Species diversity and utilization of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) by households adjacent to South Nandi forest, Kenya

Abstract

The importance of non-timber forest products is recognized due to its support to the bulk of rural households in developing countries and a huge proportion of urban households in terms of their energy, nutritional, health, house construction or other needs. In recognition of their importance a study was undertaken to determine the types of NTFPs extracted by forest adjacent households for subsistence or income generation in South Nandi Forest. 431 household heads from 9 villages were interviewed using proportional random sampling and 3 focused group discussion held to document their uses in May to August 2016. The findings revealed that the key informants had relatively homogenous knowledge on the names and uses of the plants. A total of 128 plant species belonging to 105 genera and 55 families were mentioned for various NTFP uses. The used included herbal medicine that accounted for 51.6% of all the plant species, making small implements (46.9%), lighting fire (42.2%), firewood (40.6%) and charcoal production (29.7%). There was gender differentiation in the division of labor/roles on extraction of NTFPs except for herbal medicine and cultivation in forest which was done equally by both men and women. The relationship between gender and NTFP extraction showed a significant difference (χ2 (20,380) = 209.115, p<0.0001). The most common NTFPs utilized in South Nandi Forest were firewood, fodder and herbal medicine and families of plants mentioned as NTFP yielding were Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae, Rubiaceae, Acanthaceae, Celastraceae, Meliaceae and Solanaceae. The study showed that NTFPs were important to local households for both income and subsistence purposes. Majority of the households used NTFPs mainly for subsistence purposes and there was a significant difference between NTFPs for domestic and commercial use (χ2 (8,431) = 160.586, p<0.0001). The NTFP Stock condition was perceived by the households to have reduced compared to ten years ago. The reasons for stock degradation were mainly due to increased human population and overexploitation of NTFPs (74%) and lack of NTFP domestication initiatives (11%). The study recommends that NTFPs should be managed based on the principles of sustainable forest management and NTFPs that enhance food security, health and basic households products need special consideration in the planning of forest conservation activities general.