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Research Journal of Forestry

Year: 2009 | Volume: 3 | Issue: 2 | Page No.: 29-42
Research Article

Wood Fuel Demand and Sustainability of Supply in South-Western Ethiopia, Case of Jimma Town

Kiflu Haile
Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
Mats Sandewall
Department of Forest Resource Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Umea, Sweden
Kaba Urgessa
Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
This study was aimed to evaluate impact of wood harvesting for fuel and its ultimate effect on the sustainability of the forest resources in the study area in the year 2004. To estimate on level of wood fuel consumption, data was collected from stratified and randomly interviewed urban and rural households and non-household sectors using semi-structured survey questionnaire. Harvesting for fuel wood was estimated at established check points and measuring on the amount of inflow to the town. Forest inventory was also executed to estimate on the amount of growing stock and its incremental yields by land use types. The finding revealed as the actual harvest for fuel was 3 times the annual allowable yield from the forest and trees outside forest for fuel. Harvesting above allowable annual cut degrade the forest ecosystem quality which imply local forest product crises, loss of biological diversity and contribute to expand desertification globally. Therefore, efforts need be done to reduce harvesting below annual incremental yields since in this case it is assumed that the standing stock remains untouched and the wood fuel supply is sustainable.
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How to cite this article

Kiflu Haile, Mats Sandewall and Kaba Urgessa, 2009. Wood Fuel Demand and Sustainability of Supply in South-Western Ethiopia, Case of Jimma Town. Research Journal of Forestry, 3: 29-42.

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=rjf.2009.29.42

Comments

selamawit Guma Reply

The paper is realy touch all the problem of our forest condition and the consqunce in the near future . I would pesenaly recommnd we need to brig real awerreness creation program to our farmers.

Kiflu Haile

Thank you Selamawit for your comment and sharing my idea. In fact we have to work hard being together to bring real change by working on awwarness creation, restoraton and rehabilitation of degrded lands and expanstion of forest throogh reforestation...and soon.

messie Reply

you did well. good references for the ongoing and coming further studies. you put your effort and knowledge share.

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