Project Team
Adu-Bredu, S. & Djabletey G.D.

Background
The living tree biomass, under-storey vegetation, litter, woody debris and soil organic matter have been specified as the main carbon pools in tropical forest ecosystems. The carbon stored in the aboveground living biomass of trees is typically the largest pool and the most directly impacted by deforestation and degradation. A chunk of carbon is often removed in the form of wood from natural forest during logging under the selective logging system, as practiced in Ghana. The questions that need to be answered are: Is the forest able to naturally recover with respect to floristic composition and carbon stock (vegetation and soil)? Is there a build up or a decline in carbon stock with time? Is the forest resilient enough without any intervention?

The Bobiri forest reserve was chosen for the study because it is being managed as protective, productive and research forests. It therefore has both primary and secondary forests. The study is looking at natural recovery, biodiversity and soil carbon trend over time.

Objectives

• Assess the impact of logging on plant diversity and natural recovery
• Determine carbon and nutrient status of the forest floor litter
• Determine the effects of logging on soil carbon stock and nutrient dynamics