| dc.description.abstract | The households’ socio-cultural characteristics are vital indicators of land use
practices and human development. Attributes, for example, culture, education,
and gender affect the tree species’ cover distribution. However, it is little
known if they influence the dominant tree species diversity. The effort to
alleviate low-level education, gender inequality accelerated by the local
cultural beliefs and traditions has proved ineffective. This survey assessed the
effect of culture, analysed the effect of education level, and evaluated the
effect of gender on tree species diversity. A sample of 384 household heads
was interviewed. A descriptive cross-section survey design and systematic
random sampling were applied. Data sources were; Focus Group Discussions,
key informants, observation, measurement, enumeration, and photography.
Shannon Wiener’s diversity index was applied. Data was analysed using R
statistics. Culturally non-adhering households t (363) = 2.62, p = .011,
registered significant higher mean score (M = 1.49, SD = 0.82) compared to
culturally conservative (M = 1.77, SD = 0.87). Households with higher
education level registered (M = 2.02, SD = 0.12) which demonstrated lower
score, compared to the households characterized by basic level of education
(M = 2.43, SD = 0.26) with a significance of t (382) = 1.74, p =.036, There
was insignificant mean score in species diversity contrast in the gender
categories, t (382) = 0.639 p = .051, despite males (M = 2.40, SD = 0.26)
attaining a lower diversity mean score (M = 2.43, SD = 0.12). The local
dominant tree species’ diversity is affected by socio-cultural characteristics.
Therefore, for the restoration and conservation of the tree species diversity,
the socio-cultural functions should be addressed in the Ugenya Sub-County to
attain net carbon sink prospects | en_US |
