Effects of Land Cover Change on Non-Timber Forest Products and Livelihoods of People in Birim Central Municipality

Abstract

It is known that forest degradation affects NTFPs thus dependants on such forest resources. To ascertain this claim, the study was designed to examine the effect of land cover change on selected non-timber forest products from different land use types in the moist semi-deciduous forest and their likely effects on livelihoods in the northern part of the Birim Central Municipality. Employing the cross-sectional approach, remote sensing/GIS, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, the research unearthed responses to pertinent issues of land cover change, NTFPs and livelihoods. The target groups included residents in two forest communities, traders in the municipality‟s biggest market as well as key actors in the forestry sector chief among them being the Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission. The study was based on Sustainable Forest Management concept and the livelihood framework. The analysis indicated that there was forest cover loss over the years 1991 to 2013 which was as a result of illegal logging, sudden reviews of harvesting schedules, slash and burn farming, climate variability and small scale mining. Analysis of NTFPs availability and livelihoods of people also revealed that collection and trade in NTFPs was a major livelihood activity undertaken by respondents in the study area. This meant that any action that would obstruct the continuous existence of the natural forest would equally affect the survival of those dependent on NTFPs. For this reason, the study suggested an evaluation of how all forest resources are extracted in the area, in order to preserve non-timber forest resources thus sustain livelihoods of people who depended on them.