Evaluating dry woodlands degradation and on-farm tee management in kenyan drylands

  • Tropical dry forests and woodlands are comprised of trees that are specially adapted to the harsh climatic and edaphic conditions, providing important ecosystem services for communities in an environment where other types of tropical tree species would not survive. Due to cyclic droughts which results in crop failure and death of livestock, the inhabitants turn to charcoal production through selective logging of preferred hardwood species for their livelihood support. This places the already fragile dryland ecosystem under risk of degradation, further impacting negatively on the lives of the inhabitants. The main objective of the doctoral study was to evaluate the nature of degradation caused by selective logging for charcoal production and how this could be addressed to ensure the woodlands recover without impacting negatively on the producers’ livelihoods. To achieve this objective, the author formulated four main specific objectives namely: 1) To assess the impact of selective logging for charcoal production on the dryTropical dry forests and woodlands are comprised of trees that are specially adapted to the harsh climatic and edaphic conditions, providing important ecosystem services for communities in an environment where other types of tropical tree species would not survive. Due to cyclic droughts which results in crop failure and death of livestock, the inhabitants turn to charcoal production through selective logging of preferred hardwood species for their livelihood support. This places the already fragile dryland ecosystem under risk of degradation, further impacting negatively on the lives of the inhabitants. The main objective of the doctoral study was to evaluate the nature of degradation caused by selective logging for charcoal production and how this could be addressed to ensure the woodlands recover without impacting negatively on the producers’ livelihoods. To achieve this objective, the author formulated four main specific objectives namely: 1) To assess the impact of selective logging for charcoal production on the dry woodlands in Mutomo District; 2) To evaluate the characteristics of the charcoal producers that enforces their continued participation in the trade; 3) To assess the potential for adoption of agroforestry to supply wood for charcoal production, and; 4) To evaluate the potential for recovery of the degraded woodlands through sustainable harvesting of wood for charcoal production. The findings based on the four objectives were compiled into to four scientific papers as a part of a cumulative dissertation. Three of these papers have already been published in peer reviewed journals while the final one is under review. The study used primary data collected in Mutomo District, Kenya through a forest inventory and household survey both conducted between December 2012 and June 2013. The study confirmed that the main use of selectively harvested trees is charcoal production. Consequently, this leads to degradation of the woodlands through reduction in tree species richness, diversity and density. Furthermore, the basal area of the preferred species is significantly less than the other species. However, the results also show that the woodlands have a high potential to recover if put under a suitable management regime since they have a high number of saplings. The study recommends a harvesting rate of 80% of the Mean Annual Increment (MAI), which would ensure the woodlands recover after 64 years. This is about twice the duration it would take if no harvesting is allowed but it would be easier to implement as it allows the producers to continue earning some money for their livelihood. The study also demonstrates that charcoal production is an important livelihood source for many poor residents of Mutomo District who have no alternative sources of income. As such, addressing the problem of this degradation would require an innovative approach that does not compromise on the livelihoods of these poor people. An intervention that involves total ban on charcoal production would therefore not be acceptable or even feasible unless people are assured of alternative sources of income. The study recommends an intervention with overarching objectives geared towards: 1) diversification of the livelihood sources of the producers to gradually reduce their dependence on charcoal; 2) introduction of preferred charcoal trees in agroforestry systems especially through Famer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) to reduce pressure on the natural woodlands; 3) controlled harvesting of hardwoods for charcoal production from the natural woodlands at a rate below the MAI; 4) promotion of efficient carbonisation technologies and practices to increase charcoal recovery; 5) promotion of efficient combustion technology and cooking practices to reduce demand side pressure, and; 6) encourage fuel switching to other fuels like LPG and electricity.show moreshow less
Metadaten
Author:Geofffey Ndegwa
URN:urn:nbn:de:bvb:739-opus4-4761
Advisor:Dieter Anhuf, Udo Nehren
Document Type:Doctoral Thesis
Language:English
Year of Completion:2017
Date of Publication (online):2017/05/24
Date of first Publication:2017/05/24
Publishing Institution:Universität Passau
Granting Institution:Universität Passau, Philosophische Fakultät
Date of final exam:2017/05/19
Release Date:2017/05/24
Tag:Tropical dry woodlands and forests; Charcoal production; Forest degradation; Famer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR); Sustainable biomass; Forest Mean Annual Increment
GND Keyword:Kenia; Trockenwald; Holzkohle; Gewinnung; Forstwirtschaft; Nachhaltigkeit
Note:
Es handelt sich um eine aufsatzbasierte Dissertation. Die Abstracts der einzelnen Aufsätze sind in diesem Dokument enthalten. Die Volltexte der Aufsätze sind über einen Link im Text erreichbar.
Institutes:Philosophische Fakultät
Dewey Decimal Classification:5 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik / 55 Geowissenschaften, Geologie / 550 Geowissenschaften
open_access (DINI-Set):open_access
Licence (German):License LogoCC by: Creative Commons - Namensnennung