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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
environmental science
The Miombo woodlands at the cross roads: Potential threats, sustainable livelihoods, policy gaps and challenges
Natural Resources Forum, Volume 33, No. 2, Year 2009
Notification
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Description
The Miombo, the most extensive tropical woodland formation of Africa directly supports the livelihoods of over 100 million people through the provision of many tree products and ecosystem services essential to both the rural and urban communities. While the destruction of the Miombo has often been blamed on the rural communities dwelling near the forest resources, many urban dwellers depend heavily on the various products derived from the woodlands. This paper highlights the importance of the Miombo in the livelihoods of rural people, the potential threats to this ecosystem and opportunities for its sustainable management. About 70% of energy consumed in southern Africa is in the form of fuelwood or charcoal. The economic importance of the Miombo especially from non-timber forest products (NTFPs) is usually understated due to their perceived non-economic value yet they play an important role in sustaining livelihoods of forest dependent people in the miombo ecoregion. The Miombo also contributes to health services through the use of medicinal plant and products, in some cases, contributing up to 80% to rural health, including helping in coping with effects of HIV/ AIDS, malaria and several diseases. The possibility of developing payment for environmental services schemes through public-private partnerships, and community-based sustainable management models are proposed. Through conservation and commercialization of some of the products and services, there is a potential to provide income and improve the livelihood of people involved in the trade along the value chain. © 2009 United Nations.
Authors & Co-Authors
Syampungani, Stephen
Zambia, Kitwe
Copperbelt University
Chirwa, P. W. C. Wanangwa Chikusie
South Africa, Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch University
Akinnifesi, Festus Kehinde
Malawi
World Agroforestry Centre Icraf Southern Africa Regional Programme
Sileshi, Gudeta Weldesemayat Weldsesemayat
Malawi
World Agroforestry Centre Icraf Southern Africa Regional Programme
Ajayi, Oluyede Clifford
Malawi
World Agroforestry Centre Icraf Southern Africa Regional Programme
Statistics
Citations: 135
Authors: 5
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1111/j.1477-8947.2009.01218.x
ISSN:
01650203
e-ISSN:
14778947
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases