• Energy Research

The key to the successful and sustainable utilisation of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) by local communities lies in understanding their perspectives on climate change and its effects on NTFP production. Furthermore, assessing their perceptions of the diverse uses and potential for the value addition of NTFPs is crucial for determining how these resources can enhance the well-being of local livelihoods. Although studies on climate change, value addition, and the multiple uses of NTFPs and their impact on local livelihoods have been conducted, locals’ perceptions of these factors have not been fully explored. This study aims to assess various social factors, including education, gender, and religion, and their influence on locals’ perceptions of the abovementioned factors. The research focused on five regions where NTFPs are prevalent in Ghana (the Western North, Bono, Ahafo, Ashanti, and Eastern regions). To investigate the influence of social factors on local perceptions of climate change, value addition, and the multiple values of NTFPs within rural communities, a total of 732 locals were randomly selected with a team of interviewers across these five regions in Ghana. Key informant interviews and focus group interview methods were used for the data collection. We applied a logistic regression model to assess the social factors and their influencing locals’ perceptions of the mentioned variables. It was revealed that age, gender, education, and occupation did not significantly influence locals’ perceptions of climate change. However, religion was found to influence locals’ perceptions of climate change. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that gender and education strongly influenced locals’ perceptions of value addition to NTFPs. In contrast, religion and constraints (related to time, finance, and skills) did not significantly influence locals’ perceptions. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the intricate interplay among local perceptions, climate change, value addition, multiple uses of NTFPs, and the capacity of NTFPs to enhance the well-being of forest fringe communities. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive, tailor-made interventions that consider local perspectives and adhere to sustainable approaches, with the aim of optimising the positive impacts of NTFPs in poverty alleviation and overall community development.

Using the Modified Taungya System (MTS) to establish plantations has been identified as one of the important strategies required to meet the demand for wood resources in Ghana. The MTS is a forest management approach in which farmers are given lands within degraded forest reserves to inter-plant food crops with trees, and further nurture the trees into maturity under specified roles and benefit sharing agreements. This study evaluated the MTSs and management approach based on the following sustainability criteria: recognition of gender role in agroforestry development, contribution of the systems to poverty reduction, and contribution of the systems to the improvement in productive and protective functions of agriculture. The systems were established in degraded portions of the Pamu-Berekum Forest Reserve, Ghana in 2000. Data were collected in 2016 through personal interviews of 40 farmers selected from three communities living close and around the forest reserve. It is clear from the result that women participation in the project activities is significant and may have contributed to the reported successful outcome. More than a decade after the establishment of these plantations, there is evidence that the non-timber forest products, (e.g. fuelwood, medicine) generated from practising MTS have had a significant impact on the community livelihood with significant changes in annual income. Also, the farms clearly have many trees surviving that have economic, social, and ecological significance. The MTS, indeed, has the potential to support biodiversity recovery within degraded forest reserves in Ghana as well as to improve the livelihoods of farmers.

Charcoal and firewood fuel biomass utilization is thought to be the main cause of deforestation in Uganda. Moreover, the practice of utilizing charcoal and wood fuel in Uganda is said to impact the health of many women and children in the region. The goal of this study was to comprehensively analyze charcoal and wood fuel utilization processes in Uganda and sub-Saharan Africa and the environmental and socioeconomic dynamics and implications. The study equally intended to model out some possible improvements to wood fuel use while conserving natural forests. Both qualitative and qualitative approaches were used to study the charcoal and wood fuel energy situation in Uganda. The study collected field data (sample size: 199) which was subjected to descriptive analysis. The findings show that over 90% of households in Uganda and the sub- Saharan region use firewood and charcoal wood fuel, and that this fuel use creates social and environmental hazards. Our findings are also in agreement with numerous empirical studies showing that firewood and charcoal biomass are among the major causes of deforestation in Uganda and the sub-Saharan region. Ceteris paribus, we propose the adoption of Improved Eco-Stoves (ICE), which not only enable comprehensive combustion but also lessen the quantity of firewood used by more than 60%, together with policy decisions on the government of Uganda, given peoples willingness to take on alternative energy sources such as gas and electricity.

Tous les produits biologiques obtenus à partir de forêts autres que le bois sont considérés comme des produits forestiers non ligneux (PFNL). Les niveaux de production de PFNL au Ghana sont affectés par le changement climatique. Au cours des dernières années, les PFNL ont été affectés par des sécheresses prolongées et de courtes précipitations au Ghana. Dans les zones rurales, où les PFNL améliorent les moyens de subsistance des habitants ruraux, cela affecte négativement leur sécurité alimentaire. Cette étude visait à déterminer comment les habitants des zones rurales du Ghana perçoivent l'impact de la variabilité annuelle des précipitations et de la température sur leurs produits forestiers non ligneux. Pour mieux comprendre comment les résidents perçoivent l'effet du changement climatique sur les PFNL, 732 résidents ont été interrogés. Les informations et les perceptions des ménages concernant les changements dans la disponibilité des PFNL (escargots, champignons, miel, etc.) ont été enregistrées à l'aide de questionnaires structurés et semi-structurés. En raison de la forte augmentation de la température et de la baisse des précipitations, combinées à une sécheresse prolongée, il y a eu une baisse des niveaux de production de PFNL dans les zones forestières du pays. Les répondants ont signalé une baisse des niveaux de production de miel, d'escargots et de champignons, ainsi que des revenus générés. Il est impératif que le gouvernement du Ghana, par l'intermédiaire de la commission forestière du Ghana, éduque les habitants des zones rurales sur l'importance de l'utilisation durable des PFNL et mette en œuvre des programmes de boisement pour aider à régénérer les zones forestières dégradées qui menacent certains des organismes nécessaires à la production de PFNL. S'engager dans des programmes de boisement aidera à améliorer les conditions climatiques soutenant la production de PFNL. Todos los productos biológicos obtenidos de bosques distintos de la madera se consideran productos forestales no maderables (PFNM). Los niveles de producción de PFNM en Ghana se ven afectados por el cambio climático. En los últimos años, los PFNM se han visto afectados negativamente por las sequías prolongadas y las escasas precipitaciones en Ghana. En las zonas rurales, donde los PFNM mejoran los medios de vida de los habitantes de las zonas rurales, esto afecta negativamente a su seguridad alimentaria. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar cómo los habitantes rurales de Ghana perciben el impacto de la variabilidad anual de las precipitaciones y la temperatura en sus productos forestales no maderables. Para comprender mejor cómo los residentes perciben el efecto del cambio climático en los PFNM, se entrevistó a 732 residentes. La información del hogar y las percepciones sobre los cambios en la disponibilidad de PFNM (caracoles, hongos, miel, etc.) se registraron mediante cuestionarios estructurados y semiestructurados. Como resultado del fuerte aumento de la temperatura y la disminución de las precipitaciones, combinado con una sequía prolongada, se ha producido una disminución en los niveles de producción de PFNM en las zonas forestales del país. Los encuestados informaron una disminución en los niveles de producción de miel, caracoles y setas, así como en los ingresos generados. Es imperativo que el gobierno de Ghana, a través de la comisión forestal de Ghana, eduque a los habitantes rurales sobre la importancia del uso sostenible de los PFNM e implemente programas de forestación para ayudar a regenerar las áreas forestales degradadas que amenazan a algunos de los organismos necesarios para la producción de PFNM. Embarcarse en programas de forestación ayudará a mejorar las condiciones climáticas que apoyan la producción de PFNM. All biological products obtained from forests other than timber are considered non-timber forest products (NTFPs). NTFPs production levels in Ghana are affected by climate change. Over the past years, NTFPs have adversely affected by prolonged droughts and short rainfall in Ghana. In rural areas, where NTFP enhance livelihoods for rural dwellers, this adversely affects their food security. This study aimed to determine how rural dwellers in Ghana perceive the impact of annual variability in rainfall and temperature on their non-timber forest products. To better understand how residents perceive climate change's effect on NTFPs, 732 residents were interviewed. Household information and perceptions regarding changes to the availability of NTFP (snails, mushrooms, honey, etc.) were recorded using structured and semi-structured questionnaires. As a result of the sharp rise in temperature and the decline in rainfall, combined with a prolonged drought, there has been a decline in the production levels of NTFPS in the forest areas of the country. The respondents reported a decline in the production levels of honey, snails, and mushrooms, as well as income generated. It is imperative that the Ghana government, through the Ghana forestry commission, educate rural dwellers about the importance of NTFP sustainable use and implement afforestation programs to help regenerate degraded forest areas that threaten some of the organisms required for the production of NTFPs. Embarking on afforestation programs will help improve the climatic conditions supporting the production of NTFPs. تعتبر جميع المنتجات البيولوجية التي يتم الحصول عليها من الغابات بخلاف الأخشاب منتجات حرجية غير خشبية (NTFPs). تتأثر مستويات إنتاج NTFPs في غانا بتغير المناخ. على مدى السنوات الماضية، أثرت المنتجات غير الغذائية سلبًا على فترات الجفاف المطولة وقلة هطول الأمطار في غانا. في المناطق الريفية، حيث تعزز NTFP سبل عيش سكان الريف، يؤثر هذا سلبًا على أمنهم الغذائي. تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى تحديد كيفية إدراك سكان الريف في غانا لتأثير التباين السنوي في هطول الأمطار ودرجة الحرارة على منتجاتهم الحرجية غير الخشبية. لفهم كيفية إدراك السكان لتأثير تغير المناخ على NTFPs بشكل أفضل، تمت مقابلة 732 من السكان. تم تسجيل المعلومات والتصورات المنزلية المتعلقة بالتغييرات في توافر NTFP (القواقع والفطر والعسل وما إلى ذلك) باستخدام استبيانات منظمة وشبه منظمة. ونتيجة للارتفاع الحاد في درجة الحرارة وانخفاض هطول الأمطار، إلى جانب الجفاف المطول، حدث انخفاض في مستويات إنتاج المنتجات غير الزراعية في مناطق الغابات في البلاد. أفاد المجيبون عن انخفاض في مستويات إنتاج العسل والقواقع والفطر، وكذلك الدخل المتولد. من الضروري أن تقوم حكومة غانا، من خلال لجنة الحراجة في غانا، بتثقيف سكان الريف حول أهمية الاستخدام المستدام للغابات القاحلة غير المدارية وتنفيذ برامج التشجير للمساعدة في تجديد مناطق الغابات المتدهورة التي تهدد بعض الكائنات الحية اللازمة لإنتاج الغابات القاحلة غير المدارية. سيساعد الشروع في برامج التحريج على تحسين الظروف المناخية التي تدعم إنتاج الغابات غير الزراعية.

The study addresses sustainable development in the forest and recreational park of Germia in the Capital City of Kosovo. The park serves the residents and other visitors’ socioeconomic and environmental needs, such as leisure, sports, meditation, and biodiversity and ecological roles. Sustainable management and the development of natural resources are a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their own needs. The study used the contingent valuation method to assess willingness to pay for the sustainable management and development of Germia forest and recreational park, given the values it serves the people. The study surveyed 208 respondents about their opinions on the willingness to pay for the sustainable management and development of the forest and recreational park. The results showed that 56% were willing to pay for recreational services, while 44% were against it because they were not satisfied with the park’s services. The majority (62%) were also willing to pay for this service in tax from their salaries. This showed that an average percentage of people were willing to pay for the sustainable management and development of the forest and recreational park. Therefore, this study serves as a basis for future similar studies and policy decisions for park development.

Abstract Assessing the effectiveness of climate adaptation action is the focus of intense debate across scientific and policy arenas. Measurement is essential for effective adaptation management and operation, and indicators and metrics (I&M) have a pivotal role. Surprisingly, there are very few systematic efforts to understand the advances in the provisioning of adaptation I&M. Here we analyse 137 publications and 901 I&M sourced in the scientific literature to measure adaptation to climate change, particularly, in urban areas where governments are increasingly placing efforts to prepare populations and infrastructures. A lack of common terminology, standardisation, and reference guidelines has resulted in a field that is complex to track and understand. Furthermore, such complexity has led to diverse, context-specific and sometimes competing approaches to developing I&M. We argue that current I&M proposals are highly technical, not sufficiently grounded on real needs, and have little potential to collectively support effective urban climate change adaptation.