Unpacking the complex relationships between agricultural investments and biodiversity in Ghana
The expansion of large-scale agricultural investments (LSAI) in Ghana has substantial implications for biodiversity and rural community well-being. This study explores the complex relationships between LSAI and biodiversity, focusing on species richness, evenness, Enhanced Vegetation Index, and Soil...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2024-12-01
|
| Series: | Societal Impacts |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949697724000572 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850107199284576256 |
|---|---|
| author | Abdul-Hanan Abdallah |
| author_facet | Abdul-Hanan Abdallah |
| author_sort | Abdul-Hanan Abdallah |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The expansion of large-scale agricultural investments (LSAI) in Ghana has substantial implications for biodiversity and rural community well-being. This study explores the complex relationships between LSAI and biodiversity, focusing on species richness, evenness, Enhanced Vegetation Index, and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index to assess ecosystem health. Using a mixed-methods approach, we combine panel datasets, remote sensing, and qualitative data to evaluate both ecological and social impacts of LSAI. While LSAI has potential economic benefits, it also poses risks to biodiversity by reducing species diversity and altering ecosystem services essential for rural communities' livelihoods. Our findings reveal that while LSAI increase vegetation cover and species evenness, they frequently lead to the loss of access to critical resources such as fuelwood, medicinal plants, and wild foods, impacting community resilience and social cohesion. These findings underscore the importance of balancing agricultural investments with policies that preserve biodiversity and maintain social equity, ensuring that long-term societal impacts of LSAI do not compromise ecosystem or local livelihoods. It calls for robust monitoring systems, and the inclusion of local communities in decision-making to ensure sustainable development. The study offers critical insights for policymakers and conservationists aiming to harmonize economic development with environmental conservation in Ghana and beyond. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e25c3087f81240209336697568f6719e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2949-6977 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Societal Impacts |
| spelling | doaj-art-e25c3087f81240209336697568f6719e2025-08-20T02:38:38ZengElsevierSocietal Impacts2949-69772024-12-01410009210.1016/j.socimp.2024.100092Unpacking the complex relationships between agricultural investments and biodiversity in GhanaAbdul-Hanan Abdallah0University for Development Studies, Department of Agricultural and Food EconomicsThe expansion of large-scale agricultural investments (LSAI) in Ghana has substantial implications for biodiversity and rural community well-being. This study explores the complex relationships between LSAI and biodiversity, focusing on species richness, evenness, Enhanced Vegetation Index, and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index to assess ecosystem health. Using a mixed-methods approach, we combine panel datasets, remote sensing, and qualitative data to evaluate both ecological and social impacts of LSAI. While LSAI has potential economic benefits, it also poses risks to biodiversity by reducing species diversity and altering ecosystem services essential for rural communities' livelihoods. Our findings reveal that while LSAI increase vegetation cover and species evenness, they frequently lead to the loss of access to critical resources such as fuelwood, medicinal plants, and wild foods, impacting community resilience and social cohesion. These findings underscore the importance of balancing agricultural investments with policies that preserve biodiversity and maintain social equity, ensuring that long-term societal impacts of LSAI do not compromise ecosystem or local livelihoods. It calls for robust monitoring systems, and the inclusion of local communities in decision-making to ensure sustainable development. The study offers critical insights for policymakers and conservationists aiming to harmonize economic development with environmental conservation in Ghana and beyond.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949697724000572Agricultural investmentsBiodiversityEcosystemsManagement practicesGhana |
| spellingShingle | Abdul-Hanan Abdallah Unpacking the complex relationships between agricultural investments and biodiversity in Ghana Societal Impacts Agricultural investments Biodiversity Ecosystems Management practices Ghana |
| title | Unpacking the complex relationships between agricultural investments and biodiversity in Ghana |
| title_full | Unpacking the complex relationships between agricultural investments and biodiversity in Ghana |
| title_fullStr | Unpacking the complex relationships between agricultural investments and biodiversity in Ghana |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unpacking the complex relationships between agricultural investments and biodiversity in Ghana |
| title_short | Unpacking the complex relationships between agricultural investments and biodiversity in Ghana |
| title_sort | unpacking the complex relationships between agricultural investments and biodiversity in ghana |
| topic | Agricultural investments Biodiversity Ecosystems Management practices Ghana |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949697724000572 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT abdulhananabdallah unpackingthecomplexrelationshipsbetweenagriculturalinvestmentsandbiodiversityinghana |