The Artistry of Ecological Restoration
The white popinac forest severely affects the renewal of indigenous plants, but some tree species are capable of overcoming the restraint and offer an opportunity of afforestation. In specific, shade-tolerant trees such as Manila champereia, orange jasmine, fragrant pittosporum, and various types of banyan saplings form the precious mesostructure of the forest. When the canopy of the white popinac is properly reduced, the abovementioned saplings can consequently gain exposure to sunlight and accelerate the growing speed. Once these tree species become the shelterwood, the growth of the white popinac would be impeded. With a gradual removal of the white popinac at this stage, an indigenous tree species dominated forest could be cultivated.
On open fields with abundant sunlight, on the other hand, pioneer tree species that can quickly form shade, such as India-charcoal trema, can be planted first. In the interspace, herbaceous broad-leafed plants, such as giant elephant’s ear and palm grass, can be used to enhance shading and further prevent the growth of the white popinac. According to Lu, bird’s-nest fern, which collects humus, is suitable for improving the soil fertility of the forest. For the next stage, shade-tolerant saplings are suggested to be planted on the forest floor, from which a forest with the dominant indigenous tree species can be formed.