1.1. STATUS OF FOREST GENETIC RESOURCES
1.2. UTILIZATION OF TREES
1.3. THREATS TO FOREST GENETIC RESOURCES
1.4. LINKS BETWEEN FORESTRY SECTOR AND FOREST GENETIC RESOURCES
1.5. LINKS BETWEEN OTHER ACTIVITIES (AGRICULTURE, AGROFORESTRY, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND INDUSTRY)
Namibia is classified as semi-arid and with a population of 1.6 million (in 1995) is among the least populated countries in the world. More than 60 percent of the population live in the northern part of the country where the majority of rainfall is received. The mean annual rainfall varies between 400 mm (in the North-Central and North-West) to 700 mm (in the North-East). The North part of the country is where forest resources are concentrated and where the land is more productive for agricultural activities. It is estimated that 72 percent of rural communities are dependant on a variety of forest resources for their livelihoods (Barnard, 1998).
The growth and distribution of Namibia's forest resources are influenced by the rainfall regime. The country is divided into three main vegetation types: woodlands, which cover approximately 20 percent (16 million ha) of the land area, savannas which cover approximately 64 percent (54 million ha), and desert which covers approximately 16 percent (13 million ha) of the country's land area. On the basis of mean annual rainfall, the country is further subdivided into four distinct ecological zones which are:
- the desert region, receiving less than 100 mm of annual rainfall and covering 22 percent of the land area;Woodlands are dominated by Pterocarpus angolensis, Baikieae plurijuga and Burkea africana, which are the most valuable timber species, while a variety of non-wood forest products, especially indigenous fruit tree species, contribute to the rural economy when traded for cash. Namibia's dry climate and high evapo-transpiration rates limit industrial plantation and woodlot establishment.- the arid region, receiving between 100 and 300 mm and covering 33 percent of the total land area;
- the semi-arid region, receiving between 300 and 500 mm of annual rainfall and covering 37 percent of the total land area;
- the semi-humid region, receiving between 500 and 700 mm and covering 8 percent of the total land area.
Although loss of forest genetic biodiversity is evident in Namibia, it is not possible to say how much has been lost, as there is no information on how much existed before. This calls for detailed surveys and inventories of forest genetic diversity to inform future work. The major causes of loss in forest genetic diversity are:
- Increased population pressureAlthough Namibia’s population is low, the increased population pressure is relative to the low productivity of the land (Barnard, 1998). There are only a few areas where the land is productive and contain forest resources. It is in these areas that population is concentrated. This increases pressure on forest resources, especially in areas of concentration, and thus leads to forest degradation as well as deforestation.
- Inadequate coordination between institutions affecting forest genetic resources
Within the public and private sectors, different ministries, companies or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) affect forest genetic resources in one way or another. Information flow is limited resulting in conflict of interests between the public and private sectors. This often leads to limited control and hence mismanagement and loss.
- Non tangible value of forest genetic resources
Forests in Namibia do not have a tangible value, as in other countries with highly productive timber species. This makes it difficult to recognize the value of forest genetic resources and other services that the forests provide. It has led to policy makers choosing wrong decisions. The valuation of forest resources, especially non-timber products and services, could provide useful information to decision-makers.
The table in appendix 2 indicates that most of the important species listed are fruit tree species. They play an important role in the rural economy as they are traded for cash. Pterocarpus angolensis is a very valuable timber species. Its distribution is limited to the North-East and its numbers have decreased due to overexploitation.
The most serious threats to forest genetic resources are as follows (Burke, 1999):
- uncontrolled forest fires;
- land clearing for agriculture and urbanization;
- unsuitable timber and fuelwood extraction practices;
- introduction and existence of exotic and invasive species;
- lack of forest management practices;
- poor participation of local communities in forest management;
- limited law enforcement.
The Tree Seed Centre plays a major role in the conservation of forest genetic resources through collection and short-term storage of germplasm. The Tree Seed Centre handles indigenous forest tree species, which are distributed for afforestation and reforestation. There are future plans to expand to long-term storage of germplasm of forest species within the centre. Collaboration with the National Plant Genetic Resource Centre (NPGRC), which has long-term storage capacity, needs to be strengthened, as it is currently limited.
The organizational structure of the Directorate of Forestry is such that district forestry offices are stationed in each region of the country. The district forestry office is responsible for all forest activities within their region, including conservation. Therefore, district forestry offices could play a vital role in the conservation of forest genetic resources through maintenance of ecosystems.
Agriculture generally has a negative impact on forest genetic resources, due to continuous land conversion for food production. The Namibian Government treats agriculture as a priority resulting in subsidies, which encourages extensive agriculture with potential destruction of biological diversity (Barnard, 1998). One can understand the concern for production in light of the harsh climate of Namibia but this conflicts with the government policy on maintenance of biological diversity. However, maintaining diversity in forest genetic resources is important for agriculture too, as most crops have wild relatives. Cross breeding of domesticated crops with wild relatives could lead to improved yields or new resistant strains (Müller, 1991).
Agroforestry practices encourage the conservation of forest genetic resources by incorporating both tree species and crops on the same piece of land. Agroforestry practices are embraced in traditional farming in Namibia, although the species, which benefit the most in traditional agroforestry systems, are indigenous fruit trees. Through agroforestry practices, domestication of social-economically important species, such as Sclerocarya birrea, Berchemia discolor and Schinzophyton rautanenii, could be achieved (Kojwang, pers. comm.).
Most farmers in Namibia are livestock farmers. Agro-silvo-pastoralism is naturally practiced in Northern rural communities, while commercial livestock farming is well developed in commercial farming areas of the South. Therefore, livestock numbers are high. Livestock has a negative impact on forest genetic resource diversity in Namibia, as it is well demonstrated in bush encroached commercial farm areas. Due to overgrazing in commercial farm areas, the vegetation has changed over time and contributed to bush encroachment. Only a few dominant species are left on farms, which reduces species diversity.
Industry has both a negative and positive impact on forests. It impacts negatively by promoting unsustainable logging of limited indigenous timber. Namibia has a thriving wood carving industry, which has also reduced the existing timber resources. Positively, through trade of forest resources, such as the ad hoc trade of indigenous fruit, adds value to the indigenous forests. There is a need to promote formal trade of fruit tree products and other non-wood products in order to increase their value. This is likely to encourage domestication and sustainable use.
