Biology/Natural Acacia Growth Process Question

[udun]

Please help explain the process those Acacia trees shown below go thru when they are growing. My understanding is the pods (dhimbisha in Somali) go thru a germination process where the seed is flung to a distance of some 35 yards (32 meters). From there, it goes thru the germination process when the rainy season breaks. This is what they say in FAO report "The seedling sends down a long taproot which reaches a depth of six feet or more at the end of the first rains. At maturity this taproot may be 30 feet (9 meters) or more in depth. Growth above ground is slow and may be 5 inches (13 centimeters) in the first year and 12 inches (30 centimeters) in three years. Stumps under 12 inches (30 centimeters) in diameter coppice and sucker freely. "

1. What I am trying to understand is how can we mimic the natural germination process that the pods go thru to produce a seed that is alive after the rainy season starts? Is it due to the Kaliisha (the begining of the rainy season which is normally very hot) that causes the seed to develop?

2. What is the temperature that it takes to get pods produce a healthy seed?

3. Does it have to be rainy water only? I mean what about waters from springs, well, etc?

I do intend to start a project the next two years that is to restore lost Acacia trees back in Somalia and I want to understand this process. If you can point me to any research that is specific to the re-growth of these Acacia trees in Somali inhabited regions, please do so. Thanks in advance.


Trees that would be restored and replanted:

Galool ===========> Acacia bussei.

Qudhac/Qurac ==========> Acacia spirocarpa

Meygaag =========> Boscia miniimifolia

Maraa ===========> Acacia nilotica

[Berke]

I really have no clue. I have done some research on other types of trees, less thirsty ones than the ones you mentioned above, that can grow in arid and semi arid regions. A massive tree projects needs to be implemented in Somalia in my opinion. With that said I am sure someone has already tried to simulate the natural germination process of those trees so you should be able to find information on how they were able to accomplish that.

[udun]

Berke,

Most of the documentation that I saw was only documenting the problem of deforestation, charcoal/tree cutting, and forest that was lost due to natural causes like draughts. All of the remedies that I saw was how to prevent the further loss of the forest and not how to really recreate the lost forest. My intention is recreate the lost forest gradually and I am trying to see if any one has tried or seen it done before. It is a long way to restart a biology or agronomy degree so I am talking to or seeking other experts. I saw documentation about Acacia forest that was re-planted in Australia so that is my starting point inshallah but I was hopping if I can see any Somali who has done it before or seen it done before.

Brother, remember these trees grow in Somalia so it is a arid and semi arid regions. Can you please share some info about your research or oint me where to get them? Thanks.

[Cartan Boss]

Udun do u know what kind of trees that they plant in Niger to halt the desert, we need those trees, they r hardy, fast growing, drougth tolerant.

we shouldn't be planting acacia trees only but trees that the locals can benefit such as north afican olive trees.

[Basra-]

looooooooooooooooooooooooooool@the topic.............udun and berke---seriously>????? r u two on crack?

[ToughGong]

Before you can do any of this though,there has to be an alternative anergy source in place for cooking other than charcoal

[Basra-]

r u serious? looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool

[udun]

Udun do u know what kind of trees that they plant in Niger to halt the desert, we need those trees, they r hardy, fast growing, drougth tolerant.

we shouldn't be planting acacia trees only but trees that the locals can benefit such as north afican olive trees.

Cartan Boss,

Before we plant the plants they use in Nigeria, we have to know their implications and effects on the already existing plants in the Somali territory. There is a tree called Garanwaa in all of Somali regions in Somalia, Ogaden, and NFD. People say it is spreading so fast and completely uprooting the existing plants.

Planting North African trees is also noble idea and will definitely consider them but in my view that is separate project.

This project that I am starting is to inshallah re-instate the forest that were lost due to tree cutting for charcoal exports to middle eastern countries. The way of life for Somali nomads is not going to change any time soon and the sooner we interfere and help restoring the natural habitat the better.

[udun]

Before you can do any of this though,there has to be an alternative anergy source in place for cooking other than charcoal

Seemeyer,

Dead woods are good enough for energy needs in our towns. We should also be making use of wind and solar energy and not only us but the rest of the world has really woken up to these realities. My point of this topic is to re-plant the forest that we had lost due to the tree cutting for charcoal purposes. Remember, the charcoal that comes out of these trees is exported to the Middle East and not really used in Somalia.