Yushania alpina is the only bamboo species native to Kenya and covers about 150,000 ha growing in pure or mixed stands in the montane forests. The Aberdare forest is one of the natural habitats for Y. alpine occupying an area of 6419 ha mainly in the water catchment areas. The growing human population and depletion of other forest resources have necessitated the exploration of Y. alpine as a source of energy. This paper assessed the quantity of Y. alpine available for biomass energy and its potential for sustainable exploitation. Plots were laid on area maps to cater for altitude and distance from farms. The study area was stratified into three altitudinal zones: A (2220 -2330 m), B (2331 -2440 m) and C (2441 -2550 m). The initial sampling plot of 10 m × 10 m was located randomly 500 m from the edge of the forest while the subsequent plots were laid out systematically at intervals of 500 m. In each plot, a total enumeration and biomass estimation of bamboo clumps were done using Muchiri and Muga (2013) [1] method. Bamboo samples and those of commonly used biomass energy sources were analysed for calorific value using bomb calorimeter. In addition, data for quantities of biomass energy used by some local industries were used to estimate the amount of bamboo required. The mean stocking was 19,981 (20,000) culms ha −1 , and varied significantly among altitude strata and distance from adjacent farms. The mean biomass density and energy content were 86 tons/ha and 380,893 Kca/ha respectively with the higher altitudinal stratum (zone C) having the highest means (114 tons/ha) while the lower stratum (zone A) had the lowest (65 tons/ha). The This implies that the bamboo forest in its present stocking can provide biomass energy for these local industries for more than five years. With bamboo maturing with less than five years, the forest can sustainably provide the required energy while still providing its environmental services.

This study assessed the market conduct and performance of wild and semi-wild food plants (WSWFPs) traded in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Uganda. A rapid market survey (RMS) was conducted in 17 local markets in Kibanda County. Market prices and weekly volumes of traded WSWFPs were compared with some of the selected conventional food plants traded in the same locality. Weekly volumes of traded WSWFPs based on the usual units of the measurement (including bundles and heaps) within the markets were estimated per species sold. The profit margin was computed per traded species. Transport expenses were excluded in the cost computation because only 4% of the traders incurred transport expenses in form of hired bicycles. Out of 62 WSWFPs belonging to 31 botanical families documented as edible in the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, about 47% belonging to 12 botanical families were traded in formal and informal markets. Market information system was largely rudimentary and undeveloped, and traders rely mainly on information from fellow traders as well as their customers to make market decisions. Traded products were primarily delivered to markets on foot and using bicycles. Currently, there are no definite or formal mechanisms of setting prices of traded WSWFPs; most traders relied on the daily market demand, time and risks involved in gathering process, information of the price of substitute food and prices from other areas, knowledge of the past seasons' prices, and on the costs incurred from the suppliers. With exception of few species such as Physalis peruviana and Basella alba, weekly volumes of traded WSWFPs were low as compared to most conventional food crops. On the other hand, prices of most traded WSWFPs were generally similar to those of alternative conventional food plants marketed in the area. Some WSWFPs like Hibiscus acetosella, B. alba and Hyptis spicigera (seeds), had higher market prices per unit measurement as compared to the related conventional food plants. Average weekly profits yielded from the trade of various WSWFPs were moderate and ranged from UGX 764.5 to 6754.2 (USD 0.38 to 3.36). The highest return came from species such as H.