Sub-Saharan Africa
Fires in exotic forest plantations of Zimbabwe: Causes and management strategiesBACKGROUNDOf the 201,704-ha allocated to plantation forestry in Zimbabwe, 95,754-ha is usable. Forest plantations are mainly composed of Eucalyptus, Wattle and Pine. The dominant species grown are Pinus patula, P. taeda, E. grandis and Acacia mearnsii. Revenue is generated from timber exports. Forest fires are the major contributors of significant financial losses in these commercial plantations. Hence this article examines the causes of these fires and possible strategies for mitigating these anthropogenic fires. Available with subscription or purchase |
Carbon farming with bamboos in Africa: A call for actionBACKGROUNDBamboos are of paramount importance for livelihoods, landscapes, and climate change mitigation. When compared to other regions, little research has been done about bamboo resources in Africa. This is because National Forest Resources Assessments rarely capture the necessary data. Approximately, there are 38 species of woody bamboos native to sub-Saharan Africa including Madagascar with many endemic species. So far, their population is dwindling but if sustainably managed, they can contribute significantly economically and to the environment. Open access copy available |
Safety Nets, Gap Filling and Forests: A Global-Comparative PerspectiveBACKGROUNDThis 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. Open access copy available |
Impact of Forest Management on Insect Abundance and Damage in a Lowland Tropical Forest in Southern CameroonBackgroundA burgeoning timber industry in Cameroon, which became the fifth largest producer of timber in the world in the 1990’s, led to unsustainably high deforestation rates and high demand for forest regeneration interventions. Research in the Mbalmayo Forest Reserve in southern Cameroon has compared different silvicultural techniques for forest regeneration including complete and partial clearance methods. Available with subscription or purchase |
Fuelwood collection and its impacts on a protected tropical mountain forest in Uganda.Background This study examined the patterns, effects and potential management of fuelwood extraction on the forest of Mt Elgon, located in the Eastern part of Uganda, Sub- Saharan Africa. Fuelwood is the main source of energy, mainly collected from the forest. 98% of the households use fuelwood and charcoal for cooking and heating. This is a protected area with a history of conflict between surrounding populations and conservation actors. No other forest remains in its direct vicinity.Research goals and Methods Available with subscription or purchase |
Floristic composition, structure and natural regeneration in a moist semideciduous forest following anthropogenic disturbances and plant invasionBackgroundThis 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 |
Targeted habitat restoration can reduce extinction rates in fragmented forestsBackgroundHabitat lost is one of the primary drivers of species extinction. This study examines two highly-fractured ecosystems, the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania and the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, and evaluates the rate at which habitat loss may lead to extinction and thus biodiversity loss. Specifically, the authors use halflife vs. area relationship to determine how long it will take to lose one-half of all tropical bird communities in each habitat. Open access copy available |
Restoration of Ecosystem Carbon Stocks following Exclosure Establisment in Communal Grazing Lands in Tigray, EthiopiaBackgroundThe study examines changes in ecosystem Carbon stocks (ECS) after the establishment of exclosures on communal grazing lands. Exclosures are areas where livestock are prohibited from grazing. Available with subscription or purchase |
Sprouting, succession and tree species diversity in a South African coastal dune forestBackgroundThis 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. Open access copy available |
Bioremediation of a crude-oil polluted agricultural-soil at Port Harcourt, NigeriaBackgroundSince more than 98% of Nigeria’s current economic support is crude oil, and oil spills are in inevitable and frequent, six treatment sample-cell were tested on the soils of the Niger Delta of Nigeria for crude oil bioremediation. Oil spills cause nitrogen levels to decrease, while increasing carbon content. A decrease in nitrogen and the toxicity of crude oil reduces the growth of heterotrophic bacteria, which utilize petroleum carbon for cell synthesis. Available with subscription or purchase |
