Project/activity information

The project aimed at compiling information on indigenous timber species of recognized value already tried in plantations, assessing their silvicultural performance and proposing new lines of reforestation activities compatible with ecological and economical opportunities conducive to sustained production of industrial timber from plantations in Gabon.

Activities included:

1. A review of existing information regarding industrial timber forest plantations in Gabon including a bibliographical survey, field visits to existing plantations and data collection from sample plots.

2. The establishment of a monography of existing plantations.

3. The development of technical silvicultural sheets for timber species suitable for plantation establishment, as well as for some specific activities such as species selection, seedling production, plantation establishment, silviculture, etc.

4. The planning and establishment of permanent sample plots in the existing plantations in order to continue monitoring the plantation development.

5. The organization of a final workshop in order to discuss project's results.

6. The assessment of training needs for data collection from permanent sample plots and their analysis, and for plantation establishment and management, including the identification of equipment needed and procedures for the establishment of volume tables for planted species.

The technical reports developed under the project were distributed within the forestry administration in the country. The project's results were also discussed during a final workshop.

The project has been successful in documenting the experience of plantation establishment in Gabon. It provided skills to national staff on the plantation establishment and management and on the monitoring of plantation performance. It also identified gaps of information in the endeavor to develop a master plan for plantation establishment. Furthermore, the project developed some technical sheets for some species suitable for plantation establishment, and gathered precious documents and information in connection with plantation establishment.