Effect of Nurse Tree Species on Early Growth of Anisoptera marginata Korth. (Dipterocarpaceae) on an Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. Grassland Site in South Kalimantan, Indonesia

background

This study evaluates the survival of Anisoptera marginata, a native dipterocarp species, underplanted in four year old plantations of fast-growing exotics: Acadia crassicarpa, Acacia mangium, Gmelina arborea, Paraserianthes falcataria.

Conclusions & Takeaways 

The authors suggest that the fast-growing exotics can serve as nurse trees for the native dipterocarps by ameliorating site conditions and reducing the cover of the invasive grass Imperata cylindrica. The survival of Anisoptera marginata trees was between 83 and 98%, with no significant differences between the species of nurse tree. Height and diameter growth was highest under Paraserianthes falcataria trees which the authors link to the high photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) going into the understory of P. falcataria stands. The authors suggest that their results indicate that fast growing plantations on Imperata grasslands can provide favorable habitats for the planting of dipterocarps in the understory.