IDENTIFYING MOTIVATION FOR SHEA NUTS GATHERING IN AN URBAN COMMUNITY FROM GHANA

Abstract

Fruit bats survey and interviews were conducted to collect data on bat roosting sites and gatherers’ motivation for collecting nuts respectively. Three different fruit bat species were identified from four different roosting sites. Income was identified to be the major motivating factor among the five factors that urged the gatherers to collect Shea nuts. Gatherers mentioned more often that bat discarded nuts have short shelf life than any other demotivating factor. There was a statistically significant relationship between demotivating factors and gatherers’ discriminatory tendencies against bat discarded nuts (X 2 =31.536, Df=5, P=7.342e-6). However, there was no statistically significant relationship between demotivating and motivating factors (X 2 = 26.592, Df=20, P=0.1471). Gatherers without formal education made the largest sales from Shea nuts than the educated. There was statistically significant relationship between educational background and income generated from Shea nuts ( X 2 = 47.303, Df=27, P= 9.175e-3 ) . The widowed had the highest median income values from Shea nuts although there was no statistically significant relationship between marital status and income generated. All age groups were involved in Shea nuts gathering and the general trend suggested the levels of incomes generated increase with age. There was a statistically significant relationship between gatherers’ age and number of children whereas there was no statistically significant relationship between the number of children and income generated. The findings in this study showed mostly, majority of the roosting orientation was towards the leeward side of the trees that pointed towards the western ends of the tree canopies. This finding indicates the bats roosting orientation preferences was to reduce the negative impacts of the early to midday heat and to enjoy sunset low temperatures before flying to feeding sites. This agrees with Ruczynski et al., 2007 report that indicated the level of temperature is a factor in bat roosting preferences. The authors stated high temperatures affect bat thermoregulation activities negatively.