SITE SUITABILITY OF YEMANE (Gmelina arborea)

PLANTATION IN BUKIDNON USING GIS

JHON MAR E. GATAO

AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF

THE COLLEGE OF FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE,
CENTRAL MINDANAO UNIVERSITY, IN PARTIAL FULLFILMENT OF
THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN FORESTRY

May 15, 2021

 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Yemane (Gmelina arborea) is among the fast-growing industrial plantation

species (ITPS), currently used as an alternative to fast depleting premium and commercially used

lumber species. One of the many advantages of Yemane over other fast growing species is its

capacity to quickly reproduce coppice of more than 5 stems, which can be thinned by choice and

which can provide quick soil cover after cutting (Perina 2003).

G. arborea has been actively introduced into many tropical and subtropical

regions to be used as forestry and ornamental tree. Worldwide estimates suggest that by 2004

plantations of G. arborea covered an area of about 700,000 ha (Dvorak, 2004). It is an opportunist

species and it has been classified as long-lived pioneer. Thus, it has potential to disrupt

successional processes in areas where it is invading and out compete native vegetation (IUCN,

2013; PROTA, 2016). Rotenberg (2007) examines the use of plantation of Gmelina arborea by

native birds in Guatemala and assesses its suitability as bird habitats.

Yemane (Gmelina arborea) has gained prominence not only in the Philippines but

also among our Asian neighbors because of its economic importance. Neuva Viscaya and Cebu

were the two provinces that pioneered in planting Yemane. Other plantations were established

later in Mindanao and Luzon (Palaypayon & Batalon, 2002). For Yemane, average prices ranged

from PHP 19.16 in Region 13 up to PHP 38.05 per bd. ft. in NCR. Similarly, in Region 10, price

was at PHP 19.41 per db. Ft. Philippines has a total forest cover of 15,805, 325, hence Bukidnon

has 202,322 total forest cover (NAMRIA, 2010).

Statement of the problem

Yemane is known for its very remarkable growth rate. Gmelina arborea
originated in an area of South and Southest Asia from Pakistan and Sri Lanka to Myanmar. It has

been widely planted in Southeat Asia countries including Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand,

Southern China, Indonesia and the Philippines (Hossain, 1999). This species are widely planted in

the Philippines due to the favorable climatic condition of our country and other factors that

promote healthy growth of the species. This study aims to identify which are the sites suitable for

Yemane (Gmelina arborea) plantation in Bukidnon, Philippines through GIS method. Specifically

the following questions:

1. Where are the suitable sites for Yemane (Gmelina arborea) plantation in

Bukidnon?

2. How suitable are Yemane (Gmelina arborea) in the existing plantations in

Bukidnon?

3. What is the map of the suitable site for Yemane (G. arborea) plantation in

Bukidnon?

Objectives of the Study

The general objective of this study aims to identify which are the sites suitable for

Yemane (Gmelina arborea) plantation in Bukidnon through GIS method. The general aim of this

study is to;

1. Determine the location of the existing Gmelina arborea plantations in Bukidnon. 2.

Evaluate the suitability of existing Gmelina arborea plantation in Bukidnon. 3.

Generate a suitability map for Gmelina arborea plantation in Bukidnon.

Significance of the Study

This study will determine the site suitability of the Yemane plantation in

Bukidnon by the use of GIS method. Hence, to provide information for the decision making of
those who are planning to have a Yemane plantation in Bukidnon. Furthermore, the generated

data of this study will serve as a future reference for students and other researches on the

Suitability of Yemene in Bukidnon.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study will focus only on the site suitability of Yemane (Gmelina arborea)

plantations in Bukidnon using GIS method. It will identify which are the suitable sites of Yemane

(Gmelina arborea) plantation and generate a suitability map for this species.

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERTURE

Description of the species

Yemane (Gmelina arborea) is a fast growing, unarmed, moderately sized to large

deciduous tree with a wide spreading canopy with numerous branches forming a large shay crown

(Fern, 2014). It can grow from 3-30 meters tall (Fern, 2014). The straight, cylindrical bole is

commonly around 50cm in diameter, but specimens up to 140cm, have recorded. It can be

unbranched for 6-10 meters (Fern., et al). The species is also planted in tuangya system with

short-rotation crops and as shade trees for coffee and cacao.

It is commonly called gmelina and white beech in English while melina in

Spanish, gamar in Bangladesh, gambar or melina in Indi, soh in Thailand and Yemane in the

Philippines (Brandis 1906, F/FRED 1994). This species produces large numbers of fertile fruits

that are easily dispersed by birds and bats, spreading seedlings quite far from the parent tree

(Orwa et al., 2009). In this way, G. arborea has escaped from plantations and entered wild

habitats where it is now replacing native trees becoming invasive (IUCN, 2003).

Gmelina arborea is often used in reforestation programs (Moya and Tomazello,

2008). The species is also planted in agroforestry systems and a shade tree on cassava, maize,

coffee and cacao plantations (Orwa et al., 2009: USDA-ARS, 2016). The plant can succeed in

very dry to wet areas in the tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 2,100

meters. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22-34˚c,

but can tolerate 16-46˚c. It can kill by temperatures of 1˚c or lower. Yemane prefers a mean

annual rainfall in the range of 1500-2,500mm, but tolerates 750- 5000mm (Fern, 2014).

Ecology of Gmelina arborea

Yemane (Gmelina arborea) species occurs in variety of forest habitats, including

tropical semi-evergreen, sub-montane, very moist teak forest, deciduous, sal and dry teak forests.

It also occurs in Syzygium parkland and low alluvial savannah woodland. The tree is a light

demander, although it can stand some shade. It is moderately frost hardy and recovers quickly

from frost injuries. It can thrive well on sites with an elevation of up to 5252m (1,750 ft) above

sea level (m asl). Gmelina grows best on deep, well drained, base-rich soils with pH between 5.0

and 8.0. Growth is poor on thin, highly leached acid soils (F/FRED 1994).

Economic importance of Gmelina arborea.

G. arborea is a fast-growing tree often grown in largescale plantations to produce

wood for light construction, crafts, decorative veneers, pulp, fuel, and charcoal. It produces high

quality wood, which is harvested for the manufacture of furniture, musical instruments and even

artificial limbs. The wood is yellowish or grayish-white, even-grained, and very useful for

planking, carriage, furniture and carpentry of all kinds (Khan and Alam 1996). The wood also

produces good quality pulp used in manufacturing cardboard and paper. Flowers produce

abundant nectar, which produces high quality honey. The leaves are widely used as cattle fodder,

and in silkworm culture. The wood ash and fruit yield very persistent yellow dyes (Orwa et al.,

2009; PROTA, 2016).

 Root, bark and seeds of G. arborea is used in traditional Asian medicine. In India,

G. arborea stem bark and roots are used in Ayurvedic preparations to treat range of ailments

(Shenoy and Yoganarasimhan, 2009; Yogesh and Veeranjaneyulu, 2010; Acharya et

al., 2012). The fruit and bark are used to treat various conditions in Sri LAnka (Trimen, 1895;

Wagman, 1982). It is also cultivated as an ornamental tree in gardens and aveneus (Orwa et al.,

2009).

Natural factors affecting Gmelina arborea growth and development.

Climate is the key factor which determins the productivity and distribution of forest flora

(Rahman et al.,2012). G. arborea grows on many soil types, including dry sandy soil and heavily

leached acidic soils with pH ranging from 5 to 8 (Duke, 1983; Orwal et al., 2009). When

established under poor soil conditions, trees often remain stunted or become little more than a

shrub. This species prefers well-drained soils and does not tolerate waterlogged sites or peat soils.

It has a light requirement (PROTA, 2016).

In the Philippines, defoliators such as chrysodeizis chalcites, Acherontia

lanchesis, Ozola minor and Attacus spp. are the common pest innursiries and plantations (Lapis

and Bautista 1977; Lapis and Genel, 1979).

Use of GIS

Using GIS is a relevant tool in this study, and it also are effective in may studies for data

visualization, database management, data analysis, modeling and cartography. A geographic

information system (GIS) is a computer system for capturing, storing, checking, and displaying

data related to positions on Earth’s surface. GIS can show many different kinds of data on one

map. It can use information that includes location. The location can be expressed in many different

ways, such as latitude and longitude, address, or ZIP code. One of the most useful applications of
 GIS for planning and measurement is the land-use

suitability mapping and analysis (McHarg, 1969; Hopkins, !977; Brail and Klosterman, 2001;

Collins et al., 2001).

Geographical Information System is the standard technique used to examine the

possible sites for site suitability of a particular species for a plantation. Site suitability analysis is a

type of analysis used in GIS to determine the best place or site for something. When performing

site selection analysis, users must set various criteria, from which the GIS software can rate the

best or ideal sites (Briney A., 2014). A GIS-based site suitability assessment will therefore help

determine whether a piece of land is suitable or unsuitable for planting tree species and will aid in

the optimal use of land (Mokarram and Amin-zadeh, 2010).

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

DURATION AND LOCATION OF THE STUDY

The study aimed to accomplish at Central Mindanao University, Musuan,

Maramag Bukidnon. The duration of this study will be on January 2021 until April 2021 by

gathering relevant data from Provincial Environmental and Natural office (PENRO) Bukidnon.

Yemane (Gmelina arborea) plantation in Bukidnon has grown largely over the

time. To examine those accredited plantations, through creating a proper communication for

Provincial Environmental and Natural office (PENRO) Bukidnon will be given.

DATA COLLECTION

Data is the raw material from which every information system is built. The ability
of GIS to handle and process geographically referenced data distinguishes it from other

information system. Digital in raster and vector formats will be collected from various

governmental institutions for preparation of factor maps/suitability maps of the plantation.

Through proper communication of the Provincial Environmental and Natural

office (PENRO) Malaybalay, the data will gather and will analyze by the researcher. Availability

of all data in digital format will able to have an easy transfer of files into GIS system. Moreover, a

more significant review in literature in similar studies will help to identify techniques to be use in

this study and possible factors to incorporate in this analysis.

DATA PROCESSING

Using the available relevant data from PENRO MAlaybalay, the data will be

analyze such as the weights of the variables in order to produce suitability map for existing

Yemane (Gmelina arbore) plantations, and also for suitable other suitable sites for the species to

grow and develop in Bukidnon. To create a suitability map in this analysis, ArcGIS software

package and its extensions will be use.

DATA ANALYSIS

The data that will be collected from different government offices will be analyzed

through a spatial analysis to show the site suitability of Gmelina arborea plantations in Bukidnon.

And will therefore create a suitable map for Yemane (Gmelina arborea) plantation in Bukidnon

through the ArcGIS software package and its extensions.

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