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Developing integrated silvicultural management systems for woodlands of northwestern Zimbabwe

Thesis (PhD (Forest Science))--University of Pretoria, 2019.

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Other Authors: Chirwa, Paxie W.
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2024
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Chirwa, Paxie W.
author_browse Chirwa, Paxie W.
author_facet Chirwa, Paxie W.
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2021 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Thesis (PhD (Forest Science))--University of Pretoria, 2019.
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id oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/97757
institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:36:30.275Z
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provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2024
publishDateRange 2024
publishDateSort 2024
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
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source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/97757 Developing integrated silvicultural management systems for woodlands of northwestern Zimbabwe Chirwa, Paxie W. angiechichinye@gmail.com Geldenhuys, C.J. (Coert Johannes) Chichinye, Angella UCTD Thesis (PhD (Forest Science))--University of Pretoria, 2019. Silvicultural management systems based on natural disturbance-recovery processes are fundamental so as to integrate multiple-use practices in the natural tree resources inorder to address local needs and global concerns. The study aimed at developing a new understanding of the Baikiaea-Guibourtia-Pterocarpus woodland recovery dynamics when exposed to different disturbances such as single tree selection, harvesting of poles and firewood and cultivation. Four specific objectives were studied to examine different parts of this overall study: Disturbance impacts on the composition and diversity of the Baikiaea-Guibourtia-Pterocarpus woodlands of North-western Zimbabwe; Ecological drivers of floristic and structural composition of Baikiaea-Guibourtia-Pterocarpus woodland communities; Disturbance impacts on regeneration of key ecological and/or economic species in the Baikiaea-Guibourtia-Pterocarpus woodlands; and Age and growth rate determination using growth rings of selected Baikiaea-Guibourtia-Pterocarpus species. Variation in floristic composition of recovering Baikiaea-Guibourtia-Pterocarpus woodlands was studied in different development stages (from early re-growth to mature woodland). TWINSPAN (TWo-way INdicator SPecies ANalysis) was used for classification of plots from different utilization systems and different development stages into communities. One-Way ANOVA in SPSS Version 21 was used to test for differences in species diversity for the different communities. Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) in the CANOCO ordination programme was used to determine the extent of variation amongst the identified communities. Correspondence analysis in SPSS Version 21 Statistical Package was performed to analyse grain status for nine tree communities. Stem diameter class profiles were analysed in STATISTICA version 7 to determine the ratio of regeneration to mature trees of individual canopy tree species across tree communities. . The research revealed that even if the sites provide a potential for woodland of a specific type to develop, plant community formation is mainly influenced by existing utilization systems. The intense disturbance factors of clearing for crop cultivation and to a lesser extent harvesting for poles and firewood are necessary disturbances for the regeneration and growth of the Baikiaea-Guibourtia-Pterocarpus woodlands. The grain status (relative similarity between the composition of canopy species in the regeneration and in the canopy of the same stand) and stem diameter distributions in the different communities suggested that the species require some more intense disturbances, such as with cultivation and harvesting for poles and firewood, to promote regeneration and growth to higher size classes. The study also revealed that disturbances that cause the opening of canopy and more light penetration on the forest floor are required to facilitate sprouting and growth of suppressed shoots in these woodlands. The study concludes that clearing for cultivation and harvesting for poles and firewood are important components to which the woodland ecosystem is adapted and important for the recovery of the Baikiaea-Guibourtia-Pterocarpus woodlands. It is recommended that woodland utilization and management should integrate cultivation and harvesting for poles and firewood into forest management. Also, a comprehensive program is necessary to monitor the levels of cultivation and the impacts on woodland recovery. Cutting cycles should be based on growth rate of the selected species. Timber species harvesting should go side by side with these disturbance factors so as to open up the canopy to allow maximum sunlight for the regeneration stock. Plant Production and Soil Science PhD (Forest Science) Unrestricted Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences 2024-08-20T13:47:53Z 2024-08-20T13:47:53Z 2020-04 2019-11 Thesis * A2020 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/97757 en © 2021 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
Developing integrated silvicultural management systems for woodlands of northwestern Zimbabwe
title Developing integrated silvicultural management systems for woodlands of northwestern Zimbabwe
title_full Developing integrated silvicultural management systems for woodlands of northwestern Zimbabwe
title_fullStr Developing integrated silvicultural management systems for woodlands of northwestern Zimbabwe
title_full_unstemmed Developing integrated silvicultural management systems for woodlands of northwestern Zimbabwe
title_short Developing integrated silvicultural management systems for woodlands of northwestern Zimbabwe
title_sort developing integrated silvicultural management systems for woodlands of northwestern zimbabwe
topic UCTD
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/97757