The colour of teak wood from plantations in Ghana was characterized by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) L* a* b* colour measurement system in order to study the variations of wood colour parameters (lightness-darkness, redness-greenness and yellowness-blueness), among the different ecological zones. Teak trees totaling 46 were felled from 8 different plantation stands in four different ecological zones of Ghana (moist semi-deciduous forest, MSDF; dry semi-deciduous forest, DSDF; transition savanna forest; and savanna forest). Colour measurements were made on strips obtained from logs cut from the felled trees. Chemical analyses were performed on soil samples obtained from the rooting zones of the teak trees. Both environmental and tree age effects on colour were observed. However, environmental factors had a stronger effect on the colour of teak heartwood than the stand age. Although there were no significant differences between teak wood colour in moist semi-deciduous forest and transition savanna forest on one hand, and dry semi-deciduous forest and savanna forest on the other hand, in general, environment seemed to be an important factor, with teak wood colour being relatively darker in wetter areas than drier ones. Wood colour parameters showed differing relationships with soil chemical properties ranging from no relation through weak to moderate relations. For instance, soil pH decreased moderately with decreasing L* values (increasing darkness), indicating some evidence that teak wood colour may be predicted from soil pH. However, there was very little evidence that teak wood colour could be predicted from soil exchangeable cations (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + and K +). The range of observed site quality was rather limited. Nevertheless, richer plantation sites showed a tendency toward darker and less red heartwood.

Selected anatomical and physical properties of stems of Calamus deeratus, Eremospatha dransfieldii, Eremospatha macrocarpa, Laccosperma acutiflorum and Laccosperma secundiflorum in the natural forest of Ghana were investigated to aid in understanding their quality and to promote their efficient utilization. Fibre lumen diameter, double fibre wall thickness (fibre diameter minus fibre lumen diameter) and proportion of fibres exhibited a more definite pattern of variations within and between all the five species than other anatomical properties. Generally, proportion of fibre and double fibre wall thickness decreased, whereas fibre lumen diameter increased from base to top internodes. Initial moisture content increased consistently from base to top internodes whilst relative density decreased in the same direction. Simple regression analysis of physical properties on anatomical properties revealed that fibre lumen diameter, double fibre wall thickness and proportion of fibre are important parameters likely to influence initial moisture content and relative density along the stems and between all species investigated. Stem quality of all five species is also discussed.

The stems of the climbing palms or rattans of Upper Guinea play a significant role in the forest economy of the region through the utilization of the inner stems, or cane, for furniture and the manufacture of household commodities in many rural areas. This chapter summarizes the knowledge available on population dynamics and the abundance of the resource under different harvesting regimes. Market aspects and related information on management strategies are also presented.

Rivers play a major role as sources of water for both domestic and industrial use in many parts around the world. In developing countries, where infrastructure for water supply has not been fully developed, rivers provide a direct source of water for domestic use with minimal or no treatment at all. For water scarce countries, including Kenya (WRI, 2007), this means that water catchment areas should be managed properly so as to retain their capacity to supply good quality water all year round. Thus, understanding the possible consequences of land use and land cover changes on water resources is a requisite for better water resources management. However, this is not to be as many river catchments are undergoing rapid change mediated by human encroachment.