Conserving the previously reported extinct tree species Dipterocarpus cinereus: An ex-situ approach for the species conservation strategy

Abstract

Rachmat HH, Subiakto A. 2015. Conserving the previously reported extinct tree species Dipterocarpus cinereus: An ex-situ approach for species conservation strategy. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1: 560-564. Dipterocarpus cinereus (Dipterocarpaceae) is a dipterocarp species which is previously reported extinct based on IUCN Red list. Exploration conducted by Indonesian Science Institute (LIPI) in early 2013 confirmed that this species is still growing naturally in their habitat in Mursala Island, North Sumatra. Despite the Mursala Island is experiencing a high risk of habitat alteration, there has not been any information available related to their regeneration and or their conservation strategy. This study was aimed to collect genetic materials of the species both available as wildings and or cutting materials to be transplanted and propagated in the nursery as ex-situ conservation effort of the species. Exploration in Mursala Island identified the occurrence of the wildings in their natural habitat and took 12 of them out of the site to be transplanted in the nursery. Fouty nine cuttings materials originated from saplings stage were also taken to the nursery at CRDCC for vegetative propagation experiment. Wildings were kept in a shaded chamber with high humidity, while vegetative propagation was conducted using KOFFCO (Komatsu-Forda Fog Cooling System) technique. The result showed that the species was very sensitive to environmental changes, until 16 months of observation the wildings survival rate was 58%, while none of cutting materials was rooted until weeks 36th. Light abundance was predicted as the key factor for the failure of the vegetative propagation, which is also reflected from their wildings that still require much shading and cannot yet be released to the more open area.