Acacia spp.: Invasive Trees Along the Brunei Coast, Borneo

Abstract

This chapter reports the results of a study of Acacia Mangium and Acacia Auricaliformis, which are exotic plantation tree species from Australia that have invaded, and spread within, natural habitats in Brunei Darussalam. There are four types of Acacia trees that are spreading in Brunei, mostly within the coastal areas, the deep forest areas as well as in the urban areas in the country’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. This study looks into the presently occupied land areas, vegetation cover, land use and landscape changing patterns in the coastal forest areas in Brunei. By clarifying patterns of variation in demographic parameters and hence population growth it is possible to form a connection between qualitative field data, theoretical ideas about invasiveness and rate of spread. The results show that the present growth and expansion rate of the Acacia plant species is alarming for the primary forest as well as for the forest ecology and ecosystems in the coastal forest areas in Brunei. This study makes use of both primary and secondary data sources. The objective of this chapter is to understand the changing patterns of forest vegetation, such as primary forest to secondary forest, and the forest ecosystem in coastal Brunei. Based on this study’s findings some applied recommendations have been proposed for the better distribution of the Acacia plant species and maintenance of rainforest vegetation in Brunei.