The fuelwood production of wooded savanna fallows in the Sudan zone of Mali

The characteristics of a fallow farming system in the Sudan zone of Mali are outlined. Sorghum and bulrush millet are the staple crops (70% of the cultivated area); groundnuts are the cash-crop (25% of the cultivated area). On average 7 trees are kept per ha (crown cover 7%), of which 60% are sheabutter trees. Various productive and environmental functions of fallow periods are pointed out. Factors influencing the fallow vegetation are summarized. A concise description of a fallow vegetation succession is given. Data are presented on the shrub layer structure (mainly coppice) and wood production in relation to grazing intensity. It is calculated that 30-50% of the fuelwood consumption of small-scale farmers can be supplied by their fallows.