Sustainable Forest Plantations in Ghana

Background and Objective

Approach

We analyse whether the soil conditions match with the requirements of teak or alternative tree species. Climate data provide further details concerning the planting suitability of certain tree species. Seeds from appropriate sources must be organized and seedlings must be raised in our nurseries. Afterwards the seedlings are planted out on the spot and permanent sample plots are set up to monitor the tree growth. We apply tending operations like thinnings in order to increase the quality of the timber and the tree growth. We open up new income sources for the local population to prevent land-use conflicts at the margin of the plantations.

Data and Methods

Our analyses are based on forest site surveys to safeguard that the growth conditions are matching with the foreseen tree species or to indicate alternatives. Growth data are collected on a yearly basis and mass tables are elaborated. Furthermore we analyse the socioeconomic conditions of the local population to know and consider their demands and needs in fringes of the forest plantations.

Results

We showed that teak plantations are an economically sound land-use alternative to common slash and burn on suitable soils in the transition zone to the savanna of Ghana. Our teak plantations performed an average yield of up to 12 m³/ha/a on good sites in a 10-years’ period. On nutrient poorer soils tropical pine species proofed to be an interesting alternative. Mass tables and a thinning concept have been elaborated on the basis of regular inventories.  Additionally we introduced a system under which interested farmers raise trees on their land for wood buyers (outgrower system). This measure generates future income for the farmers. We convinced them to plant their trees in combination with staple crops and together with nitrogen fixing legumes which also serve as firewood. With this concept we could establish a sustainable land –use system as an alternative to slash and burn which might be transferable to other regions with similar problems.

 Further results: Numerous publications, diploma theses, master thesis.