ECOLOGIES OF WELL-BEING: LINKING FOREST BIODIVERSITY, INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND HOUSEHOLD RESILIENCE IN KAKAMEGA TROPICAL RAINFOREST ECOSYSTEM

Abstract

Forest biodiversity and indigenous ecological knowledge are interconnected socio-ecological assets that sustain the livelihoods and resilience of forest-dependent communities. However, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and socio-economic transformation increasingly threaten these systems and the well-being they support. This study examined the relationship between forest biodiversity, indigenous knowledge, and household resilience among communities surrounding Kakamega Tropical Rainforest, Kenya. Specifically, it explored indigenous knowledge of forest resource use, assessed the contribution of medicinal plants and non-timber forest products to livelihoods and health, evaluated the role of forest-based foods in food security, and examined community participation in biodiversity conservation. Guided by Firey's Theory of Resource Use and the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach, the study employed a mixed-methods cross-sectional design involving 384 households. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were generated through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings indicate that indigenous ecological knowledge remains central to the sustainable use and conservation of forest biodiversity, supporting household resilience through healthcare, nutrition, income generation, and cultural continuity. Indigenous conservation practices also enhance community stewardship and sustainable forest management. However, declining biodiversity and the erosion of indigenous knowledge pose significant challenges. The study concludes that integrating indigenous knowledge into biodiversity conservation and forest governance can strengthen household resilience and sustainable development. It recommends documenting indigenous knowledge, conserving indigenous plant species, and promoting community-based forest management and participatory conservation policies.