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Welfare Effects and Gender Dimensions of the Licit and Illicit Biodiversity Economy: The Case of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area

Author

Listed:
  • Ntuli, Herbert

    (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Climate Services Research Group, Pretoria, South Africa and University of Pretoria, Department of Agricultural Economic, Extension and Rural Development and Environmental and Policy Research Unit, School of Economics, University of Cape Town)

  • Muchapondwa, Edwin

    (Environmental and Policy Research Unit, School of Economics, University of Cape Town and Department of Social Sciences, Technology and Arts, Luleå University of Technology)

  • Okumu, Boscow

    (The National Treasury and Economic Planning, Kenya)

  • Tibesigwa, Byela

    (Department of Economics, University of Dar es Salaam)

  • Dahlberg, Moa

    (Department of Social Sciences, Technology and Arts, Luleå University of Technology)

  • Sundstrom, Aksel

    (Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg)

  • Tibanywana, Julieth

    (Department of Economics, University of Dar es Salaam)

  • Chikumbi, Lydia

    (Environmental and Policy Research Unit, School of Economics, University of Cape Town)

  • Montsi, Kgomotso

    (Environmental and Policy Research Unit, School of Economics, University of Cape Town)

Abstract

The establishment of Transfrontier Conservation Areas reflects efforts by governments to promote biodiversity-based economic opportunities while curbing illicit environmental resource extraction. Our understanding of the ways in which the biodiversity economy contributes to the livelihoods of communities living near protected areas is, however, constrained by the limited availability of data on illicit environmental activities. Based on a mixed method approach combining descriptive statistics and regression analysis, this study presents a novel approach to bridging this gap, using the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area as a case study. In this paper, our aim is to answer the following research questions: i) How does participation in the biodiversity economy (especially resource extraction) impact household welfare? ii) Does the impact differ across income distributions and according to gender? iii) Are there differences between the treatment effects of licit and illicit resource extraction?

Suggested Citation

  • Ntuli, Herbert & Muchapondwa, Edwin & Okumu, Boscow & Tibesigwa, Byela & Dahlberg, Moa & Sundstrom, Aksel & Tibanywana, Julieth & Chikumbi, Lydia & Montsi, Kgomotso, 2025. "Welfare Effects and Gender Dimensions of the Licit and Illicit Biodiversity Economy: The Case of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area," EfD Discussion Paper 25-11, Environment for Development, University of Gothenburg.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:gunefd:2025_011
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    • Q10 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - General

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