Reforesta

1-11

Authors: Augustin KN Aoudji, Caroline Séhouéto, Anselme Adégbidi, Rodrigue S Kaki, Jean C Ganglo

The viability of Acacia auriculiformis production system in southern Benin was studied from an analytical perspective combining the production techniques and the financial profitability. The driving research question was as follows: “Will the nurseries be able to supply the seedlings suited to successful reforestation programmes?”. A survey was carried out among nursery holders in the Atlantique Department. The snowball sampling method enabled the survey of 55 nursery holders, based on semi-structured interviews. Respondents provided data on the organisation of production, production techniques, production costs, and sales revenues. There were two types of nurseries: individual nurseries and group nurseries. The stages of acacia seedlings production were as follows: seed collection, dormancy breaking, sowing, and tending of young seedlings. Overall, the production techniques used by nursery holders were effective. The net revenue for 1000 seedlings ranged between XOF 9000 and 26000. Group nurseries had lower production costs, hence higher revenues, compared to individual nurseries. It is essential to assist nursery holders through capacity strengthening training and the provision of good quality seeds.

21-26

Authors: Jovana Devetaković, Zoran Maksimović, Boris Ivanović, Zvonimir Baković, Vladan Ivetić

Austrian pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) seedlings are one of the most produced planting material in Serbian nurseries. In this study we compared a field performance of two container stocktypes, one usually used (2+0 produced in Plantagrah I) and one recently introduced (1+0 produced in Hiko V120 SS). The trial was established at planting site Vlaško polje (East Serbia), at altitude of 840 m a.s.l., one year following the total destruction of previous pine plantation by ice. One-year-old Austrian pine seedlings produced in Hiko containers show similar initial height and root collar diameter at planting time as two-year-old seedlings produced in traditionally used Plantagrah I containers. There was no vegetation control at field trial during the first growing season. At the end of the first growing season, taller (15.6 cm) and more slender (H/D=4.5) 1+0 seedlings from Hiko containers survived at higher rate, and shorter (10.9 cm) and more stocky seedlings 2+0 produced in Plantagrah I grow in height at higher rate. Seedlings taller at the planting time kept their advantage in size after the first growing season at the field. We found that both stocktypes can be used in operational planting programs on sites with lack of vegetation control.

54-68

Authors: Ciprian Palaghianu, Ioan Dutca

Preserving forest legacy was an important objective throughout Romanian history and so is today. Artificial forest regeneration (including both reforestation and afforestation) was widely used to ensure the forest continuity, following forest harvesting, or to create new forests on non-forest lands. As Romania has undergone various political changes that affected the socio-economic environment, these changes also left significant marks on forest cover dynamics. In this paper, we chronologically present the historical initiatives to preserve and increase forest cover in Romania, the current practices, available funding and future perspectives on artificial forest regeneration. Increasing forest cover from the current level of 27% to, and beyond European average of 33% seems an ambitious target for Romania. However, that may be achievable if the sources of funding for afforestation would diversify and increase, the available funds would be more effectively accessed, national forestry regulations would be less bureaucratic and the guidelines on artificial forest regeneration would be up to date and less restrictive. The whole framework of forestation should be revised to comply with recent social, economic and environmental realities, and modern criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management should be explicitly included. The new goals should also be tailored to the changes regarding the property type, climate related trends and new requirements of the forest certification systems.

94-142

Authors: Steven C Grossnickle, Vladan Ivetić

Direct seeding has been considered a forest restoration option for centuries. Over the past half century, the use of this practice has declined in developed countries as forest regeneration programs have advanced with the production of quality seedlings that can successfully establish restoration sites. Direct seeding is being reconsidered as a restoration option as the potential size of the worldwide forest restoration program has grown because of massive deforestation in third-world nations and due to global climate change. This review examines direct seeding from a number of perspectives. First, merits of using this practice in restoration programs are defined. Major merits of this option are that it can be done quickly, over hard to reach and large disturbed areas, and at a relatively low cost. Second, current research findings from restoration programs are discussed. The major finding is that seedling establishment rates are low (i.e. typically around 20% of seeds planted) due to site conditions, seed predation and vegetation competition, and field performance (i.e. survival and growth) is lower than planted seedlings. Third, operational practices for the application in restoration programs are reviewed. To successfully conduct direct seeding programs practitioners need to consider seedbed receptivity, seed distribution and seeding rate. Fourth, potential new practices are presented. Some of these new practices attempt to create a more effective means to disperse seed across the site, minimize seed predation or create a more favorable microsite environment. This review provides a synthesis of what is known about direct seeding, thereby allowing practitioners to make a rational decision of whether to apply this practice towards their forest restoration program.