Evaluating dependence on wildlife products in rural Equatorial Guinea

This thesis shows that two rural villages in continental Equatorial Guinea consume, produce and earn significant amounts from wildlife resources, particularly bushmeat. The author notes that through an investigation of the variation in use of forest resources among different wealth and demographic groups, and between different communities, it is possible to further assess factors affecting dependence on wildlife. In addition, this helps to ascertain which people should be targeted by management strategies or will be affected by wildlife population decreases. The author concludes that poorer families in the more remote village are indeed dependent on a range of wildlife resources, both for income and consumption. This must be taken into account in any policy responses to unsustainable harvests.

Key observations made:

• The consumption of wild foods, particularly plants, increases during the lean season, implying that wild plants reduce vulnerability to food shortages in times of stress, and are therefore important for food security.
• Production and income from wildlife is highest for poorer, food insecure households, and this represents a significantly higher proportion of their income than for the rest of the population, suggesting that these vulnerable households with few livelihood options rely on wildlife for regular income. 
• The less accessible village is more food insecure and has fewer income sources, and is also more reliant on forest resources, particularly bushmeat for income. 
• The author provides evidence to demonstrate that monitoring sales of wildlife products in urban markets is a useful way to assess changes in offtakes. However, these markets may represent only a small fraction of the total harvest, and may under represent vulnerable taxa such as primates that have a relatively low price for their size. 
• The data provided suggests that bushmeat harvest in continental Equatorial Guinea is likely to be unsustainable.