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Mistletoes are parasitic flowering plants that attack plants like cocoa and kill branches distal to point of attachment. Consequently, cocoa farmers incorporate trees to provide shade to limit germination and establishment of Tapinanthus bangwensis mistletoe species, but without success. This study was conducted in South-Western Ghana to identify causal factors of mistletoe infestation using random forest (RF) regression. Spatial arrangement of cocoa trees was the most important factor explaining mistletoe density, which was significantly higher in farms planted at random than in rows. The results imply that planting cocoa trees in rows could mitigate mistletoe infestation of Ghana's cocoa agroforests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spite of the provisions of forest management prescriptions for forests in Ghana, forest degradation and deforestation are very high. This paper contributes to the discourse on sustainable forest management in Ghana by documenting the gaps in the implementation of forest management prescriptions and forest users' compliance with forest regulations. We used desk study, field observations and measurements, interviews as well as focus group discussions to solicit for information from different stakeholder groups. The study showed major gaps between the application of official forest management prescriptions and their practical implementation, as well as lack of compliance of logging regulations. These gaps encouraged forest encroachment, illegal exploitation of wood and wood products and undermine the effective generation of forest management data for planning and forest management decision support. Furthermore, poor compliance to management regulations was noted to constitute a critical factor limiting the achievement of forest management objectives. Reasons assigned to these gaps reflect institutional weaknesses and the constraints of resource under which such institutions operate. Therefore, as Ghana implements forest management mechanisms such as the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+), attention should be focused on factors hindering the implementation of management prescriptions and compliance with forest regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study assessed the effectiveness of species debarking in controlling species invasion and the change in seedling dynamics after application of the different treatments. A split plots design was used in two forest reserves to assess the effectiveness of three debarking treatments: complete ring debarking, partial ring debarking and a control (no debarking). The results reveal that ring debarking has the potential to be used to control invasive species such as Cecropia peltata L. and Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Vent. The efficiency, however, was influenced by the extent of the wound created and the size of tree, especially if trees are partially debarked. The control method also stimulated natural regeneration of native species with higher regeneration of native species recorded compared to invasive species. Also, plots that had completely debarked trees had higher species diversity than the partially debarked and the control plots in one of the reserve. The fact that none of the trees in the control plots died is indication of the effectiveness of debarking in the control of invasive species considered here. The effectiveness of this method suggests it is a suitable option for killing small to medium size trees with little cost to the environment compared to the application of arboricides for instance and is therefore worth revisiting in silvicultural treatments where minimum environmental disturbance is required. We recommend more studies to compare the effectiveness of the control approaches on different invasive species and monitor how the native communities respond including in terms of species diversity and functional groups, since removal methods may impact differently on these plant community traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive alien species (IAS) continue to shape the global landscape through their effects on biological diversity and agricultural productivity. The effects are particularly pronounced in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has seen the arrival of many IAS in recent years. This has been attributed to porous borders, weak cross border biosecurity, and inadequate capacity to limit or stop invasions. Prediction and early detection of IAS, as well as mechanisms of containment and eradication, are needed in the fight against this global threat. Horizon scanning is an approach that enables gathering of information on risk and impact that can support IAS management. A study was conducted in Ghana to establish two ranked lists of potential invasive alien plant pest species that could be harmful to agriculture, forestry, and the environment, and to rank them according to their potential threat. The ultimate objective was to enable prioritization of actions including pest risk analysis, prevention, surveillance and contingency plans. Prioritisation was carried out using an adapted version of horizon scanning and consensus methods developed for ranking IAS worldwide. Following a horizon scan of invasive alien species not yet officially present in Ghana, a total of 110 arthropod and 64 pathogenic species were assessed through a simplified pest risk assessment. Sixteen species, of which 14 were arthropods and two pathogens, had not been recorded on the African continent at the time of assessment. The species recorded in Africa included 19 arthropod and 46 pathogenic species which were already recorded in the neighbouring countries of Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, and Togo. The majority of arthropod species were likely to arrive as contaminants on commodities, followed by a sizable number which were likely to arrive as stowaways, while some species were capable of long distance dispersal unaided. The main actions suggested for species that scored highly included full pest risk analyses and, for species recorded in neighbouring countries, surveys to determine their presence in Ghana were recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of a non-native fish species into an aquatic ecosystem presents significant ecological risks if the species is able to successfully integrate into the ecosystem. Lake Bosomtwe in Ghana is an impact crater lake which contains an endemic and a near-endemic cichlid species. Following the establishment of an intensive Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) cage aquaculture facility on the Lake in 2012 and it closure in 2015, there have been several unconfirmed reports of the capture of O. niloticus from Lake Bosomtwe by local fishermen. On 6th February 2020, the first documented observations of O. niloticus in the natural environment of Lake Bosomtwe were made using seine net catches. Nine more seining activities were carried out between 6th February and 17th April, 2020, and the presence of the O. niloticus was confirmed during all sampling events. Oreochromis niloticus constituted between 2 and 10% of the captured cichlid species composition. The introduction of the species warrants larger-scale comprehensive studies on the possible detrimental interactions with native species, and on changes to ecosystem function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural forests are disappearing in many tropical countries, resulting in loss of biodiversity and erosion of forest-dependent livelihoods. The maintenance and restoration of forests as well as a search for alternative natural resources that can concurrently improve the environment and enhance incomes of local communities has become crucial. Bamboo is suggested as a resource, which could substitute trees for socio-economic and ecological purposes in developing countries in the (sub)tropics. However, the relative importance of bamboos and trees for socio-economic and ecological purposes in bamboo-growing communities is not yet studied. Here, we present a study conducted to compare the socio-economic and ecological benefits of bamboo and trees from the perspectives of three bamboo-growing communities in the Wassa East District of Ghana. The compared benefits were ranked on a five-point Likert scale and significance of differences was tested at the 95% confidence level. For socio-economic benefits, trees were ranked significantly higher than bamboo for domestic energy, medicinal use and commercial harvesting; however, furniture, building and construction were not significantly different. For ecological benefits, bamboo was ranked significantly higher than trees for erosion control and riverbank protection. Trees, on the other hand, were ranked significantly higher than bamboo for biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration and oxygen generation. The results imply that transforming bamboo into suitable products to meet communities' energy needs could alleviate pressure on trees in natural forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the attitude of stakeholders towards forest management is important for the conservation of forests. In this paper we examine attitudes of primary stakeholders towards forest conservation management in Ghana, with Subri Forest Reserve as the study area. Using a survey methodology, 300 households from 10 communities around the reserve were randomly selected and interviewed with structured questionnaires. The results revealed that primary stakeholders have positive attitudes towards forest management and this was not dependent on the location of the community. They support sanctioning people who degrade the forest and accept the need to get a permit before harvesting. However, they are not in favour of strict protection of the reserve. Their attitude towards forest management is influenced by their perception of forest values, concern about degradation of the reserve, economic benefits they derive from the reserve, exposure to resource-use conflicts and membership of conservation organizations. Our findings suggest that primary stakeholders are interested in forest conservation management. But, to achieve sustainable development, it will be necessary to identify the types and quantity of forest products used and their economic significance and to develop initiatives that will support rural livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]