Connecting poverty and ecosystem services: focus on Uganda

How are Africa’s ecosystems faring? This report provides a preliminary overview of ecosystem services in Uganda and the corresponding constituents and determinants of well-being related to the availability of these services. This paper is one in a series of seven country scoping studies.

The objective of the series is to identify the regions within the countries where critical ecosystem services for human well-being are stressed, signalling the need for immediate attention. This information is expected to guide the selection of potential areas where more detailed assessments can be carried out. Lessons learned can then be used together with new knowledge gathered on the links between ecosystem services and human well-being to design intervention strategies that would seek to promote the reduction of poverty and improve well-being while protecting and enhancing vital ecosystem services.

The Uganda country study finds that:

• the rate of deforestation and wetland degradation stand out as these two services underpin most of Uganda’s biodiversity, and the level of stress appears to be quite high
• water quality in urban and rural centres, coupled with poor sanitation facilities is rapidly becoming a problem. Present deforestation rates will inadvertently cause watershed catchments to disappear causing deterioration in the Internal Renewable Water Resource level
• dropping agricultural yields are a serious issue that needs addressing if economic entitlements are to be improved. Increasing energy costs caused by dwindling fuel wood sources will put even greater pressure on household budgets
• Uganda may be facing a severe food nourishment problem if it does not increase its agricultural productivity and produce more protein based food. The high population growth rate implies an increasing demand for food which cannot be met under present conditions.

Uganda’s ecosystem services revealed four critically stressed ecosystem services: maintenance of biodiversity; food and fibre provision; water supply, purification and regulation; and fuel provision. In terms of services related to human well-being, the report finds the following wanting: the ability to be adequately nourished; the ability to access adequate clean water; the ability to have energy and to keep warm; and the ability to earn a livelihood.