Local Forest Resources Research Articles

Contrasting Non-Timber Forest Products’ Case Studies in Underdeveloped Areas in China

Enhancing the sustainability of the non-timber forest products industry has dual significance for both the management of local forest resources and socio-economic development. This paper adopts a systems theory perspective to construct an analytical model for the sustainable development of non-timber forest products, based on a “social-economic-natural” framework. By analyzing case studies of non-timber forest products industry sustainability from four underdeveloped counties in China, the paper derives the following main conclusions and insights: The sustainability of non-timber forest products development models is influenced by factors such as resource endowments and institutional environments and includes both single and composite models. Underdeveloped regions can achieve considerable sustainability in the development of non-timber forest products, but this requires a rational allocation of six key elements—policy, model, stakeholders, natural resources, funding, and technology—to stimulate industry growth. To promote the sustainable development of this industry, optimization should be pursued across five aspects: “policy leadership and top-level design to guide industry development”, “selection of appropriate development models based on local natural endowments and socio-economic foundations”, “large enterprise-driven mechanisms to form multi-stakeholder interest connections”, “focus on product technology research and development, and establishment of technical training mechanisms”, and “market-driven funding to develop product sales markets”.

Determinants of Dependency Between Local Communities and Forest Resources Around a Protected Area in Cameroon

Determinants of Dependency Between Local Communities and Forest Resources Around a Protected Area in Cameroon

COLONIAL MIZORAM: FOREST PRODUCE AND FARMING METHODS

Frequent raids of areas that the Lushais claimed as their hunting grounds occupied by the British culminated to the creation of the Lushai Hills district under the British rule. Maintenance of public order being the prime concerned, policies relating to forests and fields were sparse allowing traditional patterns of livelihoods to continue almost unchanged. The demand for forest produce was only outside the District as there was no local industries or enterprises that needed raw materials. Trade in forest produce and traders, however, were introduced in this period. Trade permits were issued, Mahal awarded for extraction along the river banks, and minor forest produce were covered by permit and Royalty was collected. Difficult terrain, poor transportation system and shortage of labour were impediments to timber trade. Lack of supervision and management practices rendered the timber traders a free hand, leading to unsystematic felling of trees and damage to productive potential of forest resources. Mizos continued to depend on jhums and local forest resources for livelihood during the whole period of colonial rule. Training of inhabitants to hunt for financial prizes by officials led to the extinction of a number of species. The calls for conservation and forestation was not effective as it was perceived that the hills and jhums land replenished quickly causing no discernible negative impact.

Gender and endogenous knowledge inclusion for agroforestry systems improvement in Benin, West Africa

In West Africa, and Benin particularly, local forest resources can potentially contribute to both increasing and stabilizing soil productivity. However, these resources continue to be neglected with efforts instead concentrated on promoting exotic species. This study aimed to prioritize local agroforestry species on agricultural landscape by investigating the gendered, socio-demographic and agro-pedological factors of local knowledge and use of agroforestry species amongst small-holder farmers in Benin. An agroforestry inventory combined with an ethno-agroforestry survey was conducted on 364 farms with 364 farmers. A cluster analysis based on farmers' socio-demographic and agroecological factors was used to cluster farmers into two homogeneous agroforestry systems. Median score, species diversity and ecological networks were established for these two systems. Results illustrate that gendered difference exist between the priority that farmers give to multi-purpose species and this prioritization depends on priority ecosystem services for farmers and gender. Therefore, it would be useful first to consider gender and specific needs of each category of farmer to optimize the choice of agroforestry species to be promoted in such systems. The successful introduction of identified species through extension programs requires more advanced research related to the real contribution of these species to farmland fertilization, as well as the nutrient transmission pathways to associated crops in an agroforestry system to address simultaneously specific ecological, economic and socio-cultural sustainability criteria, as well as improved crop production.

Spatial and temporal patterns of fuelwood consumption and its associated CO2 emissions in Muzaffarabad division, a western Himalayan region

BackgroundIn the Himalayan region, fuelwood serves as a critical energy source for rural communities. Being vital for meeting energy needs, fuelwood combustion is a source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission and, consequently, global warming, as well as deforestation and public health damage. Therefore, quantifying fuelwood consumption patterns and its associated CO2 emissions is essential to understand the environmental impact and promote sustainable resource management.MethodsThis research conducts an evaluation of fuelwood burning patterns and the associated CO2 emissions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), situated within the western Himalayan region. The study entails an extensive survey of 24 villages representing 240 households, equally distributed between the subtropical and temperate regions, each comprising 120 households. Data collection was executed through a combination of direct queries and the weight survey method, following standard protocols.ResultsIn the study area, the mean annual fuelwood comsumption per household amounts to 24.28 ± 3.1 Mg (or 3.195 ± 1 Mg capita−1). A variance was observed between subtropical and temperate zones, with the latter exhibiting higher consumption rates. The consequential CO2 emissions were assessed as 41.88 ± 4.5 Mg per household (5.51 ± 0.6 Mg capita−1). On a daily basis, households consumed an average of 66.52 ± 6.4 kg of fuelwood (8.75 ± 1.5 kg capita−1), resulting in a daily CO2 release rate of 114.745 ± 8.6 kg (15.095 ± 2 kg capita−1). The findings unveiled seasonal variations, indicating increased fuelwood consumption and emissions during the winter season. Statistical analysis shed light on the significance of altitude and family size in shaping the patterns of fuelwood use.ConclusionsThe results revealed the importance of prioritizing forest conservation and strategically implementing sustainable practices, including reforestation, afforestation, responsible harvesting, and actively promoting sustainable fuel sources. This research highlights the vital role of well-designed policies focused on preserving ecosystems and improving energy management. Policy intervention can ensure the sustainable stewardship of local and regional forest resources.

Vegetation Classification and a Biomass Inversion Model for Wildfires in Chongli Based on Remote Sensing Data

Vegetation classification, biomass assessment, and wildfire dynamics are interconnected wildfire-ecosystem components. The Chongli District, located in Zhangjiakou City, was the venue for skiing at the 2022 Winter Olympics. Its high mountains and dense forests create a unique environment. The establishment of alpine ski resorts highlighted the importance of comprehensive forest surveys. Understanding vegetation types and their biomass is critical to assessing the distribution of local forest resources and predicting the likelihood of forest fires. This study used satellite multispectral data from the Sentinel-2B satellite to classify the surface vegetation in the Chongli District through K-means clustering. By combining this classification with a biomass inversion model, the total biomass of the survey area can be calculated. The biomass inversion equation established based on multispectral remote sensing data and terrain information in the Chongli area have a strong correlation (shrub forest R2 = 0.811, broadleaf forest R2 = 0.356, coniferous forest R2 = 0.223). These correlation coefficients are key indicators for our understanding of the relationship between remote sensing data and actual vegetation biomass, reflecting the performance of the biomass inversion model. Taking shrubland as an example, a correlation coefficient as high as 0.811 shows the model’s ability to accurately predict the biomass of this type of vegetation. In addition, through multiple linear regression, the optimal shrub, broadleaf, and coniferous forest biomass models were obtained, with the overall accuracy reaching 93.58%, 89.56%, and 97.53%, respectively, meeting the strict requirements for survey accuracy. This study successfully conducted vegetation classification and biomass inversion in the Chongli District using remote sensing data. The research results have important implications for the prevention and control of forest fires.

Effect of Fibre Orientation on the Bond Properties of Softwood and Hardwood Interfaces

Increasing concerns regarding carbon emissions and climate change are prompting a shift toward the use of sustainable materials in the construction industry. Engineered timber products are gaining attention in the construction industry due to advancements in lamination techniques and adhesives as well as the renewable characteristics of wood. Bond properties play a significant role in engineered timber products. In Australia, Radiata Pine (RP, softwood) and Shining Gum (SG, hardwood) share a large proportion of local and native plantation forest resources. The present paper investigates the bond behaviours of Australian softwoods (RP–RP), hardwoods (SG–SG) and hybrid-wood (RP–SG) combinations in both parallel (PAL) and perpendicular (PER) bonding directions using one-component polyurethane adhesives. The results indicate that most of the softwood samples were subjected to wood-side (timber) failure, whereas hardwood samples failed due to delamination but exhibited higher strength and stiffness regardless of bond direction. In contrast, bond direction had a significant effect on the bond characteristics of hybrid configurations. Improved bond properties were observed when bonded in PAL directions; however, negative effects were seen when bonded in PER directions. Obtained characteristic (5th percentile) shear bond strengths for RP–RP–PAL, RP–SG–PAL and SG–SG–PAL samples were 3.88 MPa, 6.19 MPa and 8.34 MPa, whilst those for RP–RP–PER, RP–SG–PER and SG–SG–PER samples were 3.45 MPa, 2.96 MPa and 7.83 MPa, respectively.

Introduction to “Role of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) for local benefit and forest resource sustainment in Myanmar”

Introduction to “Role of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) for local benefit and forest resource sustainment in Myanmar”

On the issue of air pollution in the Krasnoyarsk Territory

This article presents the results of the study of problems of air pollution in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The study determines the factors and conditions affecting the state of local atmospheric air, provides a list of key pollutants detected in the air of the territory and their percentage established during environmental screening. The paper outlines the main issues associated with environmental screening of the state of atmospheric air in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, presents data of dynamic observations of air quality in large urban agglomerations of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, emission volumes, and other indicators of air purity. Moreover, the author draws considerable attention to the list of economic spheres of regional development that are responsible for the greatest anthropogenic impact on the atmospheric environment. The study also provides a list of specific enterprises and organizations that are responsible for the largest amount of atmospheric emissions in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The reasons for the growing anthropogenic influence on the state and quality of atmospheric air of the Krasnoyarsk Territory are determined: in particular, due to the local rich natural resources, water and forest resources, the extraction and processing of which is a priority component of the economy of the Krasnoyarsk Territory.

The role of forest status in households’ fuel choice in Uganda

In this study, we investigate how households' choice of energy source is influenced by the status of the local forest resource. We assume that households choose between clean fuels (e.g., kerosene, LPG, solar, and electricity), dirty biobased fuels (e.g., firewood, animal dung, crop residues, and charcoal), and mixed fuels. We integrate socioeconomic data with high-resolution satellite data on forest conditions from the Uganda National Panel Survey. The findings from a random-effects multinomial logit model indicate that households in vegetated areas are 6–7% less likely to rely solely on dirty biobased fuels, and 6–8% more likely to use mixed fuels, compared to those in non-vegetated areas. A larger forest stock is more strongly associated with lower use of firewood than charcoal. A possible explanation for the findings is the presence of policies for forest conservation and enhanced forest property rights, which improve forest conditions and limit opportunities to collect firewood. Given households' dependence on forest-based fuels, such policies could need to be modified to secure households’ access to these fuels.

Measuring forest ecosystem services in Aceh Province for inclusion to local forest resource management plans

The project trained forest managers from Kesatuan Pengelolaan Hutan (KPH) and Social Forestry units in Aceh Province in forest resource data collection and the use of three tools that report important forest ecosystem services. Data were collected in systematic forest plots by local KPH staff and social forestry community members for measuring forest carbon, tree biodiversity and forest ecosystem health. Teams represented nine different forest ecosystems in Aceh Province, Indonesia. Average forest carbon estimates range from a low of 27.14 Mg C ha<sup>-1</sup> in a coffee agroforestry system to a high of 446.93 Mg C ha<sup>-1</sup> in a tropical forest area managed under social forestry. Tree biodiversity ranged from a low of one species as expected in a coastal mangrove forest to a high of 35 species in the tropical forest area managed under social forestry. Forest health conditions on average for the nine areas were mostly healthy, with a few noted in fair condition and one considered to be in poor condition. Resources provided at the local level would enable mainstreaming of field data collection for measuring these forest ecosystem services, and continued and expanded training should be considered to meet national demand.

The impact of Households Fuel Wood Energy Consumption to Forest Resources: A Case Study Ruangwa District

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effects of household fuel wood energy dependency on village trees in Ruangwa District. The study's specific
 goals were to identify energy sources in Ruangwa District, investigate the
 consequences of home energy dependency on trees in rural areas, and evaluate strategies to alleviate the effects of household energy dependency on forests. The study used a case study in southern Tanzania to examine the effects of household fuel wood energy dependency on forest resources. The study sample constituted
 96 local forest resource stakeholders. Purposive and non-probability sampling techniques were employed in data collection. Both quantitative and qualitative
 methodologies were used. Closed and open-ended questionnaires were used to
 collect both primary and secondary data including relevant documents related to village forest resource production, sales patterns, and resource control. The study established that, charcoal and firewood were the primary sources of cooking energy. Also, lack of knowledge and household poverty had a significant impact on forest management and control. The study concluded that, poverty was the primary factor driving household reliance on charcoal and firewood compounded by forest management authorities restricting local communities from extracting essential forest products; and lack of education on the importance of conserving trees in the local environment. Recommended that, local communities should be educated on the negative fuel wood human activities to the environment specifically excessive tree cutting for fuel wood energy. Besides, villages around forest resources and forest management on authority should jointly draw regulations and supervision mechanisms sustainable use of forest resources and products.

Assessment of rate and drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in the lower-tropical region: a case of Punarbas Municipality, Nepal

Deforestation and forest degradation (D and D), the most imminent threats to the survival of species and the viability of forests as a whole, is crucial to research its rate, as well as the underlying causes. The present study examined the rate and drivers that contribute to D and D in the Punarbas municipality of Kanchanpur district, Nepal. With the help of ArcGIS 10.8, an overall pattern and rate of D and D in the study area was identified using Land Satellite images from two different years (2000 AD and 2019 AD). 11 focus group discussions and 120 household surveys were carried out to collect data on key drivers of D and D. For data collection, stratified random sampling with a sampling intensity of 1% was used, and the Friedman test was applied for one-way repeated measures analysis of drivers by ranks. The study found that the annual rate of D and D of the study area from 2000 to 2019 AD was 0.63% and the major drivers were infrastructure development followed by illegal logging, agricultural expansion, livestock grazing forest fire, fuelwood collection, settlement/ resettlement, alien invasive species, and flood and landslide. Awareness programs are highly suggested to uplift the understanding level of local people, so they can act for themselves in the conservation of their local forest and ecosystem resources.

Forage resources and animals’ feeding in southern groudnut bassin and eastern regions of Senegal

Rainfall disturbances, a consequence of the effects of climate change, aggravated by anthropogenic pressure on vegetation, are leading to the progressive disappearance of several adapted local plant species in the so-called "groundnut basin" and eastern Senegal. Also, the clearing of land for agriculture potentiates and amplifies this degradation. At this rate, the loss of most of the local plant, forage and forest resources will follow. As part of a multi-species census and collection of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, an inventory of available forage resources in the groundnut basin and eastern Senegal was made. This inventory was made by field observations triangulated with interview data. The results show that the methods and level of exploitation of natural forage resources and crop residues differ from one area to another. The natural rangeland, which still constitutes the essential part of domestic ruminants feed in these regions, is in continuous degradation. In fact, this rangeland in groundnut basin is not very diversified like southern area, with a low index of quality and volume of pastures. Crop residues are abundant but not very varied. They represent an interest for the breeders of this zone and their sale prices can sometimes exceed those of the harvested products. This is a snapshot of the situation, valid for a given time. This situation is dynamic and can change significantly from one moment to the next. Nevertheless, the results obtained will make it possible to conceive methods of conservation and production of the identified species; in order to identify the best methods of management and sustainable use.

林业活动对区域森林生物量碳源汇格局的影响——以南平市为例

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 林业活动对区域森林生物量碳源汇格局的影响——以南平市为例 DOI: 10.5846/stxb202201110098 作者: 作者单位: 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金重大项目（32192434）；"十三五"国家重点研发计划项目（2016YFD0600200） Effects of forestry activities on regional forest biomass carbon source and carbon sink pattern: A case study in Nanping City Author: Affiliation: Fund Project: The National Natural Science Foundation of China (General Program, Key Program, Major Research Plan) 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:林业活动在一定程度上影响着区域森林的时空分布格局和碳汇/源功能。明确并量化林业活动对区域森林碳汇功能的影响与空间分布，对于区域森林碳汇提升和实现区域"碳中和"具有重要意义。以国家级生态示范区福建省南平市为例，以多期森林资源规划调查数据为基础，采用IPCC材积源-生物量法，基于土地利用类型的时空变化和林业活动类型划分，分类分析了南平市森林碳源和碳汇的空间分布特征，并量化了不同林业活动（一直保持为森林、人工造林、自然恢复、毁林和森林退化）对森林碳汇和碳源的影响。研究结果表明，2013年南平市森林碳储量总量为80.84Tg C，2020年森林碳储量总量增加至89.87Tg C，年均变化量为1.29Tg C/a （或4.73Tg CO2/a）。平均胸径、公顷蓄积等林分因子是当前主要影响森林碳储量的因素。在其他影响因素中，暗红壤分布区的森林生物质碳密度较高而在水稻土分布区则较低；此外，高海拔、中等立地质量土地上的森林碳密度较高。对于不同林业活动，2013-2020年南平市一直保持为森林（森林经营）、自然恢复增加的天然林和人工造林分别使森林生物质碳储量增加了0.34Tg C/a、0.85Tg C/a和1.05Tg C/a，同期因毁林和森林退化导致森林生物质碳储量分别减少0.75Tg C/a和0.42Tg C/a，森林生物质碳储量净增加1.09Tg C/a （或3.98Tg CO2/a），明显低于2013-2020森林碳储量净增量。对于土地利用变化较剧烈的区域，本文基于土地利用变化且区分林业活动路径的方法，能更准确地反映森林的碳汇和碳源及时空格局。2013-2020年间南平市一直保持为森林的生物质碳密度仅增长0.22Mg C hm-2 a-1，成熟林、过熟林面积占比增加使森林平均生长速率下降可能是主要原因。而同期通过自然恢复和人工造林使森林生物质碳密度分别增长4.00Mg C hm-2 a-1和4.10Mg C hm-2 a-1。优化龄组结构提升森林生长量、减少毁林和防止森林退化可以作为该区域未来森林增汇减排的有效举措。 Abstract:Forestry activities, to some degree, affect the spatio-temporal pattern of regional forest as a carbon sink or source. With the aim to improve regional forest carbon sink and achieve to "Carbon Neutral" strategically, it is of great significance to clarify and quantify the impacts forestry activities on forest carbon sink or source on spatial level. Taking Nanping City, Fujian Province, a national ecological demonstration, as an example, this paper analyzed the spatial distribution of carbon sources and carbon sinks caused by land use changes and five forest activities, which are remaining forest as forest, afforestation, natural recovery, deforestation and forest degradation, based on the local forest resources planning survey data during 2013-2020 and the IPCC volume-biomass method. The results showed that the total forest carbon storage in Nanping City was 80.84Tg C and 89.87Tg C in 2013 and 2020, respectively, with a mean annual change of 1.29Tg C/a (or 4.73Tg CO2/a). Forest stand characters such as the mean Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and the growing stock per hectare are the most important factors that mainly affect forest carbon storage. Among other influencing factors, the forest biomass carbon density is higher in the dark red soil distribution area but lower in the paddy soil distribution area, and it is higher in the high altitude, medium-quality sites. For the five forestry activities, the forest remaining as forest, natural restoration and afforestation increased the forest biomass carbon stocks (BCS) by 0.34Tg C/a, 0.85Tg C/a and 1.05Tg C/a respectively, while deforestation and forest degradation decreased BCS by 0.75Tg C/a and 0.42Tg C/a, respectively, which led to a net increase of forest BCS by 1.09Tg C/a (or 3.98Tg CO2/a) in Nanping during 2013-2020. Significantly lower than the net increase in forest carbon storage in 2013-2020. For those regions with intense land use changes, our method based on land use change or forest activities could more accurately estimate regional forest carbon sink and carbon source and their spatial pattern. Forest remaining forest only increased the forest biomass carbon density (BCD) by 0.22Mg C hm-2 a-1 in Nanping during 2013-2020, which was likely due to average forest growth rate decreasing caused by the increase in the area proportion of mature and over-mature forests. However, the BCD was increased by 4.00Mg C hm-2 a-1 and 4.10Mg C hm-2 a-1 for the new natural forests and plantations during 2013-2020. Optimizing forest age group structure to improve forest growth, reducing area of deforestation and forest degradation could be the optional measures to increase regional forest carbon sink and reduce carbon emission from forest. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Sustainable Community Forestry: Insights from Rural Thailand

Community participation in forest management has evolved as the new paradigm of natural resource governance in recent decades. Focusing on community participation in local forest resource management, this article examines the evolution and working of community forestry in Thailand from a socio-historical perspective. It narrates the social history of forest governance practices in Thailand and explores the community’s response towards deforestation, resource degradation and rising livelihood insecurity. Drawing insights from three case studies of community participation in forest governance from the provinces of Lampang, Lamphun and Kanchanaburi, this article highlights the potentials of community forestry in evolving as an alternative institution for sustainable livelihood security and forest governance. The article maps out the social history of forest governance practices in Thailand by identifying three successive stages: (a) influence of early European colonial rule in the neighbouring territories, (b) the American influence of 1960s, and (c) social uprisings and a visible ‘community’ in forest management practice.

Land Cover Changes after the Massive Rohingya Refugee Influx in Bangladesh: Neo-Classic Unsupervised Approach

The Rohingya refugee influx to Bangladesh in 2017 was a historical incident; the number of refugees was so massive that significant impacts to local communities was inevitable. The Bangladesh government provided land in a preserved area for constructing makeshift camps for the refugees. Previous studies have revealed the land cover changes and impacts of the refugee influx around campsites, especially with regard to local forest resources. Our aim is to establish a convenient approach of providing up-to-date information to monitor holistic local situations. We employed a classic unsupervised technique—a combination of k-means clustering and maximum likelihood estimation—with the latest rich time-series satellite images of Sentinal-1 and Sentinal-2. A combination of VV and normalized difference water index (NDWI) images was successful in identifying built-up/disturbed areas, and a combination of VH and NDWI images was successful in differentiating wetland/saltpan, agriculture /open field, degraded forest/bush, and forest areas. By doing this, we provided annual land cover classification maps for the entire Teknaf peninsula for the pre- and post-influx periods with both fair quality and without prior training data. Our analyses revealed that on-going impacts were still observed by May 2021. As a simple estimation of the intervention consequence, the built-up/disturbed areas increased 6825 ha (compared with the 2015–17 period). However, while the impacts on the original forest were not found to be significant, the degraded forest/bush areas were largely degraded by 4606 ha. These cultivated lands would be used for agricultural activities. This is in line with the reported farmers’ increased income, despite local people with other occupations that are all equally facing the decreases in income. The convenience of our unsupervised classification approach would help keep accumulating a time-series land cover classification, which is important in monitoring impacts on local communities.

Study of species associations in native habitats of the genus Dacrydium Lamb. (Podocarpaceae) in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

The tropical coniferous genus Dacrydium Lamb. is occurring with some species in various habitat types in Kalimantan, Indonesia. So far four species are recorded for that area. Even though the species are considered globally as Endangered and Least Threatened species by the IUCN, in Central Kalimantan the genus is under threat from pressures related to logging, fire and land conversion. Locally known as Alau, this genus prospers in a range of habitats from heath to deep-peat swamp forests in Central Kalimantan. Data from field plots across four sites in Central Kalimantan are used to compare variations in habitat and species composition where Alau trees are present. The results of the analysis show the wide range of habitat structure as well as species diversity where Alau tends to thrive. The characterization of these sites may be helpful in protecting and conserving Alau forest areas under social forestry and local forest management resource use plans.

Energy Efficiency Of Fuel Briquettes Based On Fine Charcoal. Case Of The Region Atsimo Andrefana (Urban Area)

The Atsimo-Andrefana region, one of the most energy-consuming in Madagascar, because of the local energy-intensive dishes causing heavy deforestation in this area, is the subject of a study on its energy potential. In view of this and the degradation of local forest resources, the recovery of waste remaining charcoal already used for domestic energy purposes is a local priority. The present research work aims to provide the local population with an ecological and hygienic source of energy from local waste, coal fines. The methodology adopted for the concretization of the present work consists in passing through the various stages of the following activities: bibliographical research and webography, the descent on the ground to see visually the local reality on the availability of the resource to be exploited, the investigations on the local culinary habits as well as the treatment and the analysis of the collected data. The result of this work showed that the population in rural areas has a waste resource of 10%. The average monthly consumption of charcoal per capita is 12.6 kg, or 63 kg/month/household of five people. Their cooking habits are very energy intensive (150 kg/year/capita of charcoal) compared to the national average (100 kg/year/capita of charcoal). The calorific value of fine charcoal briquettes varies according to two important parameters: the binder content and the fine matter content. For a binder content varying from 5% to 10%, the calorific value increases from 4284.77 kcal/kg to 6893.72 kcal/kg. With a binder content of 5%, the calorific value is maximum. The use of these briquettes for a household of 5 persons will allow to reduce the purchase of charcoal by 75.6kg/year and to preserve every year: 0.15ha/household or 5000ha for the Region of eucalyptus forest.

Study of the Implementation of Fibrous Materials and Earth in Hollow Body Slab in Reinforced Concrete: Case of Laterite, Borassus aethiopum and Calamus deerratus Woods

This work enrolls in the context of eco materials. It concerns the field of transformation of local shrub forest resources and lateritic earth with low market values into building materials and is developing a process for the valorization of lateritic nodules, Borassus aethiopum (palmyra) and Calamus deerratus (rattan) in the engineering of modern reinforced concrete structures. The objective of this process is to promote the rational use of these local materials in the realization of the floors of social housing. Experimental studies of physical and mechanical characterizations of the lateritic concrete formulated, of the palmyra and rattan woods were carried out. Through tests of tearing and sliding of the interface between normal concrete and laterite concrete (push-out tests), it has been highlighted the adhesion of palmyra wood to concrete and the contribution of rattan lianas to oppose the longitudinal sliding of the interface between two concretes of different nature. The case study of a hollow body slab in mixed concrete (normal and laterite concrete) reinforced with palmyra and rattan woods, showed the structural effectiveness of lateritic earth, of palmyra and rattan woods for their implementation for the realization of a social housing floor of span, of up to 5 m.