UNDERSTANDING THE GROWTH STRATEGIES OF TROPICAL PEAT SWAMP FOREST TREE SPECIES: ESTABLISHING POTENTIAL RESTORATION TOOLS

In October 2005 the Sabangau Seedling Nursery (SSN) was established at the Natural Laboratory of Peat Swamp Forest, Central Kalimantan. The SSN was designed to house the Seedling Growth-Strategy experiment; to increase understanding of physiological and morphological growth characteristics of tropical peat swamp forest (TPSF) tree species. Seeds were collected from the forest and cultivated in the SSN, which recreates natural forest conditions. Seed size and weight, germination rates, optimum germination media, relative growth rates, net assimilation rate, leaf area ratio and root-to-shoot partitioning have been established for over 32 native tree species during the first 18 months of study. This paper outlines the methods under which this study has been conducted, gives an example of some of the data acquired and discusses the applications of such a study. Crucially, the data from this study highlights tree species which potentially have the necessary characteristics to become a restorative tool as seedling transplants in degraded areas