The role of fallowing in the restoration of woody species in the Woodlands of Northern Uganda
Loading...
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Ecology
Abstract
The study sought to determine the extent to which fallowing can lead to recovery
towards an historic woody vegetation of Sudanian woodlands in northern Uganda.
Fallow sites of three distinct ages were assessed. Plots were established in crop fields
that had been under cultivation for over 10 years, sites that had been under fallow
for 3–6
years (young fallow) and fallow sites of at least 9 years (old fallow) in three
districts. In each plot, all woody plants were enumerated and species composition,
diversity and richness assessed. Young fallow plots were dominated by pioneer species
such as Piliostigma thonningii and Annona senegalensis, while old fallow by a mix
of late and early successional species such as Vachellia hockii (formerly Acacia hockii)
and Combretum collinum. Vitellaria paradoxa (Shea butter tree) was the most abundant
in all fallow categories. Species composition in crop field was different from young
and old fallow. Species richness increased significantly from abandoned Crop field
to Young fallow and then to Old fallow. Simpson's Diversity Index showed similar
trends. V. paradoxa contributed most to overall similarity among the fallow categories.
Fallowing can facilitate restoration of characteristic species of Sudanian woodlands.
Description
Keywords
Fallows, Farming practices, Succession, Woodlands
Citation
Byakagaba, P., Okullo, JBL, Eilu, G., & Mwavu, EN (2021). The role of falling in the restoration of woody species in the Woodlands of Northern Uganda. African Journal of Ecology , 59 (4), 1033-1046. DOI: 10.1111/aje.12895