There has been an increasing interest in fodder trees and their potential to help the rural poor. However, few studies have addressed the ecological impacts of fodder tree harvesting. We investigated the species harvested and the techniques used, and the effects of fodder harvesting on (1) species’ populations and (2) forest carbon stocks in three montane forests in Kenya. Focus-group discussions were organized in 36 villages to determine which species were harvested and with which techniques. Field observations were made on vegetation plots: stem diameter, tree height, species and extent of harvest were recorded. Carbon stocks were calculated using an allometric equation with (1) observed height of harvested trees, and (2) potential height estimated with a power model, and results were compared. Eight tree species were commonly harvested for fodder using different techniques (some branches, main stem, most branches except stem apex). Fodder harvesting (together with other uses for some species) negatively affected one species populations (Olea europaea), it did not negatively affect four (Drypetes gerrardii, Gymnosporia heterophylla, Pavetta gardeniifolia, Xymalos monospora), and more information is needed for three species (Olea capensis, Prunus africana, Rinorea convallarioides). Fodder harvesting did not significantly reduce forest carbon stocks, suggesting that local communities could continue using these fodder trees if a carbon project is established. Among the fodder species studied, X. monospora could be used in reforestation programs, as it has multiple uses and can withstand severe pruning. Although our study is only a snapshot, it is a baseline which can be used to monitor changes in fodder harvesting and its impacts related to increasing droughts in northern Kenya and increasing human populations.

中文翻译：

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肯尼亚山地森林中收获饲料树：物种、使用的技术和影响。


人们对饲料树及其帮助农村贫困人口的潜力越来越感兴趣。然而，很少有研究探讨饲料树收获的生态影响。我们调查了肯尼亚三个山地森林中收获的物种和使用的技术，以及饲料收获对 (1) 物种种群和 (2) 森林碳储量的影响。在 36 个村庄组织了焦点小组讨论，以确定采收哪些物种以及采用哪些技术。对植被样地进行了实地观察：记录茎直径、树高、物种和收获范围。使用异速生长方程计算碳储量，其中（1）观察到的采伐树木高度，（2）用功率模型估计的潜在高度，并对结果进行比较。通常使用不同技术收获八个树种作为饲料（一些树枝、主干、除茎尖外的大多数树枝）。饲料收获（连同某些物种的其他用途）对一种物种种群（油橄榄）产生了负面影响，但没有对四种物种（ Drypetes gerrardii、Gymnosporiaheterophylla、Pavettagardeniifolia、Xymalosmonospora ）产生负面影响，并且需要关于三个物种的更多信息（油橄榄 (Olea capensis) 、非洲李 (Prunus africana)、Rinorea convalarioides )。饲料收获并没有显着减少森林碳储量，这表明如果建立碳项目，当地社区可以继续使用这些饲料树。在所研究的饲料物种中， X. monospor a 可用于重新造林计划，因为它具有多种用途并且可以承受严格的修剪。 尽管我们的研究只是一个快照，但它是一个基线，可用于监测饲料收获的变化及其与肯尼亚北部干旱加剧和人口增加相关的影响。