Analysis of the potentiality and local utilisation of secondary dry forests as compared with afforestations


by RAOLINANDRASANA Lalaoharisoa Odette

This study is conducted in the North West part of Madagascar. It is aiming at providing characterising elements for the products of secondary forests from the point of view of potentiality and utilisation, as well as at assessing the constraints and advantages of afforestation in this area. The final objective is to propose a suitable management for the region based on the present reality. Secondary dry forest of the North West part of Madagascar make up the principal available wood resource in the region.
Two methods are used to collect the required data: one inventory to quantify and qualify the potential of wood resources and one socio-economical survey on the native population to estimate the needs of wood products.
The potential of three forested regions is analysed on 19 study plots, each of 2500 square meters surface area. Number of stems, timber volume, tree species, utilisation potential and regeneration dynamic have been determined. To assess the needs of the population 200 households were interviewed with respect to their consumption of fuel and construction wood (fences and buildings), charcoal and other wood products. The preferred tree species were determined and the amount utilised was also estimated. The data is stratified according to urban and rural population and the main activities.
The data collection is completed and the analysis is currently in progress. Experience from other countries and concepts of modern forest management are incorporated into the work in close collaboration between the PhD student and partners from the Department of Forest Sciences at the ETH Zurich.

Addresses
RAOLINANDRASANA Lalaoharisoa Odette
II F 30 N Andraisoro
101 – ANTANANARIVO – Madagascar
Tel. ++261-20-22 316 09
e-mail: essa.forets@simicro.mg

Prof. Dr. Peter Bachmann
Section of Forest Inventory and Planning
ETH Zentrum
CH-8092 Zurich
Tel. ++41-1-632 31 87 Fax ++41-1-632 11 27
e-mail: bachmann@fowi.ethz.ch

Dr. J.-P. Sorg
Chair of Silviculture
ETH Zentrum
8092 Zurich
Tel. ++41-1-632 32 14 Fax ++41-1-632 10 33
e-mail: sorg@fowi.ethz.ch