Southern Alliance for Indigenous Resources (SAFIRE), 10 Lawson Ave. Milton Park, Harare, Zimbabwe; School of Agricultural and Forest Science, University of Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd LL55 2UW, United Kingdom; Tropical Resources Ecology Programme, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
Sola, P., Southern Alliance for Indigenous Resources (SAFIRE), 10 Lawson Ave. Milton Park, Harare, Zimbabwe; Edwards-Jones, G., School of Agricultural and Forest Science, University of Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd LL55 2UW, United Kingdom; Gambiza, J., Tropical Resources Ecology Programme, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
People living in the marginal areas of Southern Africa have relied on palm resources for subsistence for centuries and yet little is known about the impacts of their harvesting activities. This work aimed at providing data on the impacts of two forms of traditional exploitation, leaf harvesting and sap tapping on the palm, Hyphaene petersiana. Three experiments were carried out in southeastern Zimbabwe • leaf harvesting to evaluate its impacts on new leaf production and the availability of harvestable material, • sap tapping to assess amounts produced, and • evaluating the regeneration potential of tapped ramets. Findings from this research were that: ○ leaf harvesting reduced new leaf production, growth and the availability of harvestable material; ○ sap tapping did not necessarily kill the palm but the extent of meristem removal determined the likelihood and mode of regeneration. We conclude that leaf harvesting and sap tapping activities influence the subsequent development of the palm Hyphaene petersiana and that efforts should be made to adopt harvesting and tapping strategies that will ensure reliable raw material supply for the craft industry which is sustaining many lives in Southern Africa. © 2006 A B Academic Publishers - Printed in Great Britain.