Natural Regeneration Dynamics of Tree Seedlings on Skid Trails and Tree Gaps Following Selective Logging in a Tropical Moist Semi-Deciduous Forest in Ghana

Abstract

One of the main threats to the sustainability of timber production in naturally managed forests in Ghana is insufficient regeneration of timber tree species. This study assessed regeneration success of a logged forest by comparing the species composition, diversity, density, recruitment, mortality, and growth of naturally established seedlings in 160 seedling plot samples of 50 m 2 located randomly on main skid trails, secondary skid trails, felled tree gaps and unlogged parts of the same forest. The study was done within a 134-ha compartment in a selectively logged moist semi-deciduous forest in Ghana over a period of 33 months involving four enumerations. Seedlings population was initially dominated by pioneers, but after 33 months, population in all sites was dominated by non-pioneers. Seedling densities showed an increase initially in all the sites after logging, but declined after 10 months. The high seedling densities were driven by four (Albizia zygia, Ceiba pentandra, Celtis mildbraedii and Turreanthus africanus) out of the 37 species that regenerated. All four species exhibited a period of exceptionally high new seedling recruitment in the first 10 months. Diversity differed significantly among disturbance types initially, but after 33 months diversity was lower in the unlogged areas though not significant. Seedling mortality was initially greater in unlogged areas of the forest and growth rates higher in the logged areas. These results show that disturbed areas appear to be suitable sites for the regeneration of timber species following logging, although the long-term fate of trees growing on these areas remains uncertain as growth rates declined with time.

Vegetation assessment of native tree species in Broussonetia papyrifera‐dominated degraded forest landscape in southern Ghana

“…; Duah‐Gyamfi et al. ). Crucially, there were no B. papyrifera seedlings present in the forest understorey, confirming that some disturbance to the natural forest is necessary for B. papyrifera regeneration (Kyereh et al.…”

“…Schulze & Zweede ; Swaine & Agyeman ; Duah‐Gyamfi et al. ). The species richness and diversity values for the three plantations and the farmland habitat are also comparable with values reported for other native species plantations and Taungya farms in southern Ghana (Appiah ; Akoto et al.…”

“…; Duah‐Gyamfi et al. ). The species were grouped based on three criteria: regeneration strategy, star rating and commercial status (Swaine & Whitmore ; Ghartey ; Hawthorne & Abu‐Juam ).…”

Light Response of Seedlings of a Central African Timber Tree Species, Lophira alata (Ochnaceae), and the Definition of Light Requirements

“…, Duah‐Gyamfi et al . ). Based on variation in the exposure of the crown to light over a species' life span, Hawthorne () classified forest tree species into four regeneration guilds: (1) pioneer species (P) are exposed to light from seedlings to adult trees; (2) non‐pioneer light‐demanders (NPLD) are shaded at seedling and sapling stages but later are exposed to light; (3) cryptic pioneers (CP) have the opposite pattern to NPLD; and (4) shade‐bearers (SB) tolerate shade at any life stage.…”

Characterizing nutrient status and growth of Macaranga gigantea in tropical rainforest gaps after selective logging in East Kalimantan, Indonesia

“…Gap size increased the diversity of plants (Kern et al 2013), and canopy openness positively affected survival probability of pioneer tree species (Goodale et al 2014;Hamrang et al 2015). Seedling densities of pioneer species initially showed an increase in all sites after logging (Duah-Gyamfi et al 2014).…”