Assessing the impacts of Silvicultural Systems on Ecosystem Services

Forest management practices in the tropics have over the years aimed at timber production for economic benefits. Silvicultural interventions involving series of operations including logging were used to favour desired species for high-value end use.However,emerging issues calls for forest management approaches suitable for meeting challenges posed by climate change and the need for enhanced ecosystem services.Ghana’s forests and wildlife policy recognized these demands and therefore proposed a shift in focus to manage forests for multiple benefits. However,there is a dearth of information relating to how broadened management goals could be achieved.In this book a study on the impacts on carbon sequestration and biological diversity of tree species are evaluated for the three main silvicultural systems practised in Ghana.The study also explored the use of GIS and remote sensing techniques in forest carbon mapping.This book was written for forest managers and environmental policy makers in meeting current and emerging demands of forest management to climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation.It is also useful to university students and researchers