Abstract:
Forest ecosystems have been a valuable source of economic wellbeing of human populations
for centuries, particularly to the forest adjacent communities. The relationship between human
wellbeing and ecosystems consist of complex systems that are mostly nonlinear, uncertain and
often not clearly understood. To enhance forest sustainability, the deliberate evaluation of
ecosystem services, human interactions and appropriate ways to involve the public in
management is imperative. However, little has been done to demonstrate how forest ecosystem
services and public participation could contribute to forest conservation and socio-economic
development of forest-dependent communities. This study therefore evaluated forest
ecosystem services and socio-economic factors that influence community participation in
forest management to enhance forest conservation while improving livelihoods. To achieve
this objective, the study interviewed local communities bordering Aberdare forest ecosystem.
The study was based on semi-structured questionnaires administered to a stratified random
sample of 202 households, six focus group discussions and benefit transfer method. The data
was analyzed using Chi square, Spearman’s rho correlation and regression analysis. The
findings of this study showed that the net annual benefit of ecosystem services was
approximately KES 36.8 (US$ 0.37) billion where regulating services constituted 98%. The
communities lost KES 172 (US$ 1.7) million annually to wildlife. The net annual return from
forest conservation was higher as the opportunity cost of forest land conversion was
approximately KES 4.2 (US$ 0.04) billion. The significant factors included forest management
approach (χ² = 17.551, p < 0.001), distance to the Forest Reserve (χ² = 29.071, p < 0.001),
distance to the National Park (χ² = 27.303, p = 0.008), gender of household head (χ² = 10.719,
p = 0.002), land tenure (χ² = 34.313, p < 0.001) and sources of income (χ² = 31.353, p < 0.001).
Economic factors that included farm size, household size, annual income, land tenure, and
importance of the forest ecosystem were found to significantly influence the regression model
with R2 being 0.703. It can be concluded that if only provisioning ecosystem services are
considered, there is a net loss arising from conservation. Therefore, it is imperative to encash
all the ecosystem services to decrease forest conversion and depletion based on economic
forces. Further, increasing economic benefits to the community will positively influence
participatory forest management. This study recommends that to fully engage the community
in participatory forest management, there is need to consider their basic livelihood strategies
as well promote forest products availability on the farmlands to reduce pressure on the forest
ecosystems.
