Exploring the use of bamboo for accelerated reclamation of degraded mined sites in Ghana

Abstract

 Bamboo is useful for soil erosion control, carbon sequestration and restoration of degraded land. In Ghana, the role of bamboo for land restoration has not been fully assessed. The main objectives of 
this study were to explore the potentials of bamboo to reclaim degraded mined land and to identify suitable bamboo species. Plots measuring 825 m² were demarcated on un-mined, reclaimed mined and un
reclaimed mined sites located in the moist semi-deciduous forest in Ghana. Seedlings of seven bamboo species were planted at 2m x 2 m matrix in blocks on each plot and the seedlings were assessed for survival rate, shoot production rate, height growth and qualitative phenotypic characteristics. The results indicated 97% survival of seedlings of all the species on all the plots and 70% of seedlings developed new shoots on the un-mined and reclaimed sites one month after planting while the un-reclaimed site recorded 50%. Also, the mean shoot production for reclaimed-, un-mined-, and un-reclaimed mined sites  were 3.0, 2.0 and 1.0 shoots per clump respectively with corresponding mean height growth of approximately 173 cm, 113 cm and 63 cm after three months. By the tenth month, the bamboo had formed an impenetrable barricade on the reclaimed and un-mined sites. Dendrocalamus membranaceus, Oxytenanthera abyssinica, and  Bambusa vulgaris var. vittata performed well on all sites in terms of foliage accumulation. Hence, they are recommended for rapid reclamation of degraded mined lands in southern Ghana.