The Adaptability of Six Introduced Shorea spp. to the Community Forest in Sleman, Yogyakarta

Abstract

Dipterocarp species dominated tropical rain forests in Kalimantan. Shorea is one of the genera with the highest number of species. It supported the diversity of characters between species, including the possibility to develop outside their natural habitat as exotic species. The prospect of developing Shorea spp. plantations to produce meranti wood in Java is essential because the large market share of wood should come from sustainably managed plantations. Therefore, this research was carried out to evaluate the adaptability of six introduced Shorea spp., especially in the new habitats of Cangkringan area, Sleman, Yogyakarta. The study was carried out in two sites. The first site was in a slightly open area under Falcataria moluccana stands with Kalanjana grass (Brachiaria mutica), while another site was in a more sheltered garden by a denser canopy. Plantation trial on the first site was planted in February 2017, while the second site was planted in March 2018 due to limited seedlings stock and planting site. The plantations were established using a randomized complete block design, consisting of six species, namely Shorea leprosula, S. selanica, S. johorensis, S. platyclados, S. dasyphylla, and S. parvifolia. The research resulted in the best survival of S. leprosula in garden areas (100%), while S. selanica well adapted (80%) in the more open site. The best initial growth is achieved by S. leprosula with shade conditions. This result explained that habitat suitability was essential to establish exotic species.