African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 6 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the criteria and indicators used in monitoring forest planning in Caspian and Kheyrud forests

S. Zahra Goushegir*, Jahangir Feghhi, Mohammad Reza Marvi Mohajer and Majid Makhdoum

Department of Forestry and Forest Economics, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, P. O. Box 31585-4314, Karaj, Iran.

Accepted 02 January, 2018

Abstract     

Sustainable forest management is known as the most effective type of forest management. This mode of management is aimed at enabling sustainable and comprehensive development in forest -related sectors. Practicing sustainable management in forests requires powerful tools in order to ensure achieving objectives of forest management and, at the same time, direct processes in a sustainable way. Forest management plan is the most suitable means to carry out this type of monitoring. Though, the forest management plan is a tool to set in motion, a management scheme. This requires certain proper criteria and indicators in practice. The criteria and indicators have various applications within a forest management plan, including their application in monitoring forest management plans. In fact, the criteria and indicators are themselves derived from the functions practiced in forests. Therefore, knowing a few functions of forests, we can outline monitoring criteria and indicators. This study is aimed at prioritizing the criteria and indicators required for monitoring forest management plans in Caspian forests in general and Kheyrud Forest in particular. This is the first study made using a hierarchical analysis for two functions of wood production and forest conservation in Caspian forests. Formulating these criteria helps monitoring the forest’s functions and can be used in determining, measuring, analyzing and assessing sustainability in the forest under study.

Key words: Monitoring criteria and indicators, forest management plan, wood production function, forest conservation function.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparison of bonding strengths of the sapwoods and heartwoods of tree species used in wooden shipboard building

Bulent Kaygin and Ali Naci Tankut*

Bartin University, Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Industrial Engineering, Bartin, 74100, Turkey.

Accepted 11 January, 2012

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine how tree species, their sapwood-to-heartwood ratios, adhesive type, and environmental conditions affect the bonding strength of the wood material. The bonding strengths formed by joining the sapwood and heartwood of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), oak (Quercus petrea L.) and Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) with polyurethane, epoxy, and resorcinol formaldehyde adhesives are the focus of the study since these wood species and adhesives are used extensively in Turkey. The results of the study indicated that oak has the best bonding strength performance for all environmental conditions. It was determined that the bonding strengths of the sapwood specimens were higher than the bonding strength of the heartwood specimens for all environmental conditions. The best bonding strength was obtained by using the resorcinol formaldehyde adhesive, and this was followed by the epoxy and polyurethane adhesives for all environmental conditions. There were apparent decreases in the bonding strengths for all of the tree species and adhesives when the environmental conditions were more severe.

Key words: Adhesives for wood, epoxy, polyurethane, resorcinol formaldehyde, lap-shear.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 5 (6), pp. 320-332, August, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

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Growth rings of African timber described by an approach using Gis tools: Case of Milicia excelsa

Cédric Ilunga¹*, Prosper Sabongo², Joseph Komba³, Idriss Ayaya⁴ and Leopold Ndjele²

¹University of Kisangani, Faculty of renewable resources management, B. 2012 Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo,

²University of Kisangani, Faculty of Sciences, B.2012 Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo,

³Compagnie Forestière et de Transformation (CFT). Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo,

⁴Northeast Forestry University, College of Wildlife resources, B.150040,

⁵University of Kisangani, Faculty of Sciences, B.2012 Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Email: [email protected]

Accepted 24 August, 2017 

Abstract

One of the challenges in tree-ring analysis in the tropical regions of Africa is the lack of accessible methods for researchers working in this field. Recently, some innovative methods using Geographic Information System (GIS) tools and digital images have been developed and their use proved to be inexpensive, highly accurate and efficient approach to tree-ring analysis. In this study, one of these methods (Dendro-Gis) adapted to large wood samples was tested in describing tree-rings of Milicia excelsa. The aim was to explore whether the use of GIS tools would provide additional data compared to classic methods (microscope, magnifying glass or the naked eye). For this purpose, high-resolution digital images from sanded cross-section stem disc of Milicia excelsa were processed using ArcMap software enhanced with other image processing softwares. The approach used made it possible to digitize ring boundaries over the entire circumference of the disc. Tree-ring analysis provided numerous data: ring width series, occurrence and location of ring anomalies (wedging rings, particularly) and other geometric information stored in the geo-databases that offer possibilities of many retrospective analysis. This new knowledge is useful for future dendrochronological studies of this species in the tropical rainforests. 

Keywords: Tree-ring analysis, Gis tools, digital images, Milicia excelsa, ring boundaries, wedging rings, wood description, Democratic Republic of Congo

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 5 (6), pp. 313-319, August, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

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An ethno-botanical survey of NTFPs in Sapele Local Government of Delta State

Ogidi K. Anderson

Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Faculty of Agriculture, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Asaba, Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 22 July, 2017

Abstract

An ethno-botanical survey of the non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria was carried out in 2008 with a view to determining the usefulness of the resources to farmers in peasant subsistence. A total of 150 useful species of both plant and animal origins was recorded as having various applications in the lives of the rural dwellers in the area. The result showed that NTFPs in Sapele LGA of Delta State has varying use categories as medicine (76), food (41), local construction (20), and crafts (8) as well as other uses (5) including, income generation socio-cultural and environmental values. The study has also demonstrated that, the people in the area collect these resources daily and many regard in selling them as a means of earning a living.

Key words:  Non-timber forest products, ethno-botany, peasant subsistence.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 5 (5), pp. 304-312, August, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An estimate of the biomass and carbon pools of a Miombo woodland ecosystem in Southern Tanzania

Mizengo Chande Pinda

Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3010, Morogoro, Tanzania.

E-mail: ­[email protected]

Accepted 19 May, 2017

Abstract

Inventory and monitoring of existing carbon pools in ecosystems is important for establishment of baselines for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) as well as understanding the global carbon budget. We used tree dimensions to quantify the carbon pools of two sites in Miombo woodlands of the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Mean above ground carbon density of the Miombo ecosystem was 19.2t ha^-1. Of the total carbon, 40 and 60% was contributed by stems and branches respectively. Different species contributed differently to carbon stocks in these ecosystems with Brachystegia spiciformis and Julbernardia globiflora contributing the most. The estimated carbon stocks in this ecosystem is within the range observed in dry forests elsewhere though they are in their early stages of regeneration after extensive exploitation pressure. Under proper management there is a tremendous capacity for carbon storage in these Miombo woodlands to mitigate carbon emissions. Since Miombo species tend to invest much in roots an assessment of below ground carbon in roots can add to the carbon storage potential of these ecosystems. Evaluation of the root and soil carbon in these ecosystems is important in determining the full potential of these ecosystems to act as carbon sink. 

Key words: Miombo woodlands, biomass, carbon, reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, emission mitigation, climate change.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 5 (4), pp. 296-303, June, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Variation between provenances of S. birrea sub-species caffra with respect to seed mass of dried fresh seed

Botha Sharlto Thabo

Department of Forest and Wood Science, Faculty of Agrisciences, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 16 May, 2017

Abstract

Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. subsp. caffra (Sond.) Kokwaro (Marula) is one of the traditionally important indigenous multi-purpose fruits trees in Africa, which has been commercialized as its fruits and processed nuts/kennels have entered local, regional and international trade. This study was an analysis of the variation between and within provenances of S. birrea sub-species caffra with respect to seed mass of dried fresh seed, total soluble solids (total sugars) content of fresh fruits, and the vitamin C content of fresh fruits as well as family heritabilities of fruit parameters and seed mass. A nested sampling procedure was followed for where there were four areas (provenances), eight to ten families (parent trees) and fifty fruits per family. There were significant differences in provenance and family in seed mass (p=0.06 and p=0.0001) and vitamin C (p=0.001 and p=0.0001), total soluble solids lacked provenance variation (p=0.35) but had wide family variation (p=0.0001). There was no correlation between parameters except a significant correlation between rainfall intensity and total soluble solids content; lower the rainfall higher the sugar content and the higher the rainfall the lower the sugar content (p=0.06). The most variable parameter was vitamin C with the highest family heritability, however all traits had relatively high family heritabilities (above 0.5). It was concluded that the results of fruit composition and seed mass could be of remarkable importance in the identification of superior genotypes, making use of the wide family variation that exists. A study to capture a wider range of provenances and families including studying the environmental parameters of soils, rainfall and altitude for more precision.

Key words: Traits, parameters, correlation, variance.