Secondary & Degraded Forest Restoration
Experiences of a research institute in forest restoration practices in NigeriaBackgroundThis paper reports on the activities championed by the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria within its mandates particularly in the area of forest conservation and management in six ecological zones of the country to recuperate the nations’ ecological integrity. Open access copy available |
Diseño metodológico de restauración de la reserva forestal Cárpatosguasca – Cundinamarca,Colombia (Methodological design for the restoration of Carpatosguasca forest reserve in Guasca-Cundinamarca, Colombia)EspañolantecedentesEl estudio tiene por objectivo generar un protocolo de restauración para la Reserva Forestal Cárpatos, localizada en el municipio de Guasca, Cundinamarca, Colombia. El estudio presenta tratamientos de manejo de gramíneas invasoras que facilitan el establecimiento de especies pioneras y la recuperación paulatina de las áreas degradadas. Open access copy available |
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 |
The Savanna Tree Acacia polyacantha Facilitates the Establishment of Riparian Forests in Serengeti National Park, TanzaniabackgroundThis study tests if stands of Acacia polyacantha facilitate the establishment of forest trees by examining the distribution, growth, and survival of juvenile forest trees. The influence of stand size, locations within the stand, presence of canopy trees, competition from grasses, effects of fires and effects of thorny shrubs on herbivore exclusion and conditions for establishment of A. polyacantha in grasslands were examined in Serengeti National Park of Tanzania. Open access copy available |
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 |
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 |
Enrichment Planting Does Not Improve Tree Restoration when Compared with Natural Regeneration in a Former Pine Plantation in Kibale National Park, UgandabackgroundThis study assesses the rate of biomass accumulation of planted seedlings relative to natural regeneration in a harvested plantation in Kibale National Park, Uganda. Enrichment planting was carried out in an area where a pine plantation had been harvested to determine the relative value of these management options. Available with subscription or purchase |
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 |
Forest Succession in Kibale National Park, Uganda: Implications for Forest Restoration and ManagementbackgroundThis sudy examines forest succession in 4 plots in former grasslands adjacent to mature forests in Kibale National Park, Ngogo, Uganda. These plots were located in areas protected from fire for .58,25,9 and 30 years for plots 1,2, 3, and 4 respectively. Available with subscription or purchase |
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 |

