Can Ficus sp. Forests be Restored Through Vegetative Propagation?
Danielle Hefferan, Breanna Hess, Michael Renner, Keith Summerville, Benjamin Beck, Drake University Environmental Science & Policy Program, College of Arts & Sciences
Introduction
Discussion
Methods (continued)
• Gishwati forest lies within the Albertine Rift and
contains high biodiversity but has undergone
significant deforestation.
• One year survivorship results correlated with previous study done
by Danthu et. al. (2002) who found 0-77% rooting abilities. One year
survivorship varied due to the type of Ficus species planted. Initial
condition of the clipping was also an important factor in root success.
• Conservation efforts have preserved the forest and it
is home to a small population of chimpanzees.
• Since we found a correlation between the height of the individual
and its leaf count (Figure 1), we concluded that the initial height of
the clipping may be a predictor of vitality.
•As part of restoration efforts, a Rwandan NGO,
Vision 2012, planted around 400 Ficus sp cuttings in
2011.
•Our goal was test the one year survivorship of these
cuttings.
•Our hypothesis was that there will be high one
year survivorship when vegetative propagation is
utilized.
• This is important because this data will help decide
whether Ficus sp. is a viable option to plant a corridor
to connect the three forest fragments in Rwanda.
Results
Figure 1. Three viable
corridor routes.
•57.1% of the clippings survived through the year.
•A significant correlation was found between the height of the
individual and its leaf count (Figure 2) demonstrating that a larger
initial branch clipping had more vigorous growth.
•Of the 57.1% that survived, 51.2% had at least 11 leaves per 25cm of
growth (Figure 3) showing that many clippings produced new growth.
Research Site
•Initial size and health may be a predictor; however, Danthu et. al.
(2002) found that the time of year the clipping was planted may also
determine the outcome. March clippings had a 57% rooting ability,
where the September had a 5% rooting ability. Vision 2012 planted
the Ficus sp. starting in October through December.
•Given 57.1% survivorship of the Ficus sp., we conclude that this
species is a good candidate for corridor construction. Chancellor
(2012) discovered that Ficus is a popular fall back food for
Chimpanzees during the dry season; therefore, the Ficus sp. can help
facilitate migration through the corridor.
180
Gishwati Forest Boundary
Kinyekanda
Average Number of Leaves
Vision 2012 planted the clippings in an area of Gishwati forest that is
newly under restoration called Kinyekanda.
y = 18.446x + 11.843
R² = 0.9065; P = 0.001
160
140
120
References
100
80
60
40
20
0
0-25
26-50
51-75
76-100
101-125
126-150
151-175
Tree Height Category (cm)
Figure 2. The correlation of leaf count to tree height is illustrated here. Individuals tend to have
more leaves the taller they are.
Methods
•Locate plant cuttings in forest.
•Tag with metal tags with unique numbers for identification.
•Use Garmin GPS to plot each clipping found.
•Measure height and diameter at breast height in centimeters.
•Count number of leaves on each living clipping.
Number of Ficus Trees
160
140
120
Left bar= dead
individuals
100
Danthu, P., P. Soloviev, A. Gaye, A. Sarr, M. Seck, and I. Thomas. "Vegetative
Propagation of Some West African Ficus Species by Cuttings." Agroforestry
Systems 55 (2002): 57-63. Print.
Laman, Timothy G. "Ficus Stupenda Germination and Seedling Establishment in a
Bornean Rain Forest Canopy." Ecology 76.8 (1995): 2617-626. Print.
Chancellor, Rebecca, Aaron Rundus, and Sylvain Nyandwi. “The Influence of
Seasonal Variation on Chimpanzee (Pan Troglodytes Schweinfurthii) Fallback
Food Consumption, Nest Group Size, and Habitat use in Gishwati, a Montane
Rain Forest Fragment in Rwanda.” International Journal of Primatology 33
(2012): 115-33. Print.
80
Acknowledgements
60
40
20
0
0/25cm
1-10/25cm 11-20/25cm 21-30/25cm 31-40/25cm 41-50/25cm 51-60/25cm 61-70/25cm 71-80/25cm 81-90/25cm
Scaled Leaves per 25cm Tree Height
Figure 3. Frequency diagram of leaves per 25 cm of Height.
We would like to thank the Forest of Hope Association including, Sylvain
Nyandwi, Jean Paul Ntungane, and Madeleine Nyiratuza for hosting and helping every
day. And Rebecca Chancellor and Aaron Rundus for providing information. A thank
you to Vision 2012 for assisting in locating the Ficus sp. As well as the Rwandan
Government for allowing our research. And also Drake University for sponsoring
research abroad.