Exclosures in people’s minds: perceptions and attitudes in the Tigray region, Ethiopia

The paper examines the perceptions and attitudes of local people living next to nine exclosures in the Tigray Region in Ethiopia. Social exchange theory was used as theoretical framework and data were collected from 446 farming households. Factor analysis, multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression were applied to the data to identify factors that influenced local household heads’ perceptions of and attitudes towards existing exclosures and further expansion of exclosures. Household heads’ perceptions of exclosures could be grouped under social, economic and ecological dimensions. Some household heads expressed positive attitudes towards the existing exclosures, while some were concerned about the future expansion of the exclosures. The findings also revealed that households’ socio-economic profile, households’ knowledge about exclosures, the ecological conditions of exclosures, and the geographical attributes of exclosures all played important roles in shaping local household heads’ perceptions of exclosures. Moreover, their perceptions of exclosures were significantly correlated with tangible benefits and costs associated with exclosures. Thus, improvement in local communities’ attitudes towards and support for exclosures would follow if exclosures contributed more directly to people’s livelihoods. However, the level of support for exclosures is remarkable given the fact that they have been closed for grazing and other uses.