POPULATION STRUCTURES OF <em>UAPACA</em> <em>KIRKIANA</em> (EUPHORBIACEAE) IN THE MIOMBO WOODLANDS OF MALAWI: STATUS AND MANAGEMENT PROSPECTS FOR FRUIT PRODUCTION

Abstract

A study to assess the population structures of Uapaca kirkiana Mull. Arg., an important indigenous fruit tree of African miombo woodlands, was undertaken in 19 sites covering 5 major silvicultural zones in Malawi. The species was well represented, with stems ha-1 >1 cm dbh exceeding 100 in 17 of the 19 sites. Uapaca kirkiana regenerates readily from seed and recruitment is high. Mortality is mostly attributed to dry season fires which frequently affect the woodlands. To promote successful recruitment and establishment of U. kirkiana, the woodlands should be subjected to annual burning early in the dry season to avoid litter fuel accumulation. Where density is high, thinning operations should be undertaken to open up the canopy to improve fruiting.