A PROJECT ON ASSESSMENT OF THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF SMALL FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN MALAWI

The study has estimated the economic value of provisioning ecosystem services of Lichenza river. The objectives of this study were to identify the provisioning ecosystem services of Lichenza river, quantify the ecosystem services into monetary terms and assess the effective measures for restoring the ecological status of the Lichenza river. The study used market price method to estimate the economic value of the provisioning ecosystem services whose products are traded on the market while nonmarket products were estimated using contingent valuation method. The research study has contributed to literature availability in Malawi on the economic valuation of small freshwater bodies. The data were collected using FGDs, Interviews and household survey methods. Interview guide and questionnaire were used as data collection tools. In this study, the provisioning ecosystem services were identified through ugh FGDs and interviews. Lichenza river provides each of the following provisioning ecosystems services; water for crop production, sand for construction, water for domestic use, small scale fishing activities and pasture for feeding and animals. The current total annual economic value of the provisioning ecosystem services of Lichenza river is 25,444,579.63 Malawi Kwacha (USD24, 933.35). Out of all the provisioning ecosystem services rendered by Lichenza river, crop production is the most valuable seconded by sand mining then pasture for feeding animals. Despite the fact that the river provides high economic value but very little is being done by households staying the along the river. Therefore, the respondents were asked to assess different measures for restoring the ecological status of the river. Planting trees and prohibiting sand extraction were the suggested methods for conserving the river effectively. In views of the economic benefits communities are getting from Lichenza river, it important for the government through District Environmental Affairs to facilitate formation of a community-based Nature Resource organization to manage use of the freshwater bodies.

The objectives of this study were to identify the provisioning ecosystem services of Lichenza river, quantify the ecosystem services into monetary terms and assess the effective measures for restoring the ecological status of the Lichenza river. The study used market price method to estimate the economic value of the provisioning ecosystem services whose products are traded on the market while nonmarket products were estimated using contingent valuation method. Lichenza river provides each of the following provisioning ecosystems services; water for crop production, sand for construction, water for domestic use, small scale fishing activities and pasture for feeding and animals. In views of the economic benefits communities are getting from Lichenza river, it important for the government through District Environmental Affairs to facilitate formation of a community-based Nature Resource organization to manage use of the freshwater bodies.

The research study was conducted in areas of Traditional Authorities Bvumbwe and Chimaliro in Thyolo district. In T/A Bvumbwe, the specific villages were Phalula and Bokosi. Whilst at T/A Chimaliro, the study was done at Gomani village. These villages were purposefully chosen because they are along the river and also the river is deforested in those areas. The river originates from Limbe close to auction floors in Blantyre district, borders Chiradzulu and Thyolo districts in the middle section, and ends in Mulanje district where it is connected to another river called Thuchila. This river was chosen because of rampart deforestation along its banks. Therefore, the research study was conducted to estimate the economic value that the river is providing for the people in the areas around it in that devastated state. The study made people aware of the economic losses due to the adverse human activities around the river. The figure one (1) below shows the map of the study setting.

District: Thyolo

Coordinates: -16.12965, 35.1166