Annual production of harvestable deadwood in semi-arid savannas, South Africa

The annual production of deadwood available for harvesting by hand was dete rmined from 28 permanent plots over three years for three protected areas a long a rainfall gradient. Annual production varied considerably for individ ual plots, but the mean production per woody standing biomass was relativel y constant from year to year at approximately 17 kg/ha/year per ton live bi omass, or 1.7% per annum. Annual production of harvestable deadwood was rel ated more to stand biomass than rainfall zone. The relative consistency of production rates has positive implications for sustainable use and harvesti ng strategies. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.