Estimation of litter fall and seed production of Acacia mangium in a forest plantation in South Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

Annual litter fall of Acacia mangium in the period of September 1995 to August 1996 was estimated at 5939 kg ha ÿ1 year ÿ1 and from September 1995 to August 1996 at 6048 kg ha ÿ1 year ÿ1, with the highest seasonal production in the dry season. The litter fall was dominated mainly by leaves, 4446 kg (75%) and 4137 kg (68%), respectively. Seed production in the litter fall was estimated at 42.4 kg ha ÿ1 year ÿ1 (4.1 million seeds ha ÿ1) and 39 kg ha ÿ1 year ÿ1 (3.8 million seeds ha ÿ1), with the highest in the dry season from June to October. The accumulated litter fall in the forest ¯oor together with shrubs and grass provide a high fuel load, increasing ®re risk. # 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Acacia mangium; Forest ®re; Litter fall; Plantation; Seed