Wood energy consumption and forest conservation in Africa

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Periodical article

Title:	Wood energy consumption and forest conservation in Africa
Author:	Anonymous
Year:	1993
Periodical:	Rural Progress: Bulletin of the Economic Commission for Africa
Volume:	12
Issue:	1
Pages:	58-74
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Africa
Subjects:	fuelwood forestry
Abstract:	Despite the growing utilization of other sources of energy, the African continent continues to depend primarily on forest and ligneous vegetation for its energy production. Presently, investment in forestry is insufficient to restore the total forest biomass and ligneous vegetation harvested yearly. To cope with the expected fuelwood deficit silviculture must play an essential role. Apart from the rational utilization of natural forests, the establishment of energy-oriented plantations using the best energy-yielding species is another sound option. Furthermore, agroforesty systems, such as the 'taungya'/'shamba' method, the planting of multipurpose trees and shrubs on farmlands, the production of fuelwood, the existence of shelterbelts/windbreaks and the improvement of fallow for shifting cultivation, are important ways to increase fuelwood self-sufficiency, particularly in rural areas. Improving the efficiency of stove combustion is a good method of saving fuelwood, and improved charcoal kilns play a vital role in the transformation of fuelwood to charcoal. Finally, attention should be paid to alternative sources of energy, such as solar, wind and tide energy, and kerosene and gas. Bibliogr., sum.