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Due to climatic, economic and social variables, women in cocoa and shea communities are gradually adopting alternative livelihood strategies, particularly off season, a period when there is light or no harvest at all. We explore the effect of such alternative livelihood sources on the physical environment using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 131 respondents, of whom 88.7% were women drawn from ten communities in three regions in five geographic districts in Ghana. Our results indicate that 18 alternative livelihood sources pursued by women were key in providing the needs of most households and their effect on the physical environment was negligible. The exceptions were vegetable cultivation, guinea fowl rearing, and dawadawa (locust bean) processing in some communities, which had appreciable negative effects largely due to poor management practices. We recommend the adoption of adequate waste disposal practices and the enforcement of policies and laws that prohibit the use of pesticides and other harmful chemicals used in alternative livelihood activities to avoid degradation of the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The province of Sorsogon in the Philippines has a strong history of introducing farmed seaweeds and subsequently assembling farmers who put together the required enthusiasm to ensure successful production. Ulva is a green seaweed that has a wide range of commercial uses. Its farming, therefore, presents a promising opportunity for fishers to diversify their income streams and reduce their reliance on fishing. Using survey-based responses collected from fishers in Bulusan, Sorsogon, this study aimed to assess the knowledge of the local Ulva resources and the willingness of fishers to engage in Ulva farming, including identifying the challenges that may hinder its adoption. Our findings revealed that most Bulusanon fishers were knowledgeable about Ulva resources and could identify barriers to farming. They were generally receptive to engaging in farming Ulva, primarily due to the perceived economic benefits. Fishers with considerable knowledge about Ulva distribution were more likely to farm. While most Bulusanon fishers desired to farm Ulva, they were unlikely to be willing to learn, invest, or spend time doing it. Fishers may lack the desire to farm because, in part, it requires different skill sets as well as the challenges associated with marketing. This study provides valuable insights into the development of targeted interventions to promote the adoption of Ulva farming in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The restoration of degraded mangrove habitats is a global priority. In countries such as India, the significance of coastal mangrove forests is deeply embedded after the 2004 tsunami and numerous cyclones that caused immense damage to coastal communities. Mangrove restoration drives have been carried out in several regions across the Indian coast. However, the establishment of mangrove nurseries using plastic bags to plant seedlings results in a large amount of plastic waste at the end of each plantation drive. People have tried to combat this issue of plastic pollution by adopting alternative methods but encountered several drawbacks and hitches. In this study, hand‐woven Palmyra (Borassus flabellifer, Arecaceae) bags were experimented with as a replacement for plastic bags to grow seedlings. The bags were able to withstand water inundation conditions similar to those of mangrove tidal flats for a maximum of 6 months, beyond which they disintegrated. The mangrove seedlings showed good growth similar to that in plastic bags, but the roots were well spread in Palmyra bags compared to plastic bags. In addition, during plantation, the seedling along with the bag could be planted as the bags were biodegradable, which is an advantage over plastic bags that need to be removed. Moreover, since local fishermen community members prepared these bags, it provided them with an alternative source of livelihood. Hence, Palmyra bags are an eco‐friendly alternative to plastic bags in reforestation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to examine the effect of some socio-cultural practices on fisheries management in Ghana. A case study was done on the bottom set gillnet fishery at Apam and Egyaa No.1 in the Central Region of Ghana. Data were collected through field observations and interviews. The study revealed that male children in fishing communities in Ghana were introduced to fishing at younger ages to ensure continuation of the family trade. Fishing partnership systems practiced had the potential to cause underestimation of fishing effort, while exceptions to the fishing holiday practiced in Ghana served as a loophole for violation of the taboo. Some socio-cultural practices hinder the success of some fisheries management strategies. The study recommended that natural resource managers should understand the objectives of the socio-cultural practices of resource users to guide them in the development of their management strategies. Also, alternative livelihood programmes aimed at reducing fishing effort should target the younger age group in fishing households as well, to expose them to other livelihood choices other than fishing. Again, estimation of fishing effort in Ghanaian marine small-scale fisheries should be based on number of fishing gears to ensure reliable estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seagrass ecosystems provide vital services but face increasing threats from human activities. Marine protected areas (MPAs) aim to mitigate these threats, but inadequate funding and management hinder effective conservation. Seagrass-associated tourism presents an opportunity to fund conservation efforts, enhance MPA implementation, and improve local livelihoods. This study explores stakeholder perceptions of seagrass benefits, tourism feasibility, and threats on Bintan Island, Indonesia, using quantitative (349 household surveys) and qualitative (focus group discussion with 15 participants) methods. Our findings show strong stakeholder support for seagrass-associated tourism, but challenges such as ongoing anthropogenic threats and governance shifts in MPA management remain to be addressed. For successful seagrass-based tourism and better conservation, ongoing engagement with local communities and stakeholders is crucial. This approach not only secures conservation funding but also fosters local ownership and stewardship. The study emphasizes understanding stakeholder perceptions to develop a sustainable tourism sector and ensure more effective, inclusive management strategies. • Local communities and key stakeholders support the implementation of seagrass-associated tourism in Bintan Island. • Seagrass ecosystems should not be the main focus as a tourism venture. • Anthropogenic pressures and shift in MPA governance could hindered this concept. • Engagement with local communities and key stakeholders in the development of seagrass-associated tourism is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) framework has been implemented over the past decade, and has led to a restructuring of forest governance systems in host countries. In the case of Lao People’s Democratic Republic, which is promoting REDD+, activities have been implemented at project, sub-national, and national scales. Project-scale REDD+ is assumed to be compatible with small-scale forestry, and usually targets local people to enhance participatory forest management through technology transfer. Such projects were also supported by foreign governments under bilateral cooperation or by private funding. In the case of sub-national- or national-scale REDD+, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic government aims to develop a system of forest monitoring, as well as related structures required by international REDD+ entities. These activities are supported by substantial funding from multilateral organizations. Lessons learned from project-scale REDD+ in northern Lao People’s Democratic Republic showed a gap in expectations among different donors and recipients regarding how to implement REDD+, in particular how to reduce dependency on forest resources in rural areas, and how to estimate and account for greenhouse gas emissions reductions with consistent methodologies at different scales. Such differences are related to the attitudes of local people toward participation, and those of the private entities that fund projects and ground-based activities. In future REDD+ schemes, the structural network or structural social capital among project-, sub- national-, and national-scale activities should be reconsidered to enhance the continued participation of stakeholders and make use of their accumulated experience and knowledge of small-scale forestry management.

Over the last 20 years, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has supported conservation enterprises in an estimated quarter of its biodiversity programs to create incentives for stakeholders to reduce threats to biodiversity. These enterprises included timber and non‐timber forest products, and ecotourism services, among others. While reviews and guidance materials are available on the conditions needed to establish conservation enterprises, there is less information on what it takes to sustain enterprises and to achieve longer term conservation outcomes. USAID's Conservation Enterprises Learning Group developed a generic theory of change that outlines commonly held assumptions about the path from supporting enterprises to achieving biodiversity conservation. The theory of change provided a framework for cross‐site learning for past and current enterprise strategies supported by USAID. The learning group generated insights to help practitioners improve the design and implementation of this strategy, including using a monitoring and learning framework for practitioners to measure outcomes from their actions over time and share lessons with the conservation community. It is our hope that this framework will be useful for conservation organizations, funders, and researchers who are considering using, supporting, and assessing enterprises so that they can more effectively support conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Over the last 20 years, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has supported conservation enterprises in an estimated quarter of its biodiversity programs to create incentives for stakeholders to reduce threats to biodiversity. These enterprises included timber and non‐timber forest products, and ecotourism services, among others. While reviews and guidance materials are available on the conditions needed to establish conservation enterprises, there is less information on what it takes to sustain enterprises and to achieve longer term conservation outcomes. USAID's Conservation Enterprises Learning Group developed a generic theory of change that outlines commonly held assumptions about the path from supporting enterprises to achieving biodiversity conservation. The theory of change provided a framework for cross‐site learning for past and current enterprise strategies supported by USAID. The learning group generated insights to help practitioners improve the design and implementation of this strategy, including using a monitoring and learning framework for practitioners to measure outcomes from their actions over time and share lessons with the conservation community. It is our hope that this framework will be useful for conservation organizations, funders, and researchers who are considering using, supporting, and assessing enterprises so that they can more effectively support conservation.

The effectiveness of green mussel (Perna viridis) cultivation was compared between longline culture and the traditional bamboo stake method using different mussel densities in a rural area on the north coast of Java, Indonesia. The study took place in a rural area about 2 km north‐east from the city of Semarang where unsustainable shrimp and fish pond culture in the past has led to massive mangrove loss, spiralling environmental degradation and socio‐economic disintegration. Mangrove‐friendly alternatives for a sustainable socio‐economic recovery of local livelihoods are urgently being sought. Longlines were more successful than the stake method in spat collection. Longlines also showed a small but significantly higher relative weight gain and specific growth rate for mussels than bamboo stakes. Mussels in lower densities showed higher survival and grew to larger individual sizes, but initial seeding density had no significant effect on relative weight gain or specific growth rate per stocking. Slightly lower set‐up costs and time investment and somewhat higher yields for longlines give an almost twofold higher income per time unit of own time invested by the farmer for longline culture over the traditional stake culture method. The profitability of mussel culture using the stake method is below the average hourly wage for skilled labour, but above that when using the longline method. We conclude that green mussel culture using the longline system is feasible as an alternative to less sustainable forms of livelihood for the local communities in mangrove areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sawfishes are highly threatened globally, and current data on their conservation status in the Indian Ocean are limited. A baseline study conducted in 2011–2012 revealed that at least two species of sawfish were still present in Bangladeshi waters and highlighted several important steps that could be taken to prevent populations from further decline.Regular visits to landing sites in the south‐eastern coastal region of Bangladesh were conducted to collect data on sawfish landings. A telephone reporting system was developed amongst shark traders and fishers, to facilitate immediate reporting of sawfish landings.Between 15 October 2016 and 26 December 2017, landings of 25 sawfishes were documented, of which at least 17 were largetooth sawfish Pristis pristis. No evidence of narrow sawfish Anoxypristis cuspidata was observed, which may suggest that this species has become rare.These data were collected 5 years after the baseline study was conducted and after several years of broader efforts to highlight the precarious status of sawfish populations globally. The findings illustrate that largetooth sawfish continue to be landed and that none of the management or community engagement activities previously recommended, in order to reduce catch rates, have been implemented.This is an example of the research–practitioner divide, where published scientific research on a group of highly endangered elasmobranchs has not led to their protection. A strategy for communicating the findings of this study and the critical need for local conservation action for sawfishes to key national and local stakeholders is presented, alongside a suite of actions that can be feasibly implemented in the next 12 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livelihood assessment of fishers of three villages viz. Purunabandha, Kantiagada and Gokhurkuda around Rushikulya Sea Turtle (Olive Ridley) rookery in Ganjam district, Odisha have been undertaken. Due to conservation efforts towards these turtles, fishing ban is imposed for a period of seven months (November-May), which adversely affects the livelihood of fishers with respect to their primary occupation. Hence, this study was conducted to compare between the income from fishing and alternative livelihood activities and also suggest strategies to improve their social and economic wellbeing. The results showed that the average income from alternative livelihood activities is significantly lower than the fishing activities (P<0.05). The primary income of Gokhurkuda village showed significantly higher than other villages (P<0.05). Meanwhile, no significant difference was found in alternative income among the villages (P>0.05). However, the primary and alternative income within the villages showed significant difference between them (P<0.05). The findings suggested that new policies need to be framed to improve the economic and livelihood conditions of the fishers as an alternative option during the banned periods. It is also needed to implement community-based management programmes to give indirect subsistence options to the fishers of these villages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small-scale mining involves exploitation of mineral deposits using rudimentary implements and at low levels of production with minimal capital investment. South-Western Ghana has the largest concentration of mining operations of both large companies and small scale miners. Illegal mining activities have impacted negatively on road constructions in the Region. A typical case is the construction of the Tarkwa-Bogoso-Ayanfuri highway, which provides very important link between Western and Central Region of Ghana. Prior to the rehabilitation, illegal small-scale miners operated in close proximity to the old road, often impacting on the structural integrity in many sections, but with the construction of the new road, the activities of the small-scale miners assumed prominence. The impact assessment presented in this paper reveals the negative effects of illegal mining on the road construction project; particularly, project delivery schedule, time delays for completion, additional cost to the project and security on the project, which were critical issues of concerns. Future formulation of road projects for South-Western Ghana must take cognizance of the issues, which must be factored in the project management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alternative livelihood projects are used by a variety of organisations as a tool for achieving biodiversity conservation. However, despite characterising many conservation approaches, very little is known about what impacts (if any) alternative livelihood projects have had on biodiversity conservation, as well as what determines the relative success or failure of these interventions. Reflecting this concern, Motion 145 was passed at the Vth IUCN World Conservation Congress in 2012 calling for a critical review of alternative livelihood projects and their contribution to biodiversity conservation. This systematic map and review intends to contribute to this critical review and provide an overview for researchers, policy makers and practitioners of the current state of the evidence base. Methods: Following an a priori protocol, systematic searches for relevant studies were conducted using the bibliographic databases AGRICOLA, AGRIS, CAB Abstracts, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge, as well as internet searches of Google, Google Scholar, and subject specific and institutional websites. In addition, a call for literature was issued among relevant research networks. The titles, abstracts and full texts of the captured studies were assessed using inclusion criteria for the systematic map and the systematic review, respectively. An Excel spreadsheet was used to record data from each study and to provide a systematic map of the evidence for the effectiveness of alternative livelihood studies. The studies that met additional criteria to be included in the systematic review were described in more detail through a narrative synthesis. Results: Following full text screening, 97 studies were included in the systematic map covering 106 projects using alternative livelihood interventions. Just 22 of these projects met our additional criteria for inclusion in the systematic review, but one project was removed from the detailed narrative synthesis following critical appraisal. The 21 included projects included reports of positive, neutral and negative conservation outcomes. Conclusions: Our results show that there has been an extensive investment in alternative livelihood projects, yet the structure and results of most of these projects have not been documented in a way that they can be captured using standardised search processes. Either this is because there has been little reporting on the outcomes of these projects, or that post-project monitoring is largely absent. The implications of this review for policy, management and future research are provided in relation to this evidence gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between fishing, livelihood diversification and poverty was investigated in the lower Mekong basin, in Laos, where fishing forms an important, but usually secondary part of rural livelihoods. Results from a household survey show that participation in fishing is common and positively associated with higher occupational diversity and more agricultural activities. This is likely due to the low opportunity costs associated with many forms of fishing and factors such as tradition, enjoyment of fishing, underutilised labour and low capital requirements. Alternative livelihoods within the rural setting are therefore unlikely to cause fishers to leave the fishery, but instead strengthen the livelihood portfolio as a supplementary activity. Fishing is not an activity only for the very poorest households, but is undertaken by all wealth groups. However, fishing forms a greater proportion of income, employment and food security for the poor and is important in households with poor quality farm land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community Based Mangrove Management (CBMM) has been advocated by both academia and governing agencies as a viable alternative for sustainably managing the ecologically important mangrove forests which are disappearing rapidly worldwide. Drawing insights from diverse sustainability issues, capabilities and performances of worldwide CBMM initiatives were examined in this paper. Higher numbers of CBMM initiatives were reported from South Asia and lesser from South America and Africa. Identification of the causes of degradation at a site and use-specific zonal replantations with respect to species associations were identified as major criteria of ecological sustainability. Regarding economic sustainability, transformation of potential uses of mangroves known by local communities into actual ones was found to be necessary. Proper disbursement of accrued benefits among community members irrespective of their socio-cultural status is also a major concern. Restructuring of CBMM institutions by ensuring participation of subsistence based users in decision-making and resource sharing have been identified as a prime determinant of institutional sustainability. However, limited number of studies on socio-political and institutional aspects as well as impacts of globalization induced socio-cultural transformations of communities on CBMM had been actually found. More focused researches on these aspects had been recommended for better community management of these highly stressed forests. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Alternative occupations are frequently promoted as a means to reduce the number of people exploiting declining fisheries. However, there is little evidence that alternative occupations reduce fisher numbers. Seaweed farming is frequently promoted as a lucrative alternative occupation for artisanal fishers in Southeast Asia. We examined how the introduction of seaweed farming has affected village-level changes in the number of fishers on Danajon Bank, central Philippines, where unsustainable fishing has led to declining fishery yields. To determine how fisher numbers had changed since seaweed farming started, we interviewed the heads of household from 300 households in 10 villages to examine their perceptions of how fisher numbers had changed in their village and the reasons they associated with these changes. We then asked key informants (people with detailed knowledge of village members) to estimate fisher numbers in these villages before seaweed farming began and at the time of the survey. We compared the results of how fisher numbers had changed in each village with the wealth, education, seaweed farm sizes, and other attributes of households in these villages, which we collected through interviews, and with village-level factors such as distance to markets. We also asked people why they either continued to engage in or ceased fishing. In four villages, respondents thought seaweed farming and low fish catches had reduced fisher numbers, at least temporarily. In one of these villages, there was a recent return to fishing due to declines in the price of seaweed and increased theft of seaweed. In another four villages, fisher numbers increased as human population increased, despite the widespread uptake of seaweed farming. Seaweed farming failed for technical reasons in two other villages. Our results suggest seaweed farming has reduced fisher numbers in some villages, a result that may be correlated with socioeconomic status, but the heterogeneity of outcomes is consistent with suggestions that alternative occupations are not a substitute for more direct forms of resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The coastal ecosystems of the Philippines are among the most heavily fished areas in the world. High dependency on fishery resources by an expanding population have resulted in overexploited and deteriorated fish stocks, perpetuating widespread poverty in fishing communities. Reducing fishing pressure through livelihood support provision for fishers could potentially alleviate poverty and mitigate deteriorating fisheries at the same time. However, this requires understanding fishers’ behavior toward exiting the fishery and how different socioeconomic factors affect this behavior. We determined fishers’ willingness to exit the fishery for different catch and monetary incentive scenarios in 6 coastal towns in the South China Sea biogeographic region of the Philippines. Half the fishers surveyed would continue fishing even when catches fall to 0.5kg a day. This translates to less than US$1 gross income which is only about 15% of the daily fishers’ household expenses in the studied towns. For monetary incentives, 18% of fishers were already willing to exit the fishery at US$111 monthly incentives. This proportion increased to 51% when the offer was increased to US$222 which is about the same as the fishers’ monthly household expenses. When the offer was increased to US$333, 18% of fishers still said they would prefer to continue fishing. Fishers who were newer to the fishery and exerting less fishing effort showed more willingness to exit the fishery for both catch and monetary incentive scenarios. Age and educational attainment also influenced fishers’ exit decision. These findings demonstrate high heterogeneity in fishers’ behavior toward exiting the fishery and that properly targeting those who are more willing to exit the fishery in livelihood programs might both effectively reduce fishing pressure and give fish stocks and other marine ecosystems a chance to recover while improving the fishers’ well-being. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Commercial cultivation of the red alga Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty has been satisfying the demand of the carrageenan industry for more than 40 years. For the past four decades, this species has been globally introduced to many maritime countries for experimental and commercial cultivation as a sustainable alternate livelihood for coastal villagers. Accompanying the introduction is an increasing concern over the species effects on the biodiversity of endemic ecosystems. The introductions of non-endemic cultivars have resulted in the adaptation of quarantine procedures to minimize bioinvasions of additional invasive species. The present review focuses on Kappaphycus farming techniques through the application of biotechnological tools, ecological interactions with endemic ecosystems, future K. alvarezii farming potentials in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, and the challenges for prospective farmers, i.e., low raw material market value, diseases, grazing, etc. The introduction of Kappaphycus cultivation to tropical countries will continue due to the high production values realized, coastal villages searching for alternative livelihoods, and the increased global industrial demand for carrageenan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Science & Society Division of Department of Science & Technology, Government of India sanctioned a project in 2005 under the Woman Scientist Program (DST WOS-B) with an objective to develop technologies for the cultivation of high-value seaweeds widely used for industrial purposes/human consumption with empowerment of the coastal communities in Kerala. The project was divided into two phases: an experimental/investigational phase and an extension phase. In the experimental phase, pilot-scale culture experiments were conducted to evaluate the possibility and feasibility of the cultivation of the red alga, Kappaphycus alvarezii, in the southwest coast of Kerala. Pilot-scale studies of seaweed culture were conducted in the shallow subtidal waters on the Vizhinjam Harbor area in two bamboo rafts tied with seeds of K. alvarezii (100 ± 1.20 g) following accepted culture and growth monitoring procedures. The first harvest was carried out after 45 days and the growth was nearly eight times the initial biomass (826 ± 2.80 g). A group of local fishermen were trained in the fabrication of culture rafts, implanting seed material, rearing the seedlings with periodical monitoring, harvesting, and post-harvest technologies like drying, sorting, packing, etc. as part of the pilot-scale study. The pilot-scale efforts showed good scope for the further expansion of the large-scale cultivation of K. alvarezii in the southwest coast of Kerala by imparting training and adopting fishermen families for their additional employment/alternative livelihood. Success in the pilot-scale cultivation led to the second phase of the project, the extension phase, which fulfilled the main objectives of the DST WOS-B programme. Vizhinjam Gramapanchayat (village), where the pilot-scale cultivation was carried out successfully and headed by a woman president, came forward to pool resources of the project to be implemented as a Model Seaweed Cultivation Programme. A training/workshop on 'seaweed farming technology' was conducted and nearly 60 people were trained. Mangalam purusha sahaya sangham, a registered self-help group (SHG) of Vizhinjam, came forward to start the culture operations at Vizhinjam with technical backup from the DST-WOS-B Programme. Some seaweed entrepreneurs from inside and outside Kerala also came forward with a 100% buyback guarantee for the produce. Nationalised banks like the State Bank of India offered loans to trained SHGs for starting seaweed cultivation at commercial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centralized forest management is widely regarded as the catalyst for large-scale forest degradation and the loss of access, use and management rights of forest dependent communities. Forest dependent communities are often regarded as impediments to conservation and left out in sustainable forest management initiatives. This paper is a critique of the effects of centralization and alternative livelihood projects under the guise of conservation in a Jakun community of South-East Pahang, Malaysia. This case study revealed that economic pragmatism takes precedence over conservation in light of decreased autonomy over their traditional resources and rapid socio-economic changes which not only severely impedes their means to secure basic needs, but also their ability and desire to utilize forest resources in a sustainable manner. Therefore, there is an increasing need for local peoples to be involved in the management of their resources to maintain ecological integrity and to meet their subsistence needs. The findings justify the need for forest management units in South-East Pahang to develop a framework that addresses the rights of the Jakun to access, use and manage natural resources, which is a vital precondition for social justice to seek a common ground for sustainable forest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientists have recorded the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on small-scale fishers (SSFs), such as stagnating market demands and reduction in market price and income. Even though scientific evidence has heeded to these impacts, there is limited evidence regarding the long-term impacts and coping mechanisms of SSFs over longer periods. In addition, few studies have analysed these impacts and strategies from multiple perspectives. Our study aims to describe the perceived impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on the communities of SSFs and the strategies adopted by them since the beginning of the outbreak in Trang Province, Thailand. Both qualitative and quantitative data obtained through semi-structured interviews indicated that, in the early stage of the outbreak, the SSFs used their natural, financial, and social capitals wisely; notably, human capitals were essential for the recovery in the later stages. Our findings suggested that an adaptive capacity to flexibly change livelihoods played an important role for the SSFs to cope with the outbreak; most importantly, our study indicated that, in a stagnating global economy, alternative income sources may not necessarily help SSFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community-based coastal resource management has been widely applied within the Philippines. However, small-scale community-based reserves are often inefficient owing to management inadequacies arising because of a lack of local support or enforcement or poor design. Because there are many potential pitfalls during the establishment of even small community-based reserves, it is important for coastal managers, communities, and facilitating institutions to have access to a summary of the key factors for success. Reviewing relevant literature, we present a framework of “lessons learned” during the establishment of protected areas, mainly in the Philippines. The framework contains summary guidance on the importance of (1) an island location, (2) small community population size, (3) minimal effect of land-based development, (4) application of a bottom-up approach, (5) an external facilitating institution, (6) acquisition of title, (7) use of a scientific information database, (8) stakeholder involvement, (9) the establishment of legislation, (10) community empowerment, (11) alternative livelihood schemes, (12) surveillance, (13) tangible management results, (14) continued involvement of external groups after reserve establishment, and (15) small-scale project expansion.These framework components guided the establishment of a community-based protected area at Danjugan Island, Negros Occidental, Philippines. This case study showed that the framework was a useful guide that led to establishing and implementing a community-based marine reserve. Evaluation of the reserve using standard criteria developed for the Philippines shows that the Danjugan Island protected area can be considered successful and sustainable. At Danjugan Island, all of the lessons synthesized in the framework were important and should be considered elsewhere, even for relatively small projects. As shown in previous projects in the Philippines, local involvement and stewardship of the protected area appeared particularly important for its successful implementation. The involvement of external organizations also seemed to have a key role in the success of the Danjugan Island project by guiding local decision-makers in the sociobiological principles of establishing protected areas. However, the relative importance of each component of the framework will vary between coastal management initiatives both within the Philippines and across the wider Asian region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water hyacinth (WH) is considered as the worst aquatic weed in the world because of its rapid growth and fast spread into new areas of fresh water bodies. We investigated the potentiality of using WH as a raw material for production of handmade paper and compost in Bangladesh. Potash pulping was done using potassium hydroxide (KOH) at different alkali concentrations (8–12%) with a liquor to solid ratio of 7:1 at 145 °C for 2 h. The pulp was bleached using hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2), and pulp properties (brightness, tear index and tensile index) of bleached and unbleached pulps were analyzed following the respective TAPPI standards. The produced black liquor was mixed with WH along with kitchen bio-wastes to produce compost. The properties of the compost were tested following the published protocols, i.e., wet digestion, Kjeldahl, vanadomolybdophosphoric acid, and Flame Spectrophotometry methods. Brightness, tensile index and tear index of bleached hand sheets were found to be 37.2%, 49.2 N m/g and 6.79 m.Nm2/g, respectively suggesting significant contribution of bleaching on WH paper quality. Addition of black liquor significantly increased the nitrogen and potassium content of bio-waste compost. Thus, WH can be used as a raw material for making handmade paper while the process by-product can be supplemented to improve the nutritional quality of compost. Such cottage-industry fabrication of WH green products could be developed to control the infestation of WH in water bodies, and this technology may provide for new possible sustainable livelihood option. [Display omitted] • Handmade paper was produced from water hyacinth (WH) using the KOH pulping method. • The waste potassium-rich black liquor was used to produce compost mainly from WH. • H 2 O 2 -bleached WH pulp showed better strength properties. • The produced compost was rich in macronutrients, i.e., N and K essential for plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chelonian fauna of West Africa is relatively understudied and experiencing a multitude of threats. Moreover, the IUCN Red List status of several African species is both outdated and, we believe, underestimated. Herein, we cover projections for freshwater turtle and tortoise status trends in West Africa over the next decade. This geographic prioritization was chosen based on our current understanding of the greatest urgency for turtle conservation in Africa. Broadly, we recommend that priority projects focus on the following threats: bushmeat consumption (Trionychidae and Kinixys spp.); habitat degradation and potential shifts in habitat use (primarily Kinixys spp. in the rainforest belt of West Africa); effects of livestock overgrazing and climate change (specifically in regards to desertification impacting the Sahel region) on behaviors and species sex ratios (Centrochelys sulcata , Kinixys belliana and K. nogueyi). Possible efforts to mitigate these threats include; (1) enhanced capacity building, outreach, and training to promote turtle conservation to wildlife professionals, fisheries stakeholders, local communities, etc; (2) alternative livelihoods and sources of protein (provide locals with goats, sustainable farming options, aquaculture practices); (3) community engagement and citizen science; (4) connecting fragmented habitats (e.g. corridors); (5) enhancing community protected areas with local enforcement (local employment and benefits, eco-tourism potential); (6) youth and consumer/collector targeted education programs; and (7) reinforcement of international policy (CITES) for species negatively affected by the pet trade (K. homeana and K. erosa). Based on witnessed range-wide declines and exploitation, on a species level we suggest priority attention be aimed at A) Cyclanorbis elegans (assessment of population strongholds, if any, threats, and mitigation options) and B) Kinixys homeana and K. erosa (use in the illegal bushmeat trade, long-term population trends). Field studies on several under-studied Pelusios species (e.g., P. cupulatta, P. adansonii) are also warranted, along with increased sampling of the severely declined and elusive Trionyx triunguis in West Africa. Finally, we believe turtle and tortoise conservation in Africa would greatly benefit from collaboration and integration of research efforts with programs and scientists in Eastern and Southern Africa, for instance via a novel IUCN/SSC TFTSG continental symposium focused on red list status assessments/reassessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Chinese government designates 'tree crops' (jingjilin) as an important component of forest, potentially creating misleading pictures of forest expansion. • Amid recent rural depopulation in China, tree crops with low labor demands may offer a labor-extensive livelihood option for disadvantaged rural residents. • We construct an analytical framework to assess tree crop impacts on natural forests through both land use and alternative livelihood pathways, applying it to panel national forest inventory data for southern China. • Tree crops show a trade-off with natural forest cover and a possible synergy with natural forest density mediated by alternative livelihood processes. The Chinese government applies the term 'tree crops' (jingjilin) to a bundle of tree species with uses other than timber production, defining this category as a component of national forest statistics. Tree crops may displace either farmland or forestland, and can be a promising livelihood option for smallholders. The overall impact of this particular policy on natural forest growth remained unanswered. In the general expansion trend of tree cover in southern China, tree crops could compete for land with natural forests, their cultivation may pose environmental trade-offs with natural forest cover. However, in a context of large labor flows from countryside to cities, tree crops could provide promising opportunities for dealing with on-farm labor shortages and generating income for disadvantaged populations remaining in rural communities, then promoting remaining natural forest quality through alternative livelihoods process. There is a knowledge gap to thoroughly investigate tree crops' impact on natural forest change both conceptually and empirically, especially a mechanism verification of the alternative livelihood hypothesis. Thus, we construct a framework assessing land use competition and alternative livelihood effects together to assess overall impacts of tree crop cultivation on natural forests. Our dataset combines forest resource inventory data and provincial social-economic factors for a panel analysis of contributions to change in natural forest cover, density, and stock in China's biodiversity-rich southern provinces. Results show tree crop cover is negatively associated with natural forest extent, but positive associated with change in natural forest density, while the relationship with change in natural forest stock is insignificant. Further tests of mechanisms support the hypothesis that tree crops benefit disadvantaged rural populations, providing an alternative livelihood. Defining tree crops as forest in China obscures important patterns, particularly a trade-off between tree crops and natural forest cover and a possible synergy with natural forest density mediated by alternative livelihood processes. Policy makers should enact specific policies to incentivize natural forest recovery in the southern collective forest zone and reconsider the appropriateness of defining tree crops as forest. Concentration and intensification of tree crop production on suitable lands may have the potential to benefit both forests and impoverished populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The promotion of tourism has been considered to be a key strategy in reducing people's dependence on marine resources and for creating alternative livelihoods for the communities living in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This paper studies the determinants for the decision of participation in tourism-related activities and examines whether tourism could be regarded as an alternative livelihood for the local people living in the MPAs. The propensity score matching approach is employed and a case study of Nha Trang Bay MPA is used for analysis with data from 140 locals. The results show that the tourism industry in the MPAs does not secure a better income for the local people if they stop their traditional livelihoods and enter the tourism industry. In other words, tourism should not be viewed in isolation with other existing income generating activities. Furthermore, low education, long distances between home and tourism destinations, and the pressure of supporting the whole family are the primary rationales preventing local people living in MPAs from participating in tourism industry. This paper discusses implications for the management of MPAs in developing countries, where tourism is used as the main strategy to diversify the local people out of traditional fishing or aquaculture. • MPAs are recognized as a conservation tool for high marine biodiversity. • Tourism livelihood is expected to replace traditional fishing and aquaculture in MPAs. • Tourism can act as a supplemental income rather than an alternative livelihood. • Low education, poor transportation, and financial pressure are the rationales for not participating in tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tobacco supply remains a pressing challenge to tobacco control. Tobacco remains a dominant cash crop in many low- and middle-income countries, despite the evidence suggesting that it is not as profitable as industry claims and is harmful to health and the environment. In order to implement successful and sustainable alternative livelihood interventions, it is important to understand why farmers continue to grow tobacco. This study explores this question from the perspective of farmers in Indonesia and Philippines. This study was informed by interpretive description methodology. Data was collected through focus group discussions (FGDs) ( n = 7) with farmers ( n = ~60). The FGDs were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then translated into English. An inductive thematic analysis of the data was conducted to identify and categorize the reason provided by participants. We identified two overarching themes: (1) perceived viability (profitability, ready market, and environmental factors) and (2) financial context. Financial context included lumpsum payments and access to financial loans and credit facilities in light of their lack of capital. These results highlight that, in addition to identifying viable alternatives to tobacco, institutional factors such as improved access to credit and well-developed supply chains are key to the successful uptake of alternative livelihoods.