http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10450 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 06:06:14 GMT 2026-01-07T06:06:14Z http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10511 Influence of Agroforestry on Rural Income and Livelihood of Smallholder Farmers in the Semi-Arid Region of Sub Saharan Africa Kinyili, B.M.; Ndunda, E.; Kitur, E. Semi-arid lands typically suffer from sustainable land use challenges including climate variability, declining agricultural productivity, low economic prowess and poor livelihood conditions. In order to sustainably address these challenges, agroforestry has been fronted as a critical entry point allowing for the integration of trees on farms and diversification of production in agricultural landscapes. Nevertheless, the contribution of agroforestry to socio-economic and rural livelihood in several developing countries remains debatable. This study determined the influence of agroforestry on rural income and livelihood of smallholder farmers in Machakos county (Kenya). The study was conducted using survey research design from a sample of 248 smallholder farmers, who were selected using stratified, random sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. Results showed that agroforestry was adopted by 82% of the smallholder farmers as a strategy for livelihood improvement in the region. Total income was higher among adopters from timber, fuel wood, posts/poles and fodder. Adopters also had more money to spend on food, clothing, education, medicine and basic needs as a result of revenues from agroforestry. The overall gross revenue, net returns above variable costs and total costs were also higher among adopters compared to the non adopters due to sales of agroforestry products. The study recommends adoption of agroforestry as a strategy to boost rural income and livelihood. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10511 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10510 A Geospatial Assessment of Deforestation of Sokponba and Ehor Forest Reserves in Edo State Iyekekpolor, A.C.; Balogun, T.F. The study assesses the state of Sokponba and Ehor forest reserves in Edo state, with Landsat images of 1987, 2002 and 2018 using ENVI and ArcGIS software. Questionnaire was also administered to elicit information from respondents. The study reveals that within the period of 31 years under study Sokponba forest reserve has reduced from 28,913.63 ha in 1987 to 1,578.15 ha in 2018 while plantation and farmland increased from 15,357.96 ha in 1987 to 43,494.21 in 2018. Ehor reserve also reduced from 11,128.86 ha in 1987 to 3,242.28 in 2018. In the same vein, plantation and farmland increased from 1,424.97 ha in 1,987 to 9,323.28 ha in 2018. The deliberate government policies of allocating compartment to timber contractors for logging, conversion of reserves to oil palm plantation and farmland were identified as the major drivers responsible for the depletion of the forest reserves. Considering the consequential effects arising from deforestation such as carbon sequence, greenhouse effect (global warming) and flooding the study recommends reforestation and taungya farming system for sustainable environment. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10510 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10496 Floristic Survey of Meethirigala Forest Reserve in Gampaha District Kalubowila, J.D.; Singhakumara, B.M.P.; Rajathewa, R.A.M.P.M. Meethirigala forest reserve consists of approximately 384 ha. It is the largest forest reserve in Gampaha District managed by the Forest Department. It has different topographic positions such as ridges, midslopes and valley areas close to the Kelani River. The present study was conducted to enumerate plant species found in all three topographic positions of the reserve. Plots were demarcated purposively to sample woody perennials equal or greater than 5 cm dbh (diameter at breast height) in 18 plots (5×100 m, rectangular shape). Seedlings greater than 1 m tall were sampled in 18 plots (5×5 m). Shannon diversity indices were calculated to compare dominance of particular species in different topographic positions. A total of 360 individuals of woody perennials belonging to 73 species in ridge, 368 individuals of woody perennials belonging to 100 species in midslope and 272 individuals of woody perennials belonging to 69 species in valley were recorded. And 132, 123 and 100 individuals of seedlings were enumerated in ridge, midslope and valley respectively. In ridge 58 generas, 28 families, in midslope 83 generas, 35 families and, in valley 68 generas, 29 families were observed. 28 species were found in all three different altitudes of the reserve. Forest species in study sites gave a total of 138 plant species belonging to 113 tree species, 11 climber species, 14 shrub species, 109 generas and 46 families. Of this total 138 species, 34 (25%) species are endemic to Sri Lanka. Highest endemism was recorded in the ridge (41.6%). Stratification of the ridge showed a very similar pattern to a Dipterocarp forest type. Highest diversity was recorded in midslope (1.7290) and lowest recorded in ridge (1.5626) of the forest. 18 threatened species were observed (3-Endangered and 15-vulnerable species). As a conclusion, Meethirigala forest reserve can be considered as an important refuge for wet zone forest species. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10496 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10493 Economic Value of Urban Green Space: A Travel Cost Approach for Viharamahadevi Urban Park, Sri Lanka Karunarathne, H.M.L.P; Gunawardena, U.A.D.P. Urban green spaces could bring cities and their inhabitants with vitality in terms of ecological, social, and economic benefits. Recognising and estimation of economic values of parks is important for their sound management and for justification of the current use over various alternative uses. Non recognition of values of the services of such green spaces may lead to unsound management and degradation resulting in depriving urban communities of those benefits. Viharamahadevi Urban Park is the oldest and largest park in Colombo which offers recreation and green space to the inhabitants and visitors of the city. The purpose of this study is to estimate the recreational value of the Park using Individual Travel Cost Method (ITCM). Visitors of Viharamahadevi Urban Park selected using purposive sampling method were interviewed with a structured questionnaire. Data on visitation frequencies, preferences for park characteristics and socio economic parameters were collected using face-to-face interviews. In order to cater for the data issues of the ITCM, a zero truncated negative binomial regression analysis was performed in estimating the demand function. Results indicate that household income and the enjoyment of the visitors significantly and positively determine the number of visits made by the people. The annual social welfare generated from the recreational value of the Viharamahadevi Park is LKR 55.7 billion. The estimated value will be able to provide significant guidance towards future park management decisions. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10493 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z