Assessment of provisioning and cultural ecosystem services in natural wetlands and rice fields in Kano floodplain, Kenya

- Conversion of natural wetlands into rice fields enhances food production.
- Rice fields have a higher value in terms of provisioning and cultural ES.
- Supply of ES in the rice fields are partially dependent on the natural wetlands.
- Natural wetlands provide fibre; grass, papyrus and reeds, and fish.
- Sustainable utilisation of ES in both natural wetlands and rice fields is vital.

This study assessed provisioning and cultural ecosystem services (ES) provided by natural wetlands and rice fields in two Kenyan wetlands; Ombeyi natural wetland and rice fields in Kore Irrigation Scheme. Data was collected through household questionnaire survey of 151 randomly selected farmers and 1 focus group discussion. The provisioning ES assessed included fibre; papyrus mats, reeds and thatching grass; fish and rice while cultural ES were religious/spiritual, eco-tourism, educational excursions and recreational use. The provisioning ES were quantified in terms of biophysical quantities and monetary value while cultural ES were graded per level of utilisation as low, medium and high. The study revealed that rice fields have enhanced food production (rice) in the area in addition to their higher value in terms of provisioning ES; rice (USD 602.49) and fish (USD 1039.50), and cultural ES (religious/spiritual and recreational use). In the natural wetland, both provisioning and cultural ES have declined over the past 20 years. The annual monetary value of USD 397.40 and 683.50 were observed for papyrus mats and fish production respectively in the natural wetland. Although rice fields seem to have higher value compared to the natural wetland sustainable utilisation of both systems is crucial in enhancing livelihoods.