Deforestation and Biomass Production in Miombo Forest in Huambo (Angola): A Balance between Local and Global Needs

Abstract

Miombo is one of the most widely distributed ecosystems in Angola, with a great social and environmental value. Thus, the rural population uses the biomass as fuel and miombo provides important ecosystem services, such as its carbon sequestration capacity. The objectives of this work were (i) to assess deforestation in miombo forest in Huambo province (Angola) during the last 20 years, (ii) to evaluate carbon storage capacity of miombo, and (iii) to calculate the charcoal productive capacity of those forests. From 2000 to 2019, 359,130 ha (12.96%) were deforested in Huambo province. Thirty-six woody species were identified as major components of miombo forest, the most frequent being Albizia anthunesiana, Brachystegia spiciformis, Julbernardia paniculata, Monote spp., Brachystegia boemii, Isoberlinea angolensis, Anisophyllea boehmii, Syzygium guineense, and Erythrophleum africanum. The total biomass estimated in miombo forest was 195.05 Mg ha−1 (55.02 Mg ha−1 radical and 140.04 Mg ha−1 area), with a total wood volume of 78.57 m3 ha−1. This represents values of 91.67 Mg ha−1 of accumulated carbon and 336.13 Mg ha−1 of CO2 equivalent. The potential charcoal productivity was 15,359.9 kg ha−1, corresponding to 24.78 trees ha−1. The Annual Allowable Cutting Volume was 10.77 m3 ha−1 year−1, 14.13 m3 ha−1 year−1, 21.17 m3 ha−1, and 32.85 m3 ha−1 year−1 for rotation lengths of 55, 40, 25, and 15 years, respectively, corresponding to a potential annual charcoal productivity of 2107.08 Kg ha−1 year−1, 2762.96 Kg ha−1 year−1, 4139.21 Kg ha−1, and 422.56 Kg ha−1 year−1. However, deforestation rates in the last 19 years and low charcoal productive capacity could compromise the sustainability of the Miombo ecosystem and its value as an ecosystem service provider in the province if appropriate management strategies are not developed.

Assessing the Impact of Charcoal Production on Southern Angolan Miombo and Mopane Woodlands

“…The effects of charcoal production can never be overemphasized, behind the benefits, there have been also negative effects on the environment and human health [23]. A major concern is that this exploration could negatively impact forest regeneration once the annual rate of growth of these forests is low [24,25], as most of the trees in Miombo and Mopane woodlands are slow-growing. The net primary production in Miombo woodlands is estimated to be 900-1600 g m −2 yr −1 and the annual increment of the woody-plant biomass is no more than 3-4% in mature stands [3].…”

“…The net primary production in Miombo woodlands is estimated to be 900-1600 g m −2 yr −1 and the annual increment of the woody-plant biomass is no more than 3-4% in mature stands [3]. Some authors showed that it could take 19 to 55 years to recover the structure after logging [24][25][26][27]. Also, the exposure to wood smoke has been treated as a public health concern meanly the carbon monoxide and the mixture of solid and liquid particles suspended in the air for a long time [28][29][30][31].…”

Genome assembly of Erythrophleum Fordii, a special “ironwood” tree in China

“…Erythrophleum species have high-quality wood that is hard, dense, heavy and tough and contains a variety of secondary metabolites (e.g. alkaloids, terpenoids and flavonoids) in different parts (leaf, bark, stem or seed), which are valuable for the treatment of many illnesses [ 1 , 4 – 7 ]. Therefore, Erythrophleum species are threatened due to their hardwood and/or biomedical properties in different distribution areas [ 2 – 4 , 6 , 7 ].…”

“…alkaloids, terpenoids and flavonoids) in different parts (leaf, bark, stem or seed), which are valuable for the treatment of many illnesses [ 1 , 4 – 7 ]. Therefore, Erythrophleum species are threatened due to their hardwood and/or biomedical properties in different distribution areas [ 2 – 4 , 6 , 7 ]. In addition to timber and medicinal uses, Erythrophleum species can be used as ornamental and agroforestry trees [ 8 , 9 ].…”

Tropical mobola plum (Parinari curatellifolia): a full characterization of wood and bark within the scope of biorefineries

“…Charcoal production causes a sizeable environmental impact, like deforestation and forest degradation, and continuously grows in African rural communities (Miapia et al 2021). Then, more knowledge is needed on the chemical properties of miombo wood species, emphasizing those less used for the wood industry and exploited for charcoal and rewood production (Lhate et al 2010).…”