0609-B1

Traditional Rattan Gardens in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

Yudi F. Arifin^[1] and R. Mitlöhner

Abstract

Rattan is an important non-timber forest product in Indonesia, and continuity of supply is needed for the processing industry. Indonesia has by far the longest history of rattan cultivation. Rattan gardens are considered as a possible way of rehabilitating unproductive secondary forest and could thus help to stabilize shifting cultivation areas. This research was conducted in upper Barito, Central Kalimantan, a rattan resource centre. Two types of rattan gardens are predominant: ‘rotan sega’-garden and ‘rotan-irit’-garden. ‘Rotan sega’-garden is restricted to ultisol soil and dominated by Calamus caesius, whereas ‘rotan irit’-garden is limited to alluvial soil, with dominance of Calamus trachycoleus. Some woody species in rattan gardens are used as supporting trees. ‘Rotan irit’-gardens have lack of rattan species and also woody species. Improvement of traditional management systems of rattan gardens is an important point for conservation of biodiversity and to improve socio-economic welfare in villages, because it generates additional income.

Introduction

Rattans are spiny climbing palms occurring in the Old World tropics and subtropics <6>. There are about 600 different rattan species arranged in 13 genera <15>.

Calamus is the largest rattan genus with between 370 - 400 species <6>. The remaining common genera, Daemonorops, Ceratolobus, Korthalsia, Plectocomia, Plectocomiopsis, Myrialepis, Calospatha, Pogonotium and Retispatha, are centred around South-East Asia and have outliers further eastwards and northwards.

Rattan is an important, non-timber forest product in Indonesia, and continuity of supply is needed for the processing industry. In Indonesia, rattan is used for making furniture, handicraft, mat. It can also improve socio-economic welfare in the villages, because it is often an important part of income. Rattan resources in the Indonesian forest are estimated to be about 9.4 million hectares, with a potential annual production capacity of approximately 573,000 tons <4>. In fact, the annual average production level is around 120,000 tons/year <4>. Rattan could also be considered as a possible way of rehabilitating unproductive secondary forest and could thus help to stabilize shifting cultivation areas <16>.

Rattan in Indonesia is produced not only from forest, but also from rattan gardens. Indonesia has by far the longest history of rattan cultivation <5>. In Kalimantan, the first rattan gardens were established in the areas around Barito, Kapuas and Kahayan. But only two species valuable commercial species, ´rotan sega´(Calamus caesius) and ´rotan irit´ (Calamus trachycoleus) were cultivated <11>.

The objective of this paper is to answer the following questions:

1. How are the structures of different rattan gardens?
2. How are these rattan gardens traditionally managed and recently?

I. Material and Method

1. Selection of the research plots

The investigations were carried out in upper Barito, Central Kalimantan. With focus on rattan gardens following different traditional systems (temporary rattan garden, permanent rattan garden and ´rotan irit´-garden). The research area is a production center of Central Kalimantan.

The traditional rattan gardens in Central Kalimantan can be divided into two types, namely: ´rotan irit´ garden and ´rotan sega´ garden <1>. The ´rotan irit´ garden is dominated by Calamus trachycoleus located on alluvial soils, whereas ´rotan sega´ garden is dominated by Calamus caesius on ultisol soils. ´Rotan sega´ garden can be divided into two sub-types: a) temporary rattan garden and b) permanent rattan garden. The temporary rattan garden is only temporary under rattan cultivation, after 10 - 15 years that area is used for field crops (´ladang´) again. In the permanent rattan garden, rattan is planted without time limit. This garden type is normally distant from the river and the age of permanent rattan gardens is frequently about 30 years.

2. Sampling design

In each type of the rattan garden and neighboring primary forest 25 plots were sampled systematically. The size of one plot was 20 m x 20 m (400 m²), but except in ´rotan irit´-garden, the shape of one plot was 40 m x 10 m (400 m²), because the width of this rattan garden was approximately only 15 m following the riverbank.

3. Dimension parameters of rattan and tree

Rattan species > 5 m shoot/sprout (some authors name shoots "stems") length from the root collars to the ultimate leaf were determined and measured. The number of stem within a group and the number of groups per hectare were counted of each rattan species.

All tree species ³ 10 cm dbh (diameter at breast height) were determined and measured (diameter and height).

4. Interviews

Interviews were made with village leader and rattan farmers, to obtain information about land-use system, traditional management systems of rattan garden and historical rattan gardens.

5. Data analysis

The data were subjected to diversity index by Margalef’s diversity index <3> D_Mg = (S-1)/ln N. Homogenity index by Berger-Parker index <2>, d = N/Nmax, where S = number of species, N = total number of individuals recorded and Nmax = the number of individuals in the most abundant species. For the comparison of rattan species among rattan gardens and primary forest the similarity index by Sörensen <14> (C_s = 2j/(a + b), where j = the number of species found in both sites and a = the number of species in site A with b = the number of species in site B) was used.

II. Result and Discussion

1. Structure of rattans and stands in rattan gardens

1.1 Structure of rattans in rattan gardens (rattan compartment)

The species richness provides an useful measure of diversity <9>, whereas the number of species may be related to be specified number of individuals or to biomass <7>. Table 1 shows diversity of rattan species in three structures of rattan garden types and in primary forest.

Table 1. Divesity indices of rattan species in rattan gardens and primary forest (shoots length > 5 m) in Muara Tupuh village, Central Kalimantan Indonesia, plot size 1 ha.

The Diversity index of permanent rattan garden and temporary rattan garden is relative similar. Permanent rattan garden is more homogeneous than that of temporary rattan garden caused by the high domination of Calamus caesius.

The similarity of rattan species between permanent rattan garden and temporary rattan garden is the highest (70 %). The similarity of rattan species between primary forest and permanent rattan garden is adequate similar with that between primary forest and temporary rattan garden (47.6 %).

1.2. The structure of stand in rattan gardens (tree compartment)

1.2.1 Tree species in rattan gardens

The Primary forest is dominated by the genus Shorea and the species Lophopetalum cf. javanicum. The topmost emergent layer in Borneo is composed of dipterocarpaceae and leguminaceae <8>. Actually rattan gardens are dominated by fast growing pioneer species, mainly Euphorbiaceae.

Figure 2. Structure sketch of rattan gardens in upper Barito, Central Kalimantan.

The Primary forest has higher tree species diversity (71 species) than rattan gardens, but except the "rotan irit"-garden. Normally tree species from Euphorbiaceae can be used by rattan for climbing trees. Euphorbiaceae is the second major family in Bornean forest, sometimes commoner than dipterocarps <12>. More species are adapted to line within the main canopy than reach the emergent layer <17>.

The species richness is a useful measure of diversity <9>, whereas the number of species may be related to specified number of individuals or to biomass <7>. Table 2 shows the tree species diversity in the rattan garden types and in primary forest.

Table 2. Diversity of tree species in primary forest and rattan gardens, sample record: 1 ha.

The diversity index in primary forest is higher than that in rattan gardens. According to <13>, the number of species at the tree and pole stages increased with the age of the forest stand. The diversity index in permanent rattan garden (30-years-old) higher than in temporary rattan garden (15-years-old). ´Rotan irit´-garden has a lowest diversity of stand compared to the other rattan gardens.

2. Traditional rattan gardens in Central Kalimantan

2.1 The land-use system

Most of the inhabitants in upper Barito are Dayak people, who earn their livelihood from shifting cultivation. Every year, a new area of forest is cleared for culivation, because the soil fertility decreases after one year of agricultural activities.

Figure 2. Land-use systems on ultisol soil in Central Kalimantan

The "slash and burn" activities are organized in a form of cooperation and continue yearly. The annual cultivated area is about one to two hectars per family. Burning is carried out after drying up of woody vegetation about one month after girdling. At the beginning of following rainy season (August/September) the young rice plants are set and after five months the rice harvest takes place (January/February).

Calamus caesius is the only cultivated rattan species for "dry" conditions in the lowland within the temporary as well as the permanent rattan gardens. It is planted after rice harvest or after the first year of rice cultivation before the area is left fallow. Under these conditions rattan plants are coexisting with fast-establishing pioneer trees and shrubs.

Figure 3. Land-use systems on alluvial soils in Central Kalimantan

Calamus trachycoleus is exclusively cultivated in the wetter parts of the lowland, along river banks. These areas have never been used for agriculture because of frequent inundations (May/June). Each farmer can manage between 1 - 3 ha.

2.2. Traditional management system of rattan gardens of Central Kalimantan

Permanent rattan garden is the area where the farmers cultivate only Calamus caesius. Planting of Calamus caesius, a cluster-forming rattan species is carried out by local people after the first year of rice harvest.

Table 3. The traditional management system of rattan in permanent rattan garden

Note: Et ist the time of shifting cultivation
*) If buyer exist

Cultivation of rattan starts with the land clearing eleminating shrubs and grasses, such as Melastoma malabathica, Trema orientalis and Blumea sp.. Pioneer tree species such as Vitex pubescens, Eugenia sp., Macaranga sp. grow with rattan plants.

Rattan cultivation is practised in two ways: a) direct sowing and b) planting of seedlings (wildlings). The mature seeds as well as are collected in rattan gardens.

The maintenance of rattans species in permanent rattan garden is very important in order to increase their growth. This maintenance is concentrated on the commercial species Calamus caesius. Girdling of big trees to improve the light conditions for rattans and the ground-clearing of competitive plants are the most important activities.

The first harvest usually commences after 7 - 10 years after planting, when the mature sprouts have reached a length of 10 - 20 metres. But, generally, the quality and quantity output is higher after 12 years when the sprouts has grown to a length of three, four or five "tatak" (1 tatak = 6 m). After 12 years, the quality of canes usually declines, because their luster decreases. Harvesting is usually carried out during the dryer months from April to October, when the rattan gardens are not flooded.

Tabel 4. Traditional management system of temporary rattan gartens in Central Kalimantan

Note: Et ist the time of shifting cultivation
*) If buyer exist

The management system of permanent rattan garden and temporary rattan garden is similar. The main difference is the period of rattan stocking, in temporary rattan gardens only 10 - 15 years, and the location of this rattan garden near river sites. The farmer cultivate exclusively the rattan species Calamus caesius after the first year of rice harvest. But at river near garden edges, rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) are planted.

The resources of Calamus caesius with sprout length >5 m in temporary rattan gardens are lower than in permanent rattan gardens. In average it contains 28 clumps/ha and about 228 sprouts/ha. The resources of rattan gardens in upper Barito are not in optimum, because the maintenance is not intensive, without sufficient maintenance so the growth of rattan is suppressed <1> and the rattan production is also low. The clumps of Calamus caesius require a regular thinning, to encourage the development of new sprouts and to increase the growth of residual individuals <10>. The maintenance of rattan gardens in upper Barito is neglected actually, because of the decline of market prices for rattan <1>.

Temporary rattan gardens are dominated by pioneer tree species, such as Vitex pubescens, Macaranga sp., Artocarpus anisophyllus, Artocarpus integer. Most of them can be used as supporting trees, except Macaranga sp.. Vitex pubescens is the best supporting trees, because it grows fast, has strong stems and low crowns.

Table 5. Traditional management system of rattan in ´rotan irit´-gardens of Central Kalimantan

Note: Et ist the time of shifting cultivation
*) If buyer exist

Calamus trachycoleus develops diffuse open clusters, whereas Calamus caesius has dense clumps which sprout out of ground stolons. Due to growth habits of Calamus trachycoleus intraspecific competition is obvious. Therefor, the clumps of Calamus caesius require a regular thinning, to encourage the development of new sprouts and to increase the growth of residual individuals <11>.

The juvenile individuals of Calamus trachycoleus especially need a through clearing of the canopy and undergrowth. After establishment Calamus trachycoleus does not require any futher attention.

Resources of Calamus trachycoleus and Calamus caesius in ´rotan irit´-gardens can reach 5601 sprouts/ha and 259 sprouts/ha, respectively. The first harvest is the same with Calamus caesius, usually commences 7 - 10 year after planting, when the mature stems have reached a length of 10 - 20 metres. Some tree species in ´rotan irit´-gardens can be used as supporting trees, such as Mallotus muticus, Syzygium sp., Diospyros sp. Here a relative low number of tree species is found but Mallotus muticus is very dominant.

III. Conclusion

Rattan gardens are obviously an alternative for rehabilitating land after shifting cultivation and a source of income for the local people.

The traditional management systems of rattan gardens should be improved, especially the intensity of maintenance and line spacing of rattan planting, so the production of rattan is exspected to increase.

Today’s non-commercial rattan species also need more attention, because most of them have good sprout/stem quality and can possibly be used in the future.

References

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