Local Community Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Biodiversity Conservation: In the Case of Arjo Diga Forest Ecosystem, Western Ethiopia

Girma Gizachew

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13

| Peer-Reviewed

Local Community Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Biodiversity Conservation: In the Case of Arjo Diga Forest Ecosystem, Western Ethiopia

Girma Gizachew

Published in International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (Volume 6, Issue 4)

Received: 2 November 2021 Accepted: 22 November 2021 Published: 24 December 2021

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

The study looked at how residents in the Arjo Diga forest, East Wollega Zone of Western Ethiopia felt about biodiversity conservation. The Arjo Diga Forest ecosystem is home to a great variety of animals and plants; this area may be a major contributor to the country's conservation strategy. However, over the past three decades, the realm round the forest ecosystem has seen significant anthropogenic pressures. Additionally, identifying the assorted factors that influence the attitudes and perceptions of local communities about protected areas and therefore the value of biodiversity is very important for local people to support conservation efforts. Purposive sampling was employed to collect data from three kebeles, which were chosen based on their level interaction, community distribution within or near the conservation forest and forest dependency. A household survey, key informant interview, field observation and focus group discussion were used to gather data. The questionnaire study included 222 households in total. SPSS version 26 was used to analyze the data. To explore the important contributing elements for local community impression and attitude, the Chi-square test and descriptive statistics were used. According to the study, the majority of local household heads (48.6%) are unaware of the importance of biodiversity conservation. There was a significant difference in age (x²=36.216, DF = 3 and p<0.05), education level (x²=73.021, DF=3 and p<0.05), and annual income (x² =90.75, DF=3 and p<0.05) in the view and attitude of the local residents toward the conservation values of Arjo Diga forest. As a result, it can be stated that age, education level, and income were the primary determinants of local community perspective and attitude. Furthermore, respondents report that farmland expansion (29.7%), charcoal production, and firewood production (21.6%) are intensifying, and that (55.86%) of respondents were not involved in the decision-making process, which could have a significant impact on biodiversity conservation sustainability. Soil and water conservation, as well as fencing, were among the important mitigation techniques approaches discovered in this study and used by local populations to conserve and develop the natural resource. As a result, urgent cooperation measures between biodiversity conservation management and stakeholders, as well as environmental education, should be addressed as part of a plan to protect Arjo Diga forest, taking into account these elements that influence attitudes and perceptions.

Published in	International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (Volume 6, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13
Page(s)	176-185
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Biodiversity Conservation, Local Community, Perception

References

[1]	Afework Bekele, T. K. (2014). Attitude and Perceptions of Local Residents toward the Protected Area of Abijata-Shalla Lakes National Park (ASLNP), Ethiopia. Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography, 04 (01), 1–5.
[2]	Aguilera J. 2019. The numbers are just horrendous. Almost 30,000 species face extinction because of human activity.
[3]	Anteneh Kebede, G., Bekele, M., & Woldeamanuel, T. (2014). Natural resource use conflict in Bale Mountains National Park, Southeast Ethiopia. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 6 (12), 814–822.
[4]	Asmamaw, D., & Verma, A. (2013). Local attitudes towards environmental conservation and ecotourism around Bale Mountains national park, Ethiopia. Scholarly Journal of Agricultural Science, 3 (11), 506–514.
[5]	Azmeraw, A. (2018). Perception, attitude and impacts of local communities on Senkele Swaynes Hartebeest Sanctuary, Ethiopia. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 10 (8), 337–347.
[6]	Belete Tilahun, Kassahun Abie, Asalfew Feyisa, A. A. (2017). Attitude and Perceptions of Local Communities towardsthe Conservation Value Of Gibe Sheleko National Park, Southwestern Ethiopia. 3 (2), 22–29.
[7]	Biru, Y., Tessema, Z. K., & Urge, M. (2017). Perception and attitude of pastoralists on livestock-wildlife interactions around Awash National Park, Ethiopia: implication for biodiversity conservation. Ecological Processes, 6 (1).
[8]	CBD. (2010). The Convention on Biological Diversity. Year in Review 2010.
[9]	Daan Vreugdenhil, Astrid M. Vreugdenhil, Tamirt Tialhun, Anteneh Shimelis, Z. T. (2012). Gap Analysis of The Protected areas System of Ethiopia.
[10]	EBI. (2015). Ethiopia’s National Biodiversity Stategy and Action Plan 2015-2020. 1–138.
[11]	Garekae, H., Lepetu, J., & Thakadu, O. T. (2019). Forest resource utilisation and rural livelihoods: insights from Chobe enclave, Botswana. South African Geographical Journal, 102 (1), 22–40.
[12]	Gole, T. W. (2017). Mainstreaming Incentives for Biodiversity Conservation in CRGE Report To undertake a biodiversity score card Submitted to UNDP Country Office (Issue December).
[13]	Kavoi, M. M., & Guthiga, M. A. O. and P. M. (2019). Factors Influencing Awareness of Forest Benefits and Attitudes. 19 (1), 32–52.
[14]	Leadley, P., Pereira, H., Alkemade, R., JF., F.-M., Proenca, V., Scharlemann, J., & Walpole, M. (2010). Biodiversity Scenarios: Projections of 21st century change in biodiversity and associated ecosystem services. In Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Montreal. (Vol. 50, Issue 50).
[15]	Meron T. (2010). The Role of Area Exclosures for Biodiversity Conservation and its Contribution to Local Livelihoods The Role of Area Exclosures for Biodiversity Conservation and its contribution to Local Livelihoods. Thesise, 25.
[16]	Molina-Murillo, S. A., Otárola, M. F., & Shreeve, K. N. (2016). Understanding the link between benefits from protected areas and their relationship with surrounding communities: An exploration in Costa Rica. Parks, 22 (1), 79–88.
[17]	NMA, 2021. National Meteorological Agency, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[18]	Redford, K. H., Mace, G., 2018. Conserving and contesting biodiversity in the Homogocene. In: Lele et al. (Eds.), Rethinking Environmentalism: Linking Justice, Sustainability, and Diversity. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, pp. 23–39.
[19]	Roe, D., Walpole, M., & Elliot, J. (2010). (I) Linking biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction: What, Where and How? In Biodiversity (Vol. 11, Issues 1–2).
[20]	Rotich, B. (2019). Forest Conservation and Utilization in Embobut, Cherangani Hills, Kenya. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 4 (1), 7.
[21]	Shibia, M. G. (2010). Determinants of Attitudes and Perceptions on Resource Use and Management of Marsabit National Reserve, Kenya. Journal of Human Ecology, 30 (1), 55–62.
[22]	Silori, C. S. (2007). Perception of local people towards conservation of forest resources in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, north-western Himalaya, India. Biodiversity and Conservation, 16 (1), 211–222.
[23]	Solomon, C., & Dereje, T. (2015). Threats of biodiversity conservation and ecotourism activities in Nechsar National Park, Ethiopia. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 7 (3), 130–139.
[24]	Susan Maira Tsvuura. (2008). Trust-based Relationships between Parks and Communities: A Case Study of the Obonjaneni Community and the Royal Natal Park in the Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal. 23 (45), 5–24.
[25]	Tekalign, W. and A. B. (2016). Attitudes and Perceptions of the Local Community Towards Conservation in Maze National Park, Southern Ethiopia. 6 (12), 1–6.
[26]	Tessema, M. E., Lilieholm, R. J., Ashenafi, Z. T., & Leader-Williams, N. (2010). Community attitudes toward wildlife and protected areas in Ethiopia. Society and Natural Resources, 23 (6), 489–506.
[27]	UNDP. (2010). Protected Areas for the 21 st Century : Lessons from UNDP / GEF ’ s Portfolio.
[28]	Visconti, P., Bakkenes, M., Baisero, D., Brooks, T., Butchart, S. H. M., Joppa, L., Alkemade, R., Di Marco, M., Santini, L., Hoffmann, M., Maiorano, L., Pressey, R. L., Arponen, A., Boitani, L., Reside, A. E., van Vuuren, D. P., & Rondinini, C. (2016). Projecting Global Biodiversity Indicators under Future Development Scenarios. Conservation Letters, 9 (1), 5–13.
[29]	Vodouhê, F. G., Coulibaly, O., Adégbidi, A., & Sinsin, B. (2010). Community perception of biodiversity conservation within protected areas in Benin. Forest Policy and Economics, 12 (7), 505–512.
[30]	Zyl, H. Van. (2016). The Economic Value and Potential of Protected Areas in Ethiopia The Economic Value and Potential of Protected Areas in Ethiopia. September 2015.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Girma Gizachew. (2021). Local Community Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Biodiversity Conservation: In the Case of Arjo Diga Forest Ecosystem, Western Ethiopia. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 6(4), 176-185. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Girma Gizachew. Local Community Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Biodiversity Conservation: In the Case of Arjo Diga Forest Ecosystem, Western Ethiopia. Int. J. Nat. Resour. Ecol. Manag. 2021, 6(4), 176-185. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Girma Gizachew. Local Community Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Biodiversity Conservation: In the Case of Arjo Diga Forest Ecosystem, Western Ethiopia. Int J Nat Resour Ecol Manag. 2021;6(4):176-185. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13,
  author = {Girma Gizachew},
  title = {Local Community Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Biodiversity Conservation: In the Case of Arjo Diga Forest Ecosystem, Western Ethiopia},
  journal = {International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management},
  volume = {6},
  number = {4},
  pages = {176-185},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnrem.20210604.13},
  abstract = {The study looked at how residents in the Arjo Diga forest, East Wollega Zone of Western Ethiopia felt about biodiversity conservation. The Arjo Diga Forest ecosystem is home to a great variety of animals and plants; this area may be a major contributor to the country's conservation strategy. However, over the past three decades, the realm round the forest ecosystem has seen significant anthropogenic pressures. Additionally, identifying the assorted factors that influence the attitudes and perceptions of local communities about protected areas and therefore the value of biodiversity is very important for local people to support conservation efforts. Purposive sampling was employed to collect data from three kebeles, which were chosen based on their level interaction, community distribution within or near the conservation forest and forest dependency. A household survey, key informant interview, field observation and focus group discussion were used to gather data. The questionnaire study included 222 households in total. SPSS version 26 was used to analyze the data. To explore the important contributing elements for local community impression and attitude, the Chi-square test and descriptive statistics were used. According to the study, the majority of local household heads (48.6%) are unaware of the importance of biodiversity conservation. There was a significant difference in age (x2=36.216, DF = 3 and p2=73.021, DF=3 and p2 =90.75, DF=3 and p<0.05) in the view and attitude of the local residents toward the conservation values of Arjo Diga forest. As a result, it can be stated that age, education level, and income were the primary determinants of local community perspective and attitude. Furthermore, respondents report that farmland expansion (29.7%), charcoal production, and firewood production (21.6%) are intensifying, and that (55.86%) of respondents were not involved in the decision-making process, which could have a significant impact on biodiversity conservation sustainability. Soil and water conservation, as well as fencing, were among the important mitigation techniques approaches discovered in this study and used by local populations to conserve and develop the natural resource. As a result, urgent cooperation measures between biodiversity conservation management and stakeholders, as well as environmental education, should be addressed as part of a plan to protect Arjo Diga forest, taking into account these elements that influence attitudes and perceptions.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Local Community Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Biodiversity Conservation: In the Case of Arjo Diga Forest Ecosystem, Western Ethiopia
AU  - Girma Gizachew
Y1  - 2021/12/24
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13
T2  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JF  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JO  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
SP  - 176
EP  - 185
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-3061
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13
AB  - The study looked at how residents in the Arjo Diga forest, East Wollega Zone of Western Ethiopia felt about biodiversity conservation. The Arjo Diga Forest ecosystem is home to a great variety of animals and plants; this area may be a major contributor to the country's conservation strategy. However, over the past three decades, the realm round the forest ecosystem has seen significant anthropogenic pressures. Additionally, identifying the assorted factors that influence the attitudes and perceptions of local communities about protected areas and therefore the value of biodiversity is very important for local people to support conservation efforts. Purposive sampling was employed to collect data from three kebeles, which were chosen based on their level interaction, community distribution within or near the conservation forest and forest dependency. A household survey, key informant interview, field observation and focus group discussion were used to gather data. The questionnaire study included 222 households in total. SPSS version 26 was used to analyze the data. To explore the important contributing elements for local community impression and attitude, the Chi-square test and descriptive statistics were used. According to the study, the majority of local household heads (48.6%) are unaware of the importance of biodiversity conservation. There was a significant difference in age (x2=36.216, DF = 3 and p2=73.021, DF=3 and p2 =90.75, DF=3 and p<0.05) in the view and attitude of the local residents toward the conservation values of Arjo Diga forest. As a result, it can be stated that age, education level, and income were the primary determinants of local community perspective and attitude. Furthermore, respondents report that farmland expansion (29.7%), charcoal production, and firewood production (21.6%) are intensifying, and that (55.86%) of respondents were not involved in the decision-making process, which could have a significant impact on biodiversity conservation sustainability. Soil and water conservation, as well as fencing, were among the important mitigation techniques approaches discovered in this study and used by local populations to conserve and develop the natural resource. As a result, urgent cooperation measures between biodiversity conservation management and stakeholders, as well as environmental education, should be addressed as part of a plan to protect Arjo Diga forest, taking into account these elements that influence attitudes and perceptions.
VL  - 6
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Girma Gizachew

Department of Natural Resource Management, Colleague of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Girma Gizachew. (2021). Local Community Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Biodiversity Conservation: In the Case of Arjo Diga Forest Ecosystem, Western Ethiopia. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 6(4), 176-185. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Girma Gizachew. Local Community Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Biodiversity Conservation: In the Case of Arjo Diga Forest Ecosystem, Western Ethiopia. Int. J. Nat. Resour. Ecol. Manag. 2021, 6(4), 176-185. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Girma Gizachew. Local Community Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Biodiversity Conservation: In the Case of Arjo Diga Forest Ecosystem, Western Ethiopia. Int J Nat Resour Ecol Manag. 2021;6(4):176-185. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13,
  author = {Girma Gizachew},
  title = {Local Community Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Biodiversity Conservation: In the Case of Arjo Diga Forest Ecosystem, Western Ethiopia},
  journal = {International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management},
  volume = {6},
  number = {4},
  pages = {176-185},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnrem.20210604.13},
  abstract = {The study looked at how residents in the Arjo Diga forest, East Wollega Zone of Western Ethiopia felt about biodiversity conservation. The Arjo Diga Forest ecosystem is home to a great variety of animals and plants; this area may be a major contributor to the country's conservation strategy. However, over the past three decades, the realm round the forest ecosystem has seen significant anthropogenic pressures. Additionally, identifying the assorted factors that influence the attitudes and perceptions of local communities about protected areas and therefore the value of biodiversity is very important for local people to support conservation efforts. Purposive sampling was employed to collect data from three kebeles, which were chosen based on their level interaction, community distribution within or near the conservation forest and forest dependency. A household survey, key informant interview, field observation and focus group discussion were used to gather data. The questionnaire study included 222 households in total. SPSS version 26 was used to analyze the data. To explore the important contributing elements for local community impression and attitude, the Chi-square test and descriptive statistics were used. According to the study, the majority of local household heads (48.6%) are unaware of the importance of biodiversity conservation. There was a significant difference in age (x2=36.216, DF = 3 and p2=73.021, DF=3 and p2 =90.75, DF=3 and p<0.05) in the view and attitude of the local residents toward the conservation values of Arjo Diga forest. As a result, it can be stated that age, education level, and income were the primary determinants of local community perspective and attitude. Furthermore, respondents report that farmland expansion (29.7%), charcoal production, and firewood production (21.6%) are intensifying, and that (55.86%) of respondents were not involved in the decision-making process, which could have a significant impact on biodiversity conservation sustainability. Soil and water conservation, as well as fencing, were among the important mitigation techniques approaches discovered in this study and used by local populations to conserve and develop the natural resource. As a result, urgent cooperation measures between biodiversity conservation management and stakeholders, as well as environmental education, should be addressed as part of a plan to protect Arjo Diga forest, taking into account these elements that influence attitudes and perceptions.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Local Community Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Biodiversity Conservation: In the Case of Arjo Diga Forest Ecosystem, Western Ethiopia
AU  - Girma Gizachew
Y1  - 2021/12/24
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13
T2  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JF  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JO  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
SP  - 176
EP  - 185
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-3061
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20210604.13
AB  - The study looked at how residents in the Arjo Diga forest, East Wollega Zone of Western Ethiopia felt about biodiversity conservation. The Arjo Diga Forest ecosystem is home to a great variety of animals and plants; this area may be a major contributor to the country's conservation strategy. However, over the past three decades, the realm round the forest ecosystem has seen significant anthropogenic pressures. Additionally, identifying the assorted factors that influence the attitudes and perceptions of local communities about protected areas and therefore the value of biodiversity is very important for local people to support conservation efforts. Purposive sampling was employed to collect data from three kebeles, which were chosen based on their level interaction, community distribution within or near the conservation forest and forest dependency. A household survey, key informant interview, field observation and focus group discussion were used to gather data. The questionnaire study included 222 households in total. SPSS version 26 was used to analyze the data. To explore the important contributing elements for local community impression and attitude, the Chi-square test and descriptive statistics were used. According to the study, the majority of local household heads (48.6%) are unaware of the importance of biodiversity conservation. There was a significant difference in age (x2=36.216, DF = 3 and p2=73.021, DF=3 and p2 =90.75, DF=3 and p<0.05) in the view and attitude of the local residents toward the conservation values of Arjo Diga forest. As a result, it can be stated that age, education level, and income were the primary determinants of local community perspective and attitude. Furthermore, respondents report that farmland expansion (29.7%), charcoal production, and firewood production (21.6%) are intensifying, and that (55.86%) of respondents were not involved in the decision-making process, which could have a significant impact on biodiversity conservation sustainability. Soil and water conservation, as well as fencing, were among the important mitigation techniques approaches discovered in this study and used by local populations to conserve and develop the natural resource. As a result, urgent cooperation measures between biodiversity conservation management and stakeholders, as well as environmental education, should be addressed as part of a plan to protect Arjo Diga forest, taking into account these elements that influence attitudes and perceptions.
VL  - 6
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download