Abstract
National parks play important roles in the conservation of biodiversity, environmental protection, and provision of resources for local livelihoods. This research aims at examining the effect of forest cover change in Phnom Kulen National Park (PKNP) on water quality and downstream local livelihoods along the Siem Reap river. Forest cover change in the park was collected from the United States Geological Survey from 2000 to 2016 through the Multi-Temporal Satellite Imagery (MTSI). The study used livelihood approach to interview with 120 households and four key-informants to elicit local perceptions on effect of forest lost on their livelihoods. The research found the forest cover in PKNP decreased by 22% from 2000 to 2016. The loss of forest cover has affected downstream local people whose daily livelihoods depend on Siem Reap River. Scores on local perceptions were low. Livelihood capital were performed low; only 0.48 score on natural capital, 0.44 score on human, and 0.24 score on financial capital, in which correspondent perceived their livelihood did depend significantly on those capitals. However, we found that the physical and social capitals were not significantly affected by the forest cover change because forest clearing created stable access to infrastructure and social network. As forest cover declined impacted on the declined of crop production, fish availability, water quality and access to clean water. As local needs to adopt new skills for living, human and financial capitals were low. The study confirmed the forest cover change at national park had a serious impact on the downstream local livelihoods.
