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Sustainable natural resource management must recognise community diversity.

Hamza, A. J., Esteves, L. S., Cvitanovic, M. and Kairo, J. G., 2023. Sustainable natural resource management must recognise community diversity. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, 30 (7), 727-744.

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Sustainable natural resource management must recognise community diversity.pdf - Published Version
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DOI: 10.1080/13504509.2023.2192006

Abstract

Deforestation and overexploitation of mangrove forests are affecting the livelihoods of millions of families that rely on their ecosystem services. Understanding local perceptions about the status and threats to mangroves is therefore crucial in addressing this issue. This research aims to enhance understanding of how sociodemographic factors influence resource use and perceptions of environmental changes through a questionnaire survey (n = 592 households) in five locations in Lamu County, home to 62% of Kenya’s mangroves. The results highlight the variability of mangrove use, ecosystem service recognition, and perceptions and drivers of change across locations, which are influenced by sociodemographic factors such as gender, education, and occupation. Although 89% of respondents reported using mangrove products, only 56% were able to identify mangrove ecosystem services, with those without formal education being less likely to recognize them. Interestingly, 50% of respondents perceived an increase in mangrove cover, contrary to research showing mangrove loss in the area over the last decade. Results show that communities are diverse and perceptions vary between groups, suggesting that implementing uniform management measures may be incomplete or ineffective. Awareness campaigns and capacity-building efforts must be tailored to reduce misperceptions about the state of local resources and to address the specific needs and challenges faced by different groups. Recommendations made here are widely applicable to promote more inclusive and sustainable community engagement in the management of natural resources in developing countries worldwide.

Item Type:Article
ISSN:1350-4509
Uncontrolled Keywords:Community perception; mangroves; natural resource use; sustainable management; Kenya
Group:Faculty of Health & Social Sciences
ID Code:38369
Deposited By: Symplectic RT2
Deposited On:05 Apr 2023 12:42
Last Modified:23 May 2024 11:03

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