This paper presents results of the assessment of changes in provision of forest ecosystem goods and services in the Ugalla-Masito Ecosystem, using a case study of Ilagala and Karago villages in Kigoma Region, where REDD is being piloted. Various data collection methods were employed. These included focused group discussions, key informants’ interviews, in-depth interviews using structured questionnaires and document analysis. The results indicate that the demand for forestry products in the ward is quite high compared to the level which the surrounding forest can supply. This includes demand for fuelwood, timber and building poles. The ecological footprint accounting techniques revealed that people in Karago need five to six times their available village area per year for fuelwood production, while for Ilagala, the requirement is 8.5 to 9.7 times. This implies that these villages have a very high ecological deficit. Regarding possible compensation for the forgone ecosystem services, the present study reveals that each household in the villages may need to be paid Tshs 1,919,000 – Tshs 2,586,000 ($ 1279-$ 1,724) per year as compensation for foregone fuelwood. The study recommends that there is a high need for conservation schemes such as the REDD project to cooperate with village governments in the farm field tree planting campaign as well as encouraging the use of improved stoves so as to cut down costs of fuelwood access in the foreseeable future.

 

Key words: Forest ecosystem goods and services, ecological footprint, benefit sharing.