Miombo woodlands as a source of livelihood - A review

Sára Kružíková

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

The Miombo woodlands represent specific ecosystem that spreads across southern African countries. Despite the relatively rich publication history, there is no concise literature review available that would summarize current knowledge on Miombo. Such review might help to understand the role of this unique ecosystem in current changes in socioeconomic, institutional, and environmental dynamics. Therefore, the aim of the thesis was to review available literature on Miombo with regard to its role in agricultural and rural development. Specific aims of the thesis were to review scientific literature indexed at Web of Science on Miombo woodlands with special attention given to on farming systems, ecological economics, and sustainability, ii) review contributions and linkages of Miombo to livelihood strategies, and iii) identify main socioeconomic factors influencing the use of Miombo by local households. Methodology of the thesis was based on reviewing scientific articles published at Web of Science database. Data were analysed mainly through standard scientometrics approaches in order to classify existing literature into scientific categories, provide overview of methodologies used for data collection and analysis, identify focused regions, and variables used in studies related to agricultural economics, farming systems, and ecology. The results show that current knowledge on Miombo forest in scientific literature has been growing exponentially over the last 40 years. However, less than 25% of published articles deal with social, agricultural, and economic issues. Most articles on Miombo were related to environmental sciences, forestry, or plant sciences. Nevertheless, more than 50% of existing literature has been indexed in Q1 category, indicating high-level of scientific relevance. The results also show that Miombo is one of the essential sources for the livelihood for people living in the developing rural areas, particularly as a source of wood, food, medicine, or as grazing areas. Apart from direct benefits, studies highlighted services such as shading, climate stabilisation, or water regime, provided by Miombo woodlands to local ecosystems.

Keywords

non-timber forest products, scientometrics, southern Africa, Web of Science, forest

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 16. 4. 2021

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Vladimír Verner, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Bachelor programme / field:
Tropical Agriculture / International Cooperation in Agriculture and Rural Development