East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry最新文献

{"title":"Does Tenure Matters? Assessment of Stand Parameters in Ngitili Management System in Meatu District Tanzania","authors":"B. J. Manyanda","doi":"10.37284/eajfa.6.1.1089","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajfa.6.1.1089","url":null,"abstract":"Despite the fact that forests in Ngitili are managed under private and communal tenure regimes, few studies exists that shows how those tenure regimes have influenced forest conditions. The present study assessed stand structure, i.e., diameter and species distribution, basal area, density, and volume in the Ngitili management system under private and communal tenure regimes. A systematic random sampling approach was used to establish circular plots measuring 15 m radius across three Ngitili selected in the study area in which data were collected. R software was used to analyze the collected data sets. Results show that the number of stems (N) basal area (G) and volume (V) per hectare was 3 197.67 stems/ha, 6.92 m2/ha and 36.04 m3, respectively under the private tenure regime. Additionally, N, G and V varied from 572.99 - 1213.73 stems/ha, 5.22 - 6.67 m2/ha and 16.67 - 18.06 m3, respectively in the communal tenure regime. However, diameter distribution of 10 – 20 cm and below 10 cm contributed more to the observed V and N, respectively both in the private and communal tenure regime. Interestingly, diameter distributions showed a negative exponential function of De Liocourt i.e. Inverse J shaped indicating normal trend in an unevenly aged natural forest. On the other hand, the study revealed the Shannon-Wiener diversity Index ranging from 0.99 – 1.88 in communal Ngitili and 1.90 in private Ngitili indicating low species diversity. Generally, N and V in Ngitili under the private tenure regime were better than under the communal tenure regime. However, no significant difference in basal area and tree species diversity was observed between private and communal tenure regimes in Ngitili management systems. The findings presented here can be used in planning the future restoration of degraded ecosystems and for forest management.","PeriodicalId":373486,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry","volume":"33 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126649289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Is Fair Benefit Sharing a Reality or A Fallacy? Implications for Effective Collaborative Forest Management at Echuya Central Forest Reserve, S. W. Uganda","authors":"S.G. Bugabo, R. Bitariho, M. Twinamatsiko","doi":"10.37284/eajfa.6.1.1083","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajfa.6.1.1083","url":null,"abstract":"It is generally accepted that equitable benefits sharing from protected areas (PAs) is a probable technique for both sustainable management and PA conservation. Evidence however, suggests that this might not be entirely true since such benefits might not be equitably shared among local communities as they would have wished. This research compares benefits received by Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) community members with those of non-CFM community members adjacent to Echuya Central Forest Reserve (ECFR). The study further assesses the most preferred benefits by local community members around ECFR and the perceived barriers to equitable benefit sharing. It provides insight into how benefit sharing under CFM influences the conservation of protected areas. We conducted 458 household interviews, 26 key informant interviews and 4 focus group discussions to obtain data from CFM and non-CFM community members, government institutions, conservation organisations and local community leaders around ECFR. Benefits received by community members include access to firewood, grass, medicinal plants, materials to make ropes, honey and bamboo rhizomes, livelihood project support, cash benefits and training. The preferred benefits in their descending order include agricultural support, financial support, ecotourism, and livestock farming. The failure to monitor the implementation of CFM activities and corruption hinder equitable benefit sharing and promote overexploitation of forest resources. This study recommends that the National Forestry Authority (NFA) should include forest-adjacent communities in budget frameworks in order to provide financial support for CFM activities. The NFA and conservation organisations working around ECFR need to enhance the monitoring of CFM activities to ensure transparency and equitable sharing of forest resources","PeriodicalId":373486,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry","volume":"197 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124393906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Trends and Magnitude of Tree Plantation Growing in Rural Communities of Kigezi Sub-region, South Western Uganda","authors":"J. T. Tumushabe, Bariyo Rogers, Brain Bwanika, R. Twongyirwe","doi":"10.37284/eajfa.6.1.1073","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajfa.6.1.1073","url":null,"abstract":"The study documents the trends and magnitude of tree plantation growth in the Kigezi Sub-region of South Western Uganda. In most developing countries, national governments have been promoting and supporting rural communities with tree-planting programs in the region. A trend analysis was used to determine the escalating tree plantation growth in the sub-region. Landsat (TM/ETM+) satellite images were used to capture the trends, and a survey was also used to obtain information on the distribution patterns of established tree plantations. A randomly selected sample of 389 tree plantation growers was surveyed. The research approaches adopted were to supplement and strengthen the findings and also to provide an opportunity for the researcher to understand in-depth how tree plantations grow in the rural livelihood economy. Recommendations from this study emphasise the strengthening of the existing policy reforms. Also, interventions to harness sustainable forestry management should be used to provide integrated benefits to all, ranging from safeguarding local livelihoods to protecting the biodiversity and ecosystems provided by forests and reducing rural poverty in the Kigezi sub-region","PeriodicalId":373486,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry","volume":"14 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123770254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Contribution of Traditional Agroforestry Systems and Challenges of Adoption by Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia. A review","authors":"Sewale Wondimenh","doi":"10.37284/eajfa.6.1.1051","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajfa.6.1.1051","url":null,"abstract":"Agroforestry is a system of land use that incorporates the use of trees with either crops, livestock, or both. In Ethiopia, traditional agroforestry systems such as home gardens, parkland, border planting, woodlots, coffee-based, enset-based, and fruit-based systems have been used. Therefore, the goal of this review study was to gather, arrange, and analyse traditional agroforestry systems’ social, economic, and environmental contributions as well as the factors influencing their uptake. In Ethiopia, traditional agroforestry systems enhanced biodiversity and improved the livelihood of the society by providing cash income, fuelwood, pole, timber, fencing, indigenous medicines and food. Additionally, they increase soil fertility and restore biomass carbon in the range of 12 to 228 Mg ha⁻1. Despite their importance, a variety of factors have prevented farmers from implementing these agroforestry techniques. They include the uncertainty of tenure, the availability of land, the age of the family’s leader, labour, gender, degree of education, access to training, and the availability of water. Therefore, it is important to encourage agroforestry practices in order to increase production, raise soil carbon stocks, and conserve biodiversity. This can be done through offering training, equitable land sharing, and institutional stability","PeriodicalId":373486,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry","volume":"108 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122407383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Distribution, Conservation Status and Effects of Threats on Relative Abundance of Warburgia ugandensis Tree Species. A Case Study of Katimok Forest Reserve, Kenya","authors":"Dub Isacko Dokata, B. Mburu, G. Macharia, Simon Kosgey Choge, Samson Okoth Ojunga, Basil Okoth Kaudo","doi":"10.37284/eajfa.6.1.1044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajfa.6.1.1044","url":null,"abstract":"Forest ecosystems provide livelihood opportunities such as medicines, fuelwood, timber, cash income and a reliable supply of groundwater. However, encroachment of forests by human settlement adjacent to conservation areas is associated with overharvesting of forest resources and uncontrolled livestock grazing leading to the destruction and disappearance of useful plant species in forest ecosystems which can significantly affect both biodiversity integrity and ecological functioning. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the distribution, conservation status, and effects of threats on the relative abundance of Warburgia ugandensis in Katimok Forest Reserve, Baringo County in Kenya. Data collection was done using transect lines and quadrat methods. The data on the relative abundance of Warburgia ugandensis and indicators of threat were collected from quadrats and sub-quadrats located at 50 m, 350 m and 650 m from the forest edge. In addition, other measures of tree growth such as diameter at breast height (DBH) and heights of mature trees in the study blocks were made. One-way ANOVA was used to analyse the relative abundance of Warburgia ugandensis, indicators of threat and growth parameters. Pearson correlation results revealed a significant relationship between debarked and mature Warburgia ugandensis (r = 0.95; df=2, P=0.019), grazing intensities, and number of seedlings/saplings (r = 0.96; df=2, P=0.017) and other indicators of threats (stumps, defoliated leaves, broken twigs/branches) and the abundance of Warburgia ugandensis (r = 0.97; df=2, p=0.015). Therefore, there is an urgent need to map out the distribution of Warburgia ugandensis in the whole country to know where it is abundant in order to draw a national conservation and management plan for the tree species.","PeriodicalId":373486,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry","volume":"178 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122162849","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors Influencing Household Tree Planting Behaviour. A Case Study of Wangchieng Ward, Homabay County","authors":"Basil Okoth Kaudo, Antony Ondiwa Okundi, Patrick Mwenja, E. I. Ejore, Jesse O. Owino","doi":"10.37284/eajfa.5.1.1028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajfa.5.1.1028","url":null,"abstract":"The ever-increasing impacts of climate change in sub-Saharan Africa have made many aware and struggle with livelihood options from nature, and the need for households and communities to plant trees can no longer be over-emphasised. Community tree planting is crucial for global environmental sustainability. The information that guided the public in selecting the tree they plant in their private spaces is important, especially to policymakers. This paper was aimed at analysing the factors that influence community tree planting behaviour. The study used a mixed-methods approach that involved both qualitative research using focus groups as well as quantitative research using questionnaires administered to the residents of the ten locations in Wangchieng ward: Homabay County in December 2021. A sample of 380 community households was selected, 38 in each location, through purposive sampling technique and mixed structured questionnaires delivered to them. The questionnaires assessed community attitudes and conservation involvement against the socioeconomic background, benefits, and costs of planting trees. Results showed that most residents of Wangchieng ward have positive attitudes towards tree planting. The data collected from the questionnaires showed that socioeconomic factors such as age, education levels and income were positively related to participation in community tree-planting programs among respondents. A stepwise binary logistics conducted ranked six variables as the major factors influencing household tree planting. The importance of trees was ranked at position one (most influential variable) with an odd ratio of 9.287, and at position six was education level with an odd ratio of 1.207. The full model containing all the variables was statistically significant at χ2 (10, N = 370) = 98.312, p < .001, clearly indicating that the model was able to distinguish respondents who have planted and those who have not planted trees in the last six months. Thus, it is recommended that household tree planting can significantly be enhanced by improving knowledge on the importance of trees, their various ecosystem goods and services, making seedlings cheaply available for households as well as promoting households to do agroforestry in their farmers","PeriodicalId":373486,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122078268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Awareness and Perceptions of Climate Variability Adaptation among Forest-adjacent Communities in Mau Forest, Kenya","authors":"S. Mwangi, B. Kirui, G. Kibue","doi":"10.37284/eajfa.5.1.1009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajfa.5.1.1009","url":null,"abstract":"Adequate knowledge of climate variability is essential for the success of any adaptation or mitigation efforts. Thus, a study was conducted to investigate the levels of awareness and perceptions on the adaptation of climate variability among forest-adjacent communities (FACs) in Mau Forest, Kenya. Data for the investigation was generated through the administration of 313 questionnaires across randomly selected forest-adjacent households. Of the entire questionnaire, 311 were analysed, while two were returned uncompleted and therefore discarded. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted. Descriptive analysis showed that 96% of the respondents had knowledge of climate variability, while 4% claimed no knowledge of it. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (65%) reported that they receive weather information, with media (electronic and print) cited as the most common (63%) source of this information. As regards frequency of information, those respondents who get information about climate variability occasionally constituted 60%, while 29% of respondents received information frequently. However, 14% of respondents rarely received any climate-related information. Respondents who received climate-related information occasionally (sometimes) constituted 56%. Alternatively, respondents reported that they obtained weather information from agricultural extension officers (17.6%) and Kenya Forestry Service (KFS) officials (15.3%). The perceptions of the farmers that they had observed erratic weather patterns with a general decline in rainfall and an increase in temperatures were corroborated by scientific data as a trend analysis on rainfall and temperature data over a 20-year period mirrored the farmer’s perceptions. A logistic regression model was fitted to determine the socioeconomic factors that influence farmers’ choice of adaptation to climate variability. The ANOVA test results (F-test) show that overall, the logistic regression model was significant (df = 310, p = 0.002). Results of the model revealed that household head age (df = 310, p = 0.015), household head years of residency (df = 310, p = 0.034), and farming experience (df = 310, p = 0.024) were all significant factors that influence FACs’ decision to adopt to climate variability either positively or negatively. This study therefore recommends for more awareness creation and training of FACs of East Mau on how to identify and deal with changing climatic conditions.  ","PeriodicalId":373486,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry","volume":"99 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115006360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Farmer’s Local Knowledge towards Effects of Highland Bamboo (Oldeania alpina (K. Schum.) Stapleton) in Agroforestry","authors":"Chala Mamude, Elsabet Befikadu","doi":"10.37284/eajfa.5.1.997","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajfa.5.1.997","url":null,"abstract":"Highland bamboo has been playing a great role in economic, ecological, and social aspects. However, its effects while planted in Agroforestry (AF) lands have not been documented. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the local farmer’s knowledge towards the effects of highland bamboo while planted in AF niches at Arbegona District, Sidama, Ethiopia. To this end, a reconnaissance survey was conducted to select two study kebeles from the district purposively based on the traditional bamboo-based AF potential in the area. The principal techniques such as semi-structured informant interviews, field observation, and focus group discussions were used to collect the data. A total of 50 informant farmers (25 from each kebele) were selected and interviewed through snowball method. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics by SPSS software. The findings showed that the majority of the respondents experienced positive socio-ecological effects (i.e., functioning as a windbreak (96%), fast-growing (92%), and livelihood supplement (88%) and adverse effects (i.e., high rhizome distribution (96%), shade effect and low decomposition rate of leaf litter (90%), and high competition for nutrients (86%)) of highland bamboo in AF. In addition, the major bamboo management practices by farmers were fencing (92%), thinning (88%), and terracing to rhizome control (84%). Therefore, the inclusion of local knowledge of farmers into science is vital while designing and developing agroforestry system particularly bamboo-based agroforestry. Finally, the study recommended further in-depth field experimental research should be investigated to identify the interaction effects of highland bamboo in AF practices","PeriodicalId":373486,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry","volume":"34 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123010579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatio-temporal Analysis of Changes in Land Use-Land Cover for Conservation Efficacy of Urban Forest Reserve: The Case of Rau Forest Reserve, Tanzania","authors":"G. Massawe, A. Abubakar, S. Sembosi̇, Priscilla Heita","doi":"10.37284/eajfa.5.1.985","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajfa.5.1.985","url":null,"abstract":"Changes in land use and land cover in different places around the globe have a significant impact on ecological structure and functions as well. Analysis of the changes in land use and land cover is useful in management activities, especially forest reserves as it reflects the interaction between adjacent communities and natural resources. Due to the rapid sprawl in urbanisation, there has been a rapid change in the human-land relationship. Rau Forest is situated in Moshi Municipality of Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania. There have been several claims of a decrease in vegetation cover in this important forest reserve, although there is no documentation on such claims. It is on the basis of this background this study was conducted to explore the changes in land use and land cover in the Rau Forest reserve to show the management status of this ecosystem which is also located in an urban area where management activities have been a challenge. The land use and cover (LULC) Spatio-temporal changes in the Rau Forest were classified as Densely Vegetation, Slightly Vegetation, Grassland, Bare land, Built-up, and Waterbodies to evaluate qualitative and quantitative changes in this reserve through the use of GIS techniques and tools over time (1990, 2000 and 2019). Forest encroachment has driven changes in land use and land cover and transformed parts of the Rau Forest reserve into the urban settlement, and grazing lands which has ultimately led to gradual forest degradation. Landsat imageries for the year were used to identify the Spatio-temporal changes in vegetation in the area. This study shows the downward trend for the densely vegetated part of the reserve at the expense of expansion in the built-up area. The results demonstrate the urgent need for strong and more severe regulations concerning the protection of Rau Forest and other urban situated forest reserves against land use and land cover changes for the benefit of the present and future generations.","PeriodicalId":373486,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry","volume":"224 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122500633","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Survival and Growth of Olive Tree (Olea africana) Seedlings Under Open Field Conditions is Enhanced in Hydrogel Amended Soils Media, Teso Subcounty, Kenya","authors":"Roselyne Awino Orure, P. Sirmah, T. Matonyei","doi":"10.37284/eajfa.5.1.899","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajfa.5.1.899","url":null,"abstract":"The rapid decline of timber from natural forests against increasing domestic demand for wood products has caused a steady increase in timber prices in Kenya. Recently, research and development institutions have recognized the ecological and economic value of indigenous tree species and therefore have emphasized the importance of their future production on private smallholder farms rather than in large plantations. This situation has been worsened by climate changes such as the frequent high intensity of prolonged droughts and the nature of soils with poor water retention capacity. As a result, unplanted forest regeneration sites have increased hence a need for re-afforestation of these sites to meet the target for the plantation industry. Therefore, there is a need for mass production of Olea africana seedlings for reforestation programs. One such approach is the application of hydrogels or synthetic polymer organic combinations capable of improving the water and nutrient retention of the soil that can support seedling growth. This study sought to investigate the effects of hydrogel application on selected growth characteristics of O. africana. Seeds were germinated and transferred into two sets of tubes of the same size arranged in a complete randomized block design (CRBD) experiment. The sets were subjected to different levels of hydrogel concentration. Under (0gm as control) and 7gm, 14gm, and 21gm) concentration levels of hydrogel mixed with soil in open field conditions. The height and shoot collar diameter of germinated seedlings were measured every two weeks for two months. The survival of O. africana seedlings decreased with time for all treatments irrespective of the addition of hydrogels with the highest (85%) survival of seedlings on soils mixed with 21gm of hydrogel compared to 0gm hydrogel that recorded (15% survival) eight weeks after transplanting. Application of different levels of hydrogel on soils had a significant influence on the survival of transplanted O. africana seedlings (p˂0.05). Generally, the height of O. africana seedlings increased with time for all types of treatments (0, 7, 14 and 21gm of hydrogel); however, the rate of growth of seedlings was highest (0.667cm /week) on soils treated with 21gm of hydrogel and least (0.33cm/week) on 0gm hydrogel. The shoot collar diameter of O. africana seedlings increased with time for all types of treatments (0, 7, 14 and 21gm of hydrogel); however, the average shoot collar diameter of O. africana seedlings was highest (0.088mm/week) on soils inoculated with 21gm hydrogel and least (0.066mm/week) on soils not inoculated with hydrogel. These results imply that a higher dose of hydrogel significantly enhances the survival and growth characteristics (height and shoot collar diameter) of transplanted seedlings by improving the water-holding capacity of soil and making it available for plant uptake during dry conditions. Hydrogels can therefore be used to amend soils for a sustainable ","PeriodicalId":373486,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry","volume":"17 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129426248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}