ISSN 2375-0979
Research Article
African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 11 (2), pp. 001-015, February, 2023. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Effectiveness of commercial forestry policy in contributing to the promotion of sustainable household income in Northern Uganda
Gilbert Uwonda1, Geoffrey Bedijo2
1Department of Economics and Statistics, Gulu University
2Department of Accounting and Finance, Gulu University
Accepted 02 September 2022
Abstract
This study aimed at examining the effectiveness of commercial forestry policy in contributing to the promotion of sustainable household income and analysing the factors that affect implementation of the current Commercial Forestry Policy in Northern Uganda. Although Commercial Forestry Policy and supportive laws exist for the development of commercial forestry, which together with other socio-economic activities, mainly agriculture, could improve socio-economic conditions of households in this area with vast arable land, the population has remained largely poor with most of the land unutilised. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Questionnaires and key informant interviews were employed to collect data from opinion leaders at the local community level, local government leaders and personnel, private tree farmers, National Forestry Authority staff, Non Governmental Organisations’ staff involved in forestry activities and forest produce entrepreneurs. The data was analysed by measuring the frequencies of occurrence of sets of responses and Pearson’s correlation analysis The findings revealed that commercial forestry is effective in contributing to the promotion of sustainable household income but there has been, inadequate public awareness, lack of seeds/planting stocks and funds The study recommended that continuous awareness creation be conducted and assistance in terms of inputs be extended to this community to encourage commercial forestry and improve household income
Key words: Commercial forestry, sustainable household income, Northern Uganda
Geoffrey Bedijo, Gilbert Uwonda
Page: 1 - 15
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJWSF/1117Research Article
African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 11 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2023. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Forest depletion and socio economic factors: a comparative analysis of forest areas in Pakistan
Naila Nazir1, Naveed Jehan1* and Anwar Hussain2
1University of Peshawar Pakistan
2Pakistan Institute of Development Economics Pakistan
Accepted 22 November, 2022
Abstract
This study is an attempt to analyze the socio-economic factors affecting forest areas in Pakistan. Time series data of some socio-economic factors is taken to analyze the effect. Two models are developed; one with national forest area as dependent variable and in second, provincial forest area. For the analysis multiple regression technique is applied and the best model is selected by step wise regression. The results showed that cultivated area expansion, construction, consumption of timber and agriculture production is more destructive than other factors. The study further showed that increase in the consumption of firewood substitutes could not significantly improve the situation. The area wise comparison between national and KPK forests showed that in 83% cases the burden of these selected variables fall on provincial forests more than national forests. The study has given more emphasis to control the land use practices.
Keywords: Socio economic factors, forest depletion, level of effect, comparison of effects
Naveed Jehan* and Anwar Hussain, Naila Nazir
Page: 1 - 5
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJWSF/1116Research Article
African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 11 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2023. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Genetic diversity of Uapaca kirkiana Muel. Årg. populations as revealed by amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs)
Weston F. Mwase1, 2*, Å. Bjørnstad2, B. Stedje3, J.M. Bokosi1 and M.B. Kwapata1
1University of Malawi, Bunda College of Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture Department, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.
2Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Plant and Environmental Sciences Department, P.O. Box 5003, Ås, Norway.
3Natural History Museum Botanical Garden, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1172 Blindern NO-0318 Oslo, Norway.
Accepted 18 November, 2022
Abstract
Uapaca kirkiana is a priority fruit tree species for domestication in miombo woodlands of Southern Africa. Natural populations of U. kirkiana are declining through out the woodlands due to deforestation, forest fragmentation and wildfires. Knowledge of population structure and genetic diversity is prerequisite for development of conservation strategies. Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) were used to assess the genetic diversity of eight populations from three geographical regions of Malawi. AFLP markers revealed moderate differentiation (GST =0.079) among the populations collected from the three regions, however, there were no significant genetic variations among the regional collections. Analyses of molecular variance (AMOVA) found very high variation (92%) among individuals within populations and 6.8% among populations. The variations between populations indicate that populations can not be considered a single panmictic unit. Analyses of genetic similarity based on unweighted pair group method of arithmetic averages (UPGMA) suggested that the 8 populations fall into three clusters with 5 populations in one cluster, two in another and the lake shore population of Chesamu in its own cluster. Based on results presented it would be cost effective to sample a small number of populations represented by a large number of individuals for germplasm conservation purposes. In view of the wide distribution of U. kirkiana in the miombo woodlands in Southern Africa there is need for a more intensive genetic study to include populations growing in different countries to produce a wider picture of levels of distribution of genetic diversity of the species.
Key words: AFLP, conservation, dioecious, domestication, genetic diversity, miombo, Uapaca kirkiana, UPGMA.
J.M. Bokosi and M.B. Kwapata, B. Stedje, Å. Bjørnstad, Weston F. Mwase*
Page: 1 - 9
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJWSF/1114Research Article
Ayankanmi , M. O.and Adekunle, V.A.J.
Page: 1 - 17
Research Article
African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 10 (5), pp. 001-005, May, 2022. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Seed germination enhancement for bald cypress [Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.]
Guodong Liu1, Yuncong Li1*, Marion Hedgepeth2, Yongshan Wan2 and Richard E. Roberts3
1Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 18905 SW 280th Street, Homestead, Florida 33031.
2South Florida Water Management District, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406.
3Florida Park Service, P. O. Box 1246, Hobe Sound, FL 33475.
Accepted 15 April, 2021
Abstract
Bald cypress has been retreating in the estuary ecosystem of the Loxahatchee River Watershed in southeastern Florida because of the negative impacts of anthropogenic activities. Seed germination of bald cypress is an important means to increase the arbor population in the vegetation community and accelerate restoration of the wetland ecosystem. The objective of this research was to find an effective method to enhance seed germination of bald cypress, an ecologically and economically important tree species. Bald cypress seeds were hand collected under mature bald cypress trees in southeastern Florida, and kept under refrigeration at 4oC prior to the commencement of the study. The seeds were chemically treated in either 1% NaOH, 95% ethyl alcohol, 0.03 to 0.3% H2O2, or 1% HCl, or mechanically cut into two halves, or heated on a burner for 3.0 s. After treatment, all of the seeds were sown in Park's seed-starting trays with 72 Cells with Pro Mix BX growth medium. The results showed that soaking the seeds in a 1% NaOH solution for 5 min and then in H2O for 24 h had the best germination rate of approximately 50%. However, heating the seeds on a gas burner was the least effective, resulting in almost no germination. Unlike the results seen in other species, H2O2 did not enhance germination in the seeds. Therefore, 1% NaOH was shown to be the best treatment because it could neutralize the acidity of the seed resin. Our study has verified that acidity was the chief limitation for germination of the seeds.
Key words: Taxodium distichum, germination enhancement, acidity of seed resin, germination rate.
Guodong Liu, Marion Hedgepeth2, Yuncong Li*, Yongshan Wan and Richard E. Roberts
Page: 1 - 5
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJWSF/1113Research Article
African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 10 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2022. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
The contribution of indigenous fruit trees in sustaining rural livelihoods and conservation of natural resources
Felix K. Kalaba1*, Paxie W. Chirwa2 and Heidi Prozesky2
1Copperbelt University, School of Natural Resources, P. O. Box 21692, Kitwe, Zambia.
2Stellenbosch University, Department of Forest and Wood Science, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa.
Accepted 16 February, 2021
Abstract
The dependency of many African rural households on natural resources for sustenance is widely acknowledged. The utilization and commercialization of indigenous fruit trees (IFTs) has in the past been overlooked by extension agencies due to the misconception that they do not play a major role in contributing to the rural livelihoods. There is new and increasing emphasis on the contribution of indigenous fruit trees (IFTs) on improving rural livelihoods in the Miombo woodlands. A study was conducted in Mwekera area in Zambia using participatory rural appraisal techniques to ascertain the significance of IFTs in the livelihoods. The study revealed that 97 per cent of the respondents collect indigenous fruits and ranked in order of importance Uapaca kirkiana, Anisophyllea boehmii and Parinari curatellifolia. The study has revealed that 46% of households process the fruit into juices and/or porridges. Furthermore IFTs are also used as traditional medicine. Sixty three percent (63%) of the households used IFTs for medicinal purposes with two-thirds of the respondents citing A. boehmii as an important medicinal tree species. The study also showed that 85% of the respondents have seen a change in the forest cover resulting into loss of biodiversity with the respondents indicating that the change is with respect to reduction in forest size and scarcity of some species. Fewer trees mean less forest derived foods and medicine for the local people. It is concluded that IFTs have both food and non-food value to the local communities and are hence significant in sustaining households.
Key words: Indigenous fruit trees (IFTs), rural livelihoods, processing, food security, biodiversity, miombo woodlands.
Felix K. Kalaba*, Paxie W. Chirwa and Heidi Prozesky
Page: 1 - 6
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJWSF/1108