Regulation of usages and dependency on indigenous fruits (IFs) for livelihoods sustenance of rural households: A case study of the Ivindo National Park (INP), Gabon

A comprehensive study of the Ivindo National Park (INP) in Gabon reveals that indigenous fruits (IFs) play a crucial role in the livelihoods of rural households, serving as both a food source and income generator. The research, involving 152 households near the park and 100 farther away, found that nearly all participants (99.2%) harvested six fruit species, with Coula edulis, Dacriodes buettneri, and Irvingia gabonensis being the most popular due to their higher market prices. The study highlights significant variations in usage trends based on ethnic group, distance from the park, and residential period, emphasizing the need for flexible regulations to balance resource conservation with rural livelihoods.

Mikolo, Y. C., & Kasumi, I. T. O. (2014). Regulation of usages and dependency on indigenous fruits (IFs) for livelihoods sustenance of rural households: A case study of the Ivindo National Park (INP), Gabon. Journal of Ecology and the Natural Environment, 6(10), 349–362. https://doi.org/10.5897/jene2014.0467