Designing Mixed Species Tree Plantations for the Tropics: Balancing Ecological Attributes of Species with Landholder Preferences in the Philippines
background
This paper reports on the assessment of forest stands planted as part of the Rainforestation Farming Program and the management of plantations by local landowners regarding the original intent of planting.
Research Goals & Methods
Data was collected beginning 6-11 years after initial plot planting. Forest stands were evaluated for structure and floristic composition. Subsequent measurements were taken in 2008 and 2012.
Conclusions & Takeaways
The study finds a decerease in species number and stem density over time. Some of the reduction in stem density resulted from tree harvesting by landowners.
Reference:
. Designing Mixed Species Tree Plantations for the Tropics: Balancing Ecological Attributes of Species with Landholder Preferences in the Philippines. PLoS ONE. 2014;9:e95267. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0095267.
Affiliation:
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
- Forest Industries Research Centre, The University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
- Centre for Mined Land Research, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
- Faculty of Science and Technology, School of Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia