The regeneration dynamics of Miombo tree species in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Date
2019-05-19
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Scholars Journals
Abstract
Miombo woodlands support livelihoods of more than 100 million rural and urban dwellers by providing them with a wide range of products and services. Concurrently, Miombo shelters more than 10000 plants and animal species majority of which are endemic. However, overexploitation of Miombo through trees cutting for charcoal, firewood, tobacco curing, farmlands expansion, and wildfires have led to deforestation and forest degradation accompanied by multiple negative effects on human livelihoods. Regeneration as a survival strategy after disturbance is an important plant functional trait for its sustainability. This paper reviewed the regeneration dynamics of Miombo tree species. The aim was to explore regeneration methods, factors affecting regeneration
in Miombo ecosystem and proposes the most promising disturbance-dependent regeneration method. Information for this study was obtained by the synthesis of academic articles obtained through standard literature search performed using multiple electronic databases. Studies in Sub-Saharan Africa have demonstrated the vital role of natural regeneration in the sustainable and post-disturbance management of Miombo woodlands. Conclusively, Miombo regenerates sexually through seedlings and vegetatively propagated through root suckers and coppicing. However, vegetative propagation is highly recommended as it offers maximum regeneration with fast growth rate contributing to the rapid recovery of disturbed Miombo woodland ecosystem.
Description
African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems, 2019; 6 (5): 001-016
Keywords
Miombo woodlands, Regeneration methods, Disturbance, Sub-Saharan Africa, Root suckers, Stump coppices
Citation
Matowo, G.S., Sangeda, A.Z. and Katani, J.Z. (2019). The regeneration dynamics of Miombo tree species in Sub-Saharan Africa. African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (5), pp. 001-016