Abstract
The utilization of fuel wood as a major source of primary energy in Africa was reviewed with a focus on its management in secondary forests. Fuel wood sources, the state of regional energy crises, and the silvicultural management of fuel wood in secondary forests are all factors that were considered in this study. About 95% of fuel wood consumed in the continent is from secondary forests and is used for both domestic and industrial purposes. Its consumption varies with vegetation distribution, population density, demographic characteristics, and the state of local energy crises. Preventing the loss of forest resources through deforestation is the greatest challenge of fuel wood utilization. Silvicultural practices for management of fuel wood include natural regeneration, coppice, coppice with standard, and agroforestry techniques. The great demand for wood production through these methods had led to an increase in intensive forest management and the adoption of community participatory approaches in the formulation and implementation of forest policy.
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Fuwape, J.A. (2011). Secondary Forests and Fuel Wood Utilization in Africa. In: Günter, S., Weber, M., Stimm, B., Mosandl, R. (eds) Silviculture in the Tropics. Tropical Forestry, vol 8. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-19986-8_24
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-19986-8_24
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