Ecological impacts of increased harvesting of lesser-used species
1998
Appiah, S. K. | Siisi-Wilson, E. | Agyeman, V. K. | Ortsin, G. | Birikorang, G. | Pattie, D.
Tropical forests of Ghana is characterised by a rich and complex floristic composition. There are over 2100 plants species, out of which 730 are tree species (Hall & Swaine 1981). 420 of these species are common and of wide distribution (Hawthorne 1989). Of these 126 grow to timber size of which 50 are considered merchantable (Francois 1987). The small number of species that are commercially exploited tends to make profitable logging and sustained yield management difficult to attain (FAO 1993). At present only about 7% of trees of trees in the tropical forests of Ghana are being expoited. In addition, over 70% of timber exported in 1990 was from only two species (ITTO PD 179/91). A similar situation is found in cameroun where 86% of timber harvested is from 15 species out of 56 commercially expoitable species (Evans 1990). The dependence of tropical timber trade on a few species has resulted in the "creaming" of a few prime species, a reduction in the raw material base and an increase in the cost of sawmilling operations. Consequently the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) and Governments of some tropical countries have designed programmes to ensure both biodiversity conservation and expansion of the species base, as well as the greater utilisation of lesser used species (LUS)1. Within the last few years, ITTO alone has sponsored over 25 LUS-related projects, funding for which has totalled over US$5 million. These projects have aimed at prevention of creaming of the few traditional high value species; catering for increasing local demand and ensuring sustained production and supply of timber.
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