Analysis of ecosystem services of the Atewa range forest reserve in the Eastern Region, Ghana

Abstract

The study sought to analysed ecosystem functioning and services of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve (ARFR). Land cover change analysis was done to assess the change in state of vegetative cover of the reserve. Remotely sensed images for the period of 1990- 2018 were used. A mixed method approach to research was employed, using the descriptive and explanatory case study designs. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select six communities from the three ranges and convenient sampling was also used to select 278 respondents who answered the questionnaires. 23 key informants were interviewed in the communities using purposive sampling technique. The study found that there have been reductions in the provision of ecosystem services by the ARFR over the past thirty years. Provision of ecosystem services is mainly influenced by anthropogenic factors which include illegal mining, logging, hunting, farming and activities of chainsaw operators. It was again revealed that the reserve is endowed with numerous fascinating sites that can be developed into tourist’s sites. The forestry commission manages the reserve and has employed methods such as tree planting, weeding of forest line, arresting of offenders to ensure continuous ecosystem functioning of the reserve. Fringe communities have less hand in the management process. The study concluded that, the forestry commission has not succeeded in managing the reserve single handedly. The study recommended that the government together with the local assembly and traditional authorities should collaborate to ensure effective management schemes. Fringe communities should be highly involved in the management processes to ensure effective ecosystem services provisioning.