Bridging the Gap: linking timber trade with infrastructural ...

This harvest pattern is supported by mapping of logging vehicle routes in Lindi Region, where higher
densities of roads were observed adjacent to areas where high numbers of harvest licences were issued
(Figure 24).
Figure 24
Distribution of off-road logging routes (represented by flags) in Lindi Region, October 2001
Mapping of information from harvest licences issued in Lindi region indicated that there is significant
harvest pressure inside the Selous Game Reserve (Figure 23). Indeed, this matched field observations,
and was further supported by reports of harvesting inside the Reserve (Hamerlynck, 2003). As mentioned
above, some caution should be made when interpreting these results due to inaccuracies in information
recorded on harvest licences. The general absence of woodland and forest inventory data means that no
comparative analysis can be undertaken to calculate relative harvest pressures and sustainability.
Changes in harvest areas
A number of traders and government officials reported that stocks of certain species had declined in
abundance locally, particularly Pterocarpus angolensis, resulting in traders traveling much further to find
harvestable trees. De Waal (2001) reported increasing scarcity of P. angolensis and Dalbergia
melanoxylon in Liwale District. These reports are supported by information presented earlier whereby
increases in the harvesting of lower value species was evident from Rufiji District and Kilwa District
from 1995 and 1998 onwards, respectively. For example, overharvesting of D. melanoxylon in the study
area has pushed harvesting progressively southwards. Jenkins et al. (2001) reported that D. melanoxylon
had effectively been harvested out from Rufiji District, with a southerly shift in harvesting. Harvest
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