A Measurement of Perceptions of the Forest Ecosystem among Visitors to the AL-Sunut Forest Reserve in Khartoum, Sudan

Suliman Yusif, Yukun Cao (), Abdelazim Eissa, Elsamoal Elzaki and Ammar Khalil
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Suliman Yusif: Department of Forestry Economics and Management, College of Economics and Management, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Yukun Cao: Department of Forestry Economics and Management, College of Economics and Management, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Abdelazim Eissa: Department of Agricultural Economics and Management, College of Economics and Management, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Elsamoal Elzaki: Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Dalanj, Dalanj P.O. Box 14, Sudan
Ammar Khalil: Faculty of Forest Science and Technology, University of Gazira, Wad-Madani P.O. Box 20, Sudan

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 10, 1-23

Abstract: The present study aimed to understand visitors’ perceptions of the ecosystem service functions of the AL-Sunut Forest Reserve, as well as their recreational activities. Here, the impact of respondents’ socioeconomic status on visitors’ perceptions was statistically analyzed by t -tests and ANOVA (SPSS software v26). Meanwhile, multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify the relationships between factors shaping respondents’ perceptions of the AL-Sunut Forest during recreational activities. A total of 441 visitors were randomly selected and questioned through a questionnaire survey during February and March 2020. The results showed that visitors believed the recreational forest site was important and valuable and were willing to revisit it. Visitors also demonstrated a particular understanding of the ecosystem services provided by the forest ecosystem. There were significant differences in perceptions of ecosystem services among visitors of different backgrounds. The findings indicated that 79% of participants responded positively towards the importance of environmental education compared with any other education. In addition, 90% of respondents believed that habitats and natural resources such as forests must be protected. The results of the recreational activities of visitors showed that they acquired the most benefits when experiencing picturesque scenery and walking. Overall, the present findings can pave the way for decision-makers to develop a unique plan focusing on forests to implement an exhaustive approach to assessing the value of ecosystem services while emphasizing the general public’s welfare. The study’s results can also contribute to the future management of the AL-Sunut Forest.

Keywords: perceptions; AL-Sunut Forest Reserve; ecosystem services; awareness; Khartoum State; visitors; natural resources (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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