THE IMPACTS OF SOME FACTORS ON NATURAL FORESTS IN NORTHERN UPPER NLIE STATE

Abstract

This study was carried at northern Upper Nile State. The main objective is to study some factors affecting natural forests in this area, also to know the side effects of ecosystem deterioration. This study was focused on vegetation cover, distribution and density. According to the differences in woody cover which include quantity, types, density and the differences of the factors affecting them, the area was subdivided into five strata, for ease of study. First stratum: include the areas of agriculture schemes, Goz Rom, Goz Fami and ElDola schemes. This area is affected by agricultural rain fed schemes. 97% of woody cover was clearfelled, most of the areas were clearfelled completely, and what remain is the undesired species such as Acacia mellifera which found scattered and patchy form. Second stratum: is the around villages areas, (El Gagier, Renk, Shomidi, Gelhak, Palouge and Melut). This stratum is affected by the population pressure that due to human displacement. There are immigrant from southern state and western states, especially from Darfur and Kordofan, searching financial support, that through cutting wood for charcoal production, fire wood, gum production, weeding and harvesting agriculture schemes. The study illustrated that, this stratum dominated by Acacia mellifera, Acacia nubica and Acacia nilotica around water courses. Other types of species have disappeared from this stratum. Third stratum: Charcoal and Gum production areas (around Gelhak): this stratum dominated by Acacia seyal and Acacia senegal but, there are also Balanites aegyptiaca and Tamarindus indica in small proportion around water courses. Now Acacia seyal begin its declining from north to southward, what remained are found in small sizes. Fourth stratum: (Manpyok area in southeast Gelhak), is the undisturbed area, not affected by the factors affecting natural forests because, it is very far from the human settlement areas. But there are few activities of animals grazing, fires hazard and charcoal burning in this year. That is why it has been chosen as an index for comparing the changes in the disturbed areas. Fifth stratum: Palouge and Adar Yale area, is located east and southeast Melut town, it is the area that have been affected by the petroleum mining and exploitation activities. The forests were affected by roads and wells networks, also the increase in population density due to availability of employment opportunities in petroleum companies. Finally, The study found that, the expansion of mechanized rainfed schemes, traditional rainfed (shifting and monocropping), over grazing (cutting, lobbing and bending) of Acacia seyal, illegal cutting of Acacia seyal and other species for firewood and charcoal production, over tapping in traditional ways, setting uncontrolled fires in the natural forests, petroleum mining and exploitation without environmental impacts assessment (EIA) associated with increase in population density, all these factors led to destruction of biodiversity and environmental equilibrium. It is found that, there are changes in vegetation cover and trees species. Acacia seyal, Balanites aegyptiaca and Acacia senegal disappeared in many areas. They have been replaced by Acacia mellifera which become a dominant species in the study area. - There are changes in some of climatic and biotic factors, soil degradation and reduction in crops production (dura, sesame in ElDola schemes) .e.g. The productivity ranging between 1.5-3 sack per feddan instead of 4 -6 sack per feddan in the past. Also there are increases in prices of forest products, that due to scarcity and their distant to the consumption areas. Now, one sack of charcoal cost 24 SDG in stead of 12 SDG in 2004. - Some of wildlife species disappeared from the area, except small animals such as Rabbets, Monkies who adapted the human interventions into the forests. Others animals’ species migrates and displaced to undisturbed areas and other countries. To mitigate the effects of these factors and utilize natural forests in a sustainable way, the integration and coordination between sectors involve in natural resources’ planning, implementing, evaluating and utilization in the area, should be activated.