ASSESSING DEPENDENCE AND PRESSURE ON FOREST RESOURCES IN LIMPOPO NATIONAL PARK (MOZAMBIQUE): THE CASE OF MOPANE WOODLANDS

Mopane woodland is dominated by Mopane, Colophospermum mopane (Kirk ex Benth ex J. Leonard), a strongly light-demanding tree species. This study was carried out in Limpopo National Park (LNP), Mozambique, where communities living under extremely low socio-economic conditions, depend on Mopane woodland for fuel wood and poles, and other traditional activities such as agriculture. This study focused on assessing how resource use dependence and pressure affect the structural composition and regeneration status of Mopane woodland across different identified species associations under different land use and stand development stages. An inventory was carried out to collect data from 50 temporary plots covering four stand development stages. Population structure of Mopane and other species showed variation related to different land use practices, even-aged stand development stages, canopy and sub-canopy tree species and regeneration. Mopane and other canopy tree species in stand development stages 3 and 4 showed a good spread of stems from 9 cm DBH and larger. Stand development stages 1 and 2 showed a higher concentration of trees in sizes <4 m height (good regeneration) with few larger stems. Identified ecosystem dynamics of Mopane woodland provide a basis for sustainable resource use management strategies for harvesting Mopane products for building material and firewood and clearing for crop cultivation. Areas need to be zoned for each activity to allow for a quick system recovery and to contribute to woodland productivity, quality products and reducing used areas.