Assessment of livelihood and participation of Mutoe communities in the management and conservation of forest resources in the Moribane Forest Reserve, Sussundenga - Mozambique
João D.Francisco
Faculty of Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Zambeze University, Chimoio, Manica, PO box nr. 670, Mozambique.
Edson Raso
Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Púnguè University, Chimoio, Manica, PO box nr. 333, Mozambique.
Francisco Francisco
Faculty of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Púnguè University, Chimoio, Manica, PO box nr. 333, Mozambique.
Keywords: natural resources; livelihood; community participation; management and conservation; vegetation cover
Abstract
Forest land provides several environmental services and goods with significant implications for different socioeconomic and environmental dimensions. The participation of local communities in the management of natural resources, including forests, is essential for their conservation. This paper aims to analyze the subsistence conditions and level of participation of the Mutoe community in the management of forest resources in the Moribane Forest Reserve (MFR). The study was carried out using a combination of methods: (i) a social survey through interviews with 41 people out of 200 households living within the Mutoe village to understand the socio-economic aspects related to families' livelihoods. The Chimanimani National Park's management was questioned to understand the contours of the management process; (ii) Interpretation of images from Google Earth Pro Satellite Data to verify changes that occurred between 2007 and 2022 and; (iii) direct field observation carried out to compare and validate information resulting from the interviews and the interpretation of Google Earth Pro images with the help of a bibliographic review. The results showed that close to 80% of the population of the Mutoe village lives in precarious conditions and their main subsistence base is shifting agriculture. Its participation in the management of natural resources is weak and; between 2007 and 2022 there was a considerable reduction in vegetation cover in almost the entire area of the reserve which includes Mutoe village. The study can help the academic community in future studies by replicating the methodology used for monitoring purposes or conducting studies in other similar areas, and the results may support decision-makers in designing better strategies toward sustainability.
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