Department of Forestry and Environmental Management
repository.mzuni.ac.mw/handle/123456789/14
2024-03-29T00:11:54ZThe Potential of Selective Harvesting in Mitigating Biomass and Carbon Loss in Forest Co-management Block in Liwonde Forest Reserve, Malawi
repository.mzuni.ac.mw/handle/123456789/413
The Potential of Selective Harvesting in Mitigating Biomass and Carbon Loss in Forest Co-management Block in Liwonde Forest Reserve, Malawi
Mwabumba, Lusayo; Kamangadazi, Francis; Missanjo, Edward
Carbon reduction strategies in “forests remaining as forests” are currently limited to forest plantations and harvesting “avoidance” activities. However, emerging modalities such as selective harvesting are gaining increased recognition. This study was conducted to determine the potential of selective harvesting in mitigating biomass and carbon loss in forest co-managment block in Liwonde forest reserve, Malawi. The results showed that there were no
significant (P>0.05) differences on forest living biomass and carbon stock between non-harvested area and harvested area after four years of harvest. The total living biomass and carbon stock for non-harvested area were 140.34 tha-1 and 70.17 tCha-1, respectively; while for harvested area were 122.12 tha-1 and 61.06 tCha-1, respectively. The rate of carbon sequestration in the non-harvested area was 0.72 tCha-1y-1, while for the harvested area was 5.40 tCha-1y-1. The carbon stock estimation prediction models established indicate that beyond 6 years after harvest, the carbon stock would be equal in both harvested and non-harvested areas. The uncertainties for the estimated living biomass and carbon stock were within those recommended for REDD+ mechanism (<15%). Therefore, selective harvesting has the potential to mitigate biomass and carbon loss. Hence, it is possible to register carbon projects in Malawi through selective harvesting with Chindenga forest co-management block in Liwonde forest reserve as one of the site.
2016-01-01T00:00:00ZEffects of initial spacing and thinning yield and basic density of Eucalyptus Tereticornis at Liwonde, southern Africa
repository.mzuni.ac.mw/handle/123456789/411
Effects of initial spacing and thinning yield and basic density of Eucalyptus Tereticornis at Liwonde, southern Africa
Mwabumba, Lusayo; Chapola, Gabriel B.J.; Kuyuma, Oscar T. B. S.
A Eucalyptus tereticornis initial spacing and thinning trial located at Liwonde, Southern Malawi, planted at square spacings of 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.1,2.4 and 2.7m was assessed at the age of 2,4 and 6 y. Assessment was made of diameter (at breast height), height, dominant height, basal area, basic density, crown (diameter and height) and survival. All the variables were significantly different due to spacing with the exception of survival, dominant height and crown height. Both thinning and spacing affected coppice diameter (at breast height) and height. Diameter, height, crown (height and diameter) increased with increasing spacing while standing volume and basal area showed decreasing trends with increasing spacing. After four years results showed that the closest spacings were promising in terms of volume production and basal area. Density was highest at a spacing of 2.4 m. The optimum spacings for volume and basal area after four years were 1.8 m and 1.2 m respectively. The implications of the results as a basis for decision-making on future spacing, coppicing and thinning regimes of E. tereticornis in dry lands of Malawi are discussed.
1995-01-01T00:00:00ZScion and stock diameter size effect on growth and fruit production of Sclerocarya birrea (marula) trees
repository.mzuni.ac.mw/handle/123456789/410
Scion and stock diameter size effect on growth and fruit production of Sclerocarya birrea (marula) trees
Mhango, Jarret; Jamnadass, Ramni; Sileshi, Gudeta W.; Mng’omba, Simon A.; Akinnifesi, Festus K.
Sclerocarya birrea (marula) is a highly valued fruit tree in southern Africa because of its products which
have gained both regional and international markets. However, its fruits have been harvested from the
wild with a few provenances being managed on farmland. Grafted marula trees have shown wide
variations in scion and rootstock growth (for example, stem diameters), but effects of these variations
on tree survival, growth and fruit production have not been evaluated. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess variations in growth of scions and their stocks and (2) evaluate the effect of scion and stock growth differences on overall grafted tree growth, survival, flower and fruit production on
farmland, six to eight years after planting. Over 70% of the grafted trees had similar scion and stock diameters, while 24% had thicker (i.e, slow growing) scions than their stocks. Trees with similar scion and stock growth rate had a high flowering percentage (> 40%), but there was also significant fruit
abortion during the three years of fruit production. Grafted trees with thicker scions than their stocks produced significantly more (P < 0.05) fruits than the rest. Such trees were also significantly (P < 0.0126, N = 50) taller than the rest. There was a low survival for grafted trees with either thick or thin
scions relative to the stock diameters. It can be concluded that unequal growth rate of scion and stock in grafted marula trees has a negative effect on early tree survival and dwarfing characteristics, but this may not reduce fruit yield in the early years. Therefore, scion and stock selection is critical to reducegrowth variations which have negative effects on grafted tree growth and fruit productivity.
2012-06-01T00:00:00ZPropagule Type Affects Growth and Fruiting of Uapaca kirkiana, a Priority Indigenous Fruit Tree of Southern Africa
repository.mzuni.ac.mw/handle/123456789/409
Propagule Type Affects Growth and Fruiting of Uapaca kirkiana, a Priority Indigenous Fruit Tree of Southern Africa
Mhango, Jarret; Akinnifesi, Festus K.; Mng’omba, Simon A.; Sileshi, Gudeta; Chilanga, Thomson G.; Ajayi, Oluyede C.; Chakeredza, Sebastian; Nyoka, Betserai I.; Gondwe, France M.T.
One of the limitations of Uapaca kirkiana on-farm cultivation is the long juvenile phase to reach a stable fruiting stage. Marcots and grafts have been identified as feasible and reliable propagation methods for precocious fruiting, but the effects of different propagule types on tree growth and fruit yield have not been evaluated. There is limited knowledge on development and growth forms for trees derived from different propagules. Grafts and marcots were compared with saplings to assess the variability in
1) field growth and fruiting of U. kirkiana; and 2) dry matter allocation pattern and tree development models among trees derived from different propagules. Tree development models were used to examine differences among trees from different propagules. The
results show that number of branches and fruit load significantly differed between vegetative propagules and saplings, whereas tree height, root collar diameter, crown spread, and fruit size and weight were similar 8 years after establishment. The results
suggest differences in intraspecific scaling relationships between height and diameter among propagule sources. Saplings showed a significantly better fit (r2 = 0.891; P < 0.0001) to the scaling relationship than grafts (r2 = 0.724; P = 0.002) and marcots (r2 =
0.533; P = 0.018). After 3 years, marcots and grafts started producing fruits. Fruit load was greatest in marcots despite some fruit abortions; thus, marcots had greater fruit yield, early growth, and development and better dry matter allocation
2009-01-01T00:00:00Z