ISHS Acta Horticulturae 615: IV International Conifer Conference
PLANTATION CONIFERS IN THE TROPICS |
| Author: | J. Evans |
| Keywords: | afforestation, Araucaria, Cunninghamia, Cupressus, Pinus, sustainability |
| Abstract:
More than two-fifths (43%) of plantations in the tropics are of coniferous species and amount to at least 25 million hectares – an area equal to the combined total of rubber, coconut and oil palm plantations. Only four conifer genera feature significantly in tropical plantations: Araucaria, Cunninghamia, Cupressus and Pinus. The pines dominate tropical conifer plantations and within this genus two species are more important than all others: Pinus caribaea in the lowland humid tropics, and P. patula in the cooler highland tropics and subtropics. The main exception is in the sub-tropics of China, where cold winters are a feature, and where millions of hectares of Cunninghamia lanceolata plantations have been established. Narrow-sense sustainability of tropical conifer plantations is not in doubt, but examples are cited where pests and diseases have curtailed use of certain exotics. Genetic improvement features strongly in tropical conifer plantation programmes. There is the possibility that substantial new areas of plantation will develop as part of carbon offsets initiatives. | |
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