The linkages between local Ecological knowledge and land-use allocation among rural communities in South Africa

Land-use allocation is a management framework for sharing land resources among different uses for diverse purposes. This study investigated household local knowledge and land-use allocation using two local municipalities in South Africa. The study aimed to understand the interactions among household knowledge systems, environmental parameters, and how these influence land use allocation decisions. A quantitative research design was employed, involving a questionnaire covering household ecological knowledge. The field observations and questionnaire data were coded and analyzed using Microsoft Excel to yield valuable statistics. Spearman's correlation (two-tailed), multiple regression, and two-way ANOVA analyses were applied in hypothesis testing. The findings inferred a strong linkage between land-use allocation and ecological knowledge. The community's land allocation for different purposes depends on their education level, occupational status, resource access, and residence time. Local ecological knowledge about rainfall, the onset of seasons, temperature range, and soil type influences cropping and land utilization. The local ecological knowledge acquired from formal or informal sources significantly influences land use, planning, and management of land resources. Therefore, incorporating indigenous knowledge during land-use allocation is essential for the resilience of rural economies and livelihoods. This paper provides attention to the central contribution of local ecological knowledge to the information of sustainable land-use planning and rural development policy guidance.