Socio-economic factors influencing household forest dependency in Chobe enclave, Botswana

Abstract

Introduction: Human dependence on forests is a multifaceted phenomenon. The degree of reliance on forests varies geographically, overtime and across communities. These dynamics underpin the importance of understanding the determinants of household reliance on forests for the long-term sustainable forest management and conservation. This paper presents an analysis of socio-economic determinants on the level of household forest dependency in Chobe enclave, Botswana. The study hypothesised that the level of household forest dependency will significantly differ across a range of socio-economic factors. Methods: Data was collected through a structured questionnaire survey of 183 households, randomly selected from three communities bordering Chobe Forest Reserve. Binary logistic regression model was used for analysing data. Results: Results showed that age and education significantly influenced household reliance on forests, while other socio-economic factors were not significant. Forest dependency was observed to be decreasing with an increase on both respondent age and educational level. Therefore, the youth were likely to be more reliant on forest products compared to their elderly counterpart while higher educational attainment lessened reliance on forest products. Conclusion: In order to foster a balance between forest dependency and biodiversity conservation, alternative opportunities and provision and access to higher education aimed at diversifying young people's livelihood activities are vital in reducing forest dependency, hence protecting forests for posterity.

Household Reliance on Environmental Income in the Western Serengeti Ecosystem, Tanzania

“…This is likely associated with the availability of environmental products suggesting that these originate from inside the PA. This finding is consistent with other studies indicating that proximity to forests increases the reliance of households on forest environmental products (Baiyegunhi et al, 2016;Garekae et al, 2017).…”

“…This could be due to higher profitability of off-farm activities compared to harvesting environmental products. Other studies have also found that income from off-farm activities such as employment and other regular paid activities significantly reduced households' environmental reliance (Mulenga et al, 2011;Tieguhong & Nkamgnia, 2012;Garekae et al, 2017).…”

“…Households were regarded as reliant on environmental income if their ratio of environmental income to total household income was equal or more than 40% and not reliant if less than 40% (Tugume et al, 2015;Garekae et al, 2017). We used binary logistic regression model to analyse socio-economic factors determining household reliance on environmental income (Hosmer, Lemeshow, & Sturdivant, 2013).…”

“…However, the economic contribution of environmental resources in the area has not been quantified and the extent of reliance on environmental income reliance is not well documented. Moreover, human dependence on environmental resources varies spatially, temporally and between socioeconomic groups (Garekae, Thakadu, & Lepetu, 2017). Insight into the degree of environmental income reliance and an understanding of its variation over a gradient of distance to PA boundaries is important for management and poverty alleviation strategies.…”

Household Characteristics and Forest Resources Dependence in the Rumpi Hills of Cameroon

“…Their study observed that despite the various changes in both internal and external policies, population growth, competition among households and more profitable economic opportunities still threaten forest resources dependence. Garekae et al (2017) studied the level of household forest dependency using a range of socioeconomic factors around the Chobe Forest Reserve of Botswana. Their study found age and education to significantly influence household forest resource dependence.…”