AGUINALDO DEL NIÑO POBRE MES DE DICIEMBRE:

Species selection, morphological measurements, germination, nursery and field trials briefly described here are fully detailed in publications from the Forest

Restoration Research Unit of Chiang Mai University (Pakkad et al. 1999; Blakesley et al. 2002; Elliott et al. 2002; Elliott et al. 2003).

2.2.1. Early assessment and phenology data

Previous research on forest fragments within Doi Suthep-Pui National Park provided a list of approximately 500 tree and treelet (small trees up to about 10m tall)

species within the park (Maxwell & Elliott 2001) as the basis of further research. Lone trees and forest patches were observed for information on leaf, flowering and fruiting phenology, fruiting abundance and other tree characteristics not obvious from botanical texts and individual trees were identified as potential seed sources. 2.2.2. Germination trials

A number of fruit and seed measurements were made, including seed dry weight and fruit size and type. Data on the germination and early seedling characteristics of over 400 species were analysed to identify potentially successful framework species (Pakkad et al. 1999). Initial germination trials were performed in the

nursery, with no pre-treatment of seeds to attempt to break dormancy. Seeds were planted in trays and placed in two groups; one in full shade, and one in partial shade (approximately 40%). For each species, there were three replicate batches of 24 seeds in each light condition. Seeds were observed on a daily basis and

germination recorded when seedlings broke the soil surface. From these

germination records, a number of key measurements were extracted, reflecting the differing germination rates, dormancy periods and synchronicity of germination of species when in full shade and semi-shade conditions.

2.2.3. Nursery performance

Selected species from germination trials were grown on in the nursery to planting- out height. Seeds were initially germinated in trays. After pricking out, and two weeks of growth under cover, seedlings were placed outside, under black shade netting (approximately 50% of full sunlight) for 3–18 months, depending on the species until reaching planting out size (50–60 cm tall). Fertiliser was applied every three months and weeds, pests and diseases controlled as required for each species. Saplings ready for planting out were hardened off in full sunlight and dispatched in June of each year. Here, growth rate in the nursery was estimated from mean length of dormancy (MLD), time in the nursery and height measured two weeks after planting in the field.

2.2.4. Field performance

Experimental plots were established by FORRU in the north of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park in 1997(Elliott et al. 2002; Elliott et al. 2003). The experimental plots were in a degraded watershed 3-5 km above Ban Mae Sa Mai, between 1207 and 1310 metres elevation and had been cleared for agriculture 20 years previously (Elliott et al. 2003). Originally, the study site had been covered with evergreen hill forest. Although a few scattered trees did remain, the area was dominated by annual weeds; the nearest extensive patch of forest lying 2-3 Km away.

Tree seedlings were raised within the FORRU nursery for between one and two years and planted in mid-June each year to allow maximum time for establishment before the beginning of the dry season. Each plot consisted of three sites each. Within each plot, there were three treatment plots and one control plot. After planting, hand weeding and application of fertiliser were carried out at intervals of between 4-6 weeks throughout the wet season. Pre- and post-planting care is described fully in Elliott et al ((Elliott et al. 2002). Each seedling was individually tagged for later monitoring purposes.

Whilst a variety of fertilisation and weeding regimes were tested by FORRU (see section 1.1.6), only species planted in the “Framework” plots, and therefore treated with the same regimes during each year are included here to minimize extraneous effects. Framework plots were planted in June to allow maximum growth before the onset of the dry season. About three weeks before planting, the plots were sprayed with glyphosate at manufacturer recommended levels to kill weed roots and prevent immediate regrowth. Saplings were then planted randomly at a density of 3125 ha-1, with 29 or 30 species planted in each plot. One hundred grams of fertiliser (NPK 15–15–15, Rabbit Brand) was added to the bottom of each planting hole immediately prior to planting. Weeding was then carried with hand tools out three times during the rainy season at 4–6 week intervals. Immediately after weeding, further 100 g doses of fertiliser were applied to each tree. For full details of method see (Elliott et al. 2002)

Planted trees were monitored 2 weeks after planting, at the end of the first rainy season (November 5 months after planting), and at the end of the second rainy season (November, 17 months after planting). Measurements included height (distance from ground level to the highest meristem measured by tape measure or telescopic measuring pole); root collar diameter (measured using callipers with a vernier scale); canopy width (at widest point using a tape measure). For analysis purposes, survival and growth measures over individual seasons (e.g. S23; percentage survival over the second growing season were calculated.

2.2.5. Species selection

The species analysed here were those planted in the field between 1998 and 2001. Data from these plots were chosen because this project required comparisons of a full range of successful and unsuccessful framework species. In later years, as FORRU field trials have continued and successful species have been identified, fewer “bad” framework species have been planted, making performance in later plots less useful for comparison purposes. Whilst different species were planted in each year, many species were planted in more than one year, allowing direct comparison of performance in different plots (Table 2.1)

Table 2.1: Species of seedling planted in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 as part of a restoration project in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park in northern Thailand by the Forrest restoration research unit (FORRU). Species codes used by FORRU provided in brackets.

Planted in each year Planted in each year

Species 98 99 00 01 Species 98 99 00 01

Bischofia javanica (S004) ü ü Garcinia mckeaniana (S128) ü

Melia toosendan (S005) ü ü ü Michelia baillonii (S138) ü ü Manglietia garrettii (S007) ü ü Nyssa javanica (S146) ü ü ü ü Macaranga denticulata (S009) ü ü Callicarpa arborea (S156) ü

Diospyros glandulosa (S012) ü Heynea trijuga (S157) ü ü ü ü Sapindus rarak (S013) ü ü ü ü Machilus bombycina (S163) ü ü Balakata baccata (S015) ü ü Glochidion kerrii (S179) ü Hovenia dulcis (S018) ü ü ü ü Markhamia stipulata (S204) ü ü Rhus rhetsoides (S019) ü ü ü Cinnamomum caudatum

(S207) ü ü

Ficus benjamina (S029) ü ü ü Cinnamomum iners (S218) ü Acrocarpus fraxinifolius (S031) ü Horsfieldia thorelii (S236) ü ü Ficus subulata (S039) ü ü ü Phoebe lanceolata (S268) ü

Betula alnoides (S048) ü ü Castanopsis tribuloides (S269) ü Aphanamixis polystachya

(S060) ü

Castanopsis acuminatissima

(S270) ü ü ü

Quercus semiserrata (S062) ü ü ü ü Lithocarpus elegans (S280) ü ü

Spondias axillaris (S066) ü ü Ficus semicordata (S315) ü

Prunus cerasoides (S071) ü ü ü Erythrina subumbrans (S317) ü ü ü ü

Ficus altissima (S072) ü ü ü Eugenia albiflora (S325) ü ü

Gmelina arborea (S078) ü ü ü Castanopsis calathiformis

(S335) ü

Morus macroura (S081) ü Lithocarpus fenestratus (S337) ü

Eurya acuminata (S086) ü Ficus glaberrima (S361) ü ü ü

Pterocarpus macrocarpus

(S092) ü Ficus racemosa (S365) ü ü ü

Alseodaphne andersonii (S101) ü Ficus superba (S368) ü

Helicia nilagirica (S104) ü ü ü Ficus abellii (S370) ü

Sarcosperma arboreum (S105) ü ü Ficus heteropleura (S372) ü Horsfieldia amygdalina (S119) ü ü Phoebe cathia (S379) ü