ANALYSIS OF FOREST CANOPY CHANGE AFTER LOGGING IN A

RAINFOREST OF GHANA

Edward D. Wiafe and Albert AlloteyDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources Management,

Presbyterian University College, P. O. Box 393, Akropong-Akuapem, Ghana. edward.wiafe@presbyuniversity.edu.gh

2012 IUFRO-FORNESSA REGIONAL CONGRESS25-29TH JUNE 2012, NAIROBI

Contents

Background Study area Methods Results Conclusions

Introduction The object of forest management has

been observed to influence forest canopy dynamics

The Kakum Conservation Area, a 360km2

contiguous rainforest of Ghana suffered logging from 1936 to 1989

In 1990, the management was changed from timber production to conservation of biodiversity

Objectives To evaluate the dynamics of canopy

recovery of rain forest after logging

The specific objectives were: to investigate the effect of change of

object of management on forest canopy coverage

to evaluate the magnitude of forest canopy recovery after logging

Study area Kakum Conservation Area

Kakum Conservation Area (KCA) It is a contiguous forest

that lies between longitude 1°51’W and

1°30’W and latitude 5°20’N and 5°40’N

210km2 Kakum National Park

150 km2 Assin Attandanso Resource Reserve

Kakum Conservation Area (KCA) Legally gazetted as a

national park and resource reserve respectively in 1991

Under the Wildlife Reserves Regulations L.I 710

As amended by L.I 1525 Under the administrative

jurisdiction of the Wildlife Division of the forestry commission

Kakum Conservation Area (KCA) The area was initially placed under

timber production by the Forestry Department until 1989

Before 1936 (Prior to timber exploitation) : the reserve was more or less a virgin

forest There was no evidence that farming

might have taken place in the reserve for any considerable length of time (Paijmans and Jack, 1960)

Kakum Conservation Area (KCA) 1936 -1950: Timber exploitation with

mahogany (Khaya ivorensis) being the principal species logged

1950 -1989: Other timber species were included for exploitation

1990: The management was transferred to the Wildlife Division

Kakum Conservation Area (KCA) The conservation area has gone

through a long period of disturbances as a result of commercial hunting subsistence hunting gathering of non-wood forest products timber logging

About 52 communities are scattered around the conservation area

Timber exploitation map

1971-1996

1988-20931988-2093

1969-1994

1986-1996

1986-1996

Concession owners and Area of Occupation before KCA

Concessionaire Area (km²) Period of Lease Name of reserve

S.K. Owusu Timbers 36.06 1/11/1971-31/12/1996 Kakum

Pan Sawmills Ltd. 60.32 24/8/1959-23/8/2004 Kakum

Takoradi Veneer and

Lumber Co.

109.43 21/8/1988-20/9/2093 Kakum

Prime-wood Product Ltd 134. 62 1/7/1969-30/6/1994 Assin Attandanso

Gabrah Brothers Ent. Ltd 6.86 1/2/1986-31/1/1996 Assin Attandanso

R. T. Brisco/T. V. L. C 12.22 20/9/1948-19/9/1988 Assin Attandanso

Conservation period

Method Satellite images of Landsat Thematic

Mapper (TM) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) for 1986 and 2002 to represent The vegetation structure for the logging

period and Conservation period respectively

These scenes were processed using IDRISI Kilimanjaro software

1986 : Timber operation periodTotal canopy coverage 295.84km2

80.55%

18.42% 1.03%

opened canopy areaclosed canopy areafarm coverage area

2002: Conservation period Total canopy coverage: 302.92km2

 

58.44%

37.43% 4.13%

opened canopy areaclosed canopy areafarm coverage area

Change in canopy coverage

opened canopy coverage farm coverage area

0102030405060708090

exploitation period

conservation period

80.55

18.42

1.03

58.44

37.43

4.13

Conclusion The reduction of opened canopy and

increase in closed canopy area could be attributed to the change of selective timber logging to wildlife conservation area

The farming areas at the peripheries has increased probably because: many timber workers engaging in farming

activities the illegal farmers that were driven out of the

forest Immigration

Recommendations

Forest reserves, undergoing convalescence must be managed from the conservation approach

A large proportion of the plants and animals in tropical forests should be protected through the establishment of conservation areas

References

Paijmans, K., and Jack W. H. (1960). Greater Kakum forest reserves. A working plan presented to the Forestry Department, Ghana. Accra, Forestry Department.

Aknowledgement

I am grateful to the following organizations: IUFRO-SPDC FORNESSA Presbyterian University College, Ghana

Thank youAsante sana