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.