Sub-Saharan Africa
Native Woody Species Regeneration in Exotic Tree Plantations at Munessa-Shashemene Forest, Southern EthiopiabackgroundThis study investigates native woody species regeneration in 4 exotic species monoculture plantations in Munessa-Shashemene Forest Project Area in southern Ethiopia. The plantation ages ranged from 9 to 28 years. Research Goals & MethodsTo sample for vegetation diversity and analyses of floristic composition, species richness, and abundance, 60 sample plots were established in the study area. 48 of these plots were in plantations and 12 were in adjacent natural forests. Available with subscription or purchase |
Responses of Tree Seedlings to the Removal of Chromolaena odorata Linn. in a Degraded Forest in GhanabackgroundThis study assesses the effects of Chromolaena odorata, a dense grass removal on native trees seedlings in a degraded dry semi-deciduous forest in Ghana. Research Goals & MethodsChromolaena odorata was removed from 50% of the plots and the other half left intact. Seedling height, the number of leaves per seedling, and seedling mortality were investigated in both released and unreleased plots immediately after the release treatment in June 1998 and again 3 months later September 1998. Available with subscription or purchase |
Rehabilitation of Forest-Savannas in Ghana: The Impacts of Land Use, Shade, and Invasive Species on Tree RecruitmentbackgroundThis study investigates the varying potential of soil seed banks of predominant agricultural land uses for the recruitment of trees from seeds and seedlings in 3 farming communities in a forest-savanna ecological zone in Ghana. Available with subscription or purchase |
Effects of Ground Preparation and Microenvironment on Germination and Natural Regeneration of Juniperus procera and Afrocarpus gracilior in EthiopiaBackgroundThis study assesses the net effect of seed supply and seedbed changes on germination and natural regeneration of J. procera and A. gracilior in the Afromontane forests of Ethiopia. Available with subscription or purchase |
Changes in Plant Species Composition Within a Planted Forest in a Deciduous Agroecosystem in GhanaBackgroundEarly-successional tree plantations can promote regeneration of second-growth mixed-species forests. While non-native species have been studied for their role in enabling second-growth regeneration, this study surveys understories of plantations of trees native to Ghana in a post-maize site to explore the suitability of native trees for promoting second-growth regeneration. Available with subscription or purchase |
Forest Restoration in Abandoned Agricultural Land: a Case Study from East AfricabackgroundThis study quantifies the pattern of forest recovery following clearing and 3 years of cultivation of an abandoned agricultural land adjacent to a 300ha relatively undisturbed natural forest in a moist-evergreen forest in Kibale National Park, Uganda. Available with subscription or purchase |
And Yet It Moves: Success Stories and Drivers of CDM Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa (UNEP)backgroundThis report by the UNEP reviews CDM (Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol) projects in Africa. CDM projects allow polluting countries to offset their carbon emissions by financing clean development projects such as clean energy and efficiency, emissions capture, and reforestation in developing countries. This study examines CDM projects in Africa and includes a reforestation project in the DR Congo. Open access copy available |
Tree regeneration in church forests of Ethiopia: effects of microsites and managementBackgroundTree regeneration is severely hampered in the fragmented afromontane forests of northern Ethiopia. Pressures of harvesting and grazing and climactic conditions present challenges to regeneration. This study explores how trees regenerate in remnant forests along the gradient from open field, forest edge to closed sites and canopy gaps inside the forest. Available with subscription or purchase |
Does Weeding Promote Regeneration of an Indigenous Tree Community in Felled Pine Plantations in UgandabackgroundThis study evaluates a management scheme to cut vines, grasses, and shrubs to promote regeneration of indigenous trees subsequent to removal of plantation softwoods over a period of 3 years in Kibale National Park, Uganda. Research Goals & MethodsSampling of tree species from seedlings to adults were identified to species. The diameter of all stems more than 1.2m tall were measured at that height (DBH). The plots were subjected to subsequent cutting of weeds on average once every 7 months. Available with subscription or purchase |
Occurrence of Nodulation in Unexplored Leguminous Trees Native to the West African Tropical Rainforest and Inoculation Response of Native Species useful in ReforestationBackgroundFew studies examine the ability of leguminous tree species to nodulate and fix atmospheric N, especially symbiotically with rhizobia; this study seeks to fill that research gap. The occurrence of nodulation was determined in 156 mature leguminous species growing in 6 natural forest areas in south-eastern Guinea and an in situ experiment of rhizobia inoculation was performed on 8 selected tree species. Open access copy available |
