STAND DYNAMICS OF Dipterocarpus zeylanicus Thw. PLANTATION AT KlRIGALA, INGIRIYA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31357/fesympo.v0i0.1245Abstract
Dipterocarpus zeylanicus is an endemic tree found in lowland rain forests inSri Lanka. D. zeylanicus plantations have been established in several districtsin Sri Lanka by the Forest Department. The Hora plantation in Kirigala,Ingiriya, and the present study site was established in 1940 by the ForestDepartment. This study aims to investigate the stand dynamics of D.zeylanicus and its regeneration trends.
The 31 main plots of 10m x 10m, subplots of 5m x 5m and 2m x 2m thatwere used in 1998 to record the trees, saplings & seedlings numbers and thestand parameters were used in this study as well in 2003.
The results show 515 trees, 789 saplings and 551 seedlings. It is less than thatwhat was recorded in 1998, except the number of trees has increased byapproximately seven percent. The mean height, diameter at breast height andbasal area of D. zeylanicus within the study site were 22 m, 31.4 em and0.0103m2 respectively. A significant increase in height of D. zeylanicus treesand a reduction in seedlings were observed. Ochlandra stridiula is graduallyinvading the plantation and affecting the stand dynamics of the D. zeylanicus.
