Biodiversity and local priorities in a community near the Ivindo National Park Makokou, Gabon

Sassen, M and Wan, M. 2006

Abstract

In countries such as Gabon that depend heavily on their resources, a tension arises between forest conservation, exploitation of forest resources and the need to address the poverty of forest dependent people. Decisions over land use have local effects, but often do not take into account local people’s preoccupations. This leads to frequent, but rarely anticipated, negative results. Sustainable land use planning that can benefit both people and conservation outcomes, requires understanding local perceptions and making them known. CIFOR has developed a set methods combining classical biodiversity assessments with information on local people’s perceptions, needs and preferences.

This study took place in Loaloa, Makokou (Gabon) a community that is highly dependent on forest resources for its livelihoods.

The results show that the river and the forest (primary forest in particulat) are the most important land types for almost all uses and values in people’s lives. High biodiversity sites are sites with high numbers of locally useful species. Some of the most important species for people are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red Data list and others are protected in Gabon. Elephants are a major cause of crop depredation and locally hinder agricultural development. Local people have important ecological knowledge that should be recognised and used as a basis for negotiations and for the involvement of the community in the democratic decision making processes.

People feel powerless about their ability to change and influence decisions that affect their environment and livelihoods, reinforcing short term visions and possibly a profit maximalisation attitude that will endanger the sustainability of the PNI. Management tools and processes that recognise and promote local knowledge and give value to people’s opinions by taking into account their needs and perceptions will contribute to changing attitides and prevent future conflicts and overexploitation.

Download PDF : Gabon Report.pdf (1.6 MB)