universiti putra malaysia growth performance and economic evaluation of acacia mangium...
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UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA
GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF ACACIA MANGIUM WILLD. PLANTED
AT DIFFERENT SPACINGS
SINHSAMOUTH PHOUTHAVONG
FH 1998 8
GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF ACACIA MANGIUMwn..LD. PLANTED
AT DIFFERENT SPACINGS
By
SINHSAMOUTH PHOUTHAVONG
Thesis Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the
Faculty of Forestry Universiti Putra Malaysia
September 1998
::Dedicated to mlj Beloved Jathel' SiTYUJuntlwne Plwuthavong and mothel' Yhampheungchai Plwuthavong,
Wlwde dream comed true.
ACKNOWLEGEMENTS
First and foremost I would like to express my profound gratitude to Prof. Dr.
Nik Muhamad bin Nik Ab. Majid, the chairman of my supervisory committee, for his
continuous guidance, suggestions and encouragement throughout the completion of
this thesis. I am also indebted to my supervisory committee members, Dr. Hj. Awang
Noor Abd. Ghani and Assoc. Prof. Dr. RusH Bin Mohd. for their invaluable
suggestions and comments on my thesis.
I am greatly thankful to the Lao Government and Lao-Swedish Forestry
Programme, for granting me the scholarship and study leave to pursue this master's
programme in Malaysia. I also would like to thank Mr. Kampheuane Kingsada,
Director General of Lao Forestry Department for his support and encouragement
during my study at Universiti Putra Malaysia.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the Dean of
Faculty of Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia for the permission given to undertake
this study. My sincere appreciation goes to all lecturers and staff of the Faculty of
Forestry for their help during the study period. Thanks are also extended to Mr.
Muhzamal lohan for his help during data collection, the laboratory work and to Dr.
Bimal Paudyal K. and Mr. Latib during the soil analysis in the laboratory.
11
My sincere thanks are also due to various individuals who have extended
their help and cooperation during my study period; Mr. Mahdan Bin Bongkik,
Deputy Head of Plantation Unit Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia, Mr.
Yahaya Bin Mohamood, Senior Research Officer of Plantation Unit, Dr. Wan Razali
Wan Mohd., Deputy Director General of Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Mr.
Zuhaidi Ahmad Yahya., Senior Research Officer of Forest Research Institute
Malaysia, Mr. Md.Yunus Bin Jaffar, Senior Research Officer of Malaysia
Agriculture Research Development Institute, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lim Meng Tsai and
Dr. Mohamad Azani Alias at the Faculty of Forestry, Dr. Tse Fau Zia at the
Department of Soil Science of Faculty of Agriculture, Ong Kian Huat, a graduate
student at the Faculty of Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Bishwa Bandhu Raj
Singh.
My heartfelt thanks are extended to my brothers and sisters for their love
throughout my study. My special and deepest thanks and love towards my wife,
Phonephet Phouthavong and my children, Vats ana, Athithsavanh, Daravanh and
Sirimoungkhoune Phouthavong who are my source of inspiration and also for their
love, sacrifice, patience, continuous support and encouragement during the entire
study period. Last but not least, I express my gratitude to my parents and God, the
invisible power, for providing me continuous energy to undertake this study.
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ACKN"OWLEDGEMENTS.................................................................. .... . .. 11
LIST OF TABLES.............................................................................. . . . . . . . . V11
LIST OF FIGURES......................................................... . ....................... . IX LIST OF PLA 'lES................................................................................. . ... . . X LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.................................................................... . . Xl ABSTRACT........................................................................................... .... . . xu ABSTRAK............................................................................................ . ...... xv
CHAPTER
I IN'TRODUCTION........................................................... . .. 1 General Background...... ............. ...... ............. ..................... . . I Objectives of the Study......................................................... 7
IT LITERATURE REVIEW........................................... . ... . . 8 Description and Taxonomy of Acacia mangium WiUd.... . .. 8
Botanical Description......................................... . . . . . . . 1 0 Natural Distribution and Ecology........................ ..... 1 1
Importance of Acacia mangium Willd in Plantation....... . .... 12 Management Practices of Acacia mangium Willd...... . . .... . . 14
Nursery Practices.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Site Preparation....... ... .... ............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Silvicultural Treatments.... ......... ...................... 15
Spacing of Acacia mangium Willd.................................. . . . . . 16 Growth Rates of Acacia mangium Willd.. ...................... . .... 18 Yield and Volume of Acacia mangium Willd................. . ..... 2 1 Effects of Plantation on Soil Properties.......................... ...... 26
Soil Chemical Properties........................ .... . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Soil Physical Properties............................ ... . . . . . . . . .. 30
Economic Aspects of Acacia mangium Willd............. . . . . ... . 33
ill MA.TERIALS AND METHODS................................. . . . . . . 37 Experimental Site.......... .......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Experimental Design and Layout.................................... ...... 39 Data Collection........................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
SurvivaL............ ................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Tree Height......... ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Diameter at Breast Height.. .................. . ................... , 47 Volume Estimation...... .......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
iv
rJ<.,KrlJ� lAI\.AAl� !_�TV'17p:,rq T'l."P-.(A V7A7JAy�TA
Growth and Yield Prediction ..... ......... . .................. . Soil Samples ...................................... . ................... . .
Statistical Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . ..................................... . ....... . Economic Analysis . . ... .. . ............................. . ................... . .
Framework . . . . . . . . ............................. . ................... . . . Identification of Cost and Benefits . . ................. . ..... . Developing of Cash Flow Table . . . . . .. . .................... . Criteria for Economic Evaluation .......... . .... . . . . . . ... . S
. . . An I .
enslbvlty a ySlS ............................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IV RESULTS . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Introduction ............................................................... .... . .. . . . Growth .............................................................................. . .. .
Survival Percentage ............................................. . .. . . Height Growth ............................................. . . . . . . . ... . Diameter at Breast height Growth ........................ . .. . Volume ..................................................................... . Growth Prediction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................. . .. . . Yield Prediction .. . . . " . . . . . . .... .. . . . .. . ... . . .. . .. . . .. . . . .... ... ..
Soil Analysis ........................................................................ . Physical Properties ............................................... . . . . Chemical Properties ........................................... . . . . .
Relationship between Soil Properties and Tree Growth ..... . . Economic Evaluation ......................................................... . . S 't" t An I . enSl IVI y a ySIS ...................... . .. . .. ......................... . . .. ..
V DISCUSSION ..... ... . . . ...... . ...... . ..... . . ...... . . . . .. . ... . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . Growth Performance ............................. . . . . . . . ............ . . . . . . . . Growth and Yield Prediction .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. , . .... . . ..... . . Soil Analysis .............................. . ..................................... . .. . . Relationship between Soil Properties and Tree Growth .. . . . . Economic Evaluation ...................................................... . . . . .
VI CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........ . . . . . Conclusions ..................................................................... ... . . Recommendations ........................................................... . . . . .
48 50 5 1 52 52 53 55 56 58
59 59 59 60 61 63 65 68 76 78 78 80 85 87 9 1
95 95 97 98 99
100
102 102 104
REFERENCES.... ... .. . ... . . . . . .. . . . . .... . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. .... . . .... . . . .... . . .. ... . . .. . . . .. .... . . . . . . . 106
APPENDICES......... ........ .................................................. . ........ ... . .. . .. . .. 1 17 A Analysis of Variance on Growth Performance.. . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 118 B Statistics Summary of Growth Modelling.. ...... .......... .. .. 126 C Analysis of Variance on Soil Physical and Chemical
Properties of the Different Spacings.. .... . ....................... 142
v
D
E
F
G
H
Price/Costs, Conversion Factors of Different Items for Economic Analysis of Acacia mangium Plantation . . . . . . ............ , ... .... ........ ............... . . , .... " .. Cash Flow of Acacia mangium Plantation for the Different Spacings .... .... . . . . . . . . . . .................... ........... .. Incremental Net Benefits of Acacia mangium Plantation for Spacings ( with Project) vs. ( Spacing without Project) . . ... Cash Flow of Acacia mangium Plantation for Spacings ( with Project) vs. Spacing ( without Project) ................... .. Sensitivity Analysis of Acacia mangium Plantation for 2.0 m x 2.0 m Spacing vs. Spacing without Project ...... .
144
145
157
160
165
VITA.......................................................................................................... .... 169
vi
LIST OF TABLES
Tables Page
1. The Silvicultural Treatments Schedule of the Compensatory Forest Plantation Project.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2. Mean Diameter and Height Growth of Acacia mangium Spacing Trial at Nahaba, Sabah, Malaysia at 2 years..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 18
3. Dbh, Height and Mean Annual Increment (MAl) ofDbh and Height Values for Acacia mangium of Different Age. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4. Volume Estimates of Sample Tree 20 cm Dbh from Different Volume Tables... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
5. Acacia mangium Yield in Various Locations in Sabah.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
6. Estimation on Internal Rate ofRetum of Acacia mangium from Various Sources.. . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . ... .. . .. . .. . .. ... . .. ... . .. . . 36
7. Survival Percentage, Mean Total Height, Diameter at Breast height and Merchantable Volume for the Different Spacings of Acacia mangium at 70 Months. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
8. Gompertz Estimation of the Mean Diameter at breast height and Total Height Growth of Acacia mangium for each Spacing.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
9. Predicted Mean Values ofDbh, Total Height, Merchantable Volume and Merchantable Volume per Hectare for the Different Spacings. . . . . . . . . . . ............... ............ ... ......... ......... 7 1
10. Physical and Chemical Properties of Top and Subsoil under the Different Spacings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
11. Duncan's New Multiple Range Test on Soil Physical and Chemical Properties for the Different Spacings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
12. Coefficient of Correlation between Soil Properties and Tree Growth (R-Value) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,. 86
vii
13. Results of Economic Analysis with Discount Rate 10 Percent (Base Case) of Acacia mangium Plantated at Different Spacings vs. Spacing without Project. . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . .. . .. . . ......... . . . 88
14. Results of Economic Analysis at Different Discount Rate of Acacia mangium Plantated at Spacings with Project vs. Spacing without Project.............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
15. Sensitivity Analysis ofNPV at Interest Rate of 10 Percent (Base Case) for SI vs. SWo. . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . .... . . ... . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
16. Sensitivity Analysis ofB/C Ratio at Interest Rate of 10 Percent (Base Case) for SI vs. SWo. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
17. Sensitivity Analysis ofIRR at Interest Rate of 10 Percent (Base Case) for SI vs. Swo
. . . ... . . . . . . . . ................................................ 94
viii
LIST OF FIGURES
Figures Page
1. Map of Peninsular Malaysia showing the Experimental Site............ 38
2. Layout of the Experimental Design.. ............. . . ... ........................ 40
3. Framework of Incremental Net Benefits................................. 53
4. Height Growth of Acacia mangium at Different Spacings.. ............. 62
5. Diameter at Breast Height Growth of Acacia mangium at Different Spacings........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... ........ .......... .......... 64
6. Mean Merchantable Volume of Acacia mangium for the Different Spacings................................................................. 66
7. Merchantable Volume of Acacia mangium for the Different Spacings per Hectare.. .... . . . . ............................................ 67
8. Prediction of Mean Dbh for the Different Spacings..... . . . .... .. . . . . . . 73
9. Prediction of Mean Total Height for the Different Spacings .. ....... 74
10. Prediction of Mean Merchantable Volume for the Different Spacings. ...... ..... . .. . .................................................... 75
I I . Prediction of Timber Volume for the Different Spacings based on the Number of Trees per Hectare........................ 77
ix
LIST OF PLATES
Plates Page
1. Five year and 10 month old Acacia mangium plantation at UPM campus .................................................. . ....... . . . . 39
2. Spacing SI (2.0 m x 2.0 m) ................................................ . 41
3. Spacing S2 (2.5 m x 2.5 m) ................................................ . 42
4. Spacing S3 (3.0 m x 3.0 m) ..................................... ........... . 43
5. Spacing S4 (3 .5 m x 3.5 m) ................................................ . 44
6. Spacing S5 (4.0 m x 4.0 m) ................................................ . 45
x
ANOVA
B/C Ratio
CFPP
Dbh
IRR
MPTS
NPV
PNG
RCBD
SAFODA
SFI
SSSB
UNDP
UPM
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
Analysis of Variance
Benefit/Cost Ratio
Compensatory Forest Plantation Project
Diameter at Breast Height
Internal Rate of Return
Multipurpose Tree Species
Net Present Value
Papua New Guinea
Randomized Complete Block Design
Sabah Forest Development Authority
Sabah Forest Industries
Sabah Softwood Sdn. Bhd.
United Nations Development Programme
Universiti Putra Malaysia
xi
Abstract of thesis presented to the Senate ofUniversiti Putra Malaysia in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science
GRO WTH PERFO RMANCEAND ECONO �C EVALUATION OF ACACIA MANGIUMWILLD . PLANTED AT D IFFERENT SPACINGS
By
SINH SAMOUTH PHOUTHA VONG
September 1998
Chairman: Professor Nik Muhamad bin Nik Ab. Ma jid, Ph. D.
Faculty: Forestry
Acacia mangium Willd. is one of the fast-growing timber species planted
widely in Malaysia to overcome the expected timber deficit for the wood based
industries. However, comprehensive studies on planting distance and economic
evaluation of A. mangium planted at different spacings have not been well
documented.
A trial plot at Universiti Putra Malaysia Serdang, Malaysia planted with A.
mangium at five different spacings; namely SI (2.0 m x 2.0 m), S2 (2.5 m x 2.5 m), S3
(3.0 m x 3.0 m), S4 (3 .5 m x 3.5 m) and S5 (4.0 m x 4.0 m) was investigated to
determine specifically the survival percentage, total height, diameter at breast height,
volume, growth and yield prediction up to 1 5 years, soil physical and chemical
properties, and relationship between tree growth and soil properties. Economic
xii
analysis of each spacing (with project) vs. 3.0 m x 3.7 m spacing (without project)
was also conducted.
The experimental results indicate that spacing 82 achieved the best survival
percentage (81 %) and the best mean total height growth (20.40 m). The biggest mean
diameter at breast height growth (21 .46 cm) was recorded for spacing 85• The
analysis of variance indicated that spacing does not affect total height growth, but
affects diameter at breast height. The highest mean volume (0.407 m3) was found in
spacing S5 and the highest wood volume per hectare (585.12 m3) was for spacing SI
at 70 months old. The growth prediction using Gompertz model showed that spacing
82 recorded the highest mean total height value (24.77 m) and spacing S5 had the
biggest mean diameter at breast height (26.20 cm). The highest predicted mean
merchantable volume (0.581 m3) was for spacing 85. The yield prediction showed
that spacing 81 produced the highest wood volume (21 1 .44 m3) per hectare at year
1 5.
The analysis of variance showed that the soil chemical properties only
differed significantly in carbon and iron. The correlation analysis showed that tree
growth was not significantly correlated with most of the soil properties.
The results of economic analysis indicated that spacing 81 was the most
viable and profitable activities using IRR (14.01%). The sensitivity analysis showed
xiii
that the changes in costs and benefits have low impact on the NPV, B/C ratio and
IRR of 81. Therefore, 81 (2.0 m x 2.0 m) could be the most promising spacing in
terms of wood production and economic returns.
xiv
Abstrak tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia sebagai memenuhi keperluan untuk ijizah Master Sains
PRESTASI PERTUMBUHAN DAN PENILAIAN EKO NOMI BAGI ACACIA MANGIUMWILLD. PADA JARAK PENANAMAN YANG BERBEZA
Oleh
SINHSAMOUTH PHOUTHA VONG
September 1998
Pengerusi: Profesor Nik Muhamad bin Nik Ab. Majid, Ph. D.
Fakulti: Perhutanan
Acacia mangium WiUd. adalah salah satu spesis pokok yang eepat tumbuh
yang ditanam seeara meluas di Malaysia untuk mengatasi kekurangan bekalan kayu
balak bagi industri berasaskan kayu. Bagaimanapun, kajian yang terperinei ke atas
jarak tanaman dan penilaian ekonomi bagi A. mangium pada jarak berbeza masih
belum direkodkan sepenuhnya.
Satu plot pereubaan di Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia yang
merangkumi penanaman A. mangium pada lima jarak penanaman yang berbeza; iaitu
SI (2.0 m x 2.0 m), S2 (2.5 m x 2.5 m), S3 (3.0 m x 3.0 m), S4 (3.5 m x 3.5 m) dan S5
(4.0 m x 4.0 m) telah dijalankan bagi menentukan peratus kemandiran, tinggi pukal,
diameter pada paras dada, isipadu, pertumbuhan dan jangkaan hasil sehingga 15
tahun, eiri fizikal dan kimia tanah, dan perkaitan antara pertumbuhan pokok dan eiri
xv
tanah. Analisa ekonomi bagi setiap jarak (dengan projek) vs. jarak 3 .0 m x 3 .7 m
(tanpa projek) turnt dijalankan.
Keputusan telah menunjukkan jarak 82 mempunyai peratus kehidupan (81 %)
dan pertumbuhan tinggi pukal (20.40 m) yang terbaik. Pertumbuhan diameter paras
dada terbaik (21 .46 em) direkod untuk jarak penanaman 85. Analisa varian
menunjukkan jarak penanaman tidak memberi sebarang kesan keatas pertumbuhan
tinggi pukal tetapi membawa kesan keatas diameter paras dada. Putara isipadu
terbesar (0.407 m3) ditemui dalam jarak tanaman 85 dan isipadu kayu per hektar
tertinggi (585 . 1 2 m3) pada jarak tanaman 81 pada usia 70 bulan. Jangkaan
pertumbuhan ladang A. mangium pada usia menggunakan model Gompertz
menunjukkan jarak tanaman 82 merekodkan nilai purata tinggi pukal tertinggi (24.77
m) dan jarak tanaman 85 mempunyai purata diameter paras dada terbesar (26.20 em).
Jangkaan purata isipadu jadual dagang (0.581 m3) didapati pada jarak tanaman 85.
Jangkaan hasil menunjukkan jarak tanaman 81 menghasilkan isipadu kayu tertinggi
(21 1.44 m3) per hektar pada usia 15 tahun.
Analisa varian menunjukkan eiri kimia tanah hanya mempunyai perbezaan
yang nyata dalam karbon dan besi. Keputusan analisa korelasi menunjukkan
pertumbuhan pokok adalah tidak menpunyai perkaitan yang rapat dengan hampir
keseluruhan eiri tanah.
xvi
Keputusan analisa ekonomi menunjukkan bahawa jarak 81 adalah aktiviti
yang paling boleh-guna dan menguntungkan menggunakan IRR (14.01 %).
Keputusan analisa sensitiviti menunjukkan perubahan dalam kos dan keuntungan
mempunyai pengaruh yang rendah ke atas NPV, nisbah B/C dan IRR bagi 81• Oleh
demikian, 81 (2.0 m x 2.0 m) mungkin menjadi jarak tanaman yang terbaik untuk
penghasilan kayu dan pulangan ekonomi.
xvii
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
General Background
The world's demand for wood is increasing as the population grows, while
the natural forest resources are depleting, particularly in the tropical developing
countries. In most tropical countries, large portions of these natural forests have been
converted to other alternative land uses, particularly for agricultural development.
The conversion of forestlands is also attributed to other activities such as shifting
cultivation, development of dam for hydroelectric generation and reservoir,
encroachment and illegal logging. These factors led to deforestation, which in turns
affect future timber supply and ecological balance.
The World Bank has estimated that the tropical forest areas are cleared at a
rate of 15 to 20 million hectares per year. At the level of demand prevailing then, the
remaining tropical forest would disappear in 60 to 80 years (Evans et af., 1992).
According to Food and Agriculture Organization estimates for the Asia-Pacific
region, the rate of annual deforestation for the last 10 years was close to 4.7 million
hectares per year (FAO, 1993). The FAO State of the World's Forest reported that
1
2
during 199 1- 1995 there was an estimated net loss of 56.3 million hectares
worldwide. The annual rate of loss in developing countries remains high at 0.65
percent; tropical Asia-Oceania has the highest rate at 0.98 percent. However, a
comparison of the annual loss of natural forests for the periods 1980-90 and 1 990-95
with estimates of 15.5 million hectares and 1 3 .7 million hectares per annum,
respectively, indicates that the rate may be slowing (prebble, 1997). One of the
challenges that the world faces today is to sustain future timber supply to meet
escalating demand. Therefore, it appears that rehabilitation and reforestation are one
of the most promising solutions to solve this problem.
ill Malaysia, plantation forestry began as early as in 1 950's with the planting
of Tectona grandis (Teak) in the northern states of Perlis and Kedah. The aim was to
produce high quality timber. To date, there are about 1 ,800 hectares of such
plantations being established. Then various trial plots were established with the main
objective of selecting suitable tree species for the production of high quality timber
and pulpwood on degraded sites (Barnard and Beveridge, 1957). However, in the
1960's, research was focused on the establishment of softwood plantations for the
production of pulp and paper industry. The com-mercial plantation began in 1 973 in
Sabah with the establishment of 60,000 hectares of tropical pines; in 1 979 in
Sarawak about 1 0,000 hectares of fast-growing hard-wood species and in Peninsular
Malaysia in 1 960 about 5,600 hectares of tropical pines.
The fIrst pilot softwood plantation programme was initiated in Peninsular
Malaysia in 1 967 with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme
3
(UNDP), an executing agency for the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the
United Nations (Freezailah, 1967). The purpose of the project was to demonstrate
suitable techniques for the establishment and management of large-scale softwood
planta-tions for pulpwood production. The DIu Sedili Forest Reserve in Johore and
Kemasul Forest Reserve in Pahang were selected for this large-scale forest plantation
project. About 5,600 hectares of the softwood plantations were established in these
two forest reserves, planted mainly with Pinus caribeaea (Johari and Chin, 1986).
The fust commercial reforestation project in Peninsular Malaysia, known as
the Compensatory Forest Plantation Project (CFPP), was started in 1982 with the
main objective of producing general utility sawn timber (Thang and Zulkifli, 1992;
Yong, 1985). The sawn-timber produced from this plantation is expected to be
comparable to the Light Red Meranti (Shorea spp.). In the initial plan, about 188,200
hectares of the unproductive lowland forests had been planned for conversion into
forest plantations over a period of 15 years (Harun, 1981; Yong, 1985; Johari, 1987).
The project planned to establish about 82,000 hectares of plantations based on 15-
year rotation of fast-growing hard-wood species such as Acacia mangium, Gmelina
arborea and Paraserianthes falcataria. So far almost 55,000 hectares of such
plantations have successfully established throughout Peninsular Malaysia. This was
expected to contribute about 35 percent of the total log production of Peninsular
Malaysia or about 2.63 million cu m of timber, with the first harvest by 1998 (Johari,
1987).
4
Initially, five species of fast growing hardwood species, namely A. mangium
Willd., Gmelina arborea Roxb., Paraserianthes falcataria Nielsen (synonym with
Albizia falcataria), Maesopsis eminii Engl., and Eucalytus deglupta Blume had been
proposed for CFPP (Sheik Ali, 1982). Nevertheless, the last two species were not
selected due to wood utilization problems. M eminii has inherent growth stress
which causes the sawn timber to warp and distort, while E. deglupta trees were found
to be infected by heart rot fungi that made the logs hollow.
Reforestation projects have also been initiated in Sabah and Sarawak to
ameliorate extensive degraded forestland resulting from shifting cultivation and
logging activities.
In Sabah, three private and state agencies have participated in the refores
tation project. These are Sabah Softwood Sdn. Bhd. (SSSB), Sabah Forestry
Develop-ment Authority (SAFODA), and Sabah Forest Industries (SF!). The
objectives of the reforestation project vary between agencies. SAFODA was
established in 1976 to afforest 200,000 hectares of shifting cultivation areas. The
agency was formed for the rehabilitation of degraded lalang grassland and poor
forests with fast growing timber trees on west coast of Sabah. At the same time the
agency is also responsible for the resettlement of rural population who resides in the
project area. SSSB and SFI on the other hand, are companies established for the
development of commercial forest plantations for industrial wood production. SSSB
started as early as 1973 to establish 60,000 hectares of tropical pines in Tawau. SFI,
which establishes the first pulp and paper mill in the country, involved in the
5
reforestation programme in 1980's. The total area of forest plantations established by
these three agencies by the end of 1994 was 90,000 hectares (Thai and Mahdan,
1995). Unlike Peninsular Malaysia, forest plantations in Sabah are managed for
pulpwood production. As of 1997, the total plantation established in Sabah was about
112,679 hectares, of which 90,026 hectares (79.9 %) are under fast growing species
such as A. mangium, 2,049 hectares of Teak and 20,602 hectares of Rattan (Lim,
1997).
In Sarawak, about 60,000 ha of natural forest are destroyed annually due to
shifting cultivation practices constituting an annual loss of 2.7 million cu m of logs
(Lau, 1979). Programmes have been initiated to reforest the degraded forestland in
the state with suitable timber species, but forest plantation development in this
timber-rich state is rather slow. The reforestation programme which started in 1979
managed to establish about 10,000 hectares of forest plantations until the end of 1996
(Lim, 1997). The species planted were A. mangium, Araucaria cunningham ii,
Gmelina arborea, Swietenia macrophylla, Shorea spp. (illipe nut), and Durio
zibethinus.
Since the beginning of the plantation programme in Peninsular Malaysia, A.
mangium has been grown more widely than the other two species, Gmelina. arborea
and Parasieranthes falcataria. This was due of its rapid initial growth rate, less site
demanding and competes well with weeds (Tham, 1979; Johari and Chin, 1986).
Hence, more than 80 percent of the CFPP area had been planted with this species.
6
The goal in plantation forestry is often to produce high quality timber in the
shortest possible time (Dale and Sonderman, 1984). Since spacing and hence stand
density affect both quality and growth of tree, it is important to carry out spacing
trials in order to determine the most suitable spacing to be adopted for any species in
plantation forestry.
In Peninsular Malaysia A. mangium trees are planted at 3.0 m x 3.7 m
spacing, which is considered as the most appropriate planting distance. However,
different planting distances might be necessary, depending on the kind of timber
needed for the manufacture of the fmal product. For instance, trees planted for pulp
would not necessarily require straight bole and may require closer planting distance.
However, the trees are planted for sawn timber production, it is necessary that they
should have straight bole and produce high volume of wood, which require different
planting distance than trees planted for pulp. Thus, the relationship between timber
volume and spacing is important to achieve optimum economic returns in the long
run.
Despite of its impressive initial growth performance, the planting of A.
mangium has been based on only one spacing interval, that is 3.0 m x 3.7 m. This
planting distance was based on experience in other countries and it might not be the
best spacing in Malaysia because of differences in environmental and climatic
factors.