| Abstract |
The results, from monitoring the Miombo forest dynamics, show a significant decrease in Miombo woodland area: In 2002, there were about 2,596,536 ha of covered surface that corresponded to 78 % of the total Huambo area; After 13 years (in 2015), this area has decreased to 1,597,621 ha corresponding to 48 %. These numbers demonstrate a very high loss during the last 13 years of observation. It is assumed that the main factors contributing to this loss are basic needs such as firewood collection, charcoal production, expansion of agricultural fields and urban development. The main loss of Miombo land cover can be contributed to the conversion of forest into agricultural land (792,204 ha) and thereafter, the conversion of forest into urban land or bare soil. From all municipalities in the Huambo province, Bailundo has registered the highest rate of deforestation (259,161 ha), corresponding to 10% loss of Miombo forest, since 2002. However, during the same period, also some expansion of the Miombo forest was registered in areas where land previously used for agriculture, urban settlements or bare soil, naturally started growing Miombo pioneer species. Notably, Bailundo has the highest rate of change from agriculture land to forest cover, while Huambo has the highest rate of change from urban or bare soil into Miombo forest. The results from the degradation analysis of Miombo forest have revealed that in 2015, a considerable part of the forest (1,141,577 ha) was severely degraded, corresponding to 72% of all Miombo forest cover. |
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| Citation |
Palacios, G.; Lara-Gomez, M.; Márquez, A.; Vaca, J. L.; Ariza, D. Lacerda, V.; Navarro-Cerrillo, R. M: (2015). SASSCAL Project Proceedinds. Huambo, Angola. 182 pp. |
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