No abstract

The development of molecular markers unambiguously distinguishing groups at different taxonomic levels has numerous forensic applications. The identification of tropical timber is of particular interest in this context. We describe the development of SCAR (Sequence Characterized Amplified Region) markers for forensic applications taking the example of two closely related species of the tropical tree family Shorea (Dipterocarpaceae). Two AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) fragments have been described earlier showing strong differentiation between S. leprosula and S. parvifolia. The AFLP markers were isolated from a gel, re-amplified, cloned and sequenced. Primer sets were designed from these sequences and AFLP fragments were converted into SCAR markers. The SCAR markers and PCR-RFLP markers of the chloroplast region trnLF digested with Hinf I were used to screen in total 557 samples of S. parvifolia and S. leprosula from nineteen widely separated populations in Indonesia. Complete genetic differentiation between species was observed based on the putatively nuclear SCAR marker and the PCR-RFLP of the cpDNA region. We found a good agreement between leaf morphological variation and species identification based on both marker types and no indication for interspecific hybridization.

Agroforestry is a win–win solution in terms of restoring forest function while benefiting the local community. This research aimed to (1) understand the regulations concerning protected area management and the restoration strategies adopted based on the history of forest degradation in the area, (2) investigate the factors driving local people to adopt agroforestry systems in the area, and (3) investigate the characteristics of the agroforestry system developed and its impacts based on farmers’ perceptions. This research was performed in Wan Abdul Rachman Grand Forest Park, Lampung Province, Indonesia, and involved interviewing 59 respondents who managed 63 agroforestry plots in the area. Several schemes had been implemented to restore the degraded forest without involving the community, and the results were unsatisfactory. Changing the regulations concerning managing conservation forests to involve the community and providing legal permits and support from the management improved forest function due to community willingness to implement the agroforestry system. About 81% of observed plots consisted of 5–12 plant species, and 16% of plots consisted of 13–16 species per plot. Theobroma cacao was the most common species in the agroforestry plots, followed by Durio zibethinus, Parkia speciosa, and Aleurites moluccana. The size of the agroforestry plot affected the number of species in the plot. The community perception demonstrated that agroforestry has positive impacts on livelihood, the environment, and biodiversity at the landscape level.

Sengon (Falcataria moluccana), a fast-growing timber tree that naturally grows on mineral soils, is currently promoted in peatlands. This study aimed to (1) experimentally test the response of sengon seedlings in waterlogged conditions in the nursery; (2) describe and analyze the biophysical condition of a sengon plantation and its growth; (3) describe sengon farm practices on peatlands; and (4) identify key actor’s perception on planting sengon on peatlands. This study combined an experiment in nursery, field measurements, and key-informant interviews. The nursery experiment showed that peat soil affected seedling’s growth: survival rates decreased by 25–33% after 3 months of inundation. Sengon growth at age 1–5-years-old in peat soil was slower than that on mineral soils. Sengon growth in peatland was influenced by peat depth and peat maturity. Sengon plantation in Central Kalimantan was driven by market availability and industrial wood demand. Fourty-three percent of respondents thought sengon does not grow well in peat soils, but 57% of respondents thought that additional soil treatment will enhance site suitability. Based on key-informants’ experience, 64% disagree with sengon development in peatlands. Our study provides evidence that sengon is predominantly not suitable to be planted on peatlands. Therefore, cautions need to be taken when planting sengon on peatland areas.

The role of plantation forests will become more important in the future, along with the increasing demand for wood. However, pest infestation problems may represent significant obstacles to the development of sustainable forest plantations. Bagworms are one of the most important pests in Indonesian plantation forests. Outbreaks of bagworms have occurred in different tree species for wood or non-wood resources. This paper presents the first review of bagworms in Indonesian plantation forests. This review presents the diversity of bagworms, their pest status, and the factors affecting the outbreaks. More than 70 bagworm species were recorded in Indonesia, which is higher than the species richness recorded in neighboring countries. The subfamily Oiketicinae has the highest number of species, followed by Typhoniinae and Taleporiinae. The highest bagworm richness has been recorded in Western Indonesia, except for Papua, where many new species have recently been described. More than 10 species of bagworms have been reported as pests in Indonesian forest trees. Pteroma plagiophleps is currently considered the most important pest in the forestry sector because of the wide range of forest trees used as hosts. Bagworm outbreaks have been reported in forest trees since 1924. The first outbreak occurred only in pines in Sumatra. Currently, outbreaks occur in more host plants and on other islands. Bagworm outbreaks are influenced by multiple factors, such as the biology of the bagworms, their host plants and natural enemies, climate, and silvicultural practices.

In order to facilitate hydrological restoration, initiatives have been conducted to promote tree growth in degraded and rewetted peatlands in Indonesia. For these initiatives to be successful, tree seedlings need to be able to survive flooding episodes, with or without shade. We investigated the survival rates and the formation of adventitious roots in the case of four tree species exposed to combinations of different shading and water levels under controlled conditions in a nursery, with artificial rainwater and with peat soil as the medium. The research focused on the following questions (i) whether trees can grow on flooded peat soils; and (ii) which plant traits allow plants to cope with inundation, with or without shade. The four tree species compared (Shorea balangeran, Cratoxylum arborescens, Nephelium lappaceum and Durio zibethinus) include two natural pioneer and two farmer-preferred fruit trees. The experiment used a split-split plot design with 48 treatment combinations and at least 13 tree-level replicates. The study found that S. balangeran and C. arborescens had relatively high survival rates and tolerated saturated condition for 13 weeks, while N. lappaceum and D. zibethinus required non-saturated peat conditions. S. balangeran and C. arborescens developed adventitious roots to adapt to the inundated conditions. D. zibethinus, S. balangeran and N. lappaceum grew best under moderate (30%) shading levels, while C. arborescent grew best in full sunlight.

Hypsipyla shoot borer (Hypsipyla robusta (Moore)) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is the main pest of mahogany plants. This pest attacks the apical shoots and inhibits the growth of mahogany. This study observed the biology, damage, and attack patterns of Hypsipyla shoot borer attack on mahogany plants. The study was conducted for 1 yr by periodically monitoring per 2 mo of 3 blocks of mahogany plantation in KHDTK Haurbentes, Jawa Barat. Data collected included 1) observation of symptoms, signs, presence of pests, effects of attacks, and 2) number of attacks. The symptom of the shoot borer was the presence of a hole filled with powder from the secretion of pests; the sign of an attack was the appearance of shoot borer larvae in the stem hole of the shoot area; while the effects of attacks were the death of the shoot and the emergence of multishoots. Observation showed that shoot borer attacks were not influenced by the weather, with the highest attack occurred in March 2017. Various levels of instars could be found at one time, indicating that insect growth in the field was not uniform. One cycle takes 5 to 8 wk. The highest rate of repeated attacks founded was 7 times/tree/yr, the average attack occurred 2-4 times/tree/yr.

Abstract:The development of sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers derived from amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) is described for Shorea leprosula. An AFLP fragment that showed nearly complete differentiation between Borneo and Sumatra was gel-extracted, sequenced, and converted into a SCAR marker using the inverse polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that originally caused the AFLP was found in the MseI restriction site. Differentiation between islands was detected either as size variation of the codominant SCAR marker or after digestion of the PCR products with the restriction enzyme MseI (PCR-RFLP). Size variation was due to insertions/deletions found within the sequenced region that flanked the original AFLP fragment. After genotyping 151 samples of S. leprosula from 14 populations in Sumatra and Borneo, all but one sample from Sumatra were homozygous for one size variant (427 bp), while S. leprosula populations from Borneo showed different genotypes than Sumatra populations and variation not only among populations but also within populations. Complete differentiation and fixation on alternative variants was found for the geographic regions of Sumatra and Borneo by the PCR-RFLP method. The SCAR marker did not amplify in Shorea parvifolia and thus can also be used to distinguish between S. leprosula and S. parvifolia. The marker was successfully amplified from wood DNA extracts suggesting its applicability to track the geographic origin of timber.