Aridity Zones Research Articles

Desertification Control and natural resource management in the aridity zones of the Third World ? A development policy assessment

Desertification Control and natural resource management in the aridity zones of the Third World ? A development policy assessment

A survey of wood stocks for charcoal production in the Miombo woodlands of Zambia

A survey of 94 miombo woodland stands was conducted in different parts of Zambia, and stackwood yield for charcoal production was assessed at 90 sites. The basal area of miombo woodland stands was significantly correlated to the aridity ratio in the study areas. Mean basal area at breast height per ha differed significantly among the three aridity zones in which study areas were located. In the aridity ratio 0.7–1.0 zone, mean basal area at breast height was 11.66 m 2 per ha, and this increased to 13.02 m 2 in the aridity ratio 1.0–1.3 zone and to 16.52 m 2 in the aridity ratio 1.3–1.6 zone. But mean basal area of woodland stands in different topographic zones was not significantly different. The volume of stackwood yield per m 2 basal area at stump height did not differ significantly among study areas: mean stackwood yield was 14.8 m 3 per m 2 basal area. Correlationship and regression analysis of the data led to the development of regression models for estimating standing wood stocks and yield for charcoal production in miombo woodlands in different parts of Zambia. The results presented in the paper are useful for managing natural woodlands for fuelwood production.