Economic valuation of Kwapa wetland resources, Tororo district, eastern Uganda.

Abstract

Human living in and around wetlands depend a lot on their resources such as ecosystem services, crop production and other indirect services derived values their livelihood. There is need to understand and appreciate the value of wetland resources received by the people who live near and around wetlands. This study was conducted in Akoret wetland, Asinge wetland and Ogiroi wetland of Kwapa Sub County Tororo district. The study focused on the determination of the value key wetland resources in the identified study sites mentioned above for the benefit of the people living near these wetlands and the sub county at large. The research was basically carried out to generate data that may be used to conserve and protect for the good of the present and future generations. Using semi-structured questionnaire and field data sheets, community interviews coupled with field observations were the key methods used to collect data. The results indicated that wetland resources delivered in and around Kwapa Sub County wetlands had a big on the of people' swell-being such as food and ecosystem services.

It is therefore recommended that policy makers considered the wetland resources for the benefit of all people in the community, through management, new policies, and conservation strategies help for regulating the use of resources. Wetland. management interventions are often designed to enhance provision of services or attributes. Thus, a number of possible management options exist depending on the targeted wetland attribute(s) and levels of improvements of such attributes. The best management option is that which achieves both wetland conservation and improved livelihood for the local people. Achieving the best wetland management option obviously requires a strong legal and institutional support. Apart from that, quantitative information on the values that residents attach to different attributes and to possible alternative management options is also critical. Information on the values and residents' preferences for the different management attributes and management options is still largely missing in Uganda. Keywords: Ecosystem services, Economic valuation, Wetlands, Wetland management.