Land suitability assessment of some degraded forest reserves and headwaters for the establishment of Ceiba pentandra plantations in the dry semi-deciduous forest in Ghana

Abstract

A site suitability assessment of some degraded forest reserves and headwaters mostly in the Ashanti Region and a small part in the Brong Ahafo Region was done for the purpose of establishing Ceiba pentandra (silk cotton tree) plantations. Ceiba pentandra is a local Ghanaian timber species whose fast growth rate and general utility make it a potential plantation species. Data on soil and climatic conditions of the site were matched with the species' growth requirements to assess the potential of the land for the establishment of silk cotton tree plantation. The soils of the area which cover about 58,180 ha consist of 10 soil associations (35 soil series) developed over six parent materials/rocks. Most of the upland soils with the exception of those which are shallow, eroded, containing frequent ironstone concretions, boulders and outcrops namely: Yaya - Pimpimpso Association, Kintampo - Techiman Association and Kintampo Consociation were assessed to be suitable for the growth of Ceiba pentandra. The lowlands and valley bottoms soils were found not to be suitable for the growth of the species. The climatic conditions were generally favourable for Ceiba pentandra.

JOURNAL OF THE GHANA SCIENCE ASSOCIATION Volume 1 Number 2, January (1999) pp. 110-124