Tree species that 'live slow, die older' enhance tropical peat swamp restoration : Evidence from a systematic review

Degraded tropical peatlands lack tree cover and are often subject to seasonal flooding and repeated burning. These harsh environments for tree seedlings to survive and grow are therefore challenging to revegetate. Knowledge on species performance from previous plantings represents an important evidence base to help guide future tropical peat swamp forest (TPSF) restoration efforts. We conducted a systematic review of the survival and growth of tree species planted in degraded peatlands across Southeast Asia to examine (1) species differences, (2) the impact of seedling and site treatments on survival and growth and (3) the potential use of plant functional traits to predict seedling survival and growth rates. Planted seedling monitoring data were compiled through a systematic review of journal articles, conference proceedings, reports, theses and unpublished datasets. In total, 94 study-sites were included, spanning three decades from 1988 to 2019, and including 141 indigenous peatland tree and palm species. Accounting for variable planting numbers and monitoring durations, we analysed three measures of survival and growth: (1) final survival weighted by the number of seedlings planted, (2) half-life, that is, duration until 50% mortality and (3) relative growth rates (RGR) corrected for initial planting height of seedlings. Average final survival was 62% and half-life was 33 months across all species, sites and treatments. Species differed significantly in survival and half-life. Seedling and site treatments had small effects with the strongest being higher survival of mycorrhizal fungi inoculated seedlings; lower survival, half-life and RGR when shading seedlings; and lower RGR and higher survival when fertilising seedlings. Leaf nutrient and wood density traits predicted TPSF species survival, but not half-life and RGR. RGR and half-life were negatively correlated, meaning that slower growing species survived for longer. Synthesis and applications. To advance tropical peat swamp reforestation requires expanding the number and replication of species planted and testing treatments by adopting control vs. treatment experimental designs. Species selection should involve slower growing species (e.g. Lophopetalum rigidum, Alstonia spatulata, Madhuca motleyana) that survive for longer and explore screening species based on functional traits associated with nutrient acquisition, flooding tolerance and recovery from fire.Peer reviewe

Tree species that 'live slow, die older' enhance tropical peat swamp restoration : Evidence from a systematic review

Degraded tropical peatlands lack tree cover and are often subject to seasonal flooding and repeated burning. These harsh environments for tree seedlings to survive and grow are therefore challenging to revegetate. Knowledge on species performance from previous plantings represents an important evidence base to help guide future tropical peat swamp forest (TPSF) restoration efforts. We conducted a systematic review of the survival and growth of tree species planted in degraded peatlands across Southeast Asia to examine (1) species differences, (2) the impact of seedling and site treatments on survival and growth and (3) the potential use of plant functional traits to predict seedling survival and growth rates. Planted seedling monitoring data were compiled through a systematic review of journal articles, conference proceedings, reports, theses and unpublished datasets. In total, 94 study-sites were included, spanning three decades from 1988 to 2019, and including 141 indigenous peatland tree and palm species. Accounting for variable planting numbers and monitoring durations, we analysed three measures of survival and growth: (1) final survival weighted by the number of seedlings planted, (2) half-life, that is, duration until 50% mortality and (3) relative growth rates (RGR) corrected for initial planting height of seedlings. Average final survival was 62% and half-life was 33 months across all species, sites and treatments. Species differed significantly in survival and half-life. Seedling and site treatments had small effects with the strongest being higher survival of mycorrhizal fungi inoculated seedlings; lower survival, half-life and RGR when shading seedlings; and lower RGR and higher survival when fertilising seedlings. Leaf nutrient and wood density traits predicted TPSF species survival, but not half-life and RGR. RGR and half-life were negatively correlated, meaning that slower growing species survived for longer. Synthesis and applications. To advance tropical peat swamp reforestation requires expanding the number and replication of species planted and testing treatments by adopting control vs. treatment experimental designs. Species selection should involve slower growing species (e.g. Lophopetalum rigidum, Alstonia spatulata, Madhuca motleyana) that survive for longer and explore screening species based on functional traits associated with nutrient acquisition, flooding tolerance and recovery from fire.Peer reviewe

The Use of Fungal Endophyte

Penicillium citrinum is an endophyte fungus isolated from plant tissues that live in tropical peatland. Various study reveals that endophytic fungi give advantages to plant health. Since 2015, series of experiments were conducted to investigate the capability of P. citrinum P3.10 as biofertilizer of plant tree in nursery stage which are: pathogenicity test, in vitro assay, direct application to seeds, dosage test, and fertilizer formulation. This paper presents a review from our research of P. citrinum isolate P3.10 from the isolation stage to the biofertilizer product formulation. Resear ch results showed that the application of endophytic fungi to seedlings gave positive responses. However, during the research process there were also obstacles in the application of endophytic fungi to plants, which are: (a) difficulties in application due to the varied response, (b) formulation, (c) storage, (d) isolate viability, and (d) fungal isolate maintenance. Risk management was needed during biofertilizer production. Hence, the utilization of biofertilizer made from endophyte fungi is applicable and can be used not only on an experimental scale but also on a larger scale

Enhancing Sengon Seedling's Growth by Using Indigenous Arbuscular Mycorrhiza From Tropical Peatland

The research aimed to determine the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal isolates from Central Kalimantan peat swamp forest on the growth of Paraserianthes falcatharia. Arbuscular mycorrhizal isolates consisted of Glomus sp.2 (blackish brown) & Glomus sp.3 (dark brown) isolated from the peatland of Central Kalimantan. The mycorrhizal colonization was observed and plant growth parameters were measured for five months. The design used in this research was a complete randomized design and divided into Glo1S2 (Glomus sp.2, 2 spores), Glo1S4 (Glomus sp.2, 4 spores), Glo2S2 (Glomus sp.3, 2 spores), Glo2S4 (Glomus sp.3, 4 spores), control I and control II. The result showed that arbuscular mycorrhiza colonization significantly different between the treatment of inoculation compared with control. Glo2S4 treatment gave a significant effect on the growth of P. falcatharia in terms of plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, root length and total biomass

Lichen as Bioindicator of Air Quality at Buffer Zone of Banjarbaru Town

Air pollution is one of the main issues faced by urban areas. Therefore, morphological characteristic and colony coverage of lichen growing at different scale air-polluted area could become as a bioindicator of their air quality. This research aims to determine the condition of lichen in spots located at near and far from the main road (width ± 29 meter) in urban area at Banjarbaru town. This research used descriptive method with purposive sampling technique. Sample were obtained from 2 plots those were far and near the main road, each plot represented by samples from 5 different trees (densed canopy with minimum DBH at 25 cm). Lichens were taken at 50-150 cm above ground level using 20x20 cm quadrant plastic frame. Observation variables include the number and shape of colonies, color and type of thallus, and percentage of thallus cover. We determined 13 colonies from spots far from the main road (500-600 meter from main road). Lichen dominated by green to bluish color, thallus consist of crustose and foliose, and the average percentage of thallus cover was 28.01%. While from that near the main road (14-250 meter from main road), we determined 14 colonies predominantly consisted of white crustose lichens, and the average percentage of thallus cover was 10.01%. Traffic intensity showed to have significant effect on lichens community. The main difference can be seen from morphology and colony coverage. Based on this result, lichen can be used as bioindicator of air quality, especially air pollution caused by motorized vehicles

The Carbon Stock as Indicator of Peatland Recovery After Fire in Central Kalimantan

Peat swamp forest fire was the main cause of the huge carbon stock loss. Forest recovery after fire took a huge cost and long period of time. The aim of this research was to determine the carbon stock on various peat land condition and management intervention and utilize it as bio-indicator for degraded peat swamp forest recovery after fire. The data was collected from three location representing three sites: after 1997 fire (ex 1997), unburnt secondary forest and area that was severely burnt in 2005 but already re-planted. Measurement was carried out on the vegetation carbon stock namely seedlings, saplings, poles and trees. The carbon stock was determined using 5 sampling plots on secondary forest and 6 plots on other sites. Carbon counting was using allometric equation. The result showed that the carbon stock was affected by the various type and management intervention of the sites especially at the rehabilitation site. The carbon stock of ex-1997 and secondary forest was not significantly different on all stages of vegetation including the total number. The carbon stock on ex-1997 and secondary forest was 258, 95 Mg/Ha and 254,36 Mg/Ha, respectively. The condition showed that ex-1997 site had the ability to naturally recovered. The rate of recovery can be approached with carbon stock estimation as indicator for peatland recovery after fire. The indicator can be used on sites with no species diversity requirements as recovery factor such as protected or conservation areas