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The miombo woodlands at the cross roads: Potential threats, sustainable livelihoods, policy gaps and challenges

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  • Stephen Syampungani
  • Paxie W. Chirwa
  • Festus K. Akinnifesi
  • Gudeta Sileshi
  • Oluyede C. Ajayi

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen Syampungani & Paxie W. Chirwa & Festus K. Akinnifesi & Gudeta Sileshi & Oluyede C. Ajayi, 2009. "The miombo woodlands at the cross roads: Potential threats, sustainable livelihoods, policy gaps and challenges," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 33(2), pages 150-159, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:natres:v:33:y:2009:i:2:p:150-159
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1477-8947.2009.01218.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chilombo, Andrew & Van Der Horst, Dan, 2021. "Livelihoods and coping strategies of local communities on previous customary land in limbo of commercial agricultural development: Lessons from the farm block program in Zambia," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    2. Chloe Brown & Anna Daniels & Doreen S. Boyd & Andrew Sowter & Giles Foody & Siddharth Kara, 2020. "Investigating the Potential of Radar Interferometry for Monitoring Rural Artisanal Cobalt Mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Miguel Arato & Stijn Speelman & Guido Van Huylenbroeck, 2014. "The contribution of non‐timber forest products towards sustainable rural development: The case of Candelilla wax from the Chihuahuan Desert in Mexico," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 38(2), pages 141-153, May.
    4. Jen C. Dyer & Julia Leventon & Lindsay C. Stringer & Andrew J. Dougill & Stephen Syampungani & Muleba Nshimbi & Francis Chama & Ackson Kafwifwi, 2013. "Partnership Models for Climate Compatible Development: Experiences from Zambia," Resources, MDPI, vol. 2(1), pages 1-25, March.
    5. Helmut J. Geist, 2021. "Tobacco and Deforestation Revisited. How to Move towards a Global Land-Use Transition?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-21, August.
    6. Coppinger, Christine R. & Gorman, Monica & Markey, Anne & Stanley, Dara A., 2023. "Are indicators useful for measuring and supporting the sustainability of forest use? A Zambian case study," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    7. Stephen Obiero Anyango & Biston Mbewe & Velice Shizia Nangavo & Maurine Mwal, 2022. "Towards Sustainable Livelihood Practices in the Indigenous Forests of Zambia’s Central Province: Barriers and Opportunities," Energy and Environment Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 8(2), pages 1-1, December.
    8. Gaositwe Lillian Pelane & Mulalu Innocent Mulalu & Gagoitseope Mmopelwa & Moren Tibabo Stone, 2021. "Woodland Extraction Rate Estimation in the Savanna Ecosystem (Case Study of Foley and Makomoto in Central-East Botswana)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-20, October.
    9. Jennifer S. Powers, 2022. "Opportunities for Integrating Social Science into Research on Dry Forest Restoration: A Mini-Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-10, June.

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