Valuation of selected provisioning services from Rufuha Wetland; Ntungamo District-Uganda

Abstract

Wetlands are critical ecosystems that provide essential provisioning services to support local livelihoods and environmental sustainability, but are under continued degradation by anthropogenic activities. As result activities have been initiated, worldwide to restore the lost ecosystem services. This study assessed the provisioning ecosystem services of the Rufuha Wetland in Ntungamo District, Uganda, before and after restoration interventions. The objectives were to; (i) identify the major provisioning services, (ii) analyze changes in the flow of products namely grass and fish, and (iii) determine their financial contributions to household incomes. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Rank-Sum Test, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that, prior to restoration, sand and firewood were the primary resources extracted, driven by community needs during periods of drought. After restoration, grass and fish became the dominant resources, reflecting the wetland's ecological recovery and associated increased productivity. The flow of grass and fish significantly increased, with annual per capita grass harvest rising from 317.2 bundles before restoration to 2457 bundles after restoration. The mean annual percapita fish caught increased from 34.584kg to 140.52kg after restoration. In regards to seasons of harvest, grass harvesting was dominant in dry season where the harvest per individual increased from 530.4 bundles in dry season before restoration to 3978 bundles in the dry season after restoration. Fish harvested peaked in the wet season, with the average catch per individual increasing from 50.16kg to 201.36kg, indicating improved wetland productivity and extended periods of resource availability. After restoration, the average annual income per capita from grass ranged from UGX 430,400 to UGX 1,489,600 with an average income of UGX 960,000, while the annual percapita income from fish ranged from UGX 637,440 to UGX 1,610,880 and averaged to UGX 1,124,160. Overall, grass and fish contributed 15.7% and 18.4% respectively, to the total household income for those engaged in multiple livelihood activities. These results demonstrate the significant role of restoration in enhancing the ecosystem services recovery through increased biomass productivity and associated ecological health and in turn improving community livelihoods. The study therefore recommends for extension of restoration initiatives to other degraded wetlands in Uganda. This will promote alternative income generating activities to alleviate pressure on wetlands, and strengthening community-based resource management systems.