This paper examines the benefits, challenges, and degree of willingness to conserve the Sakumono wetland through a participatory approach with the local community. It aims to determine the economic value of the ecosystem services in order to guide in the decision-making process for its future conservation as well as to sustain its ecological and socio-economical functions.
Considering the purpose and objectives of this paper the following guiding questions are addressed in the research: What are the benefits the communities derive from the Sakumono wetland? What challenges will the community be facing in their efforts to preserve the wetland and due to the presence of the wetland? What would they give to see the conservation of the wetland?
Wetlands are valuable ecosystems that occupy about 6 % of the world’s land surface. They comprise both land ecosystems that are strongly influenced by water, and aquatic ecosystems with special characteristics due to shallowness and proximity to land. Although various different classifications of wetlands exist, a useful approach is one provided by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. It divides wetlands into three main categories of wetland habitats: marine/coastal wetlands, inland wetlands, and man-made wetlands. The marine and coastal wetlands include estuaries, inter-tidal marshes, brackish, saline and freshwater lagoons, mangrove swamps, as well as coral reefs and rocky marine shores such as sea cliffs.
Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT
1.2 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
1.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Benefits Derived from Wetlands
2.2 Challenges Associated with Wetlands
2.3 Community Willingness to Preserve Wetland
3.0 RESEARCH METHODOOGY
3.1 Description of the Study Area
3.2 Sampling and Data Collection
4.0 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS
4.1 GENERAL FINDINGS
4.2 DISCUSSIONS
5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Conclusion
5.2 Recommendation
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the economic value of ecosystem services provided by the Sakumono wetland to guide future conservation efforts and ensure the sustainability of its ecological and socio-economic functions through a participatory approach involving local communities.
- Economic valuation of wetland ecosystem services.
- Identification of community benefits derived from the wetland.
- Analysis of challenges faced by communities in wetland preservation.
- Assessment of community willingness to participate in conservation efforts.
- Development of recommendations for policy and sustainable land use management.
Excerpt from the Book
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Sakumono Ramsar wetland is situated north of the coastal road between the cities of Accra and Tema. The wetland comprises an open lagoon, a floodplain (7 km2) and a freshwater marsh. The lagoon is separated from the sea by a narrow sand dune on which the Accra –Tema road is built. The Sakumono wetland is the third most important site for shorebirds on the Ghana coast.
The Ramsar Convention Secretariat (2006) defines wetlands As “areas of marsh, fen, peat land or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of low tide does not exceed six meters”. They act are transitional habitats, often forming the connection between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. They can occur where the water table is at or close to the surface, in low-lying locations, or along the edges of lakes and rivers. Many wetlands are permanently flooded, while others flood only periodically in the raining season.
Summary of Chapters
1.0 INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the Sakumono Ramsar wetland, defines the core characteristics of wetlands, and outlines the problem statement, objectives, and research questions of the study.
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW: This section explores existing knowledge on the economic and ecological benefits of wetlands, associated management challenges, and the theoretical framework of community willingness regarding conservation.
3.0 RESEARCH METHODOOGY: This chapter provides a description of the study area in the Tema Metropolitan district and details the qualitative research methods and sampling techniques used for data collection.
4.0 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS: This section presents the primary data collected from the local communities and discusses the implications regarding livelihoods, management obstacles, and community attitudes toward conservation.
5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: This chapter summarizes the research findings and provides policy recommendations, including the establishment of buffer zones and sensitization efforts for local stakeholders.
Keywords
Sakumono wetland, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, participatory approach, economic valuation, Ghana, Ramsar site, environmental management, sustainable development, wetland benefits, community participation, coastal ecosystem, land use policy, floodplain, environmental protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research examines the benefits and challenges of the Sakumono wetland to its local community and assesses their willingness to participate in its conservation.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The paper covers ecosystem services, local community livelihoods, challenges in wetland management, and the policy landscape for riparian buffer zones.
What is the main research objective?
The main objective is to determine the economic value of the wetland’s ecosystem services to inform decision-making for its future preservation and sustainable use.
Which methodology is employed in this study?
The study uses a qualitative research method, relying on structured questionnaire administration and random sampling to gather in-depth data from the local population.
What does the main body of the work address?
The main body integrates a literature review on wetland economics with field-collected findings regarding community perceptions of local benefits, pollution issues, and land-use conflicts.
How can this work be characterized by its keywords?
It is characterized by terms such as biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, community participation, and sustainable land use management.
What specific challenges do the communities face regarding the wetland?
The communities face issues like illegal land selling by local chiefs, waste dumping causing infertility in farming areas, and infrastructure encroachment by developers.
What is the author's key recommendation for policy?
The author recommends that authorities and local stakeholders be sensitized to the value of the wetland and that a minimum 30-meter buffer zone be established to prevent further encroachment.
- Quote paper
- Daniel Akoto (Author), 2018, Biodiversity Conservation. Examination of the Benefits and Challenges of Wetlands to Local Communities in Sakumono, Accra-Ghana, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/980391
