Net primary production in plantations of Pinus taeda and Eucalyptus cloeziana compared with a mountain miombo woodland in Mozambique

If the aim of forest management is to increase NPP and C sequestration in biomass of degraded miombo stands, our results indicate that replacement with plantations of P. taeda or E. cloeziana can be a useful management option, provided that the plantations are protected from anthropogenic disturbances, particularly fire. However, this aim needs to be balanced against other environmental aims and the socio-economic needs of local communities, since miombo woodland provides a wide range of unique economic, social and ecological benefits.