Differential Performance between Two Timber Species in Forest Logging Gaps and in Plantations in Central Africa

Abstract

To develop silvicultural guidelines for high-value timber species of Central African moist forests, we assessed the performance of the pioneer Milicia excelsa (iroko, Moraceae), and of the non-pioneer light demander Pericopsis elata (assamela, Fabaceae) in logging gaps and in plantations in highly degraded areas in south-eastern Cameroon. The survival and size of each seedling was regularly monitored in the silvicultural experiments. Differences in performance and allometry were tested between species in logging gaps and in plantations. The two species performance in logging gaps was significantly different from plantations and concurred with the expectations of the performance trade-off hypothesis but not with the expectations of species light requirements. The pioneer M. excelsa survived significantly better in logging gaps while the non-pioneer P. elata grew significantly faster in plantations. The high mortality and slow growth of M. excelsa in plantations is surprising OPEN ACCESSForests 2015, 6 381 for a pioneer species but could be explained by herbivory (attacks from a gall-making psyllid). Identifying high-value native timber species (i) with good performance in plantations such as P. elata is of importance to restore degraded areas; and (ii) with good performance in logging gaps such as M. excelsa is of importance to maintain timber resources and biodiversity in production forests.

Enrichment of Central African logged forests with high-value tree species: testing a new approach to regenerating degraded forests

“…Shade during the first 12-18 months minimizes the development of galls and associated dieback, but repeated attacks in open areas have frequently resulted in high mortality (Nichols et al 1999;Bosu et al 2006). Fayolle et al (2015) have recently recommended planting M. excelsa in logging gaps rather than in open areas. Similarly, Hypsipyla shoot borers often hamper plantation success for Meliaceae (Khaya spp.…”

Light Response of Seedlings of a Central African Timber Tree Species, Lophira alata (Ochnaceae), and the Definition of Light Requirements

“…, Fayolle et al . ). Matching species and provenances to restoration sites based on current and future site conditions is a crucial issue (Thomas et al .…”

Comparative study of M. oleifera and M. ovalifolia survival rates in Central Namibia

“…The total of 120 M. oleifera and 64 M. ovalifolia seedlings (both two-months old) were transplanted as demonstrated by Fayolle et al [32] in February 2014 on the field at spacing distances of 2.5 m × 2.5 m and 3 m × 3 m for M. oleifera as suggested by Fuglie et al and Radovich [8,31]. For M. ovalifolia spacing distances were 3 m × 3 m, 3.5 m × 3.5 m, 4 m × 4 m and 4.5 m × 4.5 m between rows and plants, respectively.…”