Degraded Forests in Eastern Africa

Forest degradation as a result of logging, shifting cultivation, agriculture and urban development is a major issue throughout the tropics. It leads to loss in soil fertility, water resources and biodiversity, as well as contributing to climate change. Efforts are therefore required to try to minimize further degradation and restore tropical forests in a sustainable way.This is the first research-based book to examine this problem in East Africa. The specific focus is on the forests of Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda, but the lessons learned are shown to be applicable to neighbouring countries and others in the tropics. A wide range of forest types is covered, from dry Miombo forest and afromontane forests, to forest-savanna mosaics and wet forest types. Current management practices are assessed and examples of good practice presented. The role of local people is also emphasized. The authors describe improved management and restoration through silviculture, plantation forestry and agroforestry, leading to improvements in timber production, biodiversity conservation and the livelihoods of local people.

Frans Bongers is professor of tropical forest ecology at Wageningen University, The Netherlands, and works on succession, biodiversity, forest regeneration and forest management in various tropical countries in both Africa and Latin America. Timm Tennigkeit is managing partner at UNIQUE forestry consultants, Germany, and works on natural resource management and climate finance-related topics in Africa and Asia. He has a PhD in tropical silviculture from Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Germany.