The role of fallowing in the restoration of woody species in the Woodlands of Northern Uganda

Abstract

The study sought to determine the extent to which fallowing can lead to recovery towards an historic woody vegetation of Sudanian woodlands in northern Uganda.Fallow sites of three distinct ages were assessed. Plots were established in crop fields that had been under cultivation for over 10 years, sites that had been under fallow for 3-6 years (young fallow) and fallow sites of at least 9 years (old fallow) in three districts. In each plot, all woody plants were enumerated and species composition, diversity and richness assessed. Young fallow plots were dominated by pioneer species such as Piliostigma thonningii and Annona senegalensis, while old fallow by a mix of late and early successional species such as Vachellia hockii (formerly Acacia hockii) and Combretum collinum. Vitellaria paradoxa (Shea butter tree) was the most abundant in all fallow categories. Species composition in crop field was different from young and old fallow. Species richness increased significantly from abandoned Crop field to Young fallow and then to Old fallow. Simpson's Diversity Index showed similar trends. V. paradoxa contributed most to overall similarity among the fallow categories.Fallowing can facilitate restoration of characteristic species of Sudanian woodlands.

Vegetative propagation of Combretum collinum Fresen. (Combretaceae), Combretum molle R. Br. ex G. Don (Combretaceae) and Piliostigma thonningii Schumach. (Fabaceae) by cuttings: Effects of rooting media and indole-3-butyric acid concentration

“…Savanna woodlands provide ecosystem services that are critical for human livelihoods, biodiversity conservation and climate regulation (Byakagaba et al, 2021;Kalema et al, 2015). They are however under immense pressure due unsustainable harvesting for biomass energy especially charcoal and rewood (Syampungani et al, 2009).…”