Restoration measures of the riparian vegetation of the Black Volta Basin in Ghana: Experiences from the Lawra Municipality

Abstract

The study is focused on measures put in place to restore the degraded riparian vegetation of the Black Volta Basin in the Lawra Municipality. The study is necessitated by the fact that much attention has not been given to rehabilitation of degraded riparian flora species in the Upper West Region by scholars and researchers. The current study aims at filling the knowledge gaps on restoration measures of degraded riparian flora species in the Lawra Municipality in particular and Upper West Region in general. Going by pragmatism as a research philosophy, the study employed the mixed methods research approach in data collection, analysis, and presentation. Computed values of the Shannon Wiener Index (0.686) and Simpson's Index (1.5328) show that the riparian vegetation of the Black Volta Basin in the Lawra Municipality has dwindled due to livelihood activities as compared to the Shannon Index (1.6406) and Simpson's Index (3.5511) of the riparian vegetation of the Burkina Faso site across the Black Volta Basin. The reduction in vegetative cover of the Black Volta Basin in the Lawra Municipality is confirmed by satellite images which demonstrate dwindling riparian vegetation in the years 2020 and 2021 as compared to the years 2000 and 2001. The current study also discloses that restoration of the riparian vegetation of the Black Volta Basin in the Lawra Municipality is a collaborative effort of local and external stakeholders using measures such as complete ban on farming activities within the riparian zone, creating a buffer zone, promoting natural regeneration and a total ban on logging in the riparian zone. The study concludes that restoration of the degraded riparian vegetation of the Black Volta Basin of the study area is a panacea for sustainable development. It is recommended that by-laws to prevent logging of riparian tree species should be enforced by local and external stakeholders of the riparian vegetation of the study area.