Biomass and nutrient accumlation and distribution in a 15 year old unthinned stands of Nauclea diderrichii and Funtumia elastica in the moist semi-deciduous forest of Ghana.

Survival, growth, dry matter yield distribution and nutrient uptake in 15 year old unthinned stands of Nauclea diderrichii, (Opepe) or (Kusia) and Funtumia elastica planted in the Pra-Anum Forest Reserve were investigated. The investigations were done by assessing trees in two temporary 20m x 20m or 0.04ha plots located randomly in the two stands. Nauclea diderrichii had a survival percentage of 63 percent. At 15 years, it had a mean total height of 19.3m, mean diameter of 21.6cm and mean volume of 0.3214m3. The mean tree biomass produced was 449.7kg while the stand biomass was 343.1 mt/ha. About 96percent of the biomass produced was channelled into the woody components of stem and branches while the leaves constituted only 4 percent. The mean nutrient concentration in plant parts increased from P.LT. Mg.LT. K.LT. N.LT. Ca and the leaves had the highest concentration of these elements. Funtumia elastica also had a survival percentage of 78 percent. It produced a mean total height of 15.6cm, mean diameter of 17.5m, a mean volume of 0.1607m3 while the stand volume was 153.6 mt/ha. At the age of 15years, Funtumia elastica produced a mean tree and stand biomass of 200.50kg and 191.7mt/ha respectively. About 91 percent of the dry matter produced was distributed into the woody components of stem and branches, and only 9 percent into the leaves. The branches also formed 25 percent of the biomass. The nutrient concentrations in the various parts were in the order: Ca.GT. N.GT. K.GT. Mg.GT. P. The investigations showed the pattern of growth in Nauclea diderrichii; and Funtumia elasica in terms of survival, growth biomass production and also nutrient accumulation in the same site. The greater stemwood composition in Nauclea diderrichii; 77 percent, and Funtumia elastica, 60 percent showed that timber and pole production will be oreater proposition in these species, than firewood production.