The Writing was written by: Md. Raisul Islam Milu
Date:07-03-2010
Signature:
THE FUTURE
Although the above short overview presents an encouraging picture, the serious lack of data recording yields in successive rotations is a major great problem. It is not a new problem (Evans 1984), but at a time when all research budgets are being severely restricted maintenance of the essential long term records to answer the kinds of questions discussed in this paper will be increasingly difficult. This is none more so than in forestry research with rotations lasting from many years to many decades (Evans 1994). Managers responsible for permanent sample plots must ensure reestablishment in successive rotations and must be ensure that data are recorded and maintained for posterity.
A less strong case, but still one leading to growth enhancement, is judicious fertilizer application. Certainly in Swaziland the limited area of forest where yield decline did occur between first and second rotations is being corrected by application of phosphate on the essentially phosphate poor soils. Such targeting of inputs to site need will play a part in maintenance of productivity as with magnesium in Germany. Allied to this amelioration of soil nutrition is increasing recognition that harvesting practices should minimize physical damage to site and seek to conserve organic matter from one rotation to the next. Attention to weed control as part of good management must continue.
Overall, it is reasonable to conclude that the outlook is positive and that as a technology for producing timber efficiently, plantation forestry ought to be sustainable.
Date:07-03-2010
Signature:
THE FUTURE
Although the above short overview presents an encouraging picture, the serious lack of data recording yields in successive rotations is a major great problem. It is not a new problem (Evans 1984), but at a time when all research budgets are being severely restricted maintenance of the essential long term records to answer the kinds of questions discussed in this paper will be increasingly difficult. This is none more so than in forestry research with rotations lasting from many years to many decades (Evans 1994). Managers responsible for permanent sample plots must ensure reestablishment in successive rotations and must be ensure that data are recorded and maintained for posterity.
A less strong case, but still one leading to growth enhancement, is judicious fertilizer application. Certainly in Swaziland the limited area of forest where yield decline did occur between first and second rotations is being corrected by application of phosphate on the essentially phosphate poor soils. Such targeting of inputs to site need will play a part in maintenance of productivity as with magnesium in Germany. Allied to this amelioration of soil nutrition is increasing recognition that harvesting practices should minimize physical damage to site and seek to conserve organic matter from one rotation to the next. Attention to weed control as part of good management must continue.
Overall, it is reasonable to conclude that the outlook is positive and that as a technology for producing timber efficiently, plantation forestry ought to be sustainable.
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