Perception and Knowledge of Local Community on the Use of Indigenous Tree Species for Ecosystem Restoration in Gasabo District, Rwanda

Abstract

Ecosystem restoration assists in the recovery of ecosystems degraded or destroyed by anthropogenic. This degradation poses significant  negative impacts on ecosystem services and  restoration is a mandatory approach to reverse the situation. This study aimed at assessing  the  perceptions and knowledge of the local community on utilization of indigenous trees for  ecosystem restoration in order to optimize  the delivery of ecosystem services and boost the  collaboration among community members. The study was conducted in Gasabo District  in seven  sectors of Bumbogo, Gatsata, Jali, Kimihurura, Kacyiru, Gisozi, and Nduba. Semi-structured  interviews, self- administered questionnaires and group discussion techniques were used to  explore the perceptions and knowledge of local  communities on the use of indigenous tree  species for ecosystem. Data analysis was performed using Excel Microsoft and descriptive  statistics was used to calculate the frequencies and percentages. The study indicated that most of  the trees are used as agroforestry and  that trees are mainly propagated by planting seedlings  (72.9%) The most dominant agro-forestry trees are Ficus thoningii (73.6%),  Vernonia  amygdalina (54.3%) and Dracaena afromontana (52.1%). Other identified indigenous trees used  to restore the ecosystem  Croton megalocarpus, Markamia luthea, Maesopsis eminii, and  Erythrina abyssinica. The local communities prefer indigenous trees that  are identified most  resistant to the climatic condition stress such as Euphorbia tirucalli (77.1%), Markhamia lutea (42.9%) and Dracaena  afromontana (40%). The study found that two of these resistant trees  (Markhamia lutea and Dracaena afromontana) are disappearing  together with Ficus thoningi  and at the rate respectively of 70%, 64.3%, and 75%. The main constraints faced by the local  communities  are lack of seeds or seedlings (83.6%), urbanization (82.9%), and high demand for  medicinal use (75.7%). Regarding the importance of  the ecosystem services, the local  communities mentioned adventure and ecotourism exploration (41.8%), agriculture and erosion  control (31.4%) and Wildlife conservation (24.3%). The ecosystem restoration using indigenous  trees is accepted by local communities but it is threatened mainly by the lack of indigenous seedlings. All people should be then mobilized to avail indigenous tree seedlings for ecosystem  restoration, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services.