Evaluation of Reforestation Potential of 83 Tree Species Planted on Imperata cylindrica Dominated Grassland – A case Study from South Kalimantan, Indonesia

Evaluation of Reforestation Potential of 83 Tree Species Planted on Imperata cylindrica Dominated Grassland – A case Study from South Kalimantan, Indonesia

background

In this study, 83 tree species (native and exotic) were tested for their growth and survival in species selection trials in South Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Research Goals & Methods

The trees were planted between January 1987 and December 1988 in areas dominated by the exotic grass Imperata cylindrica and weeding was conducted twice a year.

Conclusions & Takeaways

After two years, the highest ranking species were the exotics Gmelina arborea, Acacia mangium, Cassia siamea, A. crassicarpa, A. leptocarpa, A. cincinnata, A. auriculiformis, and Paraserianthes falcataria. The best performing native species were Anthocephalus chinensis, Peronema canescens, Trema sp., Pterocarpus indicus, and Parkia roxburghiiAnisoptera marginata was the only dipterocarp with a high survival rate; the other dipterocarp species had high mortality and stunted growth. The authors suggest that the ability for the species to pair with micorhizae influences their ability to grow quickly in Imperata grasslands: the exotic acacias quickly bind with endomychorrizae which is naturally available in the Imperata lands while pines, eucalypts, and dipterocarps needed ectomycorrhizae which was less available. Because of the fast growth and crown formation, the authors recommend using the exotics successful in this study either by themselves as a first rotation or in combination with the native species to start the restoration of Imperata grasslands.

Reference: 

OTSAMO A, ÅDJERS G, Hadi TSamito, Kuusipalo J, Vuokko R. Evaluation of reforestation potential of 83 tree species planted on Imperata cylindrica dominated grassland – A case study from South Kalimantan, Indonesia. New Forests. 1997;14:127–143. doi:10.1023/a:1006566321033.

Affiliation: 

  • Enso Forest Development Ltd., Reforestation and Tropical Forest Management Project, Kal-Sel, Indonesia
  • BalaiTeknologiReboisasiBanjarbaru, Kal-Sel, Indonesia
  • Enso Forest Development Ltd., Imatra, Finland