Growth Performance of Three Indigenous Tree Species (Cratoxylum arborescens Vahl. Blume, Alstonia spathulata Blume, and Stemonurus scorpioides Becc.) Planted at Burned Area in Klias Peat Swamp Forest, Beaufort, Sabah, Malaysia

Andi Russel Mojiol,Narbert Nasly,Wahyudi Wahyudi

doi:10.20527/jwem.v2i1.32

Andi Russel Mojiol, Narbert Nasly + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.20527/jwem.v2i1.32

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the growth performance of three indigenous tree species planted under open area planting technique of burned area at Klias Peat Swamp Forest, Beaufort, Sabah. Three indigenous tree species was used in this study, namely are Cratoxylum arborescens (Vahl) Blume (Geronggang), Alstonia spathulata Blume (Pulai), and Stemonurus scorpioides Becc. (Katok). A total of 45 seedlings for each species were examined using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with spacing of 3mx3m. Data collection for height, diameter, and survivality was recorded every two weeks within 10 weeks period from the seedlings was planted. Results from this study showed, the growth performance of Geronggang species was much better than the Pulai species, while all the Katok seedlings were died after week 6 in this experiment. The Geronggang species had the average mean height increment of 24.17 cm and average mean diameter increment of 2.76 mm, while Pulai species had average mean height increment of 9.36 cm and average mean diameter increment with 1.86 mm. For the survivality results, it showed that the Geronggang species had the highest survivality rate at 93.33% and Pulai species with 86.67%. There was a significant difference in term of relative height growth rate between Geronggang and Pulai species. However, there was no significant difference in term of relative diameter growth rate at significant level of P ≤ 0.05. The findings indicates that Geronggang and Pulai are suitable to be planted at burned area in Klias peat swamp forest for the purpose of reforestation using open area planting technique, while the Katok species is not suitable due to environment consideration. The better growth performance of the Geronggang and Pulai species are because they can easily adapted with the open area planting at the study site.

Highlights

Based on past events in Sabah, there were over 100,000 haof peat swamp forest and almost two-thirds of it was concentrated in the Klias Peninsula, but a large amount has been ruined by repeated fires
All Katok seedlings died at the study site could be probably because of some environment factors that it cannot adapt
There was a significant difference of height growth rate between Geronggang and Pulai at significant level P≤0.05,but there was no significant difference in terms of diameter growth rate (P≥0.05)

Summary

Introduction

Based on past events in Sabah, there were over 100,000 haof peat swamp forest and almost two-thirds of it was concentrated in the Klias Peninsula, but a large amount has been ruined by repeated fires. The closest Binsuluk Forest Reserve, in particular, has been rigorously destroyed by fire, leaving only the Klias Forest Reserve somewhat intact. It is expected that less than 40,000 haof peat swamp forest stay as an effect of habitat loss through fire and land alteration (UNDP, 2006). Fire poses a significant threat to the conservation of peat swamp forest in Klias Forest Reserve and is expected to remain a serious threat as long as preventive measures are not taken. The fires of 1998 and 2003, which destroyed parts of the Klias \Forest Reserve, bear testimony to the destructive impact of fire (Sabah Forestry Department, 2005)

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