@misc{OpuniFrimpongGabienuAdusuetal., author = {Opuni-Frimpong, Emmanuel and Gabienu, Elizabeth M. and Adusu, Daniel and Opuni-Frimpong, Nana Yeboaa and Damptey, Frederick Gyasi}, title = {Plant diversity, conservation significance, and community structure of two protected areas under different governance}, series = {Trees, Forests and People}, journal = {Trees, Forests and People}, number = {4}, issn = {2666-7193}, doi = {10.1016/j.tfp.2021.100082}, pages = {9}, abstract = {Protected areas have become a vital component of the global biodiversity conservation strategy due to the increasing extinction and vulnerability of different species in the 21st century. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) emphasises the need to harness all available resources and models, including collaborative and indigenous forest conservation practices, to ensure holistic global biodiversity conservation strategies. In Ghana, besides the shared governance of protected area management, there also exists the governance by indigenous community models in which traditional structures (clans and stools) use taboos, deities, totems, and myths as tools in managing protected areas. To study the effectiveness of the various governance systems in protected area management, we compared species diversity, vegetation structure, and biomass stock of an area under shared governance (wildlife sanctuary) to communal governance (sacred grove). Each protected area was purposively stratified and each stratum assigned condition score based on the degree to which the area has been disturbed. Six spatially separated plots (at least 200 m apart) with sizes 25 × 25 m were demarcated in each of the two protected areas. All trees with a diameter ≥ 10 cm at breast height were inventoried. For each tree, the diameter and height were measured and further used for biomass stock estimation. Each tree conservation significance was determined based on star ratings in-country and the IUCN red list of threatened species database. The study recorded a total of 201 trees consisting of 40 species and 23 families with a higher diversity in the wildlife sanctuary. Anogeissus leiocarpus mostly dominated the sacred grove, while the wildlife sanctuary was dominated by Trichilia prieureana, Ceiba pentandra, Cola gigantea, Pycnanthus angolensis, Cola caricifolia, and Pterygota macrocarpa. Most trees in the sacred grove were green star rated, with one scarlet, red and black tree. Only one tree was vulnerable, endangered with a decreasing population trend. The wildlife sanctuary is also characterised mainly by green star ratings, with few red, pink, and scarlets. Most of the species were least concerned on the IUCN list, with three been vulnerable and one endangered species. Mean diameter at breast height (dbh) and the average height was greater in wildlife sanctuary than the sacred grove. Basal area and above-ground biomass were 12.814 m2ha-1, 922 Mg ha-1, and 5.156 m2ha-1, 211 Mg ha-1 for the wildlife sanctuary and the sacred grove, respectively. Though the wildlife sanctuary supports a greater composition and diversity of plant species than the sacred grove, some synergies could be seen in both governance models. Therefore, both governance models should be employed to ensure sustainable management of the country's protected areas and diverse resources.}, language = {en} } @misc{DampteyOpuniFrimpongArimiyawetal., author = {Damptey, Frederick Gyasi and Opuni-Frimpong, Nana Yeboaa and Arimiyaw, Abdul Wahid and Bentsi-Enchill, Felicity and Wiafe, Edward Debrah and Abeyie, Betty Boante and Mensah, Martin Kofi and Debrah, Daniel Kwame and Yeboah, Augustine Oti and Opuni-Frimpong, Emmanuel}, title = {Citizen Science Approach for Assessing the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Service Potential of Urban Green Spaces in Ghana}, series = {Land}, volume = {11}, journal = {Land}, number = {10}, issn = {2073-445X}, doi = {10.3390/land11101774}, abstract = {Urban green spaces are linked to good human health and well-being, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, life on land and under water, as well as offering a platform for quality nature-based education. Their efficient management will no doubt be necessary if strides are to be made in efforts to protect biodiversity and enhance ecosystem service delivery in urban areas. This will, in part, require building the capacity of community members as citizen scientists to take up conservation roles. This study explored the levels of biodiversity and the proxy-based ecosystem service potential of urban green spaces in Sunyani, Ghana, using citizen science approaches. The green spaces accessed were the University of Energy and Natural Resources Wildlife Sanctuary and Arboretum, the Sunyani Parks and Gardens, the Sunyani Residency Park, and the Sunyani Senior High School Woodlot. The different levels of biodiversity (trees, arthropods) and ecosystem services were observed for the five green spaces assessed, with a significant relationship observed between arthropod communities and vegetation variables. Our results showed that citizen scientists perceived urban green spaces to supply more significant provisioning and regulating services than any other ecosystem services, even though they were highly dissatisfied with how green spaces are managed. The children's perception of the composition of nature was slightly narrow, as they largely centered on plants and animals only. Even so, their awareness of the value of nature was high, as were the threats of human activities to nature. Citizen science approaches could complement biodiversity studies in data-deficient regions; however, collected data may require additional verification and validation from experts for conclusive and better inferences.}, language = {en} }