English
The Restoration of Degraded Forests in Ghana: A Case Study in the Offinso Forest DistrictbackgroundThis study investigates how density and diversity of key native tree saplings differ in different plantation stand types in plantations adjacent to a degraded forest reserve in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The influence of overstory species composition on natural regeneration of single exotic (Cedrella odorata and Tectona grandis) and mixed stands (Khaya grandifoliola, Antiaris toxicaria, Ceiba pentandra, Triplochiton scleroxylon, Terminalia superb, Terminalia ivorensis and Anopyxis klaineana) of native species was assessed. Open access copy available |
18 Secondary Forests in West Africa: A Challenge and Opportunity for ManagementbackgroundThis chapter discusses the importance and threats to secondary forests in West Africa, and the description of the floristic diversity and forest succession in secondary forest ecosystems. In addition, silvicultural and complementary management systems and the opportunities and challenges related are also discussed. Open access copy available |
Reforestation of the Abutia Plains by indigenous communities in the Volta Basin (Ghana) ex post evaluationBackgroundDeforestation an degradation in Ghana has been an on-going issue, with one-third of the country's forested area reporting lossed between 1955 to 1972. This has been due to increased human acitivities and the effects have been further aggravated by socio-economic issues. In 1994, the government of Ghana adapted a Forest & Wildlife Policy and established a program for reforestation that involved a variety of stakeholders. Open access copy available |
The Socio-Economic Effects of Ghana's Government Afforestation Project on Beneficiary Farmers in the Dormaa District of the Brong Ahafo region of GhanaBackgroundForests play a central role in Ghana's global economy and local livelihoods, yet degradation and overharvesting continue to be an issue. In response, the Ghana government implemented an afforstation program in 2001 to restock forests and help alleviate poverty. Open access copy available |
Involving Local Farmers in Rehabilitation of Degraded Tropical Forests: Some Lessons from GhanabackgroundThis study is an analysis of a community-based tree planting project in Ghana using the taungya systems with indigenous trees. The project was sponsored by the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG), the government of Ghana, and the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO). The goal of the tree planting in the project was to improve forest rehabilitation as well as local livelihoods. Available with subscription or purchase |
Effect of Nursery Practices on Seedling Survival and Growth of Selected Miombo Tree Species, Morogoro, TanzaniabackgroundThis study investigates the effects of shade, polythene tube diameter and height, and soil mixtures on seedling survival and growth of five Miombo tree species in Morogoro, Tanzania. Research Goals & MethodsFor each species, two nursery experiments were carried out. That is a) degree of shading, pot diameter and height trial, which adopted a split-split plot design with three replications and b) nursery soil mixtures adopted a completely randomized block design with three replications. Available with subscription or purchase |
Recovery of Plant Species Richness and Composition in Abandoned Forest Settlement Area in KenyabackgroundThis paper examines natural regeneration of tree species in a former forest village settlement that had been cultivated and abandoned in Mau forest, Kenya. Following 19 years of abandonment, the site consists of 3 zones of recovery due to different degrees of degradation before abandonment, continued grazing, selective logging and firewood collection. The zones are grass zone (GZ), transition zone I (TZ I) and TZ II and secondary forests (SF). Available with subscription or purchase |
Trade-offs between tree cover, carbon storage and floristic biodiversity in reforesting landscapesBackgroundThe multiple benefits of reforestation projects for carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and other ecosystem services are taken as a given. Yet not all forests are equal. Plantation-type reforestation projects typically undertaken for carbon sequestration are known for low species richness and inadequate provision of other ecosystem services. This study explores the relationships between an increase in tree cover area and changes in forest carbon storage and the potential of a landscape to provide habitat for native floristic biodiversity. Available with subscription or purchase |
Establishment of Broad-leaved Thickets in Serengeti, Tanzania: The Influence of Fire, Browsers, Grass Competition, and ElephantsBackgroundIn Tanzania, thickets are declining due to frequent fires yet when the fires are removed the thickets fail to regrow. As a fire-resistant tree, seedlings of E. divinorum are potentially an ideal species to restore these land covers. Available with subscription or purchase |
Intensive Tree Planting Facilitates Tropical Forest Biodiversity and Biomass Accumulation in Kibale National Park, UgandabackgroundThis study investigates how intensive planting affects tropical forest regeneration and biomass accumulation in reforested sites in Kibale National Park, Uganda. The study assessed species richness of naturally regenerating (i.e. non-planted) species in the park and compared the biomass accumulation of planted versus naturally regenerating trees in sites replanted by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Available with subscription or purchase |
