Natural regeneration capacity of Shorea leprosula Miq. at Gunung Dahu Research Forest in Bogor

Abstract

Shorea leprosula is one of the tree species within Dipterocarpaceae Family, which is a major source of timber production. The species has been planted massively in Gunung Dahu Research Forest (GDRF) in Leuwiliang, Bogor. Gunung Dahu Research Forest is a man-made dipterocarp forest that has varying slope classes, topography, and canopy cover. Furthermore, natural regeneration is an important ecological factor in assessing the ability of forest regeneration, including in a plantation forest. Therefore, it is necessary to know the effect of slope and canopy cover on the regeneration of S. leprosula in order to characterize what factors support and constrain the naturally regenerating forest of Gunung Dahu Research Forest. Regeneration capacity of the species was observed in purposive plots which have been recorded for their flowering events. Seedlings were grouped into seedlings and saplings. It was measured by census method on every slopes. Meanwhile, variable observed included number of available seedlings at each slope category slope with its canopy cover, height and diameter of seedlings, and litter thickness. The results show that a flat slope with shady canopy cover has the highest capacity of seedlings and the best growth. The uneven distribution of height and diameter indicates the need for silviculture action, such as, maintenance.