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Forest
Management Research
Introduction
Forests are vital resources which supply
a variety of products and services. The natural forests
of Uganda are recognised as important resources crucial
for the well being of the population and essential for
the maintenance of the delicate ecological stability.
The plantation forests aim at both increased and reliable
production of trees and forest products and rehabilitation
of degraded sites, including growing trees for amenity.
The forest management research programme
is developing and transferring technologies for sustainable
forest management. Sustainable forest management consists
of fulfilling three major needs in perpetuity at local,
national and global levels, namely:
- Ecological: the maintenance and protection
of biological diversity;
- Economic: the contributions of forest
resources to the economy;
- Social: the recreational and service
functions of forests.
Research
Themes
The Forest Management Programme
has two sub-programmes namely: The Natural Forest Management
and Plantation Forest Management sub-programmes.
Natural Forest Management
The Natural Forest Management Sub-programme
has directed research work mainly to the assessment
of growth in the established long-term permanent sample
plots in the various trees species in relation to various
management practices such as clear felling and selective
felling have been assessed, and opportunities and constraints
to collaborative forest management are being studied.
Plantation Forest Management
The Plantation Forest Management Sub-programme
has directed research work to identifying species and
provenances for specific sites, and developing appropriate
cultural practices for production of timber poles and
other products from plantation forests. Methods for
site preparation, nursery practices, planting and early
maintenance of tree crops have been developed. The effects
of pruning and thinning on trees and stand growth, have
been studied for the major plantation species.
Major
Research Achievements
- Verification and assessment of permanent
sample plots in natural forests and research plots
in plantation forests.
- Indigenous colonising species such
as Maesopsis eminii and Milicia excelsa
have been identified for regeneration of degraded
natural forests.
- The need to incorporate local communities
knowledge of the uses of forests into the forest management
plans has been identified.
- Major species and provenances have
been identified for planting on various sites in the
country.
- Methods of establishment and management
of trees to obtain desired tree crops have been developed.
Future
Plans
Research work will focus on the current
trends in forest management which are geared towards
the enhancement of conservation values in natural forests,
and wood production in plantation forests.
Maintenance of ecological stability and
participatory management in natural forests, coupled
with modern plantation development and productivity
through selection, breeding and biotechnology are expected
to lead to sustainable production and environmental
benefits from forests
Conclusion
The programme aims at providing forest
resource managers and tree growers with information
on:
- Forest yield regulation based on
growth and the principles of sustained yield.
- Prescriptions for conservation of
biodiversity and its restoration in degraded forests.
- Ecological dynamics in the natural
forests and phenology of selected species.
- Suitable species, and provenancs
for various sites in the country.
- Seed sources and propagation techniques
of the major plantation species.
- Appropriate establishment and cultural
methods to produce desired crops of the major plantation
species.
- Tree improvement methods by selection
and breeding.
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