Buyekwa, Agnesta Julius2026-01-222026-01-222024https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7250DissertationMountain ecosystems are of significant ecological value, providing diverse ecosystem services (ES) that contribute to the well-being of human populations residing in mountain regions and neighbouring lowlands. Also, these ecosystems also supply a multitude of ecosystem services that enhance the achievement and attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are formulated with the aim of integrating and achieving favourable outcomes across societal, economic, and environmental dimensions. The objectives of this study were to: (i) identify and map key stakeholders of provisioning ecosystem services, (ii) identify key provisioning ecosystem services and assess the value perceptions of different stakeholders on the identified provisioning ecosystem services (iii) determine the monetary value and contribution of the provisioning services to household welfare through attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study employed a descriptive and cross-sectional research design involving, a sample size of 90 households. Data were collected through household questionnaire survey and focused group discussion. Qualitative data from the livelihood activities and organizations linked to ecosystem services and identification of provisioning ecosystem services were analysed through content analysis while quantitative data from identification of provisioning services were analysed through Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The comparison between the most and least important provisioning services was analysed using a matrix ranking. Monetary value of provisioning services was determined by economic analysis using the choice experiment method while the monetary value average and household proportions was computed through Microsoft Excel for average economic contribution of identified service to the overall well-being of a community. Total of seven key provisioning services, including clean water, food, and medicinal plants, firewood, honey and poles, were identified. These provisioning services address several important SDGs including SDG 1, SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 6, SDG7, SDG 8 and SDG 15. Water was the highest-ranked provisioning service, with a perception score of 35, highlighting its critical importance to the local community. Food was ranked second, with a score of 18, followed by fodder with a score of 12, and firewood with a score of 10. Medicine, honey, and poles were ranked as the least important provisioning services, with scores of 8, 5, and 2, respectively. The total economic value (TEV) of the most important provisioning services in Kibosho East Ward amounts to an impressive 543.5 million (currently US$ 226,445). The value of provisioning ES is apparently contributing substantially to the local economy on the Kilimanjaro ecosystem. The findings also show a comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem's resources and their associated benefits with potential to contribute to the attainment of the SDGs. Consequently, the study recommends to invest in capacity building initiatives to empower stakeholders with the knowledge, skills and resources needed for effective participation in ecosystem management processes. It also suggests the establishment of integrated management approaches that consider the economic significance of provisioning services.enEcosystemsProvisioning ServicesLivelihood PatternsTotal Economic ValueThesis