradient, with households in Richards Bay where the area.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chakona, Gamuchirai
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa , Women -- South Africa -- Nutritiona , Urban women -- South Africa -- Nutrition , Rural women -- South Africa -- Nutrition , Wild foods -- South Africa , Food supply -- South Africa , Malnutrition in children -- South Africa , Grants-in-aid -- South Africa , Household ecology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6484 , vital:21127
- Description: The lack of dietary diversity is a severe problem experienced by most poor households globally. Most poor communities are at high risk of inadequate intake of micronutrients resulting from diets dominated by starchy staples. The present study considered the diets, dietary diversities and food security of women of reproductive age between 15-49 years, households and communities along the rural-urban continuum in three mid-sized towns situated along an agro-ecological gradient in South Africa. A 48-hour dietary recall was performed across two seasons (twice in summer and once in winter) and focus group discussions were held to gather all information including food abundance, seasons of food scarcity as well as coping strategies which households employ during periods of food shocks. Households were further asked to quantify any type of food waste that they could have generated in the previous 48 hours. Nutritional status of children under the age of five in all three towns was also measured using height-for-age (HAZ) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as indicators of stunting and wasting respectively. The household surveys were conducted with 554 women randomly selected in rural, peri-urban and urban locations of Richards Bay, Dundee and Harrismith. For nutritional status, the sample consisted of 216 children who were randomly selected from the sampled households in rural, peri-urban and urban locations of the study sites. Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS) and Women’s Dietary Diversity Scores (WDDS) were calculated from the food items consumed by each household and each woman over a two-day period, respectively. Household food access was also measured for each household using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The mean WDDS and HDDS for the wettest site of Richards Bay (3.8±0.29 and 8.44±1.72, respectively) was significantly higher than at Dundee (3.4±0.30 and 7.76±1.63, respectively) and Harrismith (3.5±0.27 and 7.83±1.59, respectively) which were not different from one another. The mean HFIAS for Dundee (9.39±7.13) was significantly higher than that in Richards Bay (5.57±6.98) and Harrismith (6.43±6.59) which were not significantly different from one another. Dietary diversity scores were also significantly higher in urban locations than in peri-urban and rural ones whilst HFIAS was significantly lower in the urban locations than peri-urban and rural locations. There was lower dependence on food purchasing in Richards Bay compared to Dundee and Harrismith where the majority of the population was purchasing most of their food. The majority of Richards Bay households were involved in subsistence agriculture and also produced a surplus for sale, as well as collecting wild foods, which improved food security, unlike Dundee and Harrismith. Food insecurity was higher in rural and peri-urban areas compared to urban areas. In all towns, food was always available throughout the year but was beyond the reach of many households. In urban areas food was readily available and only limited by access, whereas rural populations have limited access to affordable food and face higher prices. The peri-urban populations were more food insecure because of high levels of poverty, unemployment and lack of access/entitlements to land. Periurban dwellers are therefore more sensitive to changes in incomes and food prices because they lack safety nets to absorb income or price shocks as they purchase more, rather than growing their own food. Household dietary diversity was significantly negatively correlated with household food access, that is households with low HDDS had higher HFIAS scores. Due to high levels of food insecurity, a greater percentage of children under the age of five years were stunted (35 %) and wasted (18 %). There were no significant differences in stunting along the agro-ecological gradient, along the rural-urban continuum and sex of child. However, significant differences were observed in child wasting along the agro-ecological gradient with Harrismith having more wasted children than the other two towns, which were not significantly different from each other. Significant differences were also observed between MUAC and sex of child where male children had higher MUAC than females. Wasting was significantly negatively associated with HDDS, with children from households with low HDDS tending to have large MUAC thus showing an inverse association among HDDS and obesity. However, further studies are needed to confirm this finding. In general food insecurity was closely associated with low wealth, food expenditure, large household size and limited access to land. The study did not find any significant role in the use of wild foods and social grants in improving food security for those households who were consuming wild foods and those receiving social grants. Although a greater percentage of households were food insecure, significant amounts of unprepared food (495±179 g per household) were wasted in Richards Bay alone in 48 hours mainly because the food had passed the best before date or had visibly gone bad. The amount of food waste was closely significantly negatively associated with household size. In general, the prevalence of food insecurity and wasting followed the agro-ecological gradient, with households in Richards Bay where the area.
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Perceptions and livelihood uses of an invasive alien tree (acacia dealbata) by rural communities in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Agripa, Ngorima
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5326 , vital:20813
- Description: The negative impacts which invasive alien species have on ecosystems are well documented but there is paucity of information on their impacts on rural communities. Due to ecological impacts that may be associated with Acacia dealbata invasions the Agricultural Research Council Plant Protection Institute is considering releasing a biocontrol agent for A. dealbata. The actual social impacts of A. dealbata invasion and control are likely to be related to its importance in rural livelihoods. This thesis reports on the perceptions and livelihood uses of A. dealbata in the Eastern Cape. Three study sites were assessed, Matatiele, Mount Fletcher and Maclear. The study involved 150 household surveys, one focus group discussion and one transect walk at each site, key informant interviews and frequent house visits to acquire reliable data. Results show that 100 % of households in the three sites use Silver Wattle extensively for firewood. In Matatiele 64 %, 72 % in Mount Fletcher and 84 % of households in Maclear use Silver Wattle for fencing. To carve tools 76 % in Matatiele, 76 % in Mount Fletcher and 84 % households in Maclear use Silver Wattle. For medicinal purposes 18 % in Matatiele, 20 % in Mount Fletcher and 16 % in Maclear use Silver Wattle, whilst 78 % in Matatiele, 80 % in Mount Fletcher and 80 % in Maclear use it for fodder purposes. Many respondents felt that Silver Wattle is too abundant within their areas such that it now has many negative impacts associated with it. Perceptions of local people towards A. dealbata are neither static nor uniform, but are influenced by time since the invasion and now abundance of the species. There are no alternatives which provide the same services provided by Silver Wattle. Benefits and constraints due to A. dealbata invasion are experienced by everyone irrespective of wealth and gender. In conclusion, Silver Wattle is a valuable resource to these rural communities, but increasing abundance is incurring high costs to grazing resources and landscape accessibility.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Agripa, Ngorima
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5326 , vital:20813
- Description: The negative impacts which invasive alien species have on ecosystems are well documented but there is paucity of information on their impacts on rural communities. Due to ecological impacts that may be associated with Acacia dealbata invasions the Agricultural Research Council Plant Protection Institute is considering releasing a biocontrol agent for A. dealbata. The actual social impacts of A. dealbata invasion and control are likely to be related to its importance in rural livelihoods. This thesis reports on the perceptions and livelihood uses of A. dealbata in the Eastern Cape. Three study sites were assessed, Matatiele, Mount Fletcher and Maclear. The study involved 150 household surveys, one focus group discussion and one transect walk at each site, key informant interviews and frequent house visits to acquire reliable data. Results show that 100 % of households in the three sites use Silver Wattle extensively for firewood. In Matatiele 64 %, 72 % in Mount Fletcher and 84 % of households in Maclear use Silver Wattle for fencing. To carve tools 76 % in Matatiele, 76 % in Mount Fletcher and 84 % households in Maclear use Silver Wattle. For medicinal purposes 18 % in Matatiele, 20 % in Mount Fletcher and 16 % in Maclear use Silver Wattle, whilst 78 % in Matatiele, 80 % in Mount Fletcher and 80 % in Maclear use it for fodder purposes. Many respondents felt that Silver Wattle is too abundant within their areas such that it now has many negative impacts associated with it. Perceptions of local people towards A. dealbata are neither static nor uniform, but are influenced by time since the invasion and now abundance of the species. There are no alternatives which provide the same services provided by Silver Wattle. Benefits and constraints due to A. dealbata invasion are experienced by everyone irrespective of wealth and gender. In conclusion, Silver Wattle is a valuable resource to these rural communities, but increasing abundance is incurring high costs to grazing resources and landscape accessibility.
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Quantifying degraded subtropical thicket structure and composition: a multi-scale approach in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Lunderstedt, Kyra Elizabeth
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Portulacaceae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Savanna ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Shrubs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Succulent plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5281 , vital:20804
- Description: The loss in canopy cover from over-browsing severely degrades the ecological integrity of spekboom-dominated thicket in the Eastern Cape. A homogenisation of species across the landscape and high heterogeneity at fine scales has been reported with little evidence of recovery. As an interlinked consequence, the loss in important biological structures and composition impacts greatly on soil resources and therefore function. This thesis provides a baseline of degraded thicket abiotic and biotic structure and composition over both spatial and temporal scales within the Greater Addo Elephant National Park (GAENP), including Darlington, Kabouga and Addo Main and within the Baviaanskloof. The study aimed to find correlates of species composition within sites and assess changes in composition with degradation and recovery times. Across the GAENP, landscape degradation was most evident in post-1960 aerial imagery. The duration since sampled sites have been incorporated into the GAENP did not influence species composition, however the period of degradation and severity, did. Across the landscape, communities were strongly associated with each of the four sites and separated predominantly by rainfall, gravel and altitude. A total of 345 plant species were identified across the landscape and despite degradation, each site was characterised into three to five communities each, barring Baviaanskloof which had no significantly different communities. Across the landscape, matrix composition comprised predominantly of Pentzia incana, Drosanthemum hispidum, Galenia pubescens and Cynodon species. Woody cover within patches included smaller Grewia robusta, Rhigozum obovatum and Vachellia karroo and the larger Pappea capensis and Euclea undulata. The succulent shrub Euphorbia caerulescens in Darlington and succulent tree Aloe ferox in Baviaanskloof occurred abundantly as a consequence of degradation. Species richness was significantly correlated to patch size in all sites, but Kabouga had the greatest richness and probability of a suite of species occurring within a patch. Higher woody and succulent cover in Kabouga was therefore associated with higher soil C, root percentage and bulk density. Other sites were higher in Ca, Na, K and P. The method of degradation scoring was not sufficiently accurate and it is recommended that indicator species within the matrix should be used instead of growth forms. The findings of this thesis are conceptualised within a double-cusped catastrophe model and recommendations for restoration are provided.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lunderstedt, Kyra Elizabeth
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Portulacaceae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Savanna ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Shrubs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Succulent plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5281 , vital:20804
- Description: The loss in canopy cover from over-browsing severely degrades the ecological integrity of spekboom-dominated thicket in the Eastern Cape. A homogenisation of species across the landscape and high heterogeneity at fine scales has been reported with little evidence of recovery. As an interlinked consequence, the loss in important biological structures and composition impacts greatly on soil resources and therefore function. This thesis provides a baseline of degraded thicket abiotic and biotic structure and composition over both spatial and temporal scales within the Greater Addo Elephant National Park (GAENP), including Darlington, Kabouga and Addo Main and within the Baviaanskloof. The study aimed to find correlates of species composition within sites and assess changes in composition with degradation and recovery times. Across the GAENP, landscape degradation was most evident in post-1960 aerial imagery. The duration since sampled sites have been incorporated into the GAENP did not influence species composition, however the period of degradation and severity, did. Across the landscape, communities were strongly associated with each of the four sites and separated predominantly by rainfall, gravel and altitude. A total of 345 plant species were identified across the landscape and despite degradation, each site was characterised into three to five communities each, barring Baviaanskloof which had no significantly different communities. Across the landscape, matrix composition comprised predominantly of Pentzia incana, Drosanthemum hispidum, Galenia pubescens and Cynodon species. Woody cover within patches included smaller Grewia robusta, Rhigozum obovatum and Vachellia karroo and the larger Pappea capensis and Euclea undulata. The succulent shrub Euphorbia caerulescens in Darlington and succulent tree Aloe ferox in Baviaanskloof occurred abundantly as a consequence of degradation. Species richness was significantly correlated to patch size in all sites, but Kabouga had the greatest richness and probability of a suite of species occurring within a patch. Higher woody and succulent cover in Kabouga was therefore associated with higher soil C, root percentage and bulk density. Other sites were higher in Ca, Na, K and P. The method of degradation scoring was not sufficiently accurate and it is recommended that indicator species within the matrix should be used instead of growth forms. The findings of this thesis are conceptualised within a double-cusped catastrophe model and recommendations for restoration are provided.
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The contribution of non-timber forest products to rural livelihoods and their price determination in different agro-ecological zones of South Africa
- Authors: Mugido, Worship
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5176 , vital:20783
- Description: A large number of studies have been conducted on the contribution of different types of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to rural livelihoods. However, not many of these have considered the context in which these contributions are made, especially agro-ecological potential. Similarly, there are few studies that focus on the price setting of NTFPs in different settings as most are based on a single or relatively few sites. Thus, there is no indication of the prevalence of the different factors within a uniform macro context, nor how they might vary between different types of NTFPs. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to establish the contribution of NTFPs to rural livelihoods and their price determination in areas of varying agro-ecological potential of South Africa. The study used data from 1 200 randomly selected households across four agro-ecological zones of South Africa to quantify the contribution of NTFP income to total household income, the proportion of households selling at least a single NTFP and the nature and extent of use of NTFPs as safety nets in areas of varying agro-ecological potential. In addition, 300 sellers of NTFPs in 15 towns across South Africa were interviewed to assess the factors they take into account when setting prices. The findings of this study support the argument that the level of dependence on NFTPs varies with agro-ecological conditions. This was supported by the significant difference between the NTFP incomes of the following pairs of agro-ecological classes: very low and low, medium and high. About 6.4 % households reported selling one or more NTFPs for various reasons, with many (39 %) citing the need to earn cash income and limited employment opportunities (16.9 %). Income from trading NTFPs is undoubtedly an important source of cash income for many rural households. Thus, 300 sellers, selling either at home or in town, were interviewed and the majority (79.3 %) of the sellers reported that selling NTFPs was their main source of cash household income, with only 8 % and 5.7 % receiving their main cash household income from state child grants and state pension grants, respectively. The pricing factors considered by sellers when setting the prices of NTFPs tended to vary with the type of NTFP being sold, type of market (home markets or urban markets) and the method used by the seller to procure the stock. However, overall, transport costs (29 %), stock price (18.4 %), profit margin (12.7 %), time taken to collect or produce the product (7.3 %) and the market price (6.4 %) were the widely used factors to determine prices for NTFPs. The reported various pricing factors showed that there was no formal or certain price mechanism that was used by the sellers of NTFPs to establish the market prices of NTFPs. The study found that about 79 % of the total households interviewed experienced at least one shock of some magnitude in the previous 12 months. The most common shocks were illness (43 %), death (42 %), crop failure (29 %) and hunger (22 %). The households employed various coping strategies (21) in response to different types of shocks, with the three widely used strategies being assistance from friends and relatives (60.1 %), using cash savings (37.9%) and using NTFPs (35.6 %). Shocks, hunger or food shortage and crop failure were significantly and positively related to the usage of NTFPs as safety nets. Therefore, households who experienced hunger or food shortage and crop failure were likely to use NTFPs to cope with these shocks. The study concluded that NTFPs are an integral part of the rural livelihoods, especially for the households living close to the survival line.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mugido, Worship
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5176 , vital:20783
- Description: A large number of studies have been conducted on the contribution of different types of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to rural livelihoods. However, not many of these have considered the context in which these contributions are made, especially agro-ecological potential. Similarly, there are few studies that focus on the price setting of NTFPs in different settings as most are based on a single or relatively few sites. Thus, there is no indication of the prevalence of the different factors within a uniform macro context, nor how they might vary between different types of NTFPs. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to establish the contribution of NTFPs to rural livelihoods and their price determination in areas of varying agro-ecological potential of South Africa. The study used data from 1 200 randomly selected households across four agro-ecological zones of South Africa to quantify the contribution of NTFP income to total household income, the proportion of households selling at least a single NTFP and the nature and extent of use of NTFPs as safety nets in areas of varying agro-ecological potential. In addition, 300 sellers of NTFPs in 15 towns across South Africa were interviewed to assess the factors they take into account when setting prices. The findings of this study support the argument that the level of dependence on NFTPs varies with agro-ecological conditions. This was supported by the significant difference between the NTFP incomes of the following pairs of agro-ecological classes: very low and low, medium and high. About 6.4 % households reported selling one or more NTFPs for various reasons, with many (39 %) citing the need to earn cash income and limited employment opportunities (16.9 %). Income from trading NTFPs is undoubtedly an important source of cash income for many rural households. Thus, 300 sellers, selling either at home or in town, were interviewed and the majority (79.3 %) of the sellers reported that selling NTFPs was their main source of cash household income, with only 8 % and 5.7 % receiving their main cash household income from state child grants and state pension grants, respectively. The pricing factors considered by sellers when setting the prices of NTFPs tended to vary with the type of NTFP being sold, type of market (home markets or urban markets) and the method used by the seller to procure the stock. However, overall, transport costs (29 %), stock price (18.4 %), profit margin (12.7 %), time taken to collect or produce the product (7.3 %) and the market price (6.4 %) were the widely used factors to determine prices for NTFPs. The reported various pricing factors showed that there was no formal or certain price mechanism that was used by the sellers of NTFPs to establish the market prices of NTFPs. The study found that about 79 % of the total households interviewed experienced at least one shock of some magnitude in the previous 12 months. The most common shocks were illness (43 %), death (42 %), crop failure (29 %) and hunger (22 %). The households employed various coping strategies (21) in response to different types of shocks, with the three widely used strategies being assistance from friends and relatives (60.1 %), using cash savings (37.9%) and using NTFPs (35.6 %). Shocks, hunger or food shortage and crop failure were significantly and positively related to the usage of NTFPs as safety nets. Therefore, households who experienced hunger or food shortage and crop failure were likely to use NTFPs to cope with these shocks. The study concluded that NTFPs are an integral part of the rural livelihoods, especially for the households living close to the survival line.
- Full Text:
The socio-economic contribution of non-timber forest product trade to households in four villages in Zomba and Machinga Districts, Malawi
- Authors: Mahonya, Sophie Manchichi
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4787 , vital:20724
- Description: The principal aim of this study was to assess the socio-economic contribution of nontimber forest product (NTFP) trade to households in Zomba and Machinga, southern Malawi. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through several methods, including a household survey using questionnaire interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews with individual traders, direct observations, and literature review. The quantitative data were analysed statistically using SPPS version 16.0 while the qualitative data were analysed thematically. NTFP trade was the third important source of cash income for 15% of the households, although the level of use, buying and selling of NTFPs varied across the four study villages. All households in all the study villages used firewood (100%), and most used thatch grass (94%), bamboo (96%), wood for building (92%), largely as construction materials. However, the percentage of households buying NTFPs was lower, with the maximum percentage of households being 50%. The percent of households engaged in selling at least one NTFP was lower still at 39%. Substantial cash incomes were generated from firewood and edible orchids sales which provided up to a maximum of Mk180,000, equivalent to US$456, per year. Households joined the trade mostly for an alternative source of cash income due to poverty and to meet basic needs when other options were not available or feasible. Cash income generated from NTFP trade acted as a safety net and a coping strategy when other avenues supporting livelihoods were not accessible. The socio-economic benefits derived from NTFP trade were associated with the quantities collected, sold, market forces influenced by the law of demand and supply. The small amounts of cash income generated by most households were important as they supplemented household cash needs. There was a strong association between NTFP trade as one of the important sources of cash income and the number of months a household had food from their own garden in a year. There was a significant relationship though weak between ranking of NTFP trade and livestock ownership by households. Value chain analysis was used as an analytical tool to understand the processes involved in NTFP trade. The value chains for the products under study were short, dominated by traders and some intermediaries. Most of the products were sold in local markets with little value addition. This study recommends that policy makers should integrate NTFPs into their development plans, emphasizing the establishment of management strategies that will enhance availability and sustainability of the resource. NTFPs contributed to the livelihoods of the households socially and economically through provision of food, cash income, energy for cooking, medicine and construction materials.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mahonya, Sophie Manchichi
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4787 , vital:20724
- Description: The principal aim of this study was to assess the socio-economic contribution of nontimber forest product (NTFP) trade to households in Zomba and Machinga, southern Malawi. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through several methods, including a household survey using questionnaire interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews with individual traders, direct observations, and literature review. The quantitative data were analysed statistically using SPPS version 16.0 while the qualitative data were analysed thematically. NTFP trade was the third important source of cash income for 15% of the households, although the level of use, buying and selling of NTFPs varied across the four study villages. All households in all the study villages used firewood (100%), and most used thatch grass (94%), bamboo (96%), wood for building (92%), largely as construction materials. However, the percentage of households buying NTFPs was lower, with the maximum percentage of households being 50%. The percent of households engaged in selling at least one NTFP was lower still at 39%. Substantial cash incomes were generated from firewood and edible orchids sales which provided up to a maximum of Mk180,000, equivalent to US$456, per year. Households joined the trade mostly for an alternative source of cash income due to poverty and to meet basic needs when other options were not available or feasible. Cash income generated from NTFP trade acted as a safety net and a coping strategy when other avenues supporting livelihoods were not accessible. The socio-economic benefits derived from NTFP trade were associated with the quantities collected, sold, market forces influenced by the law of demand and supply. The small amounts of cash income generated by most households were important as they supplemented household cash needs. There was a strong association between NTFP trade as one of the important sources of cash income and the number of months a household had food from their own garden in a year. There was a significant relationship though weak between ranking of NTFP trade and livestock ownership by households. Value chain analysis was used as an analytical tool to understand the processes involved in NTFP trade. The value chains for the products under study were short, dominated by traders and some intermediaries. Most of the products were sold in local markets with little value addition. This study recommends that policy makers should integrate NTFPs into their development plans, emphasizing the establishment of management strategies that will enhance availability and sustainability of the resource. NTFPs contributed to the livelihoods of the households socially and economically through provision of food, cash income, energy for cooking, medicine and construction materials.
- Full Text:
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