Silvicultural Implications Arising from a Simple Simulation Model for Endospermum medullosum in Vanuatu

International Forestry Review 14(4):452-462. 2012 
https://doi.org/10.1505/146554812804715874

Implications à dimensions sylviculturelles émanant d'un simple modèle de simulation pour l'Endospermum medullosum à Vanuatu
Implicaciones silvícolas resultantes de un modelo de simulación simple para Endospermum medullosum en Vanuatu

Author

J.C. Grant

, 

K. Glencross

, 

J.D. Nichols

, 

G. Palmer

, 

M. Sethy

 and 

J.K. Vanclay

[-] Author & Article Info

Author Affiliations

J.C. Grant

Forest Research Centre, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore NSW 2480, AustraliaEmail: john.grant@scu.edu.au

K. Glencross

Forest Research Centre, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia

J.D. Nichols

Forest Research Centre, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia

G. Palmer

Forest Research Centre, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia

M. Sethy

Department of Forests, Luganville, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu

J.K. Vanclay

Forest Research Centre, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore NSW

SUMMARY

Whitewood (Endospermum medullosum) is a tree species that shows promise for plantation timber production in Vanuatu, but few growth data are available to inform yield forecasts. Three simple relationships summarizing stand dynamics, namely height-age, diameter-height-stocking, and mortality-basal area relationships, were calibrated with data from 15 plots to form the basis of a model for silvicultural and management decisions. Despite the simplicity of the model, it offers predictions consistent with independent data. The model suggests that the optimal silviculture involves planting 635 stems/ha, thinning at 20 and 26 years, and clearfelling at age 36 when trees have a diameter of 55 cm dbh. However, many options offer a net present value within 5% of this nominal optimum. The flexibility to vary the timing and intensity of harvests over a wide range while maintaining good financial returns, coupled with good growth and timber properties, suggests that whitewood warrants further domestication and promotion in Vanuatu.

Le bois blanc (Endospermum medullosum) est une essence d'arbre prometteuse pour la production de bois de coupe en plantations àVanuatu, mais peu de données de croissance sont disponibles pour informer les prédictions de production. Trois relations simples, synthétisant la dynamique des plants: âge et hauteur, la relation diamètre/hauteur, et les relations entre la mortalité et la base, ont été calibrées avec des données provenant de 15 plants, pour former la base d'un modèle destiné à informer les décisions de sylviculture et de gestion. Malgré la simplicité du modèle, ce dernier offre des prédictions confirmées par des données indépendantes. Le modèle suggère qu'une sylviculture optimale comprendrait la plantation de 635 individus par ha, un élagage à 20 et 26 ans, et une coupe à 36 ans, quand les arbres auraient atteint un diamètre de 55 cm dbh. Toutefois, plusieurs options présentent une valeur actuelle nette dans une marge à 5% de cet optimum nominal. La flexibilité de varier le moment et l'intensité des récoltes sur une grande surface, tout en préservant des bénéfices financiers appréciables, ainsi qu'une croissance solide et des propriétés du bois maintenues,suggèrent que le bois blanc mérite une domestication et une promotion plus poussées à Vanuatu.

Madera blanca (Endospermum medullosum) es una especie arbórea prometedora en Vanuatu para la productión de madera en plantaciones, pero hasta la fecha son pocos los datos de crecimiento disponibles como para poder hacer pronósticos sobre el rendimiento. Se calibraron tres relaciones simples que resumen la dinámica de un rodal, como son las relaciones entre altura-edad, diámetro-altura-existencias, y mortalidad-área basal, por medio de datos de 15 parcelas, los cuales constituirían la base de un modelo de decisiones silviculturales y de gestión. A pesar de su simplicidad, el modelo ofrece predicciones compatibles con datos independientes. El modelo sugiere que la silvicultura óptima consiste en la plantatión de 635 árboles/ha, la realizatión de raleos a los 20 y 26 años, y una tala rasa a los 36 años, cuando los árboles han alcanzado un DAP de 55 cm. Sin embargo, son muchas las opciones que ofrecen un valor actual neto dentro del 5% de este óptimo nominal. Esta flexibilidad de poder variar el turno y la intensidad de las talas dentro de un amplio intervalo, manteniendo a la vez un excelente rendimiento financieres, junto con un aceptable crecimiento y unas buenas propiedades de la madera, sugiere que madera blanca merece ser domesticada y fomentada en Vanuatu.

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Cited by

R. Viranamangga, G. Palmer and K. Glencross. (2012) Plantation-Grown Whitewood Timber in Vanuatu: Challenges and Opportunities for Export and Domestic Use. International Forestry Review 14:4, 486-491.
Online publication date: 9-Jan-2013.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (201 KB) : Rights & Permissions 

J. Doran, D. Bush, T. Page, K. Glencross, M. Sethy and I. Viji. (2012) Variation in Growth Traits and Wood Density in Whitewood (Endospermum medullosum): a Major Timber Species in Vanuatu. International Forestry Review 14:4, 476-485.
Online publication date: 9-Jan-2013.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (144 KB) : Rights & Permissions 

A.G. Bartlett, J.D. Nichols and J.K. Vanclay. (2012) Editorial: Domesticating Native Tree Species for Development in Small Island Nations. International Forestry Review 14:4, 399-401.
Online publication date: 9-Jan-2013.

Citation : Full Text : PDF (51 KB) : Rights & Permissions 

J.C. Grant, T. Moffatt, M. Sethy, B. Grieve and K. Convery. (2012) Site Suitability and Land Availability for Endospermum medullosum Plantation on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. International Forestry Review 14:4, 424-432.
Online publication date: 9-Jan-2013.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (407 KB) : Rights & Permissions 

R.G.B. Smith, K. Glencross, J.D. Nichols, J.C. Grant and M. Sethy. (2012) A Review of Site-Preparation, Fertilizer and Weeding Practices for Tropical Plantation Species with Recommendations for Whitewood (Endospermum medullosum) in Vanuatu. International Forestry Review 14:4, 433-441.
Online publication date: 9-Jan-2013.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (105 KB) : Rights & Permissions 

R. Aru, J.D. Nichols, J.C. Grant, A.J. Leys, K. Glencross, M. Sethy, K. Convery and R. Viranamangga. (2012) Constraints to Whitewood (Endospermum medullosum) Plantation Development on Santo Island, Vanuatu. International Forestry Review 14:4, 414-423.
Online publication date: 9-Jan-2013.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (213 KB) : Rights & Permissions 

J.D. Nichols and J.K. Vanclay. (2012) Domestication of Native Tree Species for Timber Plantations: Key Insights for Tropical Island Nations. International Forestry Review 14:4, 402-413.
Online publication date: 9-Jan-2013.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (262 KB) : Rights & Permissions 

K. Glencross, J.D. Nichols, J.C. Grant, M. Sethy and R.G.B. Smith. (2012) Spacing Affects Stem form, early Growth and Branching in Young Whitewood (Endospermum medullosum) Plantations in Vanuatu. International Forestry Review 14:4, 442-451.
Online publication date: 9-Jan-2013.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (169 KB) : Rights & Permissions 

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