Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Early effects of four fast-growing tree species and their planting density on ground vegetation in Imperata grasslands

  • Published:
New Forests Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Ground vegetation development was studied under young plantations of Acacia mangium, A. crassicarpa, Gmelina arborea and Paraserianthes falcataria on an Imperata grassland site in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. The study was based on two separate trials: 1) a species trial with a spacing of 3 × 3 m, and 2) a spacing trial with progressively decreasing planting density. Both trials were established by use of intensive site preparation, NPK-fertilization, and weeding during the first year. Two years after planting and one year after the last weeding, ground vegetation in the first trial was dominated by Imperata cylindrica grass and shrubs Chromolaena odorata and Clibadium surinamense. In the open area (control) only Imperata grass appeared. Significant differences in total ground vegetation biomass (t ha−1) between the tree species were as follows: G. arborea (0.2) ≤ A. mangium (1.4) ≤ A. crassicarpa (4.2) < P. falcataria(9.6) ≤ open area (11.4). The early results from the spacing trial showed similar trends in the hardwood species' abilities in Imperata suppression. Highly significant linear relationships existed in regression analysis between the distance between planted trees and the ground vegetation biomass as follows: G. arborea (r2 = 0.75), A. mangium (r2 = 0.95), A. crassicarpa (r2 = 0.97), P. falcataria (r2 = 0.96). Tree species and their planting density should thus be critically considered in forest plantation establishment on Imperata grasslands, since ground vegetation development plays a decisive role in fire susceptibility, maintenance requirements and the promotion of native species in plantations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen O.N. and Allen E.K. 1981. The leguminosae. A source book of characteristics, uses and nodulation. The University of Wisconsin Press, 812 p.

  • Anonymous 1983. Mangium and other fast-growing acacias for the humid tropics. Innovations in tropical reforestation. National Academy Press, Washington, 65 p.

  • Awang K. and Taylor D. (eds) 1993. Acacia mangium, growing utilization. MPTS Monograph Series No. 3. Winrock International and FAO, Bangkok, Thailand, 280 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barr C. 2000. Profits on paper: The political economy of fiber, finance, and debt in Indonesia's pulp and paper industries. In: Barr C. (ed.), Banking on sustainability: A critical assessment of structural adjustment in Indonesia's forest and estate crop industries, CIFOR and WWF-International, Macroeconomics program office (manuscript). 52 p.

  • Briscoe C.B. 1989. Field trials manual for multipurpose tree species Multipurpose tree species network technical series. Winrock International and US Agency for International Development Manual No. 3. 163 p.

  • Brook R.M. 1989. Review of literature on Imperata cylindrica(L.) Raeuschel with particular reference to South East Asia. Tropical Pest Management 35: 12–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dela Cruz R.E. 1986. Constraints and strategies for the regeneration of Imperatagrasslands In: Forest regeneration in Southeast Asia. Proc. of a Symposium, Bogor, Indonesia, 9-11 May 1984. Spec. Publ. No. 25. Biotrop, Bogor, Indonesia, pp. 23-34.

  • Dela Cruz R.E. and Yantasath K. 1993. Symbiotic associations. In: Awang K. and Taylor D. (eds), Acacia mangium, growing and utilization. MPTS Monograph Series No. 3. Winrock International and FAO, Bangkok, Thailand 101–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doran J.C. and Turnbull J.W. (eds) 1997. Australian trees and shrubs: Species for land rehabilitation and farm planting in the tropics. ACIAR Monograph No. 24. 384 p.

  • Eussen J.H.H. 1980. Biological and ecological aspects of alang-alang (Imperata cylindrica(L.) Beauv.) In: Proc. of BIOTROP workshop on alang-alang, Bogor, 27-29 July, 1976, Spec. Publ. No. 5. Biotrop, Bogor, Indonesia, pp. 15-22.

  • Eussen J.H.H. 1981. Studies on the growth characteristics of alang-alang (Imperata cylindrica(L.) Beauv.). Biotrop Bulletin No 18. BIOTROP, Bogor, Indonesia, 23p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eussen J.H.H. and Wirjahardja S. 1973. Studies of an alang-alang (Imperata cylindrica(L.) Beauv.) vegetation. Bull. No. 6, Biotrop, Bogor, Indonesia, 24p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans J. 1992. Plantation forestry in the tropics. second edn. Oxford University Press, 403 p.

  • FAO-UNESCO 1979. Soil map of the world, Volume X. Southeast Asia. UNESCO Place de Fontenoy, Paris, xiv+149 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher R.F. 1995. Amelioration of degraded rain forest soils by plantations of native trees. Soil Science Society of America. Journal 59: 544–549.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garrity D.P., Soekardi M., van Noordwijk M., delaCruz R., Pathak P.S., Gunasena H.P.M. et al. 1997. The Imperatagrasslands of tropical Asia: area, distribution and typology. Agroforestry Systems 27: 3–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez L., Souto X.C. and Reigosa M.J. 1995. Allelopathic effects of Acacia melanoxylonR.Br. phyllodes during their decomposition. Forest Ecology and Management 77: 55–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greaves A. 1981. Gmelina arborea. Commonwealth Forestry Bureau Forestry Abstracts 1981,Vol. 42, No. 6, pp. 237–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holm L., Pancho J.V., Herberger J.P. and Plucknett D.L. 1979. A geographical atlas of world weeds. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 632 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hubbard C.E., Whyte R.O., Brown D. and Gray A.P. 1944. Imperata cylindrica, taxonomy, distribution, economic significance and control. Imperial Agricultural Bureaux, Joint Publication No. 7. London, 63 p.

  • Hudaya N. and Hartoyo 1988. Results of dry wood distillation and caloric value of some wood species of forest plantation. Forest Products Research Journal 5: 348–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hussain F.M., Abidi S.A. and Saljoqi A.U.R. 1992. Allelopathic suppression of wheat and maize seedling growth byImperata cylindrica(L.). Beauv. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture 8: 433–439.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jusop S. and Hanif A.H.M. 1992. Characterization and classification of soils at MPTS trial sites in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia. Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Malaysian Agricultural University) and Winrock International, 100 p.

  • Kuusipalo J., Ädjers G., Jafarsidik Y., Otsamo A., Tuomela K. and Vuokko R. 1995. Restoration of natural vegetation in degraded Imperata cylindricagrasslands: understorey development in forest plantations. Journal of Vegetation Science 6: 205–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacDicken K.G. 1994. Selection and management of nitrogen-fixing trees. FAO, Bangkok and Winrock International, Morrilton, Arkansas, 272 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacDicken K.G., Hairiah K., Otsamo A., Duguma B. and Majid N.M. 1997. Shade-based control of Imperata cylindrica: tree fallows and cover crops. Agroforestry Systems 36: 131–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maslin B.R. and McDonald M.W. 1996. A key to useful Australian acacias for the seasonally dry tropics. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia, 80 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moosavi-Nia H. and Dore J. 1979. Factors affecting glyphosate activity in Imperata cylindrica(L.) Beauv. and Cyperus rotundusL. II: Effect of shade. Weed Research 19: 321–327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelder J.A. 1962. New kind of systematic designs for spacing experiments. Biometrics 18: 283–307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohta S. 1990. Influence of deforestation on the soils of the Pantabangan area, Central Luzon, the Philippines. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 36: 561–573.

    Google Scholar 

  • Otsamo A. 1998a. Effect of fertilizing on establishment and early growth of tree plantations on Imperata cylindricagrasslands. In: Schulte A. and Ruhiyat D. (eds), Soils of Tropical Forest Ecosystems: Characteristics, Ecology and Management. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 137–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Otsamo A., Ädjers G., Hadi T.S., Kuusipalo J., Tuomela K. and Vuokko R. 1995. Effect of site preparation and initial fertilization on the establishment and growth of four plantation tree species used in reforestation of Imperata cylindrica(L.) Beauv. dominated grasslands. Forest Ecology and Management 73: 271–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Otsamo A., Ädjers G., Hadi T.S., Kuusipalo J. and Vuokko R. 1997. Evaluation of reforestation potential of 83 tree species planted on Imperata cylindricadominated grassland. A case study from South Kalimantan, Indonesia. New Forests 14: 127–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Otsamo A.O., Nikles D.G. and Vuokko R.H.O. 1996. Species and provenance variation of candidate acacias for afforestation of Imperata cylindricagrasslands in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. In: Dieters M.J., Matheson A.C., Nikles D.G., Harwood C.E. and Walker S.M. (eds), Tree Improvement for Sustainable Tropical Forestry. QFRI-IUFRO Conference Volume 1, Caloundra, Queensland, Australia 27 October-1 November 1996., pp. 46-50.

  • Otsamo R. 1998b. Effect of nurse tree species on early growth of Anisoptera marginataKorth. (Dipterocarpaceae) on an Imperata cylindrica(L.) Beauv. grassland site in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Forest Ecology and Management 105: 303–311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Otsamo R. 2000. Secondary forest regeneration under fast-growing forest plantations on degraded Imperata cylindricagrasslands. New Forests 19: 69–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Otsamo R. and Otsamo A. 1999. Early development of seedlings of six tree species after a rotation ofAcacia mangiumon an Imperata cylindricagrassland site in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. International Tree Crops Journal 10: 145–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paul R. and Elmore C.D. 1984. Weeds and the C4 syndrome. Weeds Today 15: 3–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Potter L.M. 1997. The dynamics of Imperata: historical overview and current farmer perspectives, with special reference to South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Agroforestry Systems 36: 31–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sagala A.P.S. 1995. Land fire control-experiences from Riam Kiwa plantation area established on alang-alang grassland. In: Tampubolon A., Otsamo A., Kuusipalo J. and Jaskari H. (eds), From grasslands to forest: Profitable and sustainable reforestation of alang-alang grasslands in Indonesia. Proceedings of a seminar held in Jakarta 11-12 January, 1994. Ministry of Forestry, Indonesia, Enso Forest Development Ltd. and Finnish International Development Agency, pp. 97–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shim P.S. 1993. Imperata cylindricagrasslands in Malaysia. In: Vandenbelt R.J. (ed.), Imperatagrasslands in Southeast Asia: Summary reports from the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. Report Number 18. Multipurpose Tree Species Network Research Series. Forestry /Fuelwood Research and Development (F/FRED) Project. Winrock International and US Agency for International Development. 19-29.

  • Simpson J.A. 1999. An assessment of the soils and nutrient status of trial plantations in the Indonesian-Finland Project at Riam Kiwa, South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Reforestation and Tropical Forest 17 Management Project. Technical Report No. 25. Enso Forest Development Ltd., Ministry of Forestry, Indonesia and FINNIDA, 107 p.

  • Soerianegara I. 1980. The alang-alang, (Imperata cylindrica) (L.) Beauv. problem in forestry Proc. of BIOTROP workshop on alang-alang, Bogor, 27-29 July 1976, Spec. Publ. No. 5. Biotrop, Bogor, Indonesia, pp. 237–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soerjani M. 1970. Alang-alang, Imperata cylindrica(L.) Beauv (1812): Pattern of growth as related to its problem of control. Biotrop Bulletin No. 1. BIOTROP, Bogor, Indonesia, 88 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stace H.C.T., Hubbles G.D., Brewer R., Northcote K.H., Sleeman J.R., Mulchay M.J. et al. 1968. A handbook of Australian soils. Rellim Tech. Publications, Glenside, South Australia, 435 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • SYSTAT 1996. SYSTAT 6.0 for Windows, Statistics. SPSS Inc., Chigaco, IL, USA, 751 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Terry P.J., Ädjers G., Akobundu I.O., Anoka A.U., Drilling M.E., Tjitrosemito S. et al. 1997. Herbicides and mechanical control of Imperata cylindricaas a first step in grassland rehabilitation. Agroforestry Systems 36: 151–179.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turnbull J.W. 1986. Multipurpose Australian trees and shrubs: lesser-known species for fuelwood and agroforestry. ACIAR Monograph No. 1. Canberra, Australia. 316 p.

  • Turnbull J.W. (ed.) 1987. Australian acacias in developing countries: Proceedings of an international workshop held at the Forestry Training Centre, Gympie, Qld., Australia, 4-7 August 1986. ACIAR proceedings No. 16. 196 p.

  • Turnbull J.W. (ed.) 1991. Advances in tropical Acacia research: Proceedings of an international workshop held in Bangkok, Thailand, 11-15 February 1991. ACIAR proceedings No. 35. 234 p.

  • Turnbull J.W., Midgley S.J. and Cossalter C. 1998. Tropical acacias planted in Asia: an overview. In: Turnbull J.W., Crompton H.R. and Pinyopusarerk K. (eds), Recent developments in acacia planting. Proceedings of an international workshop held in Hanoi, Vietnam, 27-30 October, 1997. ACIAR, Canberra, Australia., pp. 14–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • USDA 1975. Soil survey staff. Soil taxonomy. A basic system of soil classification for making and interpreting soil surveys. Agri, Handbook No. 436. 754 p.

  • Vandenbelt R.J. (ed.) 1993. Imperatagrasslands in Southeast Asia: Summary reports from the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. Report Number 18. Multipurpose Tree Species Network Research Series. Forestry /Fuelwood Research and Development (F/FRED) Project. Winrock International and US Agency for International Development. 52 p.

  • Van Noordwijk M., Hairiah K., Partoharjono S., Labios R.V. and Garrity D. 1997. Food-crop-based production systems as sustainable alternatives for Imperata-grasslands?. Agroforestry Systems 36: 55–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Voss R., Priasukmana S. and Iriansyah M. 1988. Soil characteristics under several plantation species in East Kalwimantan, Indonesia. In: Cole D.W. and Gessel S.P. (eds), Forest site evaluation and long-term productivity. University of Washington, Institute of Forest Resources, pp. 80-84.

  • Wibowo A., Suharti M., Sagala A.P.S., Hibani H. and Van Noordwijk M. 1997. Fire management on Imperatagrasslands as part of agroforestry development in Indonesia. Agroforestry Systems 36: 203–217.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Stora Enso Forest Consulting Oy Ltd, Kuparintie 47, 55100, Imatra, Finland

    Antti Otsamo

Authors
  1. Antti Otsamo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Otsamo, A. Early effects of four fast-growing tree species and their planting density on ground vegetation in Imperata grasslands. New Forests 23, 1–17 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015655923484

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015655923484

Search

Navigation