Regeneration of cleared Acacia zanzibarica bushland in Kenya

Abstract

Abstract. Woody biomass production in natural forests of arid and semi‐arid regions is low. The fuelwood demand of settlements often exceeds the sustained yield and regeneration capacity of natural forests, which results in deforestation. Regeneration and woody biomass development was studied in cleared Acacia zanzibarica bushland in Bura, eastern Kenya. The area was cleared in 1982 and studied in 1988. The site had been colonized primarily by Acacia zanzibarica and A. reficiens. Mean density was 1333 trees/ha, mean total woody biomass (dry weight) 1954 kg/ha, equal to 2.53 m3/ha. Mean annual increment was 293 kg/ha, or 0.3 8m3/ha. Expressed as rain use efficiency, the natural dry matter productivity of the woody component equals 0.83 kg ha‐1 yr‐1 mm‐1. The regeneration potential and some management implications are discussed.

Structure and biomass along an Acacia zanzibarica woodland-savanna gradient in a former ranching area in coastal Tanzania

“…In 2002 – when the ranch had been abandoned for 2 years – tree density and biomass was similar to values reported for secondary woodlands at other savanna sites (cf. Johansson & Kaarakka 1992; Okello et al 2001). However, soil texture had a strong influence on the extent of bush encroachment, which was highest on heavy loamy‐clayey soils.…”

Natural dynamics and regeneration methods in tropical dry forests - an introduction

“…Walter 1971;Murphy & Lugo 1986) state that species diversity is lower in dry tropical forests than in wet ones. The structure is simpler: stems are shorter, tree and undergrowth strata are fewer (Hegner 1979), biomass is lower (Johansson & Kaarakka 1992), but usually the herb/grass layer is denser because of the higher irradiance penetrating the crowns.…”