Abstract:
Ecosystem restoration assists in the recovery of ecosystems degraded or destroyed by anthropogenic. This degradation poses significant negative impacts on ecosystem services and restoration is a mandatory approach to reverse the situation. This study aims to assess the perceptions and knowledge of the local community on utilization of indigenous trees for ecosystem restoration in order to optimize the delivery of ecosystem services and boost the collaboration among community members. The study was conducted in Gasabo District in seven sectors of Bumbogo, Gatsata, Jali, Kimihurura, Kacyiru, Gisozi, and Nduba. Semistructured interviews, self-administered questionnaires and group discussion techniques were used to explore the perceptions and knowledge of local communities on the use of indigenous tree species for ecosystem. Data analysis was performed using Excel Microsoft and descriptive statistics was used to calculate the frequencies and percentages. The study indicated that most of the trees are used as agroforestry and that trees are mainly propagated by planting seedlings (72.9%) The most dominant agroforstry trees are Ficus thoningii (73.6%), Vernonia amygdalina (54.3%) and Dracaena afromontana (52.1%). Other identified indigenous trees used to restore the ecosystem Croton megalocarpus, Markamia luthea, Maesopsis eminii, and Erythrina abyssinica. The local communities prefer indigenous trees that are identified most resistant to the climatic condition stress such as Euphorbia tirucalli (77.1%), Markhamia lutea (42.9%) and Dracaena afromontana (40%). The study found that two of these resistant trees (Markhamia lutea and Dracaena afromontana) are disappearing together with Ficus thoningi and at the rate respectively of 70%, 64.3%, and 75%. The main constraints faced by the local communities are lack of seeds or seedlings (83.6%), urbanization (82.9%), and high demand for medicinal use (75.7%). Regarding the importance of the ecosystem services, the local communities mentioned adventure and ecotourism exploration (41.8%), agriculture and erosion control (31.4%) and Wildlife conservation (24.3%). The ecosystem restoration using indigenous trees is accepted by local communities but it is threatened mainly by the lack of indigenous seedlings. All people should be then mobilized to avail indigenous tree seedlings for ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services
