Valuation of forest benefits: The perception of communities adjacent to Mount Kenya Forest
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the full range of benefits that Mount Kenya forest
provides to the forest-adjacent' communities and the linkage of these benefits to their
perception of the value of the forest.
A field survey was carried out in households surrounding the Mount Kenya forest in three
districts, Meru South, Embu and Nyeri, between January 2006 and April 2006. Household
interviews were carried out in 300 households (100 in each of the districts) using structured
interview schedules. Focus groups discussions and key informant interviews were held to
explain the purpose of the study and identify the benefits that are enjoyed by the forest adjacent
communities.
The study found that the forest-adjacent households attached great importance to the
forest benefits that offer environmental services. This is positive as it is an indication that
the forest-adjacent communities can participate in the conservation of the forests to
preserve these benefits.
The high importance placed on the environmental benefits by the forest-adjacent
communities gives an important justification for the involvement of these communities in the
management and conservation of forests efforts. The policy implication of these results is
that any conservation efforts must be geared towards conservation of forests for the
enhancement of environmental forest benefits that are derived from the forests by the local
or forest-adjacent households.
1 People living within 5 km of the forest edge
The study also found that the value that the forest-adjacent households give to one acre of
forestland, and by extension the forests is influenced by a combination of many other factors
acting together beside forest benefits.
The study recommends that any attempt to value forests must first understand the needs
and priorities of forest-adjacent communities before the valuation activity is undertaken.
This would ensure that the valuation methodologies adopted or developed allow the local
communities to define their own forest values within the context of their own perceptions,
needs and priories.
Citation
Bachelor of Science (Agriculture), M. A. (Urban and Regional Planning)Publisher
University Of Nairobi
Description
A Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
of the University of Nairobi, School of the Built Environment,
Department of Real Estate and Construction Management,
Nairobi