Site management and productivity in tropical plantation forests: Proceedings of Workshops in Piracicaba (Brazil) 22-26 November 2004 and Bogor (Indonesia) 6-9 November 2006

These proceedings present results from research done for a decade in the CIFOR project Site Management and Productivity in Tropical Plantations. They include papers presented at a workshop in Brazil in November 2004 and then updated at a workshop in November 2006 at Bogor, Indonesia. These papers complement the proceedings in the series published by CIFOR in 2004, 2000, and 1999. Currently the research network includes 16 sites in 8 countries representing a range of biophysical environments, species, productivity potentials and management strategies. Research is focused on inter-rotation site management. Good management of this phase, between harvesting and tree establishment in the next rotation, is critical for the future outcome of plantations. During this phase, there is potential for soil degradation, but also opportunities to introduce sound new technologies to improve long-term productivity and soil properties. Although the species, the site, and soil problems vary according to local conditions, all experiments are designed to provide knowledge that will benefit all plantation growers and our understanding of the underlying processes which enable us to increase and sustain plantation productivity with environmental care

Increasing and sustaining productivity in subtropical and tropical plantation forests: Making a difference through research partnership

This research project was initiated in 1995 to address some concerns of many people, including scientists, who were questioning the prospects of tropical plantations established in short-rotation forestry as a sustainable natural resource. It is an international partnership of public and private organisations coordinated by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). It is based on the proposition that productivity is the foundation of successful plantation forestry managed for wood production and/or ecosystem services. The main aim was to examine critically effects of site management on productivity of successive rotations of plantations and on soils. The project has 16 experimental sites (10 eucalypt, 4 acacia and 2 conifers) in Australia, Brazil, Congo, China, India, Indonesia, South Africa and Vietnam. From results gathered for a decade in plantations, with growth rates from 6 to 46 m3 ha-1 yr-1 in a range of environments and forest management conditions, we conclude that subtropical and tropical plantations can be managed to increase and sustain productivity. Conserving site resources (organic matter and nutrients) to maintain production is very important. No major risks to soils were identified that cannot be managed by scientifically-based practices. One site had a problem with a fungal pathogen and no insect problems were observed at any site. The capacity of the individuals and organisations to explore new opportunities for sustainable management has been greatly strengthened through capacity building, mutual learning and sharing of information with complete transparency. The project has made significant impacts on forest management in partner organisations and developed options for improving plantation productivity of their plantations. Impacts are extending beyond the boundaries of partners’ plantation areas. Questions of long-term sustainable production can not be resolved from experiments of one rotation at a few sites so there is a compelling case to continue and build on this research programme to support plantation forestry in the tropics

Nutrition of plantationforests

xv, 516 p.; 24 cm

Retranslocation of foliar nutrients in evergreen tree species planted in a Mediterranean environment

International audienceInternal nutrient recycling through retranslocation (resorption) is important for meeting the nutrient demands of new tissue production in trees. We conducted a comparative study of nutrient retranslocation from leaves of five tree species from three genera grown in plantation forests for commercial or environmental purposes in southern Australia—Acacia mearnsii De Wild., Eucalyptus globulus Labill., E. fraxinoides H. Deane & Maiden, E. grandis W. Hill ex Maiden and Pinus radiata D. Don. Significant amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were retranslocated during three phases of leaf life. In the first phase, retranslocation occurred from young leaves beginning 6 months after leaf initiation, even when leaves were physiologically most active. In the second phase, retranslocation occurred from mature green leaves during their second year, and in the third phase, retranslocation occurred during senescence before leaf fall. Nutrient retranslocation occurred mainly in response to new shoot production. The pattern of retranslocation was remarkably similar in the leaves of all study species (and in the phyllodes of Casuarina glauca Sieber ex Spreng.), despite their diverse genetics, leaf forms and growth rates. There was no net retranslocation of calcium in any of the species. The amounts of nutrients at the start of each pre-retranslocation phase had a strong positive relationship with the amounts subsequently retranslocated, and all species fitted a common relationship. The percentage reduction in concentration or content (retranslocation efficiency) at a particular growth phase is subject to many variables, even within a species, and is therefore not a meaningful measure of interspecific variation. It is proposed that the pattern of retranslocation and its governing factors are similar among species in the absence of interspecies competition for growth and crown structure which occurs in mixed species stands

Plantations for the tropics -- their role, extent and nature

This chapter describes the context in which tropical forest plantations are expanding as a source of industrial wood and fuel. World demand for the former is increasing, but the rate of increase is slowing and is subject to fluctuations in economic activity. Dependency on fuelwood is very high in many countries, and it is not lessening overall. The use of planted trees by communities and industry to satisfy these demands is increasing. A small number of species have been very widely used, but there is merit in extending the choice available to growers, in part to better cater for the diverse biophysical and socioeconomic environments in tropical countries. The very varied climates and soils of the tropics are reflected in great variation in plantation yield, and there are many critical issues yet to be understood regarding sustainable production by tropical plantations. Several factors which cause low productivity are amenable to manipulation by managers. Experience from temperate regions can provide valuable guidance for both practice and research in the tropics. Wood requirements cannot be satisfied from native forests alone; plantations offer proven prospects for higher rates of production per unit area compared to native forests, and the production trend suggests that even forest-rich nations are shifting their reliance for wood supply from native forests to plantations. Long-term production with requisite environmental care is a challenge for both research and practice

Site management and productivity in tropical forest plantations

Tropical countries are expanding plantation forestry to develop sustainable wood production systems. Much of this is based on short rotations of exotic species. These systems require large capital investments, represent intensive land use and increase the demands on the soil. To develop options for maintaining or increasing productivity, a partner-project was initiated by Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) with three objectives: 1) evaluate the impact of soil and site management practices on the productivity of successive rotations of plantations, 2) develop management options for maintaining or increasing productivity and 3) where it is appropriate strengthen local institutional capacity to respond to new problems and opportunities. The project focuses on the critical inter-rotational phase of management: harvesting, site preparation, and early stand developement. A core set of treatments selected to create a range of impacts on organic matter and nutrients supply intensities will be included at all locations. Optional treatments tailored to each site will be added as required by local management, and soil and stand considerations. Each location will carry out a self-contained experiment that will produce scientifically valid results on its own merit. All experiments are networked to integrate the information so underlying processes can be understood and options for science based management developed. All sites are expected to be valuable reference sites for long-term investigations

Foliar nutrient retranslocation in Eucalyptus globulus

International audienc