Benefits derived from key ecosystem services in Bobirwa sub-district
| Ecosystem services | Actual benefits |
|---|---|
| Firewood | Main source of energy for cooking; charcoal making; source of income for villagers and outsiders from selling; Mopani tree (Colophospermum mopane): produces more energy, lasts longer, produces less smoke than other wood fuels: Leadwood, Knob thorn, Red Bush Willow; cheaper source of energy than electricity, paraffin and gas |
| Edible Mopani caterpillars (Imbrasia belina) | Very nutritious food; rich in protein; selling to cater for other household requirements; sold to livestock farmers in South Africa who make livestock feeds; fetches more on selling than firewood |
| Water for household/livestock use | Cooking, drinking, bathing, washing and watering community gardens; watering livestock (an important part of livelihoods in Bobirwa); livestock provide draft power especially (cattle) for ploughing; cattle and goats provide milk and meat; livestock sold for income; without water livestock production not possible; important for constructing houses |
| Pastures for livestock | Natural pastures for feeding cattle, goats, sheep and donkeys (rainy season); main source of livestock feed; making drought reserves (for dry season); Pasture lands separate grazing land and fields (prevent livestock from destroying field crops); livestock important for many households in the villages e.g. paying schools fees; paying bride price; livestock production possible with rotational grazing in some places |
| Fertile soil for cultivating crops | Growing crops like maize, water melons, beans, groundnuts, millet, sorghum, squash, pumpkin for household consumption selling some for income; growing lablab (Lablab purpureus) for livestock to supplement natural pastures in dry season; crop residues fed to livestock after harvesting and in the dry season |
| Ecosystem services | Actual benefits |
|---|---|
| Firewood | Main source of energy for cooking; charcoal making; source of income for villagers and outsiders from selling; Mopani tree ( |
| Edible Mopani caterpillars ( | Very nutritious food; rich in protein; selling to cater for other household requirements; sold to livestock farmers in South Africa who make livestock feeds; fetches more on selling than firewood |
| Water for household/livestock use | Cooking, drinking, bathing, washing and watering community gardens; watering livestock (an important part of livelihoods in Bobirwa); livestock provide draft power especially (cattle) for ploughing; cattle and goats provide milk and meat; livestock sold for income; without water livestock production not possible; important for constructing houses |
| Pastures for livestock | Natural pastures for feeding cattle, goats, sheep and donkeys (rainy season); main source of livestock feed; making drought reserves (for dry season); Pasture lands separate grazing land and fields (prevent livestock from destroying field crops); livestock important for many households in the villages e.g. paying schools fees; paying bride price; livestock production possible with rotational grazing in some places |
| Fertile soil for cultivating crops | Growing crops like maize, water melons, beans, groundnuts, millet, sorghum, squash, pumpkin for household consumption selling some for income; growing lablab ( |
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