Workpackages of Subproject E03

Workpackage WP03.1

Stand structure, regeneration and growth of selected tree species

Workpackage WP03.1a

Analysis of stand structure

Short description:

• Comparing tree vegetation analysis with total vegetation analysis (co-operation with E04).
• Analysing PAR and LAI as key parameters for seedling regeneration strategies and their establishment (co-operation with E02).

Workpackage WP03.1b

Regeneration potential of selected tree species under aspects of usage and conservation

Short description:

• Gaining information about the regeneration potential of selected tree species in Kakamega under semi-controlled conditions.
• Comparison of the regeneration of selected tree species between two sites with different environmental conditions (Kakamega Forest versus Budongo Forest)
• Building up a tree nursery together with KEEP as source for seedlings for the local community
• Building up show grounds (in co-operation with KEEP and KWS) as examples for on-farm-forestry

Workpackage WP03.1c

Long term incremental growth of selected tree species from Kakamega and Budongo Forest

Short description:

• Comparison of stand growth at different sites of the Kakamega Forest concerning changes in climatic and soil conditions
• Comparison of growth pattern of selected tree species under different climatic conditions (Kakamega Forest vs. Budongo Forest)
• Establishing a long term monitoring measurement of tree growth in Eastern African forests. This is applicable for local scientific institutions (cheap, easy to handle, accurate).

Workpackage WP03.2

Spatial heterogeneity of water and nutrient flux and underlying processes

Short description:

One main question, which raises after the first results is the role of diversity for these processes: Single species stands built from Olea capensis, Hagenia abyssinica and Podocarpus latifolius as well as mixed stands at Mt. Elgon can be compared. As a second aspect fluxes from canopy to soil between sites with moderate and high diversity of tree species are to be compared (Kakamega vs. Budongo)

Workpackage WP03.3

Role of morphological parameters of leaves, leaf age and of epiphylls on the leaching rate of different tree species

Short description: Main aim of this workpackage is a better understanding of the loss of nutrient elements out of leaves and its contribution to the spatial heterogeneity of nutrient fluxes, mainly of potassium and manganese from canopy to soil.

Workpackage WP03.4

Soil / root interface

Short description:

• Effects of single tree individuals on soil chemistry
• Effects of soil properties on the development of new root biomass

• Assess the role of altitudinal change on soil characteristics in Mt. Elgon and hence on tree regeneration
• Assess the status of organic matter and nutrient availability on different land uses along a transect from Kakamega Forest to Mt. Elgon