Forest plantation growing conditions over broad condition of geographical area and vary considerably because of variations in both climate and soil type. Environmental factors such as climate change impacts on drought, excess water, competition for light, insects and diseases, animals, and limited nutrition often make regenerating of the next plantation a challenge. This means that next plantation needs to be more intensively managed by means of harvesting method of this rotation and the management utilizing many of the silvicultual practices. Initially, the proper selection of a suitable regeneration system and development of an accompanying regeneration plan are critical to long-term success and productivity on these sites.
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
Recognize the regeneration and its importance.
Illustrate the objectives of plantation regeneration.
Identify and explain the environmental factors contributing to the plantation regeneration.
Identify and summarize the importance of silvicultural systems for plantation regeneration.
Exibit the positive attitude towards the sustainable plantation regeneration.
Readings
Required Readings
Evans, J., & Turnbull, J. W. (1992). Plantation Forestry in the Tropics: The Role, Silviculture, and Use of Planted Forests for Industrial, Social, Environmental, and Agroforestry Purposes. OUP Oxford.
The last important activity of the mature plantation reached rotation age is the regeneration for the next plantation, sustainably. The next plantation can start using artificial planting or natural regeneration by coppicing or natural seedlings regeneration. The prime aim of the harvesting operation is not only the timber but also minimize the impacts on the site. Concept of large-scale plantation is maximized benefit by using machineries. In contrast, a small-scale plantation can be more easily operated with small machineries and the least impact on the site and vegetation within the plantation. The harvesting techniques or felling systems are the main consideration to be decided with the awareness of social, economic and environmental factors.
Now take a little time to complete an online self-check quiz after finishing required readings and viewing each lecture for this topic. The main purpose of the quiz is for you to self check how well you grasp the fundamental concepts covered in the required readings and lectures for this topic. You will have 5 mins to complete the quiz. You can attempt as many times as you like until you get the full mark.
When you are ready, click the link Self-check Quiz 3.3 or go to left menu > Quizzes > Self-check Quiz 3.3 to start taking the quiz.
We will start our third group discussion this week, Online Group Discussion 3: Main selection criteria of improved variety. Several aspects should be considered when conduct a discussion about seed and seedling production. It is better to follow a logical order as the following:
Discuss concepts of plantation regeneration etc.
Summarize the importance of silvicultural systems for plantation regeneration
Since it is a group discussion, the role of group leader is very important. The group leader has the duty to monitor and organize the discussions. You can follow the logical order provided on the up paragraph and encourage the group members to actively participate the discussion. After complete the discussion, you should make a summary and show it to your group members. You may need to revise it if they make some suggestions. Then you can submit it.
Please be reminded that Online Group Discussion 3 Summary is Due at 23:59pm on Day 5 of this week (PST).
About how to organize or participate in the group discussion and the grading, please refer to the detailed descriptions of Assignment Overview and Online Group Discussions.
The last important activity of the mature plantation reached rotation age is the regeneration for the next plantation, sustainably. The next plantation can start using artificial planting or natural regeneration by coppicing or natural seedlings regeneration. The prime aim of the harvesting operation is not only the timber but also minimize the impacts on the site. Concept of large scale plantation is maximized benefit by using machineries. In contrast, a small scale plantation can be more easily operated with small machineries and the least impact on the site and vegetation within the plantation. The harvesting techniques or felling systems are the main consideration to be decided with the awareness of social, economic and environmental factors. For sustainable timber production, a new plantation is established by replanting the site after harvesting, with the same species or a new species after analysis of the previous production and the present characteristics of the site. In some particular species, the capacity of many tree species to coppice vigorously after harvest can assist in minimizing the cost of regeneration. Therefore, coppicing system is recommended for the regeneration. In addition, the direct seed sowing, planted individual seedling, intercropping, or agroforestry system and enrichment planting are the applicable methods based on the next plantations’ purposes. Natural regeneration also has its advantages and could be applicable in some areas depending on the characteristics of the forest and immediate socio-economic environment.
Self Review (For self learning)
Please use the self-reflection questions below as a study guide to conduct self-review for the topic:
What are factors contribute to sustainable of the forest plantation?
How could you plan for the next plantation in the term of lowest cost of investment?
Could you differentiate the purpose of coppicing system and shelter wood system?
FODE007
Requirements Changed
Topic 3.2: Plantation Establishment and Management Module III Summary