Evaluation of Natural Regeneration and Tree Species Diversity in Miombo Woodlands in Malawi

Evaluation of Natural Regeneration and Tree Species Diversity in Miombo Woodlands in Malawi

A study was conducted to determine the best silvicultural practice to maximise natural regeneration and tree species diversity in miombo woodland in Chongoni Forest Reserve in Malawi. Four trial plots of 50m x 25m with about 10m buffer zone were each subjected to one of the following silvicultural practices: Complete coppice (CC); coppice with standard (CWS); selective thinning (ST); and control was leave it alone (CT). The treatments were completely randomized in three replicates. Twenty years after establishment of the plots an inventory on natural regeneration and tree species diversity was carried out. The results indicate that selective thinning had higher natural regeneration, mainly because of one species, although the differences among silvicultural practices were not significant. Coppice with standard was observed to have the highest tree species diversity. Therefore, coppice with standard has been recommended as one of the future management options in management of miombo woodlands in Malawi in order to maximise tree species diversity whilst maintaining good site cover.