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Restoration of Dry Afromontane forest using pioneer shrubs as nurse-plants for Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata

Background

Shrubs are often considered competitive barriers for seedlings planted in reforestation programs, although they can facilitate tree recruitment, especially in ecosystems under high abiotic stress. An alternative reforestation technique using pioneer shrubs as nurse-plants for Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata was tested in exclosures in northern Ethiopia.

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The Restoration of Degraded Forests in Ghana: A Case Study in the Offinso Forest District

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The Socio-Economic Effects of Ghana's Government Afforestation Project on Beneficiary Farmers in the Dormaa District of the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana

Background

Forests 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. 

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Involving Local Farmers in Rehabilitation of Degraded Tropical Forests: Some Lessons from Ghana

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This 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.

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Effect of Nursery Practices on Seedling Survival and Growth of Selected Miombo Tree Species, Morogoro, Tanzania

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This 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.

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Recovery of Plant Species Richness and Composition in Abandoned Forest Settlement Area in Kenya

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This 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).

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Suitability of the Taungya System at North Kilimanjaro Forest Plantation, Tanzania

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This study analyses a taungya system in a north Kilimanjaro plantation forest in Tanzania. This study assesses the costs and revenues resulting from this system and the impacts to agriculture.

Research Goals & Methods

Field research was conducted to assess survival, food crop yield, financial feasability.

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Restoration and Rehabilitation of Degraded Ecosystems in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands. II. Case studies in Southern Tunisia, Central Chile and Northern Cameroon

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This study compares non-human and human determinants of ecosystem degradation processes in three contrasted regions, as well as interventions tested in each. The three responses to ecosystem degradation under review are restoration, rehabilitation and reallocation as applied to ongoing projects in arid mediterranean region of southern Tunisia, the semi arid tropical savannas of northern Cameroon.

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Diversity of Naturally-Regenerated Native Woody Species in Forest Plantations in the Ethiopian Highlands

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This paper examines woody species diversity and understory vegetation of naturally regenerated native tree and shrub species in 4-plantation forests and adjacent natural forests in Wono Genet in Ethiopia.

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Influence of species richness and environmental context on early survival of replanted mangroves at Gazi bay, Kenya

Background

Mangrove restoration is often unsuccessful, thus this study involves long-term large-scale experiments measuring a range of ecosystem functions in replanted mangrove stands in Ghazi in Kenya funded by Earthwatch.

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Natural Regeneration of Woody Stands in the Groundnut Basin Lands in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone (Region of Kaffrine, Senegal)

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This study evaluates the regeneration capacity of woody tree species in lands of South-eastern Groundnut Basin in Senegal.

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Colonization of Non-Planted Mangrove Species into Restored Mangrove Stands in Gazi Bay, Kenya

Background

As mangroves are being recognized as some of the world’s most productive ecosystems, restoration efforts are being undertaken around the world. Not all projects are successful, however. This study will potentially help mangrove restoration practitioners with species selection.

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Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) Projects: Lessons for Future Policy Design and Implementation

Background

This study reviews six representative Reducing Emissions through Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) initiatives, two each from Africa, Asia and Latin America, by presenting their strengths, weakensses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT).

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The Effects of Cultivation History on Forest Recovery in Fallows in the Eastern Arc Mountain, Tanzania

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The authors of this study looked at fallows of varying age within systems of shifting cultivation to understand factors that influence their recovery. The authors focused on the role of duration of cultivation and cropping history in influencing recovery. All cropping systems in the area are shade intolerant.

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Regeneration of Five Combretaceae Species along a Latitudinal Gradient in Sahelo-Sudanian Zone of Burkina Faso

Backgruond

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Seed Dispersal and Potential Forest Succession in Abandoned Agriculture in Tropical Africa

Background

Forest succession on disturbed and post-agrarian lands is often slow because the resources necessary for succession – such as soil nutrients, seeds, and moisture – are depleted. In such areas, succession may depend on bat- and bird-dispersed seeds arriving from distant forest patches.

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The Horseradish Tree, Moringa pterygosperma (Moringaceae)— A boon to Arid Lands?

Background

The horseradish tree (Moringa pterygosperma) is being introduced into drought-ridden lands t o augment the local food and fodder supply.This study evaluates the reforestation potential of Moringa in India and Africa. 

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Karité (Vitellaria paradoxa) and Néré (Parkia biglobosa) associated with Crops in South Mali

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This study analyzes the growing conditions of agricultural crops (cotton, sorghum, and pearl millet) under the common African savanna agroforestry trees Parkia biglobosa (karité) and Vitellaria paradoxa (néré), the source of the cosmetic product shea butter.

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Uses, Management, and Economic Potential of Dacryodes edulis (Burseraceae) in the Humid Lowlands of Cameroon

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This article discusses the economic potential of a African rainforest fruit tree, Dacryodes edulis. The fruit is locally consumed and traded, in addition to its household value for oil and medicinal bark.

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Uses, Management and Economic Potential of Garcinia kola and Ricinodendron heudelotii in the humid lowlands of Cameroon

Background

This article describes two common fruit and medicinal trees (non-timber) that grow in secondary forests in the lowlands of Cameroon. The trees are found to have a mixed effect in an agroforestry environment; sometimes they improve crop production, sometimes they do not. Fruit are consumed by families and sold in markets.

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