Growth and physiological evaluations of planted forest species along a recreational trail

Philip, E. and Noor Azlin, Y. and Rizal, M. K. M. (2006) Growth and physiological evaluations of planted forest species along a recreational trail. Journal of Tropical Plant Physiology, 1 (1). pp. 57-65.

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Abstract

The Keruing trail is the oldest established and one of the most popular nature trail in Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). It is about 532 m in distance, displaying many mature timber species such as Neobalanocarpus heimii (chengal), Dyera costulata (jelutong), Dryobalanops aromatica (kapur), Diplerocarpus baudii (keruing bulu), Shorea leprosula (meranti tembaga), Shorea bracleolata (meranti pa'ang) and others. Previous observations indicated deterioration in soil due to compaction, root exposure and health deterioration of mature trees. Five species of seedlings, namely D. aromalica, D. costulata, Palaquium gutta, N. heimii and lntsia palembanica were planted to test their response when subjected to frequent recreational trampling. Each species of seedling was planted in a row across the nature trail; an individual was planted at the centre and every meter from the centre of the trail (lst, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th m). Along the trail, a different species was planted at every 20 m intervals. Species were repeated systematically, to yield five replicates for each species along the total length of the trail. The seedlings growth and development were monitored over a 4 year period, Results indicated that all species had slower growth closer to the centre of the trail. On the other hand, leaf fluorescence measured to determine the physiological efficiencies of each seedling showed that seedlings of D. costulata had the highest and most constant readings. In conclusion, the results indicated D. aromatica could not grow in compacted soil.

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