Management of the tropical high forest of Ghana
Since the early 1900's, when a National Forest Policy was promulgated, the Forestry Department has been charged with the responsibility to manage the Forest Estate of Ghana for the continuous and adequate supply of timber and non-timber produce, and for the protection of the environment. Attempts to manage sustainably the forest resource, have varied over time as social and economic conditions change. However, an evolutionary trend can be followed from the establishment or reservation phase, through the Tropical Shelterwood System and Modified Selection System, to the Girth Limit System of the 1970's. Owing to a downturn in the economy during this period, management practices declined. Furthermore, the rapidly increasing population and international demand for tropical timber dramatically increased pressure on the remaining High Forest. In recognition of the economic and environmental importance of Ghana's forest resource, the Forest Department, in collaboration with the ODA, carried out a National Inventory in 1989 to determine the remaining stocks of timber in the High Forest. This project highlighted the fact that production of the timber and non timber produce, could not be sustained under the existing management system. In 1989 the Forest Resources Management Project introduced new management controls such as the increase in the felling cycle from 25 to 40 years, regulation of the yield, improved harvesting controls that reduce environmental damage, reclassification of all tree species to reflect the economic potential of the forest, and redefining of the felling limits of all trees - based on their frequency and their maximum attainable diameter. The importance of bringing the remaining forest outside reserves, and the need to establish a rural forestry component the management inside reserves, were also recognized. These developments provide the basis from which the concept of sustained yield management can be pursued.
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | biblioteca |
| Published: |
Oxford (Ru)
1992
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| Subjects: | MANEJO FORESTAL, SOSTENIBILIDAD, POLITICA FORESTAL, GHANA, |
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| Summary: | Since the early 1900's, when a National Forest Policy was promulgated, the Forestry Department has been charged with the responsibility to manage the Forest Estate of Ghana for the continuous and adequate supply of timber and non-timber produce, and for the protection of the environment. Attempts to manage sustainably the forest resource, have varied over time as social and economic conditions change. However, an evolutionary trend can be followed from the establishment or reservation phase, through the Tropical Shelterwood System and Modified Selection System, to the Girth Limit System of the 1970's. Owing to a downturn in the economy during this period, management practices declined. Furthermore, the rapidly increasing population and international demand for tropical timber dramatically increased pressure on the remaining High Forest. In recognition of the economic and environmental importance of Ghana's forest resource, the Forest Department, in collaboration with the ODA, carried out a National Inventory in 1989 to determine the remaining stocks of timber in the High Forest. This project highlighted the fact that production of the timber and non timber produce, could not be sustained under the existing management system. In 1989 the Forest Resources Management Project introduced new management controls such as the increase in the felling cycle from 25 to 40 years, regulation of the yield, improved harvesting controls that reduce environmental damage, reclassification of all tree species to reflect the economic potential of the forest, and redefining of the felling limits of all trees - based on their frequency and their maximum attainable diameter. The importance of bringing the remaining forest outside reserves, and the need to establish a rural forestry component the management inside reserves, were also recognized. These developments provide the basis from which the concept of sustained yield management can be pursued. |
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