Effects of environmental factors on growth and mortality of Parashorea macrophylla (Dipterocarpaceae) planted on slopes and valleys in a degraded tropical secondary forest in Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract

Enrichment planting with climax trees such as dipterocarps is required to rehabilitate degraded tropical forests in Southeast Asia, because these forests have been damaged by various anthropogenic activities. Severely degraded tropical secondary forests are the most important targets for enrichment planting in the region, because secondary forest trees potentially provide moderate conditions for planted seedlings by preventing strong sunlight and high temperatures. In an enrichment planting site located in Sarawak, Malaysia, we explored how variation in secondary forest structure (biomass and stand density) and soil (nutrient and water) conditions influenced the mortality and growth rates of planted dipterocarp seedlings (Parashorea macrophylla, Wyatt-Sm. ex P.S. Ashton) over the period from 2000–2007. Experimental plots were set up on different topographical features (slopes and valleys). Using the data collected, we demonstrated the ways in which environmental factors, such as soil nitrogen content, relate to climax tree seedling growth and mortality in degraded tropical secondary forests dominated by the genera Macaranga, Ficus, and Glochidion. Stand density and total aboveground biomass of secondary forest trees were significantly lower in the valley plots than on the slopes, whereas soil total nitrogen and water contents were significantly higher in valley plots. Over seven years, the total biomass of trees increased, whereas the density of secondary forest trees decreased in all plots. Nutrient stocks (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium) in the soil (0–5 cm) also decreased over seven years in all plots. Height, diameter, and mortality of planted seedlings were higher in the valley plots than on slopes. Multiple stepwise regression demonstrated significant positive effects of total soil nitrogen and water content on the relative growth rate of seedlings over seven years. There were no significant relationships between seedling mortality and any of the environmental factors measured, including soil conditions. We conclude that (1) seedling growth was enhanced by soil total nitrogen rather than by available phosphorus or potassium, and (2) planted seedlings grew faster and died more often in the valley plots than on the slopes.