Perception of the economic value and contribution of forest goods and ecosystem services to the livelihood improvement of communities living nearby Kangombe forest reserve in Kibaale District, Western region of Uganda.

Abstract

In Sub-Saharan Africa, forest goods and services are extremely important for rural livelihoods, providing food, medicine, shelter, fuel and cash income. Properly managed forests can provide numerous renewable raw materials for development as well as ecosystem services, including clean water, soil conservation, and biodiversity. This study therefore aimed at capturing the perception of the economic value and contribution of forest ecosystem services and goods to the livelihood improvement of communities living nearby forest reserves using a semi structured questionnaire( combine to various environmental economic valuation methods and techniques: market and non-market valuation methods such as contingent valuation methods with WTP) interview were conducted with the aim of collecting information from households in Kagadi, Muhoro and Nyamarunda sub counties nearby Kangombe re-serve in Kibaale district, western Uganda. The findings of the study indicated that 94% of the respondents perceived that they had access rights to forest resources although 85% reported that they didn’t use the rights legally. The reserve served as a source of livelihood for 95% of' the respondents through a collection of a variety of NTFPs, growing crops nearby and rearing animals nearby the reserve. Respondents acknowledged receiving benefits from various ecosystem services delivered in and from the forest reserved. These included cultural values, recreation, and contribution to soil fertility and Watershed services. The economic value direct and indirect benefits received from various ecosystem services by communities were estimated to be worth of US$305612.65 in Kagadi, US$ 270235.83 in Muhoro and US$ 327270.57 in Nyamarunda. This research takes its place in this conversation about conserving natural resources and improving local people’s livelihoods. it Is therefore possible for policy makers to get a trade off or reconciling community livelihood with conservation aims in western region since it is well known how important are forest ecosystem services and goods for community in that region. Keywords: Community perception, Economic value of ecosystem services, Forest Contribution, Livelihoods, Western region Uganda