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Sprouting, succession and tree species diversity in a South African coastal dune forest

Background

This study examines the role of sprouting in the maintenance of plant diversity where prevailing disturbance frequency and severity allows, specifically, in the coastal dune forest of Kwazulu-Natal. 

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Targeted habitat restoration can reduce extinction rates in fragmented forests

Background

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Floristic composition, structure and natural regeneration in a moist semideciduous forest following anthropogenic disturbances and plant invasion

Background

This research examined the floristic composition, struture and natural regeneration in three different forests: undisturbed (UF), disturbed-invaded (DIF) and disturbed (DF) within a forest reserve in Ghana.

Open access copy available

Safety Nets, Gap Filling and Forests: A Global-Comparative Perspective

BACKGROUND

This paper seeks to prove how forests and wildlands are utilized in developing countries as safety nets to shocks, and how they provide resources for seasonal gap filling. The study was carried out in various developing countries in different continents. Areas where there is no forest at all were excluded and those completely forest covered such as those dominated by hunter- gatherers were not considered.

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Carbon farming with bamboos in Africa: A call for action

BACKGROUND

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Plantation Forestry in Sub Saharan Africa: Silvicultural, Ecological and Economic Aspects

BACKGROUND

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Management and Performance of Eucalyptus camaldulensis in the Murewa and Mutoko Districts of Zimbabwe

BACKGROUND

Zimbabwe’s afforestation program has used Eucalyptus trees because of their fast growth rate and their ability to adapt to different environmental conditions. These trees are grown to provide fuelwood and to curb deforestation. However, the afforestation program had poor results. Hence, there was a need to examine causes of poor performance to justify why the program still needs expansion.

Open access copy available

A comparative study of medicinal plants used in rural areas of Namibia and Zimbabwe

BACKGROUND

Despite the adoption of Western pharmaceutical drugs in developing countries, traditional medicine produced from wild plants is still the source of primary health care. In some countries up to 90% of the people rely on traditional medicines. Few studies have done a comparative analysis of the herbal medicines in Africa.

Open access copy available

Assessment of causes that contribute to the occurrence of plantations forests fires in Niassa Province, North of Mozambique

BACKGROUND

The government of Mozambique started to promote exotic forest plantations (pine & eucalyptus) because of low natural forest productivity, population growth and land use pressure. Niassa province was one of the provinces for this plantation program. However, fires in these commercial plantations have brought an enormous risk for companies, yet these companies provide the greatest source of employment for the local people.

Open access copy available

Research on Indigenous Knowledge and its Application: A Case of wild food plants of Zimbabwe

BACKGROUND

There has been so much emphasis on the documentation of Indigenous Knowledge due to the fear that it is getting lost. However, little attention has been given to the application of this knowledge and how it should benefit indigenous communities. Hence this study drew its research on wild food plants of Zimbabwe and attempted to show how indigenous knowledge can be applied in education and community settings. 

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Garden Plants in Zimbabwe: Their ethnomedicinal uses and reported toxicity

BACKGROUND

In Zimbabwe, there are several plants that have been grown in homes for primary survival and for aesthetic reasons, both exotic and indigenous species. The properties of some of these plants is unknown yet some have been discovered to be poisonous to humans and livestock. Some cases of plant poison have been accidental, hence there is need to protect the public from the toxicity of these plants.

Open access copy available

Distribution and genetic diversity of five invasive pests of Eucalyptus in sub-Saharan Africa

BACKGROUND

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Contributions of agroforestry to ecosystem services in the miombo eco-region of eastern and southern Africa

BACKGROUND

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Forests as safety nets for mitigating the impacts of HIV/AIDS in southern Africa

BACKGROUND

Open access copy available

Mangroves of Kenya: The effects of species richness on growth and ecosystem functions of restored East African Mangrove stands

Background

The authors of the story identify the gaps in long-term studies on the relationship between species diversity and ecosystem services in specific ecosystems. The study focuses on one of these ecosystems: mangroves, examining the effects of species diversity on above ground productivity. 

Open access copy available

Forest and wildlife resource-conservation efforts based on indigenous knowledge: The case of Nharira community in Chikomba district, Zimbabwe

BACKGROUND

Indigenous Knowledge (IK) plays a significant role in the sustainable management of forest and wildlife resources. In Zimbabwe, most forests and woodlands within communal areas are being successfully managed under the authorities of traditional leaders who base their conservation strategies on their local knowledge as compared with conventional methods such as fencing which bring conflict with the local people.

Open access copy available

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS AND THE CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN THE SHANGWE COMMUNITY IN GOKWE DISTRICT, ZIMBABWE

BACKGROUND

The rapid decline in global biodiversity is being attributed to the erosion of traditional beliefs globally. In the Gokwe area of Zimbabwe, the Shangwe people are known for their wise use of IKS in the preservation of their environment. They are also known for their cultural beliefs and taboos which can be recognized in songs and dance as they give veneration to their Nevana rain spirit.

Open access copy available

The ecology and management of the Miombo woodlands for sustainable livelihoods in southern Africa: the case for non-timber forest products

BACKGROUND

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Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration Enhances Rural Livelihoods in Dryland West Africa

BACKGROUND

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Potential for low-cost carbon removal through tropical reforestation

background

Open access copy available