Effects of Deforestation on Livelihoods of Forest Fringed Communities in the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District

The main objective of the study was to determine the effects of deforestation on livelihoods on forest fringed communities along the Yenku and Obotomfo forest reserves in the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District of the Central Region. These two FRs exhibit different levels of forest cover. The study found a high level of livelihood diversification in FFCs along both reserves with FFCs along the Yenku exhibiting higher standards of living than FFCs along the Obotomfo. The study found a higher level of capabilities in FFCs along the Obotomfo whiles levels of assets and asset conversion was not significantly different in FFCs along the two FRs. However, there was greater level of forest activity in FFCs along the Yenku leading to a greater level of direct economic benefit from the forest resource than was present in Obotomfo. This was regardless of the fact that the Yenku was more depleted than the Obotomfo. The study therefore concluded that deforestation had actually improved the economic lives of FFCs along the Yenku whiles an improved forest had been to the economic detriment of FFCs along the Obotomfo. The study therefore recommended that other forms of livelihood diversification that are forest based but sustainable are researched into, eg ecotourism and value addition to forest products. Also avenues should be created to make better ease of transfer between and within the three variables of capabilities, assets and activities at FFC level