Illegal rattan extraction trends in the Ankasa Conservation Area in Ghana

Abstract

Protected Areas (PAs) are created for the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, but many of Ghana’s PAs are subject to severe pressures and threats, the main pressures being the illegal extraction of natural resources. Rattans are indisputably one of the most important Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in Ghana’s Protected Areas that is without doubt one of the reasons for which it has drawn the attention of researchers. In this study the illegal rattan extraction patterns in the Ankasa Conservation Area (ACA) in Ghana was inspected. Simple random sampling and Snowball sampling techniques were used. Data collection employed the use of semi-structured questionnaires, interviews and field enumeration of rattans as well as an analysis of Effective Patrol Man-days (EPMDS) from 2004 to 2012. The results showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.75, p<0.05, r2 = 0.557) between patrol effort and rattan extraction encounters. In addition, there was a general reduction in illegal rattan extraction encounters from 2004 to 2012 at a rate of 4.3 per year. The highest illegal rattan extraction incidences were recorded in 2006 (76 encounters), 2005 (35 encounters), 2008 (22 encounters), 2004 (18 encounters) and the least incidence were recorded in both 2010 (3 encounters) and 2011 (3 encounters).The research also revealed that Eremospatha macrocarpa was the most extracted rattan species followed by Laccosperma secundiflorum. The major rattan extraction and trade routes originate in the northern parts and in the area east of the reserve and also south of Draw River Forest Reserve. Generally, rattan poaching in Ankasa Conservation Area has declined, but there are still human incursions in the northern part of the reserve. The study recommended an intensification of patrols in the north of the reserve. Also, enrichment planting and Agroforestry practices of inter-cropping rattans with seasonal crops should be pursued vigorously for the local communities.