Authors:
Aerts R., E. November, W. Maes, I. Van der Borght, A. Negussie, E. Aynekulu, M. Hermy and B. Muys
Publication Date:
2008
Abstract/Summary:
The ability to produce vegetative shoots is a form of persistence in arid and semiarid savannas allowing trees to survive herbivory, fire and cutting. In terms of growth rates and survival, this form of rejuvenation may be more successful than recruitment via seed rain or dormant seeds in the seed bank. For this reason, resprouting could play an important role in the tree canopy and forest microclimate recovery and forest succession. To assess whether coppice growth of Africanwildolive (Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata) should be considered for restoration of dry Afromontane forest, this study investigated olive coppice densities and characteristics in a 100- ha grazing exclosure in northern Ethiopia using random samples and systematic samples along transects. The response to pruning, expected to reactivate a leading shoot and thus contribute to faster tree habit and canopy recovery, was tested as a secondary objective.
Resource Type:
Peer-reviewed Article
Source:
Journal of Arid Environments
Link:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140196307003254