Comparative growth performance of fast-growing tree species for woodfuel production in highland area of Ethiopia

Abstract

Biomass fuel is the most important source of energy in developing countries and the status of fuel wood consumption in these countries reviewed.1 The review recognized that large number of people depended on fuelwood that led to depletion of the natural forest resources, with serious negative livelihood consequences for the rural poor in developing countries.1 Wood fuel is principally traditional, but could not phase out from being major source of household energy for various purposes.2 However, the fuel wood shortage propounded based largely on looking at supply and demand from the natural forest resources.3,4 Deforestation was also seen as one consequence as the consumption exceeded annual forest growth rates. Furthermore, this problem is often being aggravated by population growth.3