Attitudes of Local Communities towards Marula Tree (Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra) Conservation at the Villages of Ha-Mashau and Ha-Mashamba in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

The marula tree (Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra), a common species in sub-Saharan Africa, grows naturally in both protected and communal land. Although considerable research has been undertaken on these trees in southern Africa, to the authors’ knowledge, the attitudes of local communities towards the protection of marula trees, particularly in communal land, has not been researched. This study intends to fill this gap in knowledge by examining the attitudes of local people towards conservation of marula trees. Studying the attitudes of people can provide insights on how they behave and how they are willing to coexist with S. birrea. The case study is set in Limpopo Province of South Africa in the villages of Ha-Mashau (Thondoni) and Ha-Mashamba where marula trees grow naturally. To fulfil the aim of this study, door-to-door surveys were carried out in 2018 and questionnaire interviews were used as the main data collection tool in 150 randomly selected households. The study revealed that local communities in the study area had positive attitudes towards conservation of marula trees. Strategies that are used by local communities to protect marula trees in communal land are discussed.

The Future of Food: Domestication and Commercialization of Indigenous Food Crops in Africa over the Third Decade (2012–2021)

“…Nevertheless, the natural resource is under considerable pressure due to the extensive clearing of woodlands for settlement and agriculture, which threaten the ecosystem services and genetic diversity of the species [85]. Despite this, a survey in southern Africa found that local communities had positive attitudes towards the conservation of marula trees and were also keen to participate in their domestication [87]. It was also clear that there is a need for more information about local management strategies [88], including its vulnerability to wildlife pressures from fruit and seed predation, especially from elephants [89].…”

The influence of human values on attitudes and behaviours towards forest conservation

“…Other studies have revealed that the strong cultural attachment to some forests has made it difficult for local people to accept some conservation efforts, especially those limiting their access to the forest (Nkemnyi et al, 2013). Consequently, cultural value can be a weak and inadequate value system for conservation (Jones et al, 2008;Sinthumule & Mashau, 2019).…”

Physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of marula fruit (Sclerocarya birrea subsp. Caffra) steamed and boiled before juice extraction

“…Marula fruit juice has been investigated for its exceptionally high quantity of vitamin C content, reported to be about 62–400 mg per 100 g in fresh juice (Hiwilepo‐van Hal et al, 2012). Due to its high vitamin C content, marula fruit could act as an alternative source of vitamin C for individuals seeking to variegate from market‐driven fruits such as citrus fruits, apples, grapes, and guabiroba fruit (Grutzmann Arcari et al, 2020; Sinthumule & Mashau, 2019).…”

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Marula fruit (Sclerocarya birrea subsp. Caffra) is to a great extent the most utilized indigenous wild fruit for local rural communities of southern African communities (Sinthumule & Mashau, 2019).The fruits are consumed in their raw form or transformed into byproducts such as jams, beverages, concentrates, and the popular fermented alcoholic beverage known as Amarula (Dlamini, 2011;Schulze-Kaysers et al, 2015). Marula fruit juice has been investigated for its exceptionally high quantity of vitamin C content, reported to be about 62-400 mg per 100 g in fresh juice (Hiwilepo-van Hal et al, 2012).

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“…Marula fruit (Sclerocarya birrea subsp. Caffra) is to a great extent the most utilized indigenous wild fruit for local rural communities of southern African communities (Sinthumule & Mashau, 2019).…”