| Abstract: | Abstract. Woody biomass production in natural forests of arid and semi-arid regions is low. The fuelwood demand of settlements often exceeds the sustained yield and regeneration capacity of natural forests, which results in deforestation. Regeneration and woody biomass development was studied in cleared Acacia zanzibarica bushland in Bura, eastern Kenya. The area was cleared in 1982 and studied in 1988. The site had been colonized primarily by Acacia zanzibarica and A. reficiens. Mean density was 1333 trees/ha, mean total woody biomass (dry weight) 1954 kg/ha, equal to 2.53 m3/ha. Mean annual increment was 293 kg/ha, or 0.3 8m3/ha. Expressed as rain use efficiency, the natural dry matter productivity of the woody component equals 0.83 kg ha-1 yr-1 mm-1. The regeneration potential and some management implications are discussed. |
