Analysis on the sustainability of Amomum villosum cultivation under the tropical rainforest in Xishuangbanna

Abstract

Amomum villosum has been cultivated under tropic rainforest in Xishuangbanna area since 1970s. The cultivation area of Amomum villosum had expanded to 5811 hm2 by 1998, and the dry fruit yield had reached to 542 t. In this study, the ecological and economical benefits of this cultivation model were analyzed. The results showed that plant diversity, litter, soil humidity, and soil fertility of rainforest decreased at different levels after Amomum villosum cultivated under rainforest, and the distribution of nutrition had been changed in the soil. The economical benefits had an obvious downtrend after 7-8 years cultivating due to irrational management. So, the present cultivation model of Amomum villosum under the tropical rainforest was not sustainable. For the objectives of harmonizing the ecological, economic, and social benefits and sustainable utilization of the rainforest, and improved model was also discussed in this study.