Native Vegetation Species Research Articles

Rehabilitation of Tropical Rainforests Based on Potential Natural Vegetation Species for Degraded Areas in Sarawak, Malaysia.

A rehabilitation study of tropical rainforests in Sarawak was conducted in two phases, namely a phytosociological study and stand-establishment studies, the phases run consecutively. Two vegetation communities were recognized: a Cyrtostachys lakka - Whiteodendron moultianum community and a Hopea kerangasensis - Allantospermum borneellse community. All the species for the planting trial were collected from the Hopea kerangasensis - Allantospermum borneellse community, which has been recognized as the PNV at Bintulu (based on the phytosociological studies). The planted seedlings produced different vertical stratification in different stands. Faster growth was shown by light-demanding species, and their behavior supported their selection for trial planting. Dryobalanops aromatica recorded the largest growth increment at all trial planting sites, followed by Penlaspodon motleyii, Shorea ovala, and S. leprosula.