ROTATION SYSTEM FOR CARDAMOM PLANTIN G AND FOREST REGENERATION IN THE TROPICAL RAINFOREST OF SOUTHWEST CHINA

Abstract

Gao L & Liu HM. 2009. Rotation system for cardamom planting and forest regeneration in the tropical
rainforest of south-west China. The cultivation of cardamom (Amomum villosum) in tropical rainforest led to
biodiversity decrease and soil degradation. After removal of cardamom in the rainforest of Xishuangbanna of
Yunnan, SW China, ecological restoration experiment was carried out from 1998 till 2001. The results showed
that the number of plants increased, exceeding that of primary rainforest. The species richness, plant diversity
and evenness had increased prominently, similar to the values of primary rainforest. The flora developed
along that of tropical rainforest. In the rainy season, seedlings grew faster in areas where cardamom had
been removed compared with that of primary rainforests, but there was no difference in the dry season. The
biomass of seedlings was 636.1 ± 43.4 g m-2 after two years, exceeding that of the primary rainforest, due to
the rapid growth of herbs and ferns. The water content of soil improved and was not different from that of
primary rainforest. The organic matter content of deep soil increased remarkably but available phosphorus
needed a long time to restore. The available surface calcium was lost through rain water. A new pattern of
rotating cardamom planting in tropical forests was recommended.