For the much needed future quantitative assessment of productivity of target
species different sets of evaluation criteria and methods for measurements of
fuel, food and fodder yields have to be developed.
Fuelwood: In an agroforestry systems context a distinction has to be made
between proceeds from farm (or community) woodlots (fuelwood plantations)
and from the manipulation of individual on-farm trees or trees in pasture.
The criteria to be considered and to be monitored along with the yields are
the following:
From plantations/woodlots:
- original spacing/stocking rate
- thinning yes/no; if yes, number, frequency and yields of thinnings
- length of rotation period
- minimum diameter utilized and included in the yield data
From manipulation of individual trees:
- total height and, if possible, age of the trees at time of harvest
- kind and extent of manipulation (e.g. pollarding height, lopping height)
- plant part utilized
- frequency of cutting
- sample number
- minimum diameter utilized and included in yield data
For both of the above-mentioned ways of generating fuelwood, the applied
method of measurements has to be monitored (e.g. by volume, fresh weight,
air dry weight).