Regeneration of timber species following selective logging in a moist semi-deciduous forest in Ghana

Abstract

The natural regeneration and growth of timber tree species were studied in four logging gaps; loading bays, tree-fall gaps, primary skid trails and secondary skid trails with forest shade as control in a moist semi-deciduous forest in Ghana. There was prolific tree seedling emergence in all the sites in the first few months following logging but declined after 8 months. Species diversity as well as seedling numbers increased with reducing gap size from the loading bays to secondary skid trails. Weed biomass, however, increased with increasing gap size. Pioneer species were relatively abundant in loading bays than all the ecological species guilds while the non-pioneers showed preference for smaller gaps. Ceiba pentandra (pioneer), for example, was the only species that survived in the loading bays for the 27-month period of the study but could not survive in the forest shade. The limited regeneration of commercial tree species and increased colonization by competing weeds in larger gaps indicate the need for better control over harvest operations through gap size reduction and post-harvest competition control treatments to ensure sustainable production of economic tree species.

Keywords: Ghana, moist semi-deciduous forest, logging, regeneration

Ghana Journal of Forestry Vol. 17 & 18 2005: pp. 20-35