Assessing the Socioeconomic and Ecological Impacts of Community Forest Management in Taraba State, North East Nigeria

Community forest management schemes represent a promising approach for simultaneously conserving forest resources and improving rural livelihoods in Nigeria. This study assessed the socioeconomic and ecological impacts of a community forest management programme operating in four communities in Taraba State. A mixed-methods evaluation design was employed, combining forest inventory measurements, household income surveys, and focus group discussions. Forest inventory data were collected from community-managed forest plots and compared with neighbouring unmanaged forest areas. Household surveys captured income from forest-based enterprises, perceptions of forest condition change, and satisfaction with benefit-sharing arrangements. Ecological indicators assessed included tree density, basal area, species richness, and forest regeneration status. Results showed that community-managed forests had significantly higher tree density and greater species richness than comparable unmanaged areas, consistent with effective protection of tree cover under community governance. Participating households reported a 28 percent average increase in income attributable to non-timber forest product collection and ecotourism-related activities since programme inception. However, inequitable benefit distribution and limited women's participation in decision-making were identified as governance weaknesses. The study recommends strengthening internal governance structures with gender-responsive by-laws, enhancing technical capacity among community forest committees, and scaling the model to additional forest communities in Taraba State. Keywords: community forest management, Taraba State, forest governance, socioeconomic impact, biodiversity.