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Santalum in succession agroforestry systems on Leeward Hawaii Island

Neil Logan, Sophia Bowart

Mohala Lehua Farm, PO Box 519, Kapa’au HI, 96755 E-mail: Neil@rnl3.net, sophiabowart@gmail.com, Tel. No.: 808-889-0917

http://mohalalehua.sevaserver.org/

Abstract

Succession agroforestry systems mimic natural succession by building species assemblages that

contain necessary stages of succession. Succession agroforestry systems that incorporate

Santalum spp. can significantly offset the cost of establishment by planting staple food species

alongside of sandalwood at the time of initial planting. Crops like taro, sweet potato, manioc,

yacon, banana, papaya, pineapple, certain vegetables and legume crops are suitable for

polycultures that provide microclimate and income while the young sandalwood trees develop.

Succession agroforestry represents a break-through in agriculture because both yield and

biodiversity are relatively high.

A diversity of species provide Santalum with different hosts at different stages of

development that contribute significantly to nutrient cycling and stability during seasonal

climatic fluctuations resembling the natural processes found in pristine forest settings. The

forester selectively intervenes by mimicking catastrophic events that accelerate the process of

succession. By implementing these kinds of agricultural systems we intend to place humans

back into positive ecological balance in harmony with nature while providing for the needs of

people.

Key Words Agroecology, Hawaiian dry forest ecosystem regeneration, Succession agroforestry

systems

Introduction

Mohala Lehua farm, on Leeward Kohala mountain, Hawaii island (Fig 1), is developing

succession agroforestry systems that incorporates endemic trees as the long-term species mixed

with staple food crops and medicinal plants (Fig 2). These systems have been found to

significantly lower the cost of establishment and maintenance over time with the potential to

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offset the costs of reforestation within a ten-year period. Such systems reduce soil erosion and

moisture loss while maintaining a diverse flora (Goetsh 1994). Product diversity provides stable

yields over time while exchanging maintenance (pulling weeds, insecticides and fertilizers) for

harvesting, pruning, and replanting. Pruning helps extend the life cycle of species in the system

and provides the organic matter necessary to drive production (Goetsh 1992). Inter and intra

specific competition combined with selective pruning is an effective strategy for creating

Santalum paniculatum var. pilgeri with an erect form on hostile sites (Image 1).

Hawaiian Sandalwood functions as a secondary species in ecological succession (Wagner et

al. 1990). Secondary species are often bird dispersed, follow pioneer species, and typically take

ten or more years to establish at economically viable rates on the new sites (Yana and Weinert

2003). Succession agroforestry systems developed around secondary species of economic

importance in Brazil have proven profitable and not labor intensive to manage (Goetsh 1992). If

desired, long-term systems will phase sandalwood out in exchange for more long-lived climax

species (Table 4).

After first receiving training in the ethnobotany of arid ecosystems, author, Neil Logan was

trained by Swiss-German genetics optimization specialist, Ernst Goetsch, in succession

agroforestry systems. Author and site developer Sophia Bowart has a graduate degree in

sustainable economic development. Together, they work for developing economically viable

ecosystem regeneration projects in arid ecosystems internationally.

Site Overview and Background Info

Mohala Lehua farm is located on the Leeward slope of Kohala mountain, Hawaii island at an

elevation 1,700 feet (Fig 1). Average annual rainfall is 40-60 inches, though in 2008 when the

project began, the site received approximately 80 inches, and in 2011 only 20 inches. (U.H.

Manoa, Geography Department 2011). The average wind speed is 20 mph with seasonal gusts

up to 90+ (Hawaiian Electric Company 2004). Most of the precipitation passes over the site as

horizontal rain. The average seasonal temperature range is 64 – 85 F. The site is characterized

by dry summers and wet winters with deep well-draining soils. The area historically supported

species in the genera: Tetraplesandra, Erythrina, Santalum, Acacia, Prichardia, Metrosideros,

and others (Delay et al. 2005 and Wagner et al. 1990). The site was logged 100 years ago and

converted to pasture (Image. 2). There have been no other agricultural crops produced on the

site for 100 years (unlike pineapple or sugar cane from most other sites on Kohala mountain),

(Table 1).

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Mohala Lehua farm is working to develop 17-acres of pasture into a functioning farm of

mostly perennial species of plants used for food, fuel and medicine with an emphasis on

Hawaiian heritage and endemic species, when and where possible (Image 3). The site is

developed into themed zones: (i) bamboo windbreak, (ii) timber belt, and (iii) orchard. For the

purpose of this discussion, the focus will be on the orchard zone (Fig 2). Unique site challenges

include: it is one of the windiest sites in the United States, the dominant species is Kikuyu grass,

the site is not tied to the power grid, nor is there any public water access. The site relies on rain

catchment for domestic and agricultural water supply, thus irrigation is minimal. Power is

supplied via solar and wind-generated electricity with a back-up diesel generator.

Mohala Lehua Farm Goals Include:

• Increase biodiversity,

• Provide for human needs,

• Transform pasture to forest without using chemical herbicides, fertilizers or fire,

• Combine environmental conservation with diversified agricultural production, and

• Develop agroforestry systems to be implemented inexpensively and effectively on

similar sites

Methods

In addition to studying traditional pacific island agroforestry, perennial polyculture systems

(Elevitch 2011), and South American systems (Milz 1998), the authors also chose to incorporate

lessons learned from the historically industrial sugar dominated regions of Brazil. New

opportunities are emerging for former plantation workers in the Mata Atlantic region of

northeastern Brazil, as the sugar industry wanes, and the authors are interested in this as an

example for post-sugar Hawai’i. Through becoming stewards of a nearby forest reserve that is

badly degraded, the former plantation workers of the Mata Atlantica region have been able to

realize both economic independence and a dignified life as citizens of Brazil. With the

assistance of several N.G.O’s, 40 families have been trained in SAFRA (Sistemas Agroforestal

Regenerativo Analogo) and now produce surplus food, which they process and sell to local

markets. More of that forest ecosystem reserve is healthy due to their agricultural efforts

(Oliveira 2005).

The SAFRA system consists of “Succession Agroforestry and Regenerative Analogue

systems” combined. Succession agroforestry aims to mimic natural succession by balancing

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quantity vs. quality of life and space vs. time while regenerative analogue systems fill in the

gaps in existing ecosystems using eco-physiological analogue species of economic value. The

SAFRA system is a multi-strata agroforestry system adopted most frequently by small

landholders. It often falls under the category of “Family Farming” (“Agricultura familiar” in

Latin America), which today accounts for approximately 30% of Brazil’s domestically

consumed staple foods (Portugal 2004). These systems are being utilized successfully in Brazil,

without grants, heavy equipment or the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides or fire. SAFRA

enables the farmer to compete in the global free market with minimal labor per hectare, while

both yield and biodiversity remain relatively high (Milz 1998). The “Safra Absoluto” model

was chosen for the orchard zone at Mohala Lehua farm and was modified to incorporate species

appropriate to the site (Silveira et al. 2003), (Fig 3-5).

Our Strategy:

• Plant dense and diverse,

• Shade out grass and buffer wind,

• Build and conserve soil at every step,

• Harvest more rain as the canopy grows taller, and

• Cut and mulch old plants around longer-lived species

The Safra absoluto model acts as a template to guide the initial planting while continuing to

experiment with different combinations of plants as the opportunity or need arises. These

systems are intended to be planted with seeds and cuttings preferentially. Transplanted nursery

stock is minimized. To sow seeds directly, the standard final density for a mono-crop of each

species is calculated in a particular consortium. That seed density is then multiplied by 3, mixed

with soil and distributed evenly in furrows. Ideally all stages of succession are accounted for

and incorporated into the long-range vision for the plot. How well the species in a particular

consortium synergize, often determines the outcome in terms of productivity over time. Mohala

Lehua farm has developed a species palette based on historical documentation and site

parameters. The site is in a zone that likely once harbored a diverse mesic forest (Wagner et al.

1990). Based on this data, species consortiums were developed by matching species based on

their form, function, stature, succession, and life cycle (Lilleeng-Rosenberger 2005). Different

consortiums come to dominate over time (Tables 2-4). At each step, plants of economic

significance are harvested. The waste of one becomes food for the next in succession (Table 1).

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Certain vegetables like lettuce, kale, tomatoes, potatoes, yacon roots, and others are harvested in

the first 3-9 months (Table 2). At 18-24 months, larger fruits like bananas, pineapple, papaya,

and manioc roots are harvested. By the fourth year the economic drivers (in this case Ulu and

Citrus, Image 6) begin to fruit and will continue to produce for several decades. Sandalwood

comes to maturity in the 15-30 year range. Each crop creates the conditions for the successive

crop (Image 4, 5). By planting all of the necessary stages of succession at once, we are able to

overcome the site constraints and produce S. paniculatum var. pilgeri with an erect form and

clean bole ideal for harvest (Harbaugh-Reynaud 2012).

Why Choose SAFRA?

• Sandalwood benefits from a variety of hosts,

• Multiple products and economic opportunities are created,

• The need for herbicide and chemical fertilizer is eliminated,

• Sandalwood trunks are trained into erect form via competition,

• Potential for large-scale restoration applications (Sertao Filmes 2011), and

• Diversity breeds stability

Conclusion

Generally, the process of natural succession begins with species high in lignin, low in calories,

wind or gravity dispersed, and gradually gives way to larger more complex organisms with

more cellulose, sugars and calories, that require animal dispersal. By building synergistic

species consortiums, planting them all at once and by intervening via thinning over time the

forester flows with the natural succession process while driving the system towards ever lusher

species (Image 7-15). In this way, the site constraints are overcome allowing for optimal

growth, preservation of genetic diversity, and high to modest yields over time. Multi-strata

agroforestry systems that provide a multitude of hosts through time may prove to be highly

effective for hemi-parasitic tree species like S. paniculatum var. pilgeri. Additionally, systems

like these described here, may become a viable alternative for a labor force struggling in the

wake of post-industrial agriculture in remote and impoverished locations.

Acknowledgments

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We would like to acknowledge the following people for their contribution and inspiration for

our work: Mark Hanson, Susan Leopold, Ernst Goetsch, Craig Elevitch, Danica Harbaugh-

Reynaud, Mark Merlin, David Orr and Jill Wagner.

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References

Delay J, Merlin M, Juvik J, Castillo M, Perry L (2005) Field guide to rare and unusual plants of the Island of Hawai`i. Lyon Arboretum Special Publication, United States Fish & Wildlife and Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hilo, Hawai`i, pp 5-13 Elevitch Craig R. (2011) Specialty Crops for Pacific Islands: Horticulture, value-added processing, and marketing. Permanent Agriculture Resources, Holualoa, Hawaii. Goetsch, Ernst (1994) Break-Through in Agriculture. Fazenda Três Colinas Agrosilvicultura Ltda, Bahia, Brazil, pp 1-2 Goetsch, Ernst (1992) Natural Succession of Species in Agroforestry and in Soil Recovery. Fazenda Três Colinas Agrosilvicultura Ltda, Bahia, Brazil, page 5 Harbaugh Reynaud, Danica, T (2012) Conservation Genetics and Taxonomy of the Big Island Mountain Sandalwood, Santalum paniculatum. International Sandalwood Foundation, El Cerrito, California, pp 1-2 Hawaiian Electric Company (2004) High Resolution Wind Resource Map, Big Island. http://www.heco.com/vcmcontent/StaticFiles/Images/Articles/HawaiiCounty_HawaiiIsland_SPD50m_19July04_080504_0656.jpg. Accessed July 2010 Lilleeng-Rosenberger, Kerin (2005) Growing Hawaii's Native Plants: A Simple Step by Step Approach for Every Species. Mutual Publishing Company, Honolulu, Hawaii. Milz, Joachim (1998) Guía para el Establecimiento de Sistemas Agroforestales. DED Servicio Alemán de Cooperación Social-Técnica, Segunda Edición, La Paz, Bolivia Oliveira, Laudenice (2005) Agricultura Agroforestal Realidade na Mata Atlantica Teve Mangue, Publisher. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNUdKdShNbc. Accessed May, 2012 Sertao Filmes (2011) Plantio Mecanizado de Florestas: Faca Voce Mesmo. Instituto Socioambiental, Campanha Y Ikatu Xingu. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oz5UBBI2co. Accessed May, 2012 Silveira, Nina Duarte; Marcos Gervásio Pereira; and José Carlos Polidoro (2003) Indicadores de Sustentabilidade Ambiental em Sistemas Agroflorestais na Mata Atlântica. Universida de Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. University of Hawaii at Manoa, Geography Department (2011) Rainfall Atlas of Hawaii. http://rainfall.geography.hawaii.edu/rainfall.html. Accessed June 2012 Wagner, Warren L.; Herbst, Derral R.; Sohmer, S. H. (1990) Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. University of Hawaii Press and Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, Hawaii, pp 50-52:78-85

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Portugal, AD (2004) The Challenge of Family Farming. Empraba Publishing. http://www.embrapa.br/imprensa/artigos/2002/artigo.2004-12-07.2590963189/. Accessed May 2012 Yana, Walter and Harald Weinert (2003) Técnicas de Sistemas Agroforestales Multiestrato Manual Práctico. PIAF, Alto Beni, Bolivia, pp 46-49

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Figures Figure 1: Site location

Figure 2: Zone 3 is the Orchard and focus area for this publication.

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Figure 3: (~20’) spacing. Pioneers are planted in the red/blue circle rows.

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Figure 4: Tree Row Sequence with alternating cuttings of Hibiscus brackenridgii and Tithonia diversifolia or sugar cane and elephant grass.

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Figure 5: Banana and Loulu Palm Row

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Tables Table 1: Pre-existing species. (Note: Ironwood windbreak has been effective only after first heavily pruning the tops and tilling near the roots then feeding the chips to the adjacent bamboo.)

Pre-existing Name Species ‘Uhaloa Waltheria indica Castor Bean Ricinus communis Catclaw Mimosa Mimosa aculeatricarpa Christmasberry Schnus terebinthifolius Glycine Glycine sp. Guava Psidium sp. Honohono Grass Commelina diffusa Ironwood Casuaraina equisitifolia Kikuyu Grass Pennisetum clandestinum Lantana Lantana sp. Oleander Nerium sp. Platycodon Platycodon grandiflorus Spiny Amaranth Amaranthus spinosus Vetch Vicia sp.

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Table 2: Pioneer Species

Pioneers Name Species A’ali’i Dodonaea viscosa Amaranth Amaranthus caudatus Aweoweo Chenopodium oahuense Cassava Manihot esculenta Chayote Sechium edule Cowpeas Vigna unguiculata Crotalaria Crotalaria sp. Hibiscus Hibiscus sp. Ilima Sida filax Kabocha Cucurbita maxima Kale Brassica oleracea Ko Saccharum sp. Ko'oloa 'ula Albutilon menziesii Koa'ia Acacia koaia Kolomona Senna gaudichaudii Lab Lab Lablab purpureus Lettuce Lactuca sativa Mao Gossypium tomentosum Mau Hau Hele Hibiscus brackenridgii Ohai Sesbenia tomentosa Pigeon Pea Cajanus cajan Pili grass Heteropogon sp. Poha Physalis peruviana Sudan grass Sorghum bicolor subsp. drummondii Taro Colocasia spp. uala Ipomoea batatas Yacon Smallanthus sonchifolius

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Table 3: Secondary Species Secondary Name Species

Akoko Chamaesyce sp. Alahe’e Psydrax odorata Halapepe Pleomele hawaiensis Hao Rauvolfia sandwicensis Ho’awa Pittosporum hawaiiense Holei Ochrosia haleakalae Iliahi Satalum panniculatum Kawa'u Zanthoxylum hawaiiense Kokia Kokia drynarioides Kopiko Psychotria spp. Loulu Prichardia spp. Maile Alyxia oliviformis Mamane Sophora chrysopylla Naio Myoporum sandwicense Ohe Mauka Tetraplesandra hawaiiensis Papala Pisonium sp. Ti Cordylines fruiticosa Uhiuhi Caesalpinea kawaiensis Williwilli Erythrina sandwicensis

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Table 4: List of Fruits and Climax Species Fruits Name Species

‘Ohelo Vaccinium calycinum Avocado Persea americana Banana Musa spp. Citrus Citrus spp. Coffee Coffea arabica Hala Pandanus tectorius Jabuticaba Myrciaria cauliflora Jack Fruit Artocarpus heterophyllus Naranjilla Solanum quitoense Ohia ai Syzygium malaccense Papaya Carica papaya Pineapple Ananas comosus Suriname Cherry Eugenia uniflora Tamarillo Solanum betaceum Ulu Artocarpus altilis

Climax Kauila Alphitonia ponderosa / Colubrina oppositifolia Koa Acacia Koa Lama Diosspyros sandwicensis Mehamehame Flueggea neowwraea Ohia Metrosidieros polymorpha Olopua Nestegis sandwicencis

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Images Image 1: Photo of Santalum panniculatum growing more than 50 feet tall on Mauna Kea Mountain, Hawaii Island. Photo by Mark Hanson.

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Image 2: Looking across the orchard site in 2008. A lot of kikuyu grass and some cages around the bamboo starts. We quickly abandoned this strategy. Photo by Sophia Bowart.

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Image 3: The same view as above photo taken in 2012. Now the bamboo are 20-40’ tall The site is becoming lusher and the grass is phasing out. Photo by Neil Logan.

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Image 4: Koa’ia is a pioneer of the secondary succession. Mountain apple is a large fruiter or tertiary species of secondary succession. Photo by Neil Logan.

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Image 5: Citrus, Papaya, Acerola Cherry, Jaboticaba, Manioc after one year. Photo by Neil Logan.

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Image 6: Citrus and Ulu with Manioc. Photos by Neil Logan.

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Image 7: Ohe Mauka Tetraplesandra hawaiiensis makes copious leaf litter and a tall form with straight trunk sometimes multi-stemmed. Photo by Neil Logan.

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Image 8: Experimental banana and palm row with secondaries and some pioneers. Photo by Neil Logan.

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Image 9: Kauila (Alphitonia ponderosa). Photo by Neil Logan.

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Image 10: “Food and Mulch”. Photos by Neil Logan.

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Image 11: After 2 years this 7 foot tall sandalwood presents a difficult decision a.k.a. “Executive Decision” (ie. choosing which stem to cut and which to leave). Photo by Neil Logan.

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Image 12: Plant Santalum up wind of your host, not down wind or the flagging caused by the wind to the host will be exaggerated in the sandalwood. Planting the other side will be supported by the host and propped up tall over time. Photo by Neil Logan.

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Image 13: Circular Koa Guild viewed from the opposite angles. Some things have been pruned to help open it up for photographic purposes. Photo by Neil Logan.

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Image 14: Mountain apple grows out of the banana clump in the foreground, Sandalwood rises up above the Mau Hau Hele with a Calliandra sp. overstory in this case. Photo by Neil Logan.

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Image 15: Concept drawing of secondary succession with some endemic species (Santalum not included). Photo by Neil Logan.