LAND USE LAND COVER DYNAMICS, FOREST BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT AND LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES IN SHEKA BIOSPHERE RESERVE, SOUTHWEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Land use/ land cover dynamics has been a major problem and results in adverse impacts on ecosystem and socioeconomic activities. This study investigates Land use/Land cover dynamics, forest (tree) biodiversity management and livelihood strategies of rural community in the Sheka biosphere reserve, Southwest Ethiopia. Data were gathered through qualitative and quantitative techniques. Time series MSS and ETM+ satellite images (1991-2021) downloaded from the US Geological Survey were used to detect land use/cover changes. On the other hand, a household survey, involving 358 sample respondents selected through simple random sampling, was undertaken. Data on forest (tree) biodiversity was collected using systematic sampling was used for vegetation analysis, while socioeconomic data were collected through simple random sampling techniques. Furthermore, qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussions, key informant interview, case studies, and participant observations to explore indigenous forest management practices. A binary logistic regression model was employed to explain the relationship between socioeconomic impacts of Land use/Land cover dynamics and livelihood diversification strategies within biosphere reserves, namely in the Shato forest (core area). The results of Land use/Land cover change analysis show that over the 30 years period (1991 to 2021), about 308.29ha (56.7%) of wetland and 3,215.6ha (19.6%) of natural forest were converted to other land use types. Plantations and rural settlements were increased by 2,234.3ha (10.2%) and 1289.6ha (6.6%), respectively. Shato, which covers 5091ha (25.5%) of the study area, is one of the core areas in Sheka biosphere resereve. However, by 2021, 1482ha (7.5%) of Shato forest was allocated to coffee plantations, and, only 3,541ha (18%) of Shato forest was left. Besides, the result of the study in Shato forest species(tree species) shows that a total of 57 species of vascular plant species belonging to 35 genera and 30 families were identified. The overall Shannon diversity (H’) and evenness (E) of tree species in the study area (shato forest) were 2.72 and 0.76, respectively. The total density of seedling, sapling, and mature trees were 441.7, 90.6, and 488.9 individuals per ha, respectively. Shekachoos has their own long-standing social organizations that have positive impact on natural resources. The results of this study show how the culture of Shekachoo people is intrinsically tied to the forest and the Kobbo system of indigenous knowledge and practice. The indigenous knowledge system of the Shekacho people has fostered sustainable management of forest resources for generations. Hence, forest resources in the Shato core area have been safeguarded, managed, and utilized sustainably for many generations because of this indigenous knowledge system. The findings also disclose that factors such as household’s education level, household size, social network, distance from the market, total land owned, and skills significantly affect forest dependent livelihood strategies of rural communities. Respondents had ranked the key stressors based on their covariance including erratic rainfall (1.70), market prices (1.53), low crop output (1.28), and inadequate infrastructure (1.24). These covariates had led rural communities to adopt two major livelihood diversification strategies:crop and income diversification. By understanding the dynamics with the underlying drivers of the changes and their impacts on biodiversity, indigenous knowledge and rural livelihoods, policymakers can devise holistic stratagies that promote both conservation efforts and sustainable development in the area.