Browsing by Author "Gillah, P. R."

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Balancing wood and non-wood products in Miombo Woodlands
(2007) Makonda, F. B. S.; Gillah, P. R.
In most of the sub-Saharan countries including Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia, more than 80% of rural people are poor and traditionally rely on existing non-wood goods and services provided by miombo. These woodlands are among the most threatened of the tropical ecosystems. There is a need of investigating the importance of miombo ecosystem, their threats and the governments concerned to ensure sustainable and equitable use of these dwindling resources. This paper gives an overview of the roles played by miombo in the provision of both wood and non-wood products and how the utilization can be balanced for sustainability. It is evident that there has been limited research on miombo productivity and the impact of management on non-timber product supplies. This needs immediate attention in order to address the demand-supply situation. Also sustainable use of trees and shrubs is an integral part of balancing variable products and uses in miombo woodlands. Conservation of miombo while raising the living standard can be enhanced through controlled harvesting, improved domestication and utilization and commercialization of trees and their products.
Potentials of lesser known and lesser utilized indigenous agroforestry timbers in Kilosa District, Morogoro Tanzania
(International Journal of Education and Research, 2015-11-12) Makonda, F. B. S.; Augustino, S.; Gillah, P. R.; Ishengoma, R. C.; Kitojo, D. H.; Ruffo, C.; Eriksen, S.; Msanga, H. P.
The paper presents baseline results of gathered important information for inference in establishing optimal production and utilization of Lesser-known (LK) and Lesser-utilized (LU) indigenous agroforestry timber species (IAGTS) in improving incomes of rural communities in Kilosa District. The main key questions were: what are the characteristics of the sites for establishing LK and LU IAGTS; who are the main actors in establishing LK and LU IAGTS; what are LK and LU IAGTS and other species for establishment in the study area and what are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for establishing LK and LU IAGTS in the study area. Data collection was participatory, involving key stakeholders, participants’ observations and literature surveys. A total of eight villages were identified as potential sites for nursery establishment with seven main actors’ mostly local communities engaged in tree planting activities under associations. Five priority LK and LU IAGTS were identified and selected for nursery establishment. These were: Lonchocarpus capassa (Mfumbili), Sclerocarya birrea (Mng’ongo), Vitex doniana (Mfudu), Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia (Msolo) and Combretum zeyheri (Mlama mweupe). The strengths and opportunities favouring the establishment of LK and LU IAGTS nurseries were identified, with a few weaknesses and threats which needed to be worked upon.
Some physical and mechanical properties of Uapaca Kirkiana, a lesser-known timber species from Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2007) Gillah, P. R.; Makonda, F. B.; Ishengoma, R. C.; Kadala, B.; Kitojo, D. H.
This study was carried out to determine some physical and mechanical properties of Uapaca kirkiana a lesser known timber species growing in public land near Iyondo Catchment Forest Reserve, Kilombero District, Morogoro, Tanzania. A total of 3 trees were used in the study. Preparation of test samples and laboratory procedure to determine some physical and mechanical properties followed standard methods. Analysis of variance was used to determine the variation between and within trees and regression analysis was used to determine relationship between wood basic density and mechanical properties. The results showed that Uapaca kirkiana has whitish sapwood and dark brown heartwood, with a mean basic density of 518.14 kg/m3. The properties of Uapaca kirkiana were as follows: modulus of elasticity (7185.69 N/mm2), modulus of rupture (59.7 N/mm2), work to maximum load (0.06 mmN/mm3), total work to failure (0.07 mmN/mm3), shear strength parallel to the grain (11.86 N/mm2), compression strength parallel to the grain (34.4 N/mm2) and cleavage strength (20.21 N/mm width). On axial direction, the modulus of elasticity, total work to failure, compression strength parallel to grain and cleavage strength were directly proportional to its basic density while modulus of rupture, work to maximum load and shear strength parallel to the grain were inversely proportional implying that Uapaca kirkiana is suitable for activities, which require high modulus of elasticity, total work to failure, compression strength parallel to the grain and cleavage strength. On radial direction modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, work to maximum load, compression parallel to the grain and cleavage strength were directly proportional to basic density while shear parallel to the grain was inversely proportional to basic density. Compared to Khaya anthotheca, the timber species found in the same location and market; it was found that the timber of Uapaca kirkiana had modulus of rupture and compression parallel to the grain far lower than those of Khaya anthotheca, while the work to maximum load, total work to failure, shear strength parallel to grain and modulus of elasticity were almost the same. Due to the similarity in some of their physical and mechanical properties, the wood of Uapaca kirkiana may berecommended to substitute Khaya anthotheca in wood works that require medium density wood like in decoration where colour is considered an important aspect for appearance and in cabinet, panel and furniture making though it is not adequate in high-class strength joinery.
Vitex doniana sweet: A potential lesser-known and lesser utilized agro-forestry timber species in Kilosa District, Morogoro Tanzania
(2016-01) Makonda, F. B. S.; Kitojo, D, H.; Augustino, S.; Ruffo, C.; Ishengoma, R. C.; Gillah, P. R.; Eriksen, E.; Msanga, H. P.
Tanzania is classified as among the 15 poorest nations in the world, with an estimated per capita income of less than US$ 190. Over 80 % of the country’s population of about 46 million lives in rural areas. Living in such a poor country, the people have few feasible alternatives to exploiting the forest resources resulting in high deforestation rate estimated at 2 % annually. Nevertheless, many timber species are still not known to users, resulting into over-exploitation of few well-known timber species. The timber stakeholders need alternatives and the national economies need better ways to derive value from the remaining forests in order to maintain their many useful but under-valued functions. One option is to optimize the production and utilization of lesser-known and lesser-utilized indigenous timber species which are potential for agro-forestry. One of such species is Vitex doniana Sweet which belongs to the family Lamiaceae. It is a deciduous tree with medium-growth rate and is widespread in tropical Africa. V. doniana is being threatened by habitat loss. This paper attempts to analyze some potentials of V. doniana as an agroforestry tree. The studied properties were: i) Physical – Tree dimension, form and quality, wood colour, texture, workability and basic density ii) Strength - Static bending, compression, shear and cleavage and iii) Anatomical - growth rings, vessels arrangement, density and size, gum deposits, parenchyma and ray tissue. The average physical properties are as follows: The sapwood is white while the heartwood is pale greyish-brown and basic density is 650 kg m-3. The strength properties are: Modulus of elasticity (11,100 N mm-2), Modulus of rapture (98.14 N mm-2), Work to maximum load before failure (0.131 mm N mm-3) and Total Work (0.239 mm N mm-3). The impact bending strength was 1.02 m, Hardness (4,580 N), Compression parallel to the grain (52.5 N mm-2), Shear parallel to the grain (15.6 N mm-2) and Cleavage (9.0 N mm-1). This species depicts well-marked growth rings and therefore ring-porous, meaning a course textured timber. The average strength properties are closely comparable to those of Tectona grandis (Teak). Also, Vitex doniana has other multiple benefits: bears edible fruits, suitable as ornamental tree and windbreak, shade and its leaves are useful as vegetable and as well as for soil improvement.