Evaluating non-timber forest product dependence of peri-urban households in a payment for ecosystem service scheme in Durban, South Africa

Abstract

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are important for livelihoods. NTFP dependence can lead to deforestation and exacerbate land degradation. Therefore, Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes, such as the Buffelsdraai Landfill Site Community Reforestation project, initiated as part of landfil restoration and climate change mitigation, become important tools for encouraging communities to adopt land-use practices that improve forest ecosystem services while safeguarding their livelihoods. Most studies have focused on NTFP dependence in a rural context, while few have examined the peri‑urban setting in South Africa. Even fewer studies have captured NTFP dependence through actual household subsistence behaviour with NTFPs, rather than using income data, particularly how psychological and social capital constructs and worldviews shape NTFP dependence. Hence, this study investigates how socio-economic, cultural worldviews, and psychological and social capital affect NTFP dependence of peri‑urban households in Durban, South Africa. Regression estimates indicate that NTFP dependence increases with the presence of more adults, a better agricultural endowment, access to electricity, and strong social networks. Meanwhile, well-endowed, fatalistic, and egalitarian households are less dependent on NTFPs. Larger households need to be supported in diversifying their livelihoods by starting home food gardens, cultivating economically viable NTFP crop species that can be linked to markets. It is recommended that technical skills training be offered to reduce livelihood dependence on NTFPs. Future studies can assess NTFP dependence by comparing rural and peri‑urban areas to understand how rapid urbanisation shapes it.

HIGHLIGHTS • NTFP dependence rises with household size, agricultural endowment, electricity access, and social capital. • Well-endowed, fatalistic, and egalitarian households depend less on NTFPs. • Larger households need to be supported in diversifying their livelihoods by starting home food gardens. • Market-relevant technical skills training should form part of PES programmes to reduce NTFP dependence. • Future research should compare rural and peri‑urban contexts to assess the impact of urbanisation on NTFP use.