The history of wild and cultivated plant diversity in Uganda is reviewed,taking forest species and bananas as examples. Palynological research into past human influences on forests is reassessed. The evidence suggests...The history of wild and cultivated plant diversity in Uganda is reviewed,taking forest species and bananas as examples. Palynological research into past human influences on forests is reassessed. The evidence suggests that crops were first introduced into the country at about 1,000 BCE,farming communities practicing slash and burn agriculture started to significantly influence the floristic composition of forests during the 1st millennium BCE and there was a major episode of forest reduction at about 1,000 CE related to socio-economic change. Bananas were probably introduced in the early centuries CE. The colonial era from 1894 saw the introduction of new concepts of land ownership and the establishment of forest reserves and agricultural stations. Forests and banana diversity are currently under threat,Uganda having a very high rate of deforestation and endemic banana varieties proving susceptible to introduced pests and diseases. It is suggested that,under these circumstances,conservationists take an opportunistic approach to field engagement,making use of favourable local conditions as they arise. Partnerships should be sought with elements of society concerned with sustainable use,provision of ecosystem services and cultural survival to widen the social base of plant conservation. International organisations involved in conservation of plant genetic resources and wild plant species should collaborate with one another to develop the conceptual basis of plant conservation,to make it more relevant to countries like Uganda.展开更多
基金Many thanks to Dr David Balikowa （ Director of Research） for welco- ming a visit to Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute （MZARDI） and to Mr. Sedrach Muhangi （Research Assis- tant） for a tour of the field collection of bananas. Professor Maud Ka- matenesi Mugisha （Vice Chancellor, Bishop Stuart University） provid- ed hospitality in Mbarara and transport to the institute. We are grateful to those who contributed information during interview for the ＇forests and ＇ forestry＇ section of the paper. Comments labelled ＇ reported＇ mostly from these sources. They are Pi＂ofessor John Kaboggoza （former Professor of Forestry, Makerere University, and first Chairperson of the Board of Uganda Forestry Authority （UFA） 2003- 2006）, John Ka-mugisha （ Director of Field Operations for UFA 2004-2006 and earlier Acting Executive Director）, Rachel Musoke （Acting Commissioner, Forest Department 1998-1999 Commissioner, Forestry Sector Support Programme 2008-2013 ） and Bill Farmer （Technical Team Leader for DFID on Uganda Forest Sector Umbrella Programme 1999-2003 cur- rently Chairman, Uganda Carbon Bureau）. Kirsty Shaw of Botanic Gardens Conservation International （BGCI） provided information on botanic gardens. Dr Patrick Hamilton assisted with access to the litera- ture and Mike Lagan helped with computing.
文摘The history of wild and cultivated plant diversity in Uganda is reviewed,taking forest species and bananas as examples. Palynological research into past human influences on forests is reassessed. The evidence suggests that crops were first introduced into the country at about 1,000 BCE,farming communities practicing slash and burn agriculture started to significantly influence the floristic composition of forests during the 1st millennium BCE and there was a major episode of forest reduction at about 1,000 CE related to socio-economic change. Bananas were probably introduced in the early centuries CE. The colonial era from 1894 saw the introduction of new concepts of land ownership and the establishment of forest reserves and agricultural stations. Forests and banana diversity are currently under threat,Uganda having a very high rate of deforestation and endemic banana varieties proving susceptible to introduced pests and diseases. It is suggested that,under these circumstances,conservationists take an opportunistic approach to field engagement,making use of favourable local conditions as they arise. Partnerships should be sought with elements of society concerned with sustainable use,provision of ecosystem services and cultural survival to widen the social base of plant conservation. International organisations involved in conservation of plant genetic resources and wild plant species should collaborate with one another to develop the conceptual basis of plant conservation,to make it more relevant to countries like Uganda.
