Contribution of charcoal extraction to deforestation: experience from CHAPOSA Research Project.
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Date
2000
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The Charcoal Potential in Southern Africa
(CHAPOSA) project which commenced in
November, 1999 aimed at increasing the
understanding of the effects of utilization
of charcoal in three countries of Zambia,
Mozambique and Tanzania in southern
Africa. The main ecological activities
carried out in order to understand the
impact of charcoal production on the
ecology include: determination of species
composition and diversity through forest
inventory; determination of mean annual
increment for Kitulangalo area from two
time series measurements of 1996 and
1999; charcoal tree species and size
gradient as influenced by proximity to
access roads in Kitulangalo and Mbwewe
areas through forest inventory; kiln
efficiencies, species and tree sizes
preference for charcoal making for
Kitulangalo, Mbwewe and Bana areas;
woodland cover change between 1991 and
1998; and 1991 and 2000 in the northern
and southern catchment parts respectively
using satellite imageries. Socio-economic
data were collected from Kitulangalo,
Mbwewe and Bana. The selection criteria
for these sites were: presence of actual
charcoal production activities; accessibility
relative to other areas in the earmarked
catchment
area
for
the
study;
representative-ness of the study sites in
making broad conclusions of the study and
availability of ecological and socio-
economic data.
This study demonstrated that charcoal
production and cultivation have an impact
on large-scale deforestation that has
occurred in the area between 1991 and
1998. Tree species suitable for charcoal
production have been depleted at the
roadside and the average distance to
charcoal production sites has increased.
Tree cover is worse today than ten years
ago due to charcoal production. These
observations
have
wide
policy
implications, given the increased demand
for charcoal from the growing urban
population with no reliable and affordable
alternative sources of energy. Only 74% of
the closed and 54% of the open
woodlands, remain relatively unchanged;
most of these were in forest reserves.
However, these areas were also
undergoing
modification
due
to
encroachment for charcoal, timber and
other forest products.
It is true that in the absence of any further
disturbance after tree cutting, the areas
may progressively revert to woodland.
However, in the face of increased
population and the demand for agricultural
land, such areas may not be given enough
room to regenerate. This calls for
appropriate management strategies to
ensure regeneration so that the remaining
woodlands continue to supply charcoal to
Dar es Salaam city and other urban areas.
This study has shown that substantial
regeneration has occurred in areas
previously cut, if they have not been
converted to farmland. This increases the
potential of the regrowth woodland to
supply charcoal over a much longer time
period.
Description
Keywords
Charcoal Extraction, Deforestation, CHAPOSA Research Project., Southern Africa, Tanzania