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CHAPTER 9 THE FORESTRY SECTOR
THE LOGGING COMPANIES
"One of the most promising prospects
for economic development is the commercial
exploitation of Liberia's
vast forest resourses." (Armstrong - 1962)
(1).
In previous chapters the Government's relations with foreign
investors and their activities in the agricultural and mining
sectors were analysed. Yet a third sector offered the opportunity
of a substantial contribution to economic development. Liberia's
timber potential also promised a significant contribution to
Government revenues, an important source of employment, as well
as an incentive for rural (infrastructural) development, and a
much needed means of diversifying the national economy through
the introduction and development of wood-processing activities.
Although the first commercial exploitation of Liberia's tropical
rain forests might have taken place in the first decade of the
present century, the country's forest resourses remained virtually
untapped until the late 1960's. The reasons for this
will be explained below.
Introduction
The occurrence of a species of tree is determined by climatic
and ecological conditions and is greatly influenced by human
habitation and other activities. Notably the traditional way
of farming (through shifting cultivation) is responsible for
a non-negligible destruction of forest resources.
Liberia's humid and tropical climate has resulted in an abundant
vegetation which varies according to rainfall, temperature,
soil type and the country's topography.
(I) Rainfall is extremely high with 150 - 200 inches of rain
near the coast and 70 inches further inland (yearly), most of
which falls, between April and November. This results in an average
relative humidity of over 80 percent.
(II) Temperatures vary between 50 and 100 degrees F (10-38 degrees
C) according to season and region, with an average annual
temperature of approximately 80 degrees F (26 degrees C).
(ill) Soils are essentially latosols or lateritic soils which
cover about 75 percent of the total land area. Organic matter
content is high but the predominant soil forming process is
laterisation (though it rarely results in iron pan). As a result
of the abundant precipitation and the tropical temperatures
the sandy loam soils are highly acid and have a very poor
nutrient status. A second type of soils, the lithosols or
azonal soils usually reflect local factors (drainage, relief).
They cover less than 20 percent of the land area. Clays also
occur but on the whole the soils have good permeability and