Elevational patterns of species richness and density of rattan palms (Arecaceae: Calamoideae) in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

We studied species richness and density of rattan palms in 50 plots of 10 9 100 m 2 each between 250 m and 2420 m in eight sites in Lore Lindu National Park (LLNP), Central Sulawesi. Rattans were observed in all sample sites, representing three genera and 34 species. The elevational patterns for species richness and density were humped-shaped with maxima around 1000 m. Polynomial models of second order explained 59 and 32% of species richness and density with the factor elevation, respectively. A majority of rattan species (65%) overlapped between 1000 and 1100 m elevation, while a pronounced change in the rattan flora occurred above 1100 m. Commercially important rattan species (Calamus zollingeri, C. ornatus var. celebicus, Daemonorops macroptera) were not observed above 1250 m. The change of species assemblage was significantly related to elevation (56%), followed by geographical distance (47%) and precipitation (40%). Less than 10% of LLNP is lowland forests, much of which is threatened by agricultural intensification. In contrast, montane forests are well represented in the park and high elevation forests are not subject to agricultural conversion or intensive harvesting of rattan and other forest products.

Natural Regeneration Population of Batang Rattan (Calamus zollingeri Beccari) in Nupabomba Village, Production Forest Area, Central Sulawesi

“…, and mature (13 stems) ( Figure 4c) rattan ( Figure 4d). The number of individualsfor mature rattan species C.zollingeri (13 stems) stages study area was lower compared to the study on other sites in Dampelas Sojol Subdistrict Donggala Regency (Kunut et al 2014),the location within Taman Nasional Lore Lindu (LLNP), and outside of LLNP, C. zollingeri (645 individu) (Stiegel et al 2011) andcompared to the research results in Papalia Protected Forest, Konawe Selatan District, C.zollingeri found more than 40 stems (Uslinawaty et al 2014). In Dampelas Sojol Subdistrict, Donggala Regency, other rattan species was found, namely rotan cacing (C. melanoloma Martius), lambang (C. ornatus), tohiti (C. inops), and noko (C. koordersianus).…”

A Synopsis of Calamus (Arecaceae) in Sulawesi

“…A study of the palm flora in two plots in Lore Lindu National Park in Central Sulawesi conducted by Mogea (2002) reported 20 species of Calamus, 16 of which were unidentifiable. In a more detailed study, Stiegel et al (2011) found 33 species of Calamus in Lore Lindu National Park, 24 of which they were unable to identify. In another National Park in south-eastern Sulawesi, Powling (2009) recorded 19 species of Calamus, two of which he was unable to identify.…”

Morphology, Architecture and Growth of a Clonal Palm, Acoelorrhaphe wrightii

“…(Stiegel et al, 2011;Svenning et al, 2008). Multi-stemmed palms (clonal palms) are particularly important economically in local communities in the tropics where they are used for palm heart and rattan production (Balick 1990;.…”

“…Stiegel, S., Kessler, M., Getto, D., Thonhofer, J., & Siebert, S. F. (2011). Elevational patterns of species richness and density of rattan palms (Arecaceae: Calamoideae) in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.…”

“…Error bars represent ± 1 standard error but only the saturated soil water level had standard error large enough for error bars to be visible .. valuable commercial resources in the tropics and subtropics and being dominant species in tropical lowland forests. (Svenning et al, 2008;Stiegel et al, 2011). Coconuts, dates, and acaí are palm fruits enjoyed worldwide, and palm oil and rattan support million dollar industries that provide income to local communities in the tropics (Balick, 1990).…”