Removal of Acacia mangium overstorey increased growth of underplanted Anisoptera marginata (Dipterocarpaceae) on an Imperata cylindrica grassland site in South Kalimantan,Indonesia

Effect of removing Acacia mangium overstorey on the growth of underplanted Anisoptera marginata saplings was studied in a mixed tree plantation established on an Imperata cylindrica dominated grassland site in South-Kalimantan, Indonesia. At the time of overstorey removal the Acacia mangium trees were 80 months old (average height 21 m and DBH 20 cm) and the underplanted Anisoptera marginata saplings 68 months old (average height 4.2 m and DBH 3.1~cm), and the spacing of both species was 2 m × 4 m with such an arrangement that the saplings were located within the same lines as the nurse trees. Eight plots of 192 m² in size were randomly designated to overstorey removal (canopy gap) and no removal (closed canopy) treatments. Removal of Acacia mangium overstorey was carried out by girdling and later cutting down the dead trees. The Imperata grass did not show regrowth in canopy gaps. The mean annual increment for height and DBH of Anisoptera marginata within 22 months after the treatment were higher in canopy gaps (1.3 m a^-1 and 1.4 cm a^-1) than under closed canopy (0.7 m a^-1 and 0.7 cm a^-1). Results indicate good prospects for diversifying the composition of fast-growing forest plantations on grasslands and integrating slow-growing valuable species in plantation programs. Studies on other establishment methods, such as planting in gaps or lines, and further management practices as well as their effect on available light, moisture and nutrients are needed.     

Evaluation of reforestation potential of 83 tree species planted on Imperata cylindrica dominated grassland – A case study from South Kalimantan,Indonesia

Survival and growth of 83 tree species were tested in three separate species elimination trials on Imperata cylindrica dominated grassland in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. The trial layout was randomized complete blocks design with 6–8 replications of 5-tree line plots. At the age of two years exotics, like several Acacia species (A. mangium, A. crassicarpa, A. auriculiformis, A. cincinnata, A. leptocarpa), as well as Gmelina arborea, Paraserianthes falcataria and Cassia siamea had survival rates of 90–100%, crown width of 3–6 m and mean height of 5–8 m. Among the most promising local species were Anthocephalus chinensis, Peronema canescens and Parkia roxburghii but their growth was inferior compared to exotics. Eucalypts and pines were not among the highest ranking trees and cannot be recommended for initial grassland reforestation. At the age of 7–8 years the same species were still dominating, but increasing mortality of several species was observed. Especially Acacia crassicarpa and A. cincinnata of the exotics were affected, and indigenous Anthocephalus chinensis almost perished. Since fast early growth is necessary in first rotation reforestation of grasslands, fast growing exotic species provide a reliable basis for further activities. Final performance of reforestation species has to be confirmed in stand-level experiments and pilot plantations. Intensive work on integrating local tree species in reforestation of grasslands in the long run is recommended.     

A simple step-wise procedure for predicting stand development of Acacia mangium plantations based on the maximum size–density line in South Sumatra, Indonesia

A simple step-wise procedure for predicting the course of stand development on log–log coordinates of stand density and quadratic mean diameter was presented based on a distance of measurement from the maximum size–density line of Acacia mangium. This procedure first predicts annual increment of diameter with a multiple linear regression having the distance, site index, and current diameter as independent variables, and then the associated mortality is calculated with the rate of reduction in stand density to the diameter growth derived from a fitted trend with the distance. The cumulative predictions, starting at 3 years after planting until 9 years of age, agreed well with the observations of group-age means of measurements calculated for the three levels of initial density. Contrasting trend of basal area growth between the three levels of initial density and those for their site index: the differences were decreasing in the former while they remained constant in the latter, was clearly illustrated with the procedure indicating a good potential for use in yield prediction. The simulations for stand growth under different spacing and thinning options were demonstrated in a stand density control diagram suggesting reasonable flexibility for practical application.