The perception of the locals on the impact of climate variability on non-timber forest products in Ghana

Asamoah, Obed, Danquah, Jones Abrefa, Bamwesigye, Dastan, Verter, Nahanga, Acheampong, Emmanuel, Macgregor, Colin J., Boateng, Charles Mario, Kuittinen, Suvi, Appiah, Mark, and Pappinen, Ari (2023) The perception of the locals on the impact of climate variability on non-timber forest products in Ghana. Acta Ecologica Sinica. (In Press)

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Abstract

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.

Item ID: 80417
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1872-2032
Keywords: Climate change, Ghana, Impact, Mindsponge locals, Non-timber forest products, Perception
Copyright Information: © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Ecological Society of China. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Date Deposited: 12 Feb 2024 05:59
FoR Codes: 30 AGRICULTURAL, VETERINARY AND FOOD SCIENCES > 3007 Forestry sciences > 300707 Forestry management and environment @ 50%
41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4104 Environmental management > 410404 Environmental management @ 50%
SEO Codes: 18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1806 Terrestrial systems and management > 180601 Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems @ 100%
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