Invasive plants – Do they devastate or diversify rural livelihoods? Rural farmers’ perception of three invasive plants in Nepal

Kumar, Rajesh; Scarborough, Helen; Subedi, Naresh; Lamichhane, Babu Ram

doi:10.1016/j.jnc.2012.01.003

Cited by 61 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…This has in some cases resulted in conflicts of interest issues relating to livelihood vulnerability and has led to wastage of limited funding (Davis et al 2011;McNeely 2011;Rai et al 2012). Focussed social studies can provide valuable insights that are helpful for developing shared goals for management and the means for achieving such goals (Kreuter et al 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stakeholder perceptions and practices regarding Prosopis (mesquite) invasions and management in South Africa

Shackleton

Maitre

Richardson

2014

Ambio

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Invasive alien trees impact the environment and human livelihoods. The human dimensions of such invasions are less well understood than the ecological aspects, and this is hindering the development of effective management strategies. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken to investigate the knowledge and perceptions of Prosopis between different stakeholder groups. Chi-squared tests, Welch ANOVAs, and Principle Component Analyses were run. Factors such as land tenure and proximity to invasions were especially important for explaining differences in perceptions and practices relating to Prosopis among different stakeholder groups. Most respondents were aware of Prosopis and considered it to be invasive (i.e., spreading). Costs associated with Prosopis were perceived to exceed benefits, and most stakeholders wanted to see a reduction in the abundance of Prosopis stands. The mean total cost for the management of Prosopis was US$ 1914 year -1 per farm, where costs ranged from under US$ 10 to over UD$ 500 per ha based on invasion densities and objectives for control. The findings highlight the need for more effective management interventions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stakeholder perceptions and practices regarding Prosopis (mesquite) invasions and management in South Africa

Shackleton

Maitre

Richardson

2014

Ambio

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“…As Mikania is considered as suitable species for the production of locally important forest products (Rai et al 2012b, Siwakoti 2007, a decrease in the availability of forest products in the Mikania invaded forest is likely. The respondents practiced different strategies to respond the invasion of Mikania as fodder.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As they become more abundant with time it is not uncommon that more respondents use Mikania in KTWLR. In addition, a longer stay in the KTWLR means respondents have history of interacting with Mikania and households are likely to adapt to the invaded environment compared to the households in the recently invaded area (Rai et al 2012b). The results also show that as invasive plants stay longer in the landscape respondents do not use Mikania forcibly; they start to receive benefits from it.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The perception of farmers on invasive plants usually changes over time (Kannan et al 2008, Rai et al 2012b). Initially unwanted species may become valuable resources over time and vice-versa.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A long stay of invasive plants in landscape means local people have a history of interacting with those plants (Rai et al 2012b). Two distinct types of interfaces between invasive plants and rural livelihoods are observed-either rural household adapt to the particular species or they transform the plants into a valuable resource through appropriate technology (Kannan et al 2008, Hall 2009.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessing the Temporal Variation in the Perceived Eects of Invasive Plant Species on Rural Livelihoods: A Case of Mikania micrantha Invasion in Nepal

Kumar¹,

Rai²

2013

Conservation Sci

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SummaryAim This study aims to assess effects of invasion of Mikania micrantha on the livelihoods of rural communities and evaluates how perceived effects vary with the presence duration of invasive plants in a particular landscape. LocationThe study was conducted in the buffer zone communities of two protected areas in Nepal-Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and Chitwan National Park. Materials and MethodsQuestionnaire interviews were performed among a total of 473 households from the target communities. The questionnaire mainly focused on a five-year gap evaluation of the current situation. The households were stratified into three strata based on their proximity to the forest and a systematic random sampling was used to select the households. Household heads of either gender were interviewed based on their availability during the visit. Key findingsThe results show that time decay effects exist in the interface between invasive plants and rural livelihoods, as people gradually start to consider that these plants have self-grown in their landscape. However, the number of affected households increases with duration of the stay of invasive plants in the landscape. Conservation implicationsThe study shows that the perceived effects of invasive plants on rural households vary over time, and hence the response of rural households to the invasion. On the contrary, the perceived ecological effects of invasive plants remain the same. The results indicate the complication in managing the invaded area particularly in rural areas, which has forced the local people to use invasive plants such as Mikania in their daily lives in the absence of any strategy to control its spread. However, it can be concluded that Mikania cannot win the support of local communities in the invaded areas.

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Status of Climate Change and Implications to Ecology and Community Livelihoods in the Bhutan Himalaya

Hoy

Katel

2019

Environmental Change in the Himalayan Region

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Invasive plants – Do they devastate or diversify rural livelihoods? Rural farmers’ perception of three invasive plants in Nepal

Cited by 61 publications

References 13 publications

Stakeholder perceptions and practices regarding Prosopis (mesquite) invasions and management in South Africa

Stakeholder perceptions and practices regarding Prosopis (mesquite) invasions and management in South Africa

Assessing the Temporal Variation in the Perceived Eects of Invasive Plant Species on Rural Livelihoods: A Case of Mikania micrantha Invasion in Nepal

Status of Climate Change and Implications to Ecology and Community Livelihoods in the Bhutan Himalaya

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