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1 University of Namibia: Ogongo campus Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resource management Student name : MWENYO HHL Student : 201042274 Module : REARCH PROPOSAL Subject code : Topic : Evaluation of Tree Species in Ogongo Forest and Their Socio-economic Importance LECTURER: Cecil Togarepi 2 Table of Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3 1.1 Background and Rationales of the study ............................................................................... 3 1.2 Research problems ............................................................................................................. 4 2. Literature review ......................................................................................................................... 5 3. References .................................................................................................................................. 6 3 Topic: Topic: Topic: Evaluation valuation valuation valuation valuation valuation valuation of of Tree ree ree Species in Ogongo pecies in Ogongo pecies in Ogongo pecies in Ogongo pecies in Ogongo pecies in Ogongo pecies in Ogongo pecies in Ogongo Woodlandoodlandoodlandoodlandoodlandoodland, and and Their heir heir Socioocio -economic economiceconomic economic Importancemportancemportance mportance mportancemportance in the in the Communitommunitommunit y 1. Introduction Forest inventory and assessment is very important in conserving forest resources and maintaining the environment they are living. Forests and woodlands play important roles in the livelihoods of many societies, especially in communal areas where direct dependence on natural resources is high. In addition to performing many ecological functions, woodlands and forests provide many goods and services that are essential for improving and maintaining human livelihoods. However, there have been growing concerns on woodland trees and forest decline and degradation caused by various factors including unsustainable harvesting practices by resource users in this case are the community. As a result, the need for sustainable use of woody resources has been placed high on the priorities of most governments as the world faces an ever-increasing human population which puts pressure on limited natural resources in which forest vegetation had become the worse affected. The poor management practices have led to degradation of some forests tree species in many parts of the world, especially those managed as open access resources. Such resources need to be properly managed and properly recorded to ensure sustained provision for local household needs. Tree communities are defined as an assemblage of functionally similar species populations that occur together in time and space (Magurran, 1988). Plant communities are separated from each other based on indicator species in combination with a distinctive floristic composition. At the end of the study the following could be obtained; 1. Quantifiable baseline of the current status of the forest and their contribution on the socio-economic livelihood will be established for skills and knowledge for the good forest management practices will be imparted to the community. Since the forest products (wood and timber) are shared for community household income, this can be integrated into policy are planning and the development of climate change adaptation, which will be enhanced with the aid of extension training. 1.1 Background and Rationales of the study Ogongo forest is situated at the gate of the Ogongo campus bordering with the tire road at the northern, eastern part and the campus at south side and community houses at the western part. It consists of various tree species which is dominated by sandy loamy soil. Different vegetation patchiness assemblage the area with tree of above 2 miters dominating, there are also various shrubs but poor in grass coverage, which are found only at some individual places. This forest is estimated of approximately 100 hectares of land and it’s mostly used for research activities for students and at regional level as well. The area is subjected to some man- made disturbance, such as the newly constructed buildings, road construction gravel site (lake) and a dumping site in the 4 middle; which might influence the growth and plant health. It also leads to several damages to the available plants and the environment itself, because the areas close to these spots are subjected to soil degradation due to erosions. The area is in a semi arid area, whereby it estimated to receive an annual rainfall of about 400-500mm and midsummer temperature that can reach 37°c and mid winter of 4°c. 80% of the area is arable land and under vegetation covers while the far eastern side got few perennial small water pans. It is therefore expected after the research project the community will start practicing improved management technique that will improve forest products, especially the woody resources that plays an important roles in the socio-economy of the community and the improvement of rural livelihood said (Luoga.E.J.1996). This will also circulate the possible knowledge needed in woodlot caring and make it easier to evaluate the possible improved technology that can suppress climate change via using plants as a buffer against global warming. Due to time limitation it might be of less effect to assess the newly improved policies and technology, that are put up to governed rural forest resources and possible forest inventory measures that could help the foresters to understand the forest assessment activities to improve the woody resources quality. 1.2 Research problems The main problem observed that lead to the initiation of the research is the un- updated current data on the tree condition in the area. There is lack of information on trees density and abundance and representation in the forest that can be of important use to the forestry students and community members. There are no market or harvesting procedures channeled up to mitigate the over exploitation of some tree species within the community. There is a large space between trees to tree that may need attention to be filled up to make the area look and stand at the standard of being called a forest. Lack of agroforestry and silvicultural practices the increasing human disturbances at the area that is leading to soil erosion and clearing of trees of socio-economic importance to the community. There are no regular policies and regulations that are governing and protect the forest trees from being exploited. The study aims to asses if there is any tending operation, such as pruning, coppicing and pollarding taking place that’s mostly the basic way to boost tree growth in the forest and promote good wood quality (Kajembe G.C. 1996). 1.3. Objectives  To identify tree species available in the Ogongo forest.  To assess the distribution, frequency and the dominance of tree species in the forest.  To determine the socio-economic roles of the common species in the area. 5 2. Literature review Tree species differ in their tolerance to and requirements of the environment, resulting in differentiating distribution patterns along environmental gradients. As a result, community composition and structure varies along these gradients. Species richness, for instance, is generally higher in high-rainfall areas and at low latitudes, while relationships with soil fertility are ambiguous. (Timo P and Kalle E,1998) stated that, while local scale as well as continental scale patterns are well developed, studies on the small community forest, of large importance for e.g communal forest management and conservation planning, have received very little attention, and therefore should be also considered in inventory and monitoring programs. The researches should be proposes to (1) quantify species diversity, composition and forest structure along variable climate and soil gradients; (2) evaluate forest dynamic along these gradients in terms of abundance, density and growth characteristics in comparison with silvicultural forest. More than a decade Jansen 1970 proposed that natural factors plays part in the maintenance and depleting of natural trees in the forest, he stated that high mortality of juvenile growth are mostly observed close to the adults because f the host seed predators from the mother plant, herbivores or pathogens. Crown deforms being more resulted from effect of herbivores and human pressure on the specified trees. Spacing and distribution of trees in the forest are the results of pathogens, and diseases, this is to say the differences in trees growth spacing, can be a result of environmental and micro -scope biotic, this is believed more because diseases and seed pathogens turns to be in mass number where more seeds are deposited usually at the mother plant base, inhibiting this small seed not to survive within the vicinity of the adult trees. Evaluation of trees in the forest promotes good governance and therefore good monitoring and sanctioning of the biodiversity. 6 3. References Anonymous1, www.blogs.worldwatch.org, accessed date, 15 April 2011 Kajembe G.C.(1996). Socio-economic aspects of farm tree planting.Njombe District. Paul Kerkhof, Gerard Foley and Geoffrey Barnard, 1990, Agroforestry in Africa a survey of project experience. Timo Pukkala and Kalle Eerikäinen, 1998, modeling the growth of tree plantation and Agroforestry systems in south and east Africa.