The Effects on Rain-Forest Birds of Plantings of Teak, Tectona Grandis, in Papua New Guinea.

Abstract

Plantations of the introduced teak (Tectona grandis) in New Guinea had little lateral branching, few epiphytes or climbers and little undergrowth. Birds found among teak were some from the original rain forest nearby and some savannah species. There were far fewer species of bird and mammal than in rain forest, owing mainly to the loss of small insectivorous passerines, nectarivores and ground feeders. Birds at 2 teak plots and in rain forest were classed by their feeding habits; some had adapted to different niches on leaving rain forest for the teak. There were few mammals in the teak other than rats, probably Rattus leucopus, and the rats ate teak fruit. A main food resource in teak was the teak moth (Hyblaea puera); birds were noted that ate the larvae or pupae. Even birds able to maintain themselves among teak may be able to colonize teak only if there is adjacent rain forest from which to colonize. Official policy is now to leave natural vegetation along creek lines.