Stakeholders’ perceptions, monetary valuation of ecosystem services and implications on attainment of the sustainable development goals on the mount Kilimanjaro ecosystem in Moshi rural district
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Date
2024
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Mountain ecosystems are of significant ecological value, providing
diverse ecosystem services (ES) that contribute to the well-being of
human populations residing in mountain regions and neighbouring
lowlands. Also, these ecosystems also supply a multitude of ecosystem
services that enhance the achievement and attainment of the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are formulated with the
aim of integrating and achieving favourable outcomes across societal,
economic, and environmental dimensions. The objectives of this study
were to: (i) identify and map key stakeholders of provisioning
ecosystem services, (ii) identify key provisioning ecosystem services
and assess the value perceptions of different stakeholders on the
identified provisioning ecosystem services (iii) determine the monetary
value and contribution of the provisioning services to household welfare
through attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The
study employed a descriptive and cross-sectional research design
involving, a sample size of 90 households. Data were collected through
household questionnaire survey and focused group discussion.
Qualitative data from the livelihood activities and organizations linked to
ecosystem services and identification of provisioning ecosystem
services were analysed through content analysis while quantitative data
from identification of provisioning services were analysed through
Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The comparison
between the most and least important provisioning services was
analysed using a matrix ranking. Monetary value of provisioning
services was determined by economic analysis using the choice
experiment method while the monetary value average and household
proportions was computed through Microsoft Excel for average
economic contribution of identified service to the overall well-being of a
community. Total of seven key provisioning services, including clean
water, food, and medicinal plants, firewood, honey and poles, were
identified. These provisioning services address several important SDGs
including SDG 1, SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 6, SDG7, SDG 8 and SDG 15.
Water was the highest-ranked provisioning service, with a perception
score of 35, highlighting its critical importance to the local community.
Food was ranked second, with a score of 18, followed by fodder with a
score of 12, and firewood with a score of 10. Medicine, honey, and
poles were ranked as the least important provisioning services, with scores of 8, 5, and 2, respectively. The total economic value (TEV) of
the most important provisioning services in Kibosho East Ward
amounts to an impressive 543.5 million (currently US$ 226,445). The
value of provisioning ES is apparently contributing substantially to the
local economy on the Kilimanjaro ecosystem. The findings also show a
comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem's resources and their
associated benefits with potential to contribute to the attainment of the
SDGs. Consequently, the study recommends to invest in capacity
building initiatives to empower stakeholders with the knowledge, skills
and resources needed for effective participation in ecosystem
management processes. It also suggests the establishment of
integrated management approaches that consider the economic
significance of provisioning services.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Ecosystems, Provisioning Services, Livelihood Patterns, Total Economic Value