Dataverse World Agroforestry (ICRAF)
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Replication data for: Altitudinal variation and conservation priorities of vegetation along the Great Rift Valley escarpment, northern Ethiopia
No full textUnderstanding plant species distribution patterns along environmental gradients is fundamental to managing ecosystems, particularly when habitats are fragmented due to intensive human land-use pressure. To assist management of the remaining vegetation of the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot, plant species richness and diversity patterns were analyzed along the main elevation gradient (1,000â2,760 m) of the Great Rift Valley escarpment in northern Ethiopia, using 29 plots established at 100-m elevation intervals. A total of 129 vascular plant species belonging to 59 families was recorded. Species richness and diversity showed a hump-shaped relationship with elevation, peaking at mid-elevation (1,900â2,200 m). Beta diversity values indicated medium species turnover along the elevation gradient and were lowest at mid-elevation. Elevation strongly partitioned the plant communities (r = 0.98; P\0.001). Four plant communities were identified along the elevation gradient: Juniperus proceraâClutia lanceolata community (2,400â2,760 m), Abutilon longicuspeâCalpurnia aurea community (1,900â2,300 m), Dracaena ombetâ Acacia etbaica community (1,400â1,800 m), and Acacia melliferaâDobera glabra community (1,000â1,300 m). To optimize conservation of species and plant communities, it is recommended that a conservation corridor be established along the elevation gradient that includes all four plant communities. This strategyâin contrast to creating single isolated reserves in zones with high species richnessâis necessary for the habitat protection of species with narrow elevational ranges, in particular the globally endangered Nubian dragon tree (Dracaena ombet)
Replication data for: Protected areas within multifunctional landscapes: Squeezing out intermediate land use intensities in the tropics?
No full textA protected area (PA) tends to be designated in an area where tracts of primary forest remain, often with poor accessibility due to terrain features an
d yet with some exposure to threats. Typically, a PA is at the start of a forest transition gradient. The establishment of a PA influences the whole gradient. We analyzed the temporal patterns of land-use change inside and outside four PAs, with one located in each of Laos, Indonesia, Madagascar and Cameroon. In Laos, in the Viengkham landscape, the rates of conversion of natural forest increased after the designation of the PA and were higher than the spatial baseline predicted. In the three other landscapes, the policies associated with the implementation of PAs increased the conversion rate immediately outside the boundary of the PAs. In Indonesia, in the Bungo landscape, forms of land-use associated with multifunctional agroforestry activities involving rubber trees land-use became the target for conversion to oil palm and monoculture rubber tree crops when the rules on the protection of the remaining natural forest were tightened. We tested a new metric for the degree of integration of forest in multifunctional landscapes which recognizes the surrounding matrix, both as surrogate habitat and as a corridor for tree species. Two important findings were: (i) a leakage zone of influence of at least 10 km around a PA needs to be included for quantification of the deforestation and degradation changes that may be due to forest protection inside the PA and (ii) agroforest and other mixed tree cover can maintain or increase the degree of integration of forest in the multifunctional landscape for biodiversity maintenance and conservation, while providing a source of livelihood for the local people. Enclosed data is a land cove change analysis result based on time series land cover maps from satellite image interpretation for each location of this study
Replication data for: Characterisation of Dacryodes edulis fine roots distribution considering propagule type, soil depth and lateral distance from the tree colar
No full textBelow ground tree growth attributes determine whether associations will be complementary or competitive in an agroforestry context. A study on fine root (d B 2 mm) distribution patterns of Dacryodes edulis based on root density (RD), root length density (RLD) and root weight density (RWD) was conducted to evaluate the effect of propagation methods on rooting distribution. Results showed that D. edulis trees of seed origin had greater RD (P B 0.001) than trees of vegetative origin (cuttings and marcots) in the upper soil stratum (0–30 cm). Similarly, in the uppermost soil stratum (0–10 cm), RLD and RWDs varied significantly (P\0.01). Trees of seed origin had an exponential distribution pattern for fine RD, RLD and RWD with depth to 80 cm. In contrast, the distribution pattern of fine roots of trees of vegetative origin (cuttings and marcots) were quadratic for the same variables which increased in the 20–30 cm soil depth stratum before declining steadily to a depth of 80 cm. The findings of this study suggest that D. edulis trees of vegetative origin (cuttings and marots) are likely to be less competitive than trees of seed origin when intercropped with shallow-rooted annual plants in an agroforestry system for belowground resources
Maturity Assessment Validation Survey Data
No full textValidation survey conducted to evaluate the advancement processes of smallholder farmer groups in the six sites of the Strengthening Rural Institutions (SRI) project; Embu, Bungoma, Kapchorwa, Masindi, Pemba, and Lushoto
Replication data for: Influence of leaf area and substrate nature on the rooting ability of Garcinia lucida (Essok) cuttings in the nursery
No full textData was collected in order to fine out the influence of leaf area and substrate nature on the rooting ability of Garcinia lucida (Essok) cutting in the nursery. the experimental design was 3 randomized blocks taken into consideration 2 factors; substrate (sand, sawdust, and sawdust and sand) and leaf area (0 cm, 25 cm, and 50 cm). The cutting behavior was the focus whereby parameters such as root cutting, death cutting and number of root were recorded weekly from week 4 to week 18
Replication data for: Spatial distribution and temporal variation of high fluoride contents in groundwater and prevalence of fluorosis in humans in Yuanmou County, Southwest China
No full textSuccessive surveys conducted in 1984, 2006 and 2007, of all villages in Yuanmou County, China, highlighted 40 villages with groundwater fluoride levels higher than 1.0 mg/L and related cases of human fluorosis. Using the data from these surveys and by employing geographic information system (GIS) techniques, high fluoride levels and fluorosis cases were mapped. The results show high fluoride concentrations and fluorosis hotspots were found to be predominately located in the lowlands of central Yuanmou County. Spatial distribution of high fluoride levels was found to be primarily determined by geology, arid climate, and topography. Both dental and skeletal fluorosis had dramatically decreased due to a program of low-fluoride drinking water supply supported by local governments. The prevalence of dental fluorosis in children had dropped from 43.26% in 1984 to 21.97% in 2006, and the number of skeletal fluorosis cases had decreased from 327 in 1984 to 148 in 2006, respectiv
ely. Despite a decline in fluorosis cases, the emergence of fluorosis in new areas indicates the need for both continuous monitoring of drinking water in affected areas and increased public awareness
Replication data for: Developing a Georeferenced Database of Selected Threatened Forest Tree Species in the Philippines
No full textGeoreferenced species occurrence is a prerequisite in species distribution modeling and species ecosystem correlation analysis and also aids in tracking plant species and prioritizing scarce resources for conservation. The Global Biodiversity Information Facility, legacy literature of biodiversity, contemporary literature, technical reports and biodiversity surveys are important sources of species occurrence data waiting to be georeferenced. In this paper, we discussed a method used to georeference occurrences of threatened forest tree species from the above sources. Locality descriptions were initially narrowed down in geographic information system using administrative maps and further confined using two criteria: 1) elevation and 2) surface cover information from remotely-sensed images. The result was a georeferenced database of 2,067 occurrence records of 47 threatened forest species on a national scale
. Each record had a unique point feature per species and enough metadata directing the database user to the source of occurrence data. The database can be used as a tool in determining priority species for specimen or germplasm collection, for taxonomic identification and historical mapping. It also serves as an integral component in spatially modeling the distribution of tree species and forest formations in the past and in a possible future scenario
Intensifying Vegetable Production in Smallholder Agroforestry Systems in West Java
No full textMost smallholder farmers in Indonesia cultivate both annual and perennial crops on farms of limited size, frequently 1 ha or less. Traditionally, these systems evolved to produce agricultural and tree products for home consumption, with the surplus being sold locally. The development of infrastructure and market economies has opened commercial opportunities for smallholder farmers. However, many smallholders still face challenges related to crop production and marketing: landholdings do not reflect economies of scale; suboptimal management practices produce commodities that do not meet market specifications; and farmers have limited understanding of market information and marketing channels. Additionally, farmers lack access to professional assistance that could enable them to enhance their production and marketing capacity. Working with communities in West Java, the authors implemented a number of studies to identify how vegetable production could be intensified in smallholder agroforestry systems where additional land for agricultural expansion did not exist. Baseline studies and rapid market appraisal were conducted to identify existing conditions and possible opportunities. Focus group discussions were held to identify smallholders and traders interest in expanding smallholder vegetable production and marketing. Understory vegetable production trials were con
ducted under three light intensity levels representative of common agroforestry systems. A cross-visit was held to provide exposure and intensive capacity building to smallholders regarding market-oriented production of select vegetable commodities. A consumer preference study was implemented to inform smallholders and traders regarding market prospects. Findings indicate that opportunities exist for smallholders to intensify production and marketing of vegetables in their existing agroforestry systems. However, to take full advantage of those opportunities, smallholder farmers would require technical, marketing, and material assistance
Energy demand survey in rural commercial centers of Western Kenya
No full textDue to increases in demand for fossil fuels and in the price of fuels, availability of energy to those of limited resources has declined. Access to sustainable energy is increasingly recognised as both a mechanism and a requirement for development. Thus, increasingly the role of energy, including bioenergy, in development and poverty reduction process is being considered. This study investigates demand for the proposed pyrolysis unit to generate bioenergy in developing countries at a local level. The survey was conducted across fifty six commercial centres in Western Kenya. The key findings include; issues continue to persist in relation to current fuel supply chains, the lack of availability of energy in small quantities acts as a barrier to the uptake and use of energy and development of the biofuels sector represents potential to increase incomes for transporters whilst strengthening rural market linkages