Tuiwawa, Senilolia H. and Keppel, Gunnar (2012) Species diversity, composition and the regeneration potential of native plants at the Wainiveiota mahogany plantation, Viti Levu, Fiji Islands. The South Pacific Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 30 . pp. 51-57. ISSN 1838-837X
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Abstract
Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) plantations cover a considerable area on the south-eastern parts of Viti Levu, Fiji. The understorey of these plantations often comprise a diverse, but undocumented, assemblage of native plant species. This study investigates the diversity, composition and regeneration potential of native plant species in the Wainiveiota mahogany plantation 40-50 years after establishment. Ten 10 m x 10 m plots were alternately placed at 10 m intervals perpendicular to a 200 m line transect. A total of 491 individual plants with dbh ≥ 1 cm, comprising 69 species, 51 genera and 34 families, were sampled. In addition to the exotic mahogany, there were 68 native (39 endemic, 24 indigenous and 5 identified to genus only) species recorded. Girronniera celtidifolia Gaud., Dillenia biflora (A.Gray) Martelli ex Dur. & Jacks and Barringtonia edulis Seem. had the highest recruitment and Endospermum macrophyllum (Muell.Arg.) Pax & Hoffm. was the dominant native species. Syzygium Gaertn. (Myrtaceae) was the most diverse genus and Myrtaceae the most diverse
family. With 98% of the sapling recruitment consisting of native species, there is potential for re-establishment
of a lowland rainforest dominated by native species over time.
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | S Agriculture > SB Plant culture |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > Institute of Applied Science |
| Depositing User: | Generic Account |
| Date Deposited: | 27 May 2014 04:23 |
| Last Modified: | 19 Jan 2017 01:01 |
| URI: | https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/7409 |
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