Enhancing green open spaces while conserving local genetic resources: Evaluating growth performance of five native tree species

Abstract

Abstract Enhancing green open spaces in cities and their buffer areas has gained increasing recognition. While creating a more sustainable, liveable, and comfortable environment, green spaces could also provide an effort for plant domestication and conservation. We consider the potential urban greening and conservation action by planting five tree species consisting of one highly valuable and slow-growing species Eusideroxylon zwageri trees from four different origins and four fast-growing species of Duabanga moluccana, Anthocephalus macrophyllus, Duabanga grandifolia, and kayu papaya at the water reserve in suburban Ciherang-Bogor. Growth performance on mortality rate and the average height of the 4.5-year-old planted seedlings were observed to evaluate the adaptability and suitability of the species in the area. The results of mortality rate revealed that E. zwageri seedlings were ranged from 35% (from South Kalimantan) to 50% (from Jambi), while the four fast-growing species were ranged from 14% (Kayu papaya) to 83% (Duabanga moluccana) indicated that the mortality rate for the five species of seedlings planted varied. Whereas, the results of average height showed that E. zwageri seedlings were ranged from 196.15 cm (South Kalimantan) to 332.50 cm (Natuna), and four fast-growing species was ranged from 582.35 cm (Duabanga grandiflora) to 1411.10 cm (Anthocephalus macrophyllus) indicated that planting fast-growing trees in the suburban area is suitable to increase land coverage in a relatively short time, while slow-growing species are more suitable for species preservation purposes.