ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ECOSYSTEM-BASED ADAPTATION FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES LIVING AROUND LAKE KIBARE RIPARIAN ZONE, RWANDA

Abstract

Local communities’ adaptation to climate change requires measures that simultaneously reduce poverty, protect or restore biodiversity and ecosystem services, and remove atmospheric greenhouse gases. Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) involves measures for climate change mitigation and adaptation that aim to strengthen the resilience of local communities vulnerable to climate change effects. It combines measures to achieve these multiple outcomes and is particularly relevant to developing nations that safeguard most of the planetary biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented Ecosystem based Adaptation intervention measure in Lake Kibare riparian zone in Rwanda. Lake Kibare was identified as a site for EbA investments because it was seen to be vulnerable to climate change impacts. Primary data were collected using both GPS and structured questionnaire while secondary data were collected from government reports, conference proceedings, and primary literature. The results showed that the bamboo planted in the Lake Kibare riparian zone as an EbA measure is growing and thriving with new shoots (48% of the bamboo). It provides many ecosystem services to the local communities including landscape beauty and restoration (85.54%), maintenance of biodiversity (77%), and regulation of climate (69%). Bamboo provides socio-ecological resilience for local communities surrounding the study area. The implemented EbA intervention approach was reported to be very effective (61.45%) by community members interviewed. However there are some negative effects associated with this intervention (60.24%) mainly food insecurity and famine for local communities who used the Lake Kibare riparian zone for agriculture practices but are now no longer allowed to use it. Besides bamboo plantation, other reported EbA intervention measures were mentioned by the community members that were implemented prior to the EbA project, including installation of rainwater collection units at individual households and underground water tanks which have helped local communities. Community members also mentioned constructed dams and flood canals. However, there is still a need to raise awareness about the benefits obtained from the EbA intervention measures to help local communities to be integrated into their implementation