LOCAL-LEVEL VALUATION OF SAVANNA RESOURCES - A CASE-STUDY FROM ZIMBABWE

This paper values the savanna woodland resources of two neighbouring v illages in Zimbabwe. Households receive a diverse range of products fr om a variety of ecologically contrasting sites, and a large number of products are marketed. Whilst the rules and regulations regarding tree -based resources are similar in the two villages, there is a greater d egree of enforcement in Jinga, where ecological sustainability is also more promising. Using a derived demand approach, it was found that, i n both villages, fuelwood for household cooking, wild fruits and poles are the most important in terms of contribution to total value. The t otal values obtained for the woodland products investigated are sizeab le by comparison to annual cash income. Non-market values (water reten tion, rainmaking functions, etc.) were ranked highly during participat ory rural appraisal techniques, The valuation of a select range of pro ducts based on market prices is thus a small component of total econom ic value.