Sustainable conservation of Sakumo wetlands for social and environmental benefits.

Agbeti, Joy Afua

Abstract

Wetland degradation has become an issue of concern worldwide. It is associated with anthropogenic activities within human-dominated wetlands. The benefits and values of wetlands to humankind are varied, with highly diverse ecosystems that provide essential goods and services to human well-being. Studies about wetland degradation identify urbanisation and population explosion as contributing to the degradation of urban wetlands, of which Ghana is not spared. The study highlights the importance of promoting awareness programmes within the Sakumo Wetland communities and eschewing the degradation of the wetland and lagoon. If the lagoon does not silt up, the wetland can drain into the sea, creating long-term socio-economic and environmental benefits within the wetland communities. The proposed study adopts an explanatory mixed-method approach. The initial steps of the pilot study involve investigating activities contributing to Land Use Land Cover (LULC) modification and wetland degradation. Inputs used for assessment include Landsat images of the site showing the Land Use Land Cover (LULC) changes, UAV techniques showing real-time images of encroachment within the study site, photographs and focus group discussions and individual interviews. The UAV survey was conducted to obtain orthophotos of the Sakumo Ramsar Site. Following the research protocol, the quantitative data was supplemented with qualitative field data from participants living in the Sakumo Wetlands catchment. Focus group discussions and interviews were necessary for supporting quantitative data because social engagement helps to generate data for validation of the anthropogenic activities and creates awareness within the community towards efforts to mitigate further degradation by conceiving ways to build a common consensus of holistic wetland management to conserve the natural assets within the wetland environment. This study's novelty is using UAV techniques and borrowing Blasu's concept of the 'theocological' intervention in wetland management. The UAV techniques provide information in real-time images, which are of immense value in enhancing knowledge about monitoring and wetland management in the study site. The theocological intervention is for ethical impulsion in managing scientific knowledge and technological applications in biodiversity conservation and restoration. A holistic concept to change the agents' mindset in safeguarding natural assets. Furthermore, in the absence of previous research to address specific challenges within the study site, location-specific studies are needed to mitigate wetland degradation effectively. In effect, this research presents a paradigm shift to a holistic approach to wetland management by integrating religious interventions and technological applications and scientific knowledge, including UAV techniques, in ecosystem conservation to address the ecological and environmental crisis as the focus of a collaborative initiative in addressing the challenges of sustainable wetland management.

Citation

AGBETI, J.A. 2023. Sustainable conservation of Sakumo wetlands for social and environmental benefits. Robert Gordon University, PhD thesis. Hosted on OpenAIR [online]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-2270664

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Mar 12, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 12, 2024
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-2270664
• Keywords: Wetlands; Environmental interventions; Ecological interventions; Ghana
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2270664
• Award Date: Sep 30, 2023