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Feasibility assessments of four plantation timber species
By Admin | January 7, 2009
The rapid expansion of the human population has resulted in a tremendous increase in the demand for timber in turn posing a serious threat to natural forest ecosystems. Forest plantations were established primarily to provide an alternative source of timber hence mitigating impacts on natural forests. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of four plantation timber species namely teak, mahogany and two species of eucalyptus that are grown in Sri Lanka. These species are in high demand both in local and export markets. Due to an increasing focus on the depletion of biodiversity the role of forest plantations in facilitating the protection of biota are also investigated.
Three plantation plots of 0.5 ha each of the four timber species, at a harvestable age, were selected in the Kurunegala and Nuwara-Eliya districts. The wood volume produced in each plot was calculated using the dbh and heights of the individual trees. The income generated was calculated using past timber prices and wood volumes produced in each plot. The expenditure incurred in establishment and maintenance was also calculated per plantation for each of the four species taking into consideration the increase in costs of labour and raw materials at times at which different activities occurred in the future.
The mean dbh values (cm) of the four timber species at harvestable ages were teak 35.9, mahogany 44.3, E. microcorys 47.2 and E. grandis 44.3, whilst the mean height values (m) were teak 18.6, mahogany 32.2, E. microcorys 32.9 and E. grandis 32.7. Analyses revealed that the future values of a 1m3 of timber at their respective harvestable ages would be Rs.260000 for teak in 30 yrs, Rs. 160000 for mahogany in 40 yrs, Rs. 112000 for E. microcorys and Rs.75000 for E. grandis in 25 yrs. Based on these values, sawn wood and wood from thinning operations during the growing phase would fetch an income with a Net Present Value of Rs. 1216586 for teak, Rs. 689501 for mahogany, and Rs. 492388 and Rs. 232491 for E. microcorys and E. grandis respectively. The Net Present Value of establishment and maintenance costs were Rs. 201524 for teak Rs. 204373 for mahogany, and Rs. 137709 and Rs. 133676 for E. microcorys and E. grandis. These findings reveal that teak plantations are highly profitable whilst E. grandis appeared to be the least profitable.
With regard to their favourability for biota, teak and mahogany plantations were seen to support a rich assemblage of both flora and fauna. For instance, teak plantations harboured 44 % of plant and 70 % of bird species occurring in natural forests of the same area. Eucalyptus plantations on the other hand were not conducive to faunal species.
The analyses of income, expenditure and profits provided in this study will be useful for entrepreneurs to make assessments regarding the feasibility of forest plantations. The findings reveal that investing in teak plantations and mahogany plantations may generate high profits. Eucalyptus plantations may not be a profitable venture and hence it would be prudent to put the land to some other use. In addition to monetary gains, this study also highlights the role of forest plantations as refuges to both flora and fauna. With increasing threats to the countrys biological diversity, the value of such habitats should not be overlooked.
Vindya Janani de Silva and Mayuri R. Wijesinghe
Department of Zoology, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Topics: Forest Management, Resource Management, symposium2008 | 5 Comments »
June 29th, 2009 at 8:47 am
I want know something about role of forestry.plz send some article about that.
November 9th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
I’m honestly interested with a Mahogany plantation. Could you kindly send me details as possible as much, hence I like to study .The plantation would be about 10Ac in Galle district.
Your kind advices deeply appreciated
Regards
December 5th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Looking at forest plantation of about 100/200 acr of teak. In order to do a feasiblity i would greatly aoppreciate if you could send me details of cost involved in this project such as clearing cost, annual maintenance, etc.
Thanks
Zafir
July 26th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
I realy interested in this erea and i have an idea to plant teak or mahogany. therefore pls send me the information (how we start, maintanance and cost involve with and life cycle of the trees) regarding above plant.
Bandara
July 26th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Please contact Dr Mayuri, author of this paper. mayuri at zoology.cmb.ac.lk