Wetland and Marine Section, Centre for Biodiversity, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya.
J Environ Manage. 2012 Jan;93(1):71-84. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.08.005. Epub 2011 Sep 18.
The current study documented local utilization of Cyperus papyrus L. (papyrus), harvesting patterns, threats, and local management practices among the Endorois community living around Loboi swamp (Kenya). Papyrus is a highly productive freshwater macrophyte that is widely utilized throughout tropical Africa. However, increased human population and poverty, has led to over exploitation and conversion of papyrus wetlands to agricultural fields. Nonetheless, users of papyrus hold important local ecological knowledge (LEK) and practices. We show that Endorois practices on papyrus uses are compatible with the management priorities of the swamp and a wider conservation framework using data obtained from three focus group discussions (FGD), interviews of 34 households and 15 key informants. The study revealed that papyrus support local livelihood notably as a source of income (papyrus mats are sold), cattle fodder, roofing materials (shelter), and cooking fuel. The study further revealed important LEK relating to harvesting patterns, recovery after harvesting and traditional management practices. Correlation and principal component analyses showed that experienced old harvesters (EXPERT) avoided harvesting repeatedly at the same location (REVISIT), thereby allowing recovery of papyrus when compared to younger harvesters (r = 0.63, p < 0.01). However, over 70% of harvesters predicted a decrease in papyrus coverage in the future due to the current diversion of water from the swamp, and frequent droughts, despite the instituted traditional management strategies (e.g. rotational harvesting) to curb overharvesting. The study concluded that the documentation of site-scale papyrus users' profile, LEK, and traditional practices are vital for the conservation and management of Loboi swamp.
本研究记录了生活在洛博伊沼泽（肯尼亚）周围的恩德洛洛社区对香蒲（香蒲）的当地利用、收获模式、威胁和当地管理做法。香蒲是一种高产的淡水大型植物，在整个热带非洲都得到广泛利用。然而，人口增长和贫困加剧导致了对香蒲湿地的过度开发和转化为农业用地。尽管如此，香蒲的使用者拥有重要的地方生态知识（LEK）和实践。我们表明，恩德洛洛人对香蒲的使用做法与沼泽的管理优先事项以及更广泛的保护框架是兼容的，这是利用通过三个焦点小组讨论（FGD）、对 34 户家庭和 15 名关键信息提供者的访谈获得的数据得出的。研究表明，香蒲支持当地生计，特别是作为收入来源（香蒲垫出售）、牛饲料、屋顶材料（住所）和烹饪燃料。研究还揭示了与收获模式、收获后恢复和传统管理实践有关的重要 LEK。相关性和主成分分析表明，经验丰富的老收割者（EXPERT）避免在同一地点重复收割（REVISIT），从而与年轻的收割者相比允许香蒲恢复（r = 0.63，p < 0.01）。然而，超过 70%的收割者预测，由于目前从沼泽引水以及频繁的干旱，未来香蒲的覆盖率将会下降，尽管实施了传统的管理策略（例如轮作收割）来遏制过度收割。研究结论是，记录现场规模的香蒲使用者概况、LEK 和传统做法对于洛博伊沼泽的保护和管理至关重要。
