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ArticleAssessing tree succession, species diversity and carbon sequestration potentials in off-reserve secondary forests for REDD+ implementation in Ghana
XV World Forestry Congress, 2-6 May 2022
2022Also available in:
No results found.Ghana is losing its primary forest, mostly forest reserves at an alarming rate. Secondary forests play a vital role in tropical landscapes, but few studies exist to assess their regeneration pathways and carbon sequestration in Ghana. We sought to find out the regeneration potentials, species diversity and carbon stocks accumulation of off-reserve secondary forests in the Moist Semi-deciduous and Dry Semi-deciduous zones. Four age classes were studied; 0-5, 6-10, 11-15 and 15+ years. Four plots with three replications were used for each age class. Nested plots were chosen; 33 m x 33 m for trees (dbh≥ 5 cm) 10 m x 10 m for saplings (≥1m tall and dbh <5cm) and 2 m x 2 m for seedlings. Age had significant differences in tree (dbh≥ 5 cm) density and basal area between the sites but not on sapling and seedling densities. A total of 129 tree species with dbh ≥5cm belonging to 95 genera and 40 families were identified. Mean Shannon-Weiner diversity index of trees (dbh ≥ 5cm) was 3.6±0.2 and 3.3±0.3 for the Moist Semi-deciduous and Dry Semi-deciduous zones respectively. Both age and forest site had significant effect on aboveground carbon accumulation with age of forest having more significance than climatic conditions. Age of a secondary forest has more effect on the species composition than climate. The secondary forest depicts the characteristic of young growth where the tree densities of most trees are confined to dbh= 5- 10cm in both zones and the potential of rapid recovery of species and carbon accumulation represents an important source of timber and carbon sink. The strong presence of regeneration portrays the potential for carbon sequestration under Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) if secondary forests are managed well in Ghana. Collaborative management of secondary forests with farmers and good forest polices can help Ghana achieve benefits such as timber, woodfuel, and carbon to participate in REDD+. Keywords: [Deforestation and forest degradation, REDD+, secondary forest, Climate change, Landscape management]\ ID: 3617260 -
ArticleFarmers’ perceptions of herbicide usage in forest landscape restoration programs in Ghana
XV World Forestry Congress, 2-6 May 2022
2022Also available in:
No results found.Although herbicides have extensively been used in forest landscape restoration its effects and opportunity costs have rarely been studied in Ghana. This study assessed the perceptions on the effects of herbicide usage among farmers enrolled in a taungya i.e. farm forestry programs in the dry semi-deciduous ecological zone of Ghana. Data was collected from 300 taungya farmers and 50 herbicide traders and analyzed descriptively and quantitatively. Results indicate that 100% of farmers perceived herbicides as having deleterious effects on flora (seedlings, under-storey wild foods, medicines) and fauna (soil micro-organisms, fish in rivers) as well as water quality, soil structure and human health. Nevertheless, 93% of them use herbicides to reduce labour costs and to establish larger acreages. Based on their functional properties, 85% of herbicides traded are non- selective for bush clearing and 15% are selective for weeding. Farmers use them indiscriminately due to poor knowledge on recommended practices and intensity of invasiveness of weed species. Education, residential status and age of respondents significantly predicted usage. The study recommends a review of Ghana’s pesticide deployment strategies and herbicides guide book for use in farm forestry. Capacity of frontline forestry professionals, traders and farmer-based organizations must be enhanced to effectively advice and monitor safe application. Plant based herbicides must be promoted for safety and enhancement of biodiversity. Keywords: Pesticides, herbicides, herbicide pollution in forest-ecosystems, herbicides in forest vegetation management, taungya system ID: 3486132 -
ArticleModified Taungya plantation as a rural development initiative to restore landscapes and enhance livelihoods in Ghana
XV World Forestry Congress, 2-6 May 2022
2022Also available in:
No results found.In Ghana, forest plantations have been adopted as one of the best options for restoring degraded landscapes and providing economic benefits to tree growers and forest fringe communities. From 2002 to 2020, approximately 200,000 hectares of forest plantations have been established across the country. Although a mixture of exotic and indigenous forest tree species are used, approximately 70% of forest plantations is Teak (Tectona grandis) and reasons for its selection include the following a) Fast growth and good economic returns, b) Relatively fire resistant, c) Poles from thinning used for electricity transmission d) Landscape restoration using local partnerships e) NTFPs survive under shade after canopy closure, f) Medicinal uses of the leaves among others. Although the government is playing a lead role in the establishment of these forest plantations, public-private and public-community partnerships have been used in addition to purely private investments. The main public-community partnership for forest plantation development since 2002 has been the Modified Taungya System (MTS), which is a collaboration between government, represented by the Forestry Commission and forest-fringe communities with equal benefit sharing. MTS allows the communities to participate in the restoration of degraded landscapes whilst benefiting from food crops, income from tree seedling sales, and ultimately 40% of the Standing Timber Value from commercial thinning and final harvest. This paper highlights modalities for MTS as a unique management model for community development, promoting forest-based livelihoods, improving household incomes, enhancing food security and landscape restoration. The challenges and opportunities for maximizing benefits from the system towards development of rural economies will be discussed. Keywords: Adaptive and integrated management, Sustainable forest management, Partnerships, Human health and well-being, Economic Development ID: 3624103
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