Economic Trees and Sustainable Rural Livelihoods in North Western Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

This thesis investigates the role of the six major economic tree species in sustaining the livelihoods of 18 rural communities living in northwestern Katsina State, Nigeria. Tree species include Anogeissus lieocarpus, Balanites aegyptiaca, Faidherbia albida, Khaya senegalensis, Parkia biglobosa and Vitellaria paradoxa. The study basically argues that these trees underpin livelihoods of the rural communities. Its objectives was to explain the observed spatial variation in tree distribution including frequency, density and girth class distributions of the trees. The work also explored the selected tree access patterns and governance regimes. Other objectives considered by the study include the contribution of these trees to the livelihoods of rural households including the local methods and capacities to conserve them. The study combined multiple research methods to gather and analyze primary data. Ecological data on frequency, density, girth class and spatial distribution was collected on 335 individual trees belonging to the six selected economic tree species. Socio-economic data was also gathered on 345 households using structured questionnaires complimented by qualitative interviews using focus group discussions and key informants interviews. Major empirical findings suggest that the spatial distribution pattern of the trees assumed a clumped pattern. Density of the trees though generally low varies considerably among the communities. Population structure of most of the trees depicts an unsustainable position consisting predominantly of Anogeissus leiocarpus and Balanites aegyptiaca which fall within the moderate to mature girth classes. Trees availability trend demonstrates that more trees are disappearing. There is also protection offered to valuable tree species like Parkia biglobosa and Vitellaria paradoxa in the cultivated fields, as opposed to uncultivated areas. Private access dominates tenure of the economic trees by the smallholders. The trees contributed significantly to sustainable livelihoods of the communities through the provision of products used notably for food, medicine and fuelwood. Institutions particular indigenous knowledge plays an important role in governing the management of the trees. Vulnerable tree species because of their decreased population should as a matter of urgency be protected from further decrease and in situ conservation applied as a measure for revamping their occurrence. There should be improvement in the selected tree seedlings distribution system to smallholders to encourage planting. The state should also collaborate with the smallholders whose indigenous knowledge in tree management can enhance the appropriateness and success of policy and programmes, ecosystems and especially afforestation.