Coppicing ability of dry miombo woodland species harvested for traditional charcoal production in Zambia: a win\u2013win strategy for sustaining rural livelihoods and recovering a woodland ecosystem

Stephen Syampungani,Mulualem Tigabu,Nalukui Matakala,Ferdinand Handavu,Per Christer Oden

doi:10.1007/s11676-016-0307-1

Stephen Syampungani, Mulualem Tigabu + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-016-0307-1

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Abstract

The miombo woodland is one of the most extensive woodlands in Africa, supporting livelihoods based on biomass fuel for millions of rural people. However, there are growing concerns about the sustainability of harvesting for biomass fuel (mainly charcoal). Thus, the aim of this study was to examine whether regeneration by coppice is a viable option for sustainably managing miombo woodlands for biomass fuel production. We tested the hypotheses that (1) species, stump diameter, stump height and time since cutting significantly affect the number of sprouts per cut stump (coppice density) and mean sprout height (shoot vigour) and (2) higher coppice density reduces shoot vigour due to competition among coppice shoots in a given stump. In an inventory in areas that were harvested for charcoal production by the local people, 369 stumps of 11 species were recorded with mean coppice stumps ranged from 6 to 84. The mean coppice density ranged from 5 to 8 shoots per stump while the mean height of coppice shoots ranged from 46 to 118 cm with marked interspecific variations. Stump size was significantly and positively correlated with coppice density for some of the species, but not with shoot vigour for the majority of the species. However, shoot vigour was significantly positively correlated to time since cutting of trees for nearly half of the species. Coppice density had a significant negative correlation with shoot vigour for two species, and a positive correlation for one species. In conclusion, the results provide evidence about the importance of coppice management as a win–win strategy for sustaining charcoal-based rural livelihoods and recovering the miombo woodland ecosystem.

Highlights

African dry forests and woodlands play an important role in provision of ecosystem services, biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods (Chidumayo and Marunda 2010)
In an inventory in areas that were harvested for charcoal production by the local people, 369 stumps of 11 species were recorded with mean coppice stumps ranged from 6 to 84
The maximum stump diameter was more than 40 cm for some of the species

Summary

Introduction

African dry forests and woodlands play an important role in provision of ecosystem services, biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods (Chidumayo and Marunda 2010). The woodlands are major sources of biomass fuel (firewood and charcoal) for household consumption and income for a large proportion of rural households. Biomass fuel accounts for 76 and 85 % of the national energy budgets in Zambia and Mozambique, respectively (Shackleton and Clarke 2007; Syampungani et al 2009). Charcoal business is a lucrative local economy, generating an annual income of about US$ 350 million in Tanzania (Mugo and Ong 2006), about US$ 30 million in Zambia and an average annual income of about US$ 250–300 per family in Mozambique where 150,000 families are engaged in charcoal production (Frost 1996). In Malawi and Kenya, 92,800 and 500,000 people, respectively, owe their livelihoods to the charcoal business (Falcao 2008)

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