Use Patterns of Indigenous Woody Species in and around Agoro-Agu Central Forest Reserve, Southern Uganda
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Abstract
Forests are an essential component of rural livelihoods around the world. This paper assessed the utilization
patterns of indigenous woody plant species in and around Agoro-Agu Central Forest Reserve in northern Uganda.
Data were collected using a combination of semi-structured household interviews, Focus Group Discussions and
key informant interviews. A total of 108 households participated in the interviews. Statistical tests were performed
using the SPSS software package (SPSS Version 16, SPSS Inc. USA). Chi-square (X2) tests were run to determine
the association between socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and woody plant species use patterns.
The study recorded 86 useful species in 60 genera and 28 families. Mimosaceae was the most dominant family. The
main use categories were fuel (36%), construction (29.8%), food (15.6%), and household implements (11.3%).
Commonly harvested woody plant parts were stems (66.8%) and fruits (14.5%). Ecological knowledge varied
significantly (p=<0.05) with the age and village of residence of the respondents. The study has shown that the
people of Agoro-Agu utilize a wide range of woody plant species to meet their subsistence needs. The inhabitants
are the store house of traditional knowledge on important woody plant species. However, the extraction of these
woody species by the local communities, if not sustainably managed, is likely to put pressure on the forest resources
of Agoro-Agu landscape. The paper recommends that the National Forestry Authority and partners need to regularly
monitor the populations of these useful woody plant species, while creating awareness on sustainable utilization
among the local communities.
